Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar Karanthai Arts College, Thanjavur

About Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar Karanthai Arts College, Thanjavur

The granary of South India, Thanjavur adds more pride to its name, as Karanthai is a part on the Northern part of Thanjavur. Karanthai Tamil Sangam is located on the North bank of river Vadavar, a tributary of Cauvery. Karanthai Tamil Sangam has a glorious past and rich tradition. Karanthai Tamil Sangam was inaugurated for the welfare and growth of Tamil language and Tamilians. Karanthai Tamil Sangam was founded by Thiru. T.V. Radhakrishna Pillai B.A., in the year 1911. Thiru. T.V.Radhakrishna Pillai, with his friends, requested his brother Thiru. T.V.Umamaheswaranar B.A.,B.L., to be the president of Karanthai Tamil Sangam, and to which the later agreed. Thereafter, Umamaheswaranar added fame and glory to the presidentship of Sangam. Umamaheswaranar dedicated his spirit and soul to the development of Karanthai Tamil Sangam for a period of thirty years from its inception in 1911 to 1941. As a mark of respect for all the selfless services and total dedication towards Tamil, Umamaheswaranar Pillai was honoured with a title Tamilavel, Chieftain of Tamil, in 1936.

On the North Bank of Vadavar is located Karanthai Tamil Sangam’s Office and its Educational Institutions – Radhakrishna Primary School, Umamaheswara Higher Secondary School, Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar Karanthai Arts College, and on the south bank of Vadavar, T.S.Palanisami Pillai Industrial Training Institute, Umamaheswaranar Teacher Training and Umamaheswaranar College of Education.

At first, Karanthai Pulavar Kalloori (College) was started by the grace of God and tremendous effort put forth by Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar in the year 1938. On the eve of Silver Jubilee Celebration of Karanthai Tamil Sangam it was declared open by the renowned Tamil Scholar Thiruppathirippulliur Gnaniyar Swamigal. It was affiliated to the University of Madras in the year 1941 by the Himalayan efforts of Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar.

Karanthai Pulavar Kalloori (College) offered only Pulavar Pattam (Tamil) course in its initial stage. Pulavar Pattam was not recognized by the public and so the candidates who have obtained it were not able to seek adequate employment opportunities, which paved the way for starting B.Lit., course, which was valued on par with other degree courses. B.Lit., degree course was started in the year 1975-76. There was a great demand for this course among the students. Year after year the strength increased and there was a need for Post Graduate Course (i.e.) M.A., (Tamil).

Meanwhile, Bharathidasan University was started in the year 1982 in Tiruchirappalli. Some of the colleges which were affiliated to Madras University came under Bharathidasan University. Thereafter the college started several self-financing courses as the Government did not approve grant in aid courses under Bharathidasan University. The colleges in Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur, Pudukkottai, Karur, Perambalur, Nagai and Thiruvarur Districts were affiliated to Bharathidasan University. One such college was Tamilavel Umamaheswaranar Karanthai Arts College, Thanjavur shortly known as T.U.K. Arts College.

In T.U.K. Arts college, M.A., course was started in the academic year 1982-83, Eventually, M.Phil., (Tamil) full time course was started in the year 1985-86. Moreover, this college had received affiliation from Bharathidasan University for M.Phil., (Tamil) part time and Ph.D., (Tamil) research programme in 1986-87.