Founder of Sri Murugan Centre passes away at 84
KLANG: One of the nation's foremost educationists, Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, passed away in his sleep early on Monday morning (June 23).
The founder of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) was 84.
Dr Thambirajah, a history professor at Universiti Malaya, began his mission to encourage the Malaysian Indian community through education in 1982 after observing the lack of Indian students in public universities.
With the help of 42 Indian undergraduates from the university, he set his idea of providing tuition and mentoring classes for young Indians in motion.
The undergraduates took to the idea and established the SMC the same year. The name was taken from Lord Murugan, who represents the Tamil language, culture and people
At the centre, education was regarded as a pilgrimage, similar to the Kalvi Yathirai (educational pilgrimage) held annually at the Batu Caves Murugan temple.
Students were also encouraged to dress to the highest standards when attending classes. The boys were required to wear ties, as Dr Thambirajah believed that for students to excel, their confidence must be boosted first.
Parents were also included, and students took part in ceremonies organised by the SMC to honour them.
Since opening, approximately 300,000 students have passed through SMC.
Dr Thambirajah began his career as a Kirby-trained teacher and then pursued tertiary education, majoring in Russian History at Washington University in the United States.
He then pursued a law degree, was admitted to the Malaysian Bar and opened his own legal firm after retiring as a university academic.
Dr Thambirajah leaves behind his wife, Puan Sri A. Indrani, two children—Dr Sumitra and Anand, and two grandchildren.
Those wishing to pay their last respects may do so at SMC Ashram, No. 40, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, from 10.00am to 2.00pm on Tuesday, June 24.
Dr Thambirajah's final rites will be conducted at the Shah Alam Nirwana Memorial Park at 3.00pm on the same day.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Yoga event gains entry into Malaysia Book of Records
SERDANG: The Sakthi School of Yoga held its 11th International Yoga Day (IDY) event on Saturday, that brought together culture, tradition and wellness at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang. Led by its founder master S.K. Durai, the event attracted 6,098 attendees from Malaysia, India and Singapore – underscoring the growing global resonance of yoga and the expanding international presence of the school. With a total of 5,368 active participants, the group gained entry into the Malaysia Book of Records for achieving the largest yoga session. The activities opened with a cultural showcase featuring urumee melam (a traditional Indian folk drum ensemble), mayilattam (peacock dance), karagattam (a folk balancing dance) and a silambam martial arts demonstration. The yoga session that followed was a multi-generational showcase of spirit and discipline. Children delivered high-energy performances, while senior citizens inspired the crowd with grace and determination. A key highlight was the Sakthi Kriya session, a spiritual practice led by Durai designed to awaken and channel inner energy. Among the segments at the event was a pregnancy yoga performance, showcasing strength and emotional resilience. This was followed by a Ramayana themed presentation, blending classical Indian storytelling with yoga choreography. Behind the scenes, a 130-member team of teachers and students ensured the event ran smoothly, from registration to stage management, demonstrating unity, coordination and commitment. 'This event has offered not just a platform to showcase skill and dedication but a deeper opportunity to connect with the inner self and with others through the universal path of yoga,' said Durai. IDY is observed globally on June 21, following a 2014 resolution by the United Nations recognising the role of yoga in promoting physical and mental health. More than 1,200 participants gathered at Batu Caves for a parallel IDY event the same day. According to Bernama, it was jointly organised by the High Commission of India and the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Indian Cultural Centre, in collaboration with several Malaysian partner organisations. It was held under the global theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health'. 'There is growing popularity of yoga in Malaysia across the age groups and its wider integration into wellness, physical as well as mental health programmes,' said High Commissioner of India to Malaysia B.N. Reddy in a statement. The event was also attended by Youth and Sports Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr K. Nagulendran. Trained instructors led a 40-minute yoga session based on the Common Yoga Protocol, that included a demonstration of yoga asanas (postures).
