The 132nd birth anniversary of renowned educationist Dr Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar was held at the Rani Seethai Hall here on Sunday. Prominent attendees of the event included pro-chancellor of Annamalai University MAM Ramasamy and president of Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar Trust MAMR Muthiah.
Chief guest of the occasion, Madras High Court Justice V Periyakaruppaiah lauded the contributions of Dr Annamalai Chettiar to the field of education. He catalogued the all-round praise the latter had received, both from the erstwhile British rulers and Indian personalities.
“It is not for nothing that he was conferred with the title Dewan Bahadur by the British,” he added. He exuded hope that the varsity will become one of the best global universities in another 50 years. The judge urged the gathering to take a leaf out of the university’s progress and strive for excellence.
Renowned Nagaswaram artiste Sembanarkoil S R D Vaidayanathan, formerly a teacher of music at the Annamalai University, was honoured on the occasion. He was presented a cash prize of `2 lakh, a citation and a memento.
An expert committee of three eminent personalities was behind the selection. Going down the memory lane, Vaidyanathan, also the recipient of the Sangeetha Choodamani and President honours, said that he was appointed as lecturer of the Annamalai University 35 years ago. “I am greatly indebted to the university that I have been a part of for the greater part of my musical career,” he said. Former vice-chancellor of the Tamizh Varsity, Avvai Natarajan, while extolling the contributions of Annamalai University to society, said that it provided the impetus to set up the Alagappa University and other private educational institutions in the State. “Despite offering courses in various branches of study, the Annamalai University was, for long, known as the Tamil University,” he elucidated.
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