Tamil scholar and debate moderator Solomon Pappaiah passes away in Madurai

CHENNAI: Veteran Tamil scholar, debate moderator and Kalaimamani awardee Solomon Pappaiah (90), who popularised the art of pattimandram globally, passed away in Madurai on Thursday (September 10) due to age-related ailments, according to a Maalaimalar report.

Pappaiah made significant contributions to Tamil language and literature, having moderated more than 12,000 debates during his illustrious career.

He also authored commentaries on several ancient Tamil literary works, including the Thirukkural.

In recognition of his contribution to Tamil, he was honoured with the Tamil Nadu government's Kalaimamani award in 2000.

He also acted in several films, including Rajinikanth-starrer Sivaji.

Solomon Pappaiah's funeral arrangements

According to a media reports, the mortal remains of veteran Tamil scholar and pattimandram speaker Solomon Pappaiah have been kept at his residence in Gnanolipuram near Arappalayam in Madurai for the public and leaders to pay their last respects. His final rites are scheduled to be held at the Thathaneri electric crematorium in Madurai tomorrow afternoon, according to his family.

Solomon Pappaiah's career and awards

Solomon Pappaiah was born in 1936 at Sathankudi near Tirumangalam in Madurai district. He served as a professor in the Tamil department at Madurai American College and became widely known for his humorous and engaging speeches at pattimandrams and public events.

His popularity took him to several countries, including the US, Australia and Singapore, where he participated in pattimandram programmes. He was honoured with the Kalaimamani award (2000) by the Tamil Nadu government and the Padma Shri (2021) by the Central government.

Pappaiah had participated and spoken at a pattimandram organised by a private television channel in Sivakasi on September 5.

Leaders condole Solomon Pappaiah's death

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Joseph Vijay expressed grief over the death of Solomon Pappaiah, saying his demise was a great loss to the Tamil-speaking world. In a post on X, Vijay said Pappaiah had used his humour and deep knowledge of Tamil to take social ideas to people in a simple manner and had transformed pattimandrams from mere entertainment programmes into platforms that encouraged thought.

DMK president MK Stalin also expressed shock and grief over Pappaiah's death. He recalled that festivals such as Pongal and New Year had become closely associated with Pappaiah's pattimandram programmes among Tamil people.

Stalin also recalled meeting Pappaiah when he visited Madurai last May for a public interaction, saying Pappaiah had come to his doorstep to welcome him.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed shock and grief over the veteran speaker's death. He said Pappaiah had entertained people through his humorous speeches while taking the richness of the Tamil language and Tamil culture to the younger generation.

Palaniswami said Pappaiah's death was an irreparable loss to the Tamil literary world and the pattimandram field.