Sinar Daily
7 hours ago
- Sinar Daily
Thambirajah, champion of Indian community education dies
Born in 1942, Thambirajah founded SMC in 1982 with the aim of uplifting Indian students through academic support, personal discipline and self-confidence. 23 Jun 2025 02:30pm Condolences and floral tributes can be sent to SMC Ashramam, No. 40, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. KUALA LUMPUR - Prominent educationist and founder of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC), Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, died today. He was 83. SMC co-director Surain Kanda, when contacted by Bernama, said members of the public may pay their last respects tomorrow at SMC Ashramam, Petaling Jaya, Selangor from 10 am to 2 pm, before the final rites at Nirwana Setia Alam at 3 pm. "Tan Sri was more than just a leader; he was a visionary whose mission was clear - that every Indian home should produce at least one graduate. His efforts transformed the lives of thousands,' he said. Born in 1942, Thambirajah founded SMC in 1982 with the aim of uplifting Indian students through academic support, personal discipline and self-confidence. What started as four small centres grew into a nationwide movement with over 103 physical and 128 virtual centres, currently serving more than 10,000 students annually. An alumnus of the University Malaya (UM), he went on to earn his M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Washington, USA, and later completed his LL.B. (Hons) from the University of London. He served as a senior lecturer at UM and authored several influential works, including the history textbook Malaysia Dalam Sejarah. His lifetime contributions were recognised both in Malaysia and internationally. He was conferred the title Tan Sri in 2012 and received India's highest award for overseas Indians, the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman. Thambirajah also served on key national advisory bodies, including the Special Implementation Taskforce on the Indian Community and the Social Council under the Prime Minister's Department. "He believed in action over rhetoric, and service over self,' said Surain, adding that over 52,000 students have graduated through SMC to date. Thambirajah is survived by his wife Puan Sri Indirani Arunasalam, two children Dr Sumitra Thambirajah and Anannd Thambirajah, and two grandchildren. Condolences and floral tributes can be sent to SMC Ashramam, No. 40, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, Selangor. - BERNAMA
The Star
9 hours ago
- The Star
Founder of Sri Murugan Centre passes away at 84
KLANG: One of the nation's foremost educationists, Tan Sri Dr M. Thambirajah, passed away in his sleep early on Monday morning (June 23). The founder of the Sri Murugan Centre (SMC) was 84. Dr Thambirajah, a history professor at Universiti Malaya, began his mission to encourage the Malaysian Indian community through education in 1982 after observing the lack of Indian students in public universities. With the help of 42 Indian undergraduates from the university, he set his idea of providing tuition and mentoring classes for young Indians in motion. The undergraduates took to the idea and established the SMC the same year. The name was taken from Lord Murugan, who represents the Tamil language, culture and people At the centre, education was regarded as a pilgrimage, similar to the Kalvi Yathirai (educational pilgrimage) held annually at the Batu Caves Murugan temple. Students were also encouraged to dress to the highest standards when attending classes. The boys were required to wear ties, as Dr Thambirajah believed that for students to excel, their confidence must be boosted first. Parents were also included, and students took part in ceremonies organised by the SMC to honour them. Since opening, approximately 300,000 students have passed through SMC. Dr Thambirajah began his career as a Kirby-trained teacher and then pursued tertiary education, majoring in Russian History at Washington University in the United States. He then pursued a law degree, was admitted to the Malaysian Bar and opened his own legal firm after retiring as a university academic. Dr Thambirajah leaves behind his wife, Puan Sri A. Indrani, two children—Dr Sumitra and Anand, and two grandchildren. Those wishing to pay their last respects may do so at SMC Ashram, No. 40, Jalan Bukit 11/2, Petaling Jaya, from 10.00am to 2.00pm on Tuesday, June 24. Dr Thambirajah's final rites will be conducted at the Shah Alam Nirwana Memorial Park at 3.00pm on the same day.
