SCHOOL OF TAMIL STUDIES

Profile of the School

   The Department of Tamil was established at Madurai Kamaraj University in 1965 as a part of the Extension centre of Madras University. The Madurai Kamaraj University was started in 1966 and the development of Tamil got independent status.

   A full time M.A., Tamil Degree courses was started in 1968. The semester system was introduced in 1970. M.Phil., Tamil was introduced in 1976. Certificate and Diploma Courses in Journalism, Translation and Dramatics were also introduced and conducted by the department from 1979 – 1982.

   A programme to teach Tamil Languages and Culture to Foreign Students was Started in 1968. In this Programme students from USA belonging to GLCA (Great Lakes Colleges Association) and American Institute of Indian Studies programme have undergone courses in Tamil Languages Literature and Culture. Several of them had research training also. Since 1973 these courses have been converted into Certificate and Diploma Courses in Tamil Languages and Culture.

   The Department is engaged in research activities from 1966 not only in Tamil Languages and Literature, but also in Comparative Literature, Folklore, Journalism Dramatics, Temple Studies, Place Names studies, Dialect Survey, Social Cultural Survey and studies in Functional Tamil.

   The Department of Tamil was recognized by the University Grants Commission as an ‘Identified Department’ Since 1971 and Continued for 10 years. It has been upgraded by the UGC as a Department for Special Assistance (DSA) in the year 1988. The Department has got the special assistance upto 1999.

   In 2007 School of Tamil Studies was recognized again by the UGC under Special Assistance Programme DRS for the years 2007-2012. The School of Tamil Studies has been sanctioned Phase II of DRS Programme for the years 2013 -2018.

   In 1992 the Department of Tamil became the School of Tamil Studies and in 2012 Department of Manuscriptology has been renamed as Department of Literature and Anthropology .

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