Latest news with #TamilVirtualAcademy
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Tamil virtual academy compiles baby name repository to promote cultural heritage
Thinking of a baby name and tired of suggestions to anagram you and your partner's names or mash them together? The Tamil Virtual Academy (TVA) offers a more meaningful alternative. To celebrate linguistic pride and cultural heritage , the state govt, in collaboration with TVA, is compiling a repository of Tamil baby names with curated collection includes names of powerful kings, warriors, and noble heroes from the pre-Sangam era, such as Thithiyan (a chief of the Velir clan), Kari (elephant, symbolising strength), or Athan (lord or leader). Alternatively, draw inspiration from the post-Sangam era with names of revered scholars, poets, and literary characters such as Sundarar (the handsome one), Azhwarkadiyan (devotee of the Alvars, character in Ponniyin Selvan), and Thiruvilakku (sacred lamp, a metaphor for enlightenment).The initiative was launched just days after chief minister M K Stalin urged parents to give their children Tamil names. This call drew a pointed response from a frustrated netizen who highlighted the lack of accessible resources. In response, Stalin announced the creation of this curated name database.R Komahan, Joint Director at TVA, says a committee is being set up to go through literature available in the open domain from the pre-Sangam, post-Sangam, and modern era to find popular and interesting names. "The project is still in its discussion phase, but we estimate there are more than two lakh names that can potentially be a part of the database. Right now, we are working on consolidating the sources of texts," he names are said to focus mainly on having Tamil roots and direct Tamil meanings without being influenced by other languages. Some popular ones, says Komahan, are Yazhini (melodious or graceful), Magizhmathi (one who is as pleasing and bright as the moon), Amizhthiniyan (one with a pleasant nature), Govendhan (king or lord), and Thiral (bravery, courage, or strength).The TVA is also developing a system to provide a set of combinations that, when inputted as 'a name of a king + with rich Tamil meaning', can suggest a list of names. "This, however, will take time for us to develop. But it is in the pipeline. This is just one way to let people know we have wonderful names in Tamil," he says.
New Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
When every rock tells an artistic story
MADURAI: Ancient art is not simply limited to engravings found on Egypt's walls with tales of Pharaohs, or primitive pictographs of Palaeolithic humans hunting animals found in the Peruvian caves. Civilisations across the globe have used art to leave a legacy that breathes on for centuries. While it might look backwards or primitive to the layman, art historians like KT Gandhirajan find these pictographs intricate and nuanced. 'It is amazing to see rock art paintings in caves where tribes lived almost 2,000 years ago. They have documented their culture, heritage, fauna, social interactions, etc. These paintings are a treasure trove of knowledge, and documenting them gives me joy and motivates me to pursue my journey. Rock art varies from place to place and is paired with meticulous changes such as types of colours and materials used. Every subtlety has a story to tell,' he said. Gandhirajan has discovered and documented over 1,000 images of rock art in 80 sites, including tribal and non-tribal areas across the state. The art historian and researcher from Usilampatti in Madurai, with over two decades of experience, takes up rocky paths in his stride, fueled by his passion for rock art works. The researcher, currently with the Tamil Virtual Academy, says, 'After Class 12, my father tried to enrol me in an engineering college, but I was not able to make it through. I later got admitted to PMT college in Usilampatti for BSc Chemistry. I later pursued an MA in Art History at Madurai Kamaraj University.' Gandhirajan's love for rock paintings piqued when he moved to the University of Madras in 1995 for his PhD titled 'Painting Traditions in the Nayak Period'. As part of his five-year research, he got a chance to visit 40 temples, including the Srirangam Aranganathaswamy Temple and others in Kumbakonam. Fascinated by temple paintings, he used to click photographs, and write about them for his thesis. Unfortunately, he was unable to complete his PhD, owing to various challenges. 'This is when I accidentally met Government Fine Arts College Principal Alphonso Arul Doss, and he invited me to take part-time classes for college students. With his support, I started my journey to discover the world of cave rock art. Though I couldn't finish my PhD, my experiences allowed me to forge an interest in the study of rock art,' he said.
New Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Thinking of giving your baby Tamil name? Don't fret, TN's got your back
CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday announced that the Tamil Virtual Academy will soon launch a website listing Tamil names for children along with their meanings. The announcement came in response to a suggestion made on social media platform 'X' by Nithan Chitrarasu, a DMK supporter. Quoting Stalin's earlier remarks at a wedding ceremony, Nithan Chitrarasu said that while many parents wish to give their children Tamil names, they often struggle to find suitable options with meanings due to the lack of a dedicated resource. The chief minister, who had advised a newly-wed couple at the wedding of Mylapore MLA D Velu's daughter to name their future children in Tamil, acknowledged the suggestion and promised action. Following Stalin's announcements, the Tamil Virtual Academy said a special website featuring Tamil names and their meanings will soon be added to its digital library of the academy.
