Solomon Pappaiah (Tamil:சாலமன் பாப்பையா) (born 22 February 1936), also known as Solomon Pappiah and Salomon Pappayah is an Indian scholar and a television icon in

Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...

India India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...

. He is best known for moderating debate talk shows, known as 'patti mandrams', which have been airing on Tamil Television Channels for quite a long time (for over three decades). He is credited for taking social themes to the masses and has so far moderated over 12,000 debates programmes across the globe. He is carrying Tamil literature service for almost 60 years and is considered one of the greatest Tamil scholars. His modest approach in speaking and life has earned him a large reputation among Tamil-speaking people throughout the world. He was awarded India's fourth highest civilian award, the

Padma Shri The Padma Shri (IAST: ''padma śrī'', lit. 'Lotus Honour'), also spelled Padma Shree, is the fourth-highest Indian honours system, civilian award of the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan. In ...

, in 2021.

Early life

Born as the ninth child in a family of 12 to A. Sundaram and S. Pakkiam, Pappaiah had his job cut out as his father was a mill worker and did not have the wherewithal to financially support his studies. With financial help from his friends, he was able to continue his education. Arasu, his drawing master at the American College Higher Secondary School, taught him the skills. Professor Jothi Muthu of American College groomed his love for the language. Pappiah joined Thiagarajar College to pursue post-graduation in Tamil and became the first batch of MA Tamil students. He entered the public stage fray in 1960, while he was a lecturer at The American College. He rose to the position of Head of Department for Tamil in American college and extended his Tamil literature knowledge to all people through various forums. Eventually, he created a social awakening in the evolution of Patti Mandrams. He has also written and directed plays at college.

Speaking style

Pappaiah is known for his ‘down to earth' speaking style. His command of Tamil enables him to get complex literary issues across to the common man. This has enabled him to take social themes to the masses and bring about a social awakening in the evolution of Patti Mandrams in Tamil Nadu and beyond.

Awards and titles

* He is referred to as "Tamil Arignar" and "Iyal Kalai Arignar" * He was awarded

Kalaimamani The Kalaimamani is the highest civilian award in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. These awards are given by the ''Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram'' (literature, music and theatre), a unit of the Directorate of Art and Culture, Government ...

by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2000 *

Annamalai University The Annamalai University (AU) is a public state university in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India. The sprawling campus offers courses of higher education in arts, science, engineering, management, humanities, agriculture, and physical education. ...

conferred him with "Muthamizh Perarignar" award in 2010 * He was awarded

by the Government of India in 2021.

Writing

Solomon Pappaiah has penned few books: * Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram: Or Paarvai * Urai Malargal * Urai Kothu * Tirukkural Uraiyudan * Purananooru Puthiya Varisai Vagai

Acting

Pappaiah also appeared in two of director Shankar's film:

Boys A boy is a young male human. The term is commonly used for a child or an adolescent. When a male human reaches adulthood, he is usually described as a man. Definition, etymology, and use According to the ''Merriam-Webster Dictionary'', a boy ...

and Sivaji: The Boss. *Pudhu Varusham (1992) *

(2003) * Sivaji: The Boss (2007)

Personal life

He was born in Sathangudi, Thirumangalam taluk, Madurai. Pappaiah and his wife Jeyabai reside in

Madurai Madurai ( , , ), formerly known as Madura, is a major city in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District, which is ...

, India. They have a son and a daughter.

References

Sources

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Papaiya, Solomon 1936 births Writers from Madurai Tamil male actors Living people Television personalities from Tamil Nadu Male actors from Madurai Tirukkural commentators 20th-century Indian journalists Journalists from Tamil Nadu Recipients of the Padma Shri in literature and education