K. Kanapathypillai

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Professor
K. Kanapathypillai
Born(1902-07-02)2 July 1902
Died1968
Alma materVelauthar School
Hartley College
Ceylon University College
Annamalai University
University of London
OccupationAcademic

Professor Kandasamypillai Kanapathypillai (2 July 1902 – 1968) was a leading

Ceylon Tamil academic, author and head of the Department of Tamil at the University of Ceylon
, Peradeniya for 18 years.

Early life and family

Kanapathypillai was born on 2 July 1902.

Chola inscriptions in 1935.[1]

Career

Returning to Ceylon, Kanapathypillai was appointed Lecturer of Tamil at University of Ceylon, becoming Professor of Tamil in 1948.[1] He was appointed head of the Department of Tamil at the university in 1947, succeeding Swami Vipulananda.[2] He held that position until his retirement in 1965.[2]

Kanapathypillai wrote a number of books including dramas.[1]

In his later years as Professor of Tamil at Peradeniya, he made valuable contributions in the field of Sri Lankan Tamil epigraphy. At a time when there was no trained Tamil epigraphist to decipher, edit and publish the many ancient Tamil inscriptions in Sri Lanka, Kanapathypillai undertook this task and published articles on the Tamil inscriptions from Makanai, Moragahawela and Panduvasnuvara in the 1960 and 1962 issues of the University of Ceylon Review. He created a new interest in this field and inspired his students to continue this work after his retirement.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Arumugam, S. (1997). Dictionary of Biography of the Tamils of Ceylon. p. 75.
  2. ^ a b "General Informations". University of Peradeniya.

External links