The calm and happy Tamil scholar Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy is a content man. "I am happily enjoying my retirement amidst books and the pursuit of Saiva Siddhantam," said he. This scholar lives in Kovaipudur and his pleasing disposition exposes his wisdom. It is an absolute pleasure to discuss with him. Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy (CNM) was born to the eminent Tamil scholar Ku.Natesa Gounder and Lakshmi Ammal in 1937. He had completed his schooling from Gandhipuram and the City Municipal School. CNM was keenly involved with the games - football and hockey during his younger days. The City Municipal school is an old institution. His Intermediate was from the Government Arts College in Race Course. The BA and MA in Tamil was done at the Annamalai University. This was followed by a BL (law degree) from Madras University. "I did not gain much of an experience while studying. The inputs were gathered over the years. I began to work as the Labour Welfare Officer in Pioneer Spinners and then at Balarama Varma Textiles which belonged to G.R.Venkatesalu of the PSG family. Work did not excite me. The required freedom to operate was absent and the atmosphere of servitude affected my self esteem. Therefore I decided to quit and move ahead in life," stated Dr.Muthukumaraswamy.
The calm and happy Tamil scholar Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy is a content man. "I am happily enjoying my retirement amidst books and the pursuit of Saiva Siddhantam," said he. This scholar lives in Kovaipudur and his pleasing disposition exposes his wisdom. It is an absolute pleasure to discuss with him. Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy (CNM) was born to the eminent Tamil scholar Ku.Natesa Gounder and Lakshmi Ammal in 1937. He had completed his schooling from Gandhipuram and the City Municipal School. CNM was keenly involved with the games - football and hockey during his younger days. The City Municipal school is an old institution. His Intermediate was from the Government Arts College in Race Course. The BA and MA in Tamil was done at the Annamalai University. This was followed by a BL (law degree) from Madras University. "I did not gain much of an experience while studying. The inputs were gathered over the years. I began to work as the Labour Welfare Officer in Pioneer Spinners and then at Balarama Varma Textiles which belonged to G.R.Venkatesalu of the PSG family. Work did not excite me. The required freedom to operate was absent and the atmosphere of servitude affected my self esteem. Therefore I decided to quit and move ahead in life," stated Dr.Muthukumaraswamy.
Sellandiamman at Keeranur near Kangeyam was the family deity and now the family follows the shrine at Pillaiappanpalayam near Annur. CNM married Kanagamani in 1964 and the couple were blessed with Ambalavanan, Karunambigai who teaches statistics in Madawalabu University (Balerobe - Ethiopia) and Agilandeswari living in Australia. "I had aspirations during my younger days and I feel that destiny is now leading me. My patriotic fervor made me apply for the Emergency Commission in order to join the army in 1962. However I did not get the appointment. I was not keen to pursue law either. Finally the Tamil Kalluri at Perur beckoned me. My father Ku.Natesa Gounder had been the Principal. He had retired by the time I got into the institution. I joined under His Holiness Ramaswamy Adigalar who was the Principal. Perur gave me the oppourtunity to immerse myself in Tamil literature and Saiva Siddhantam simultaneously. I liked the pursuit and the teaching job gave me a lot of joy. Eventually Kanchipuram Gnanaprakasa Swamigal became my Guru and I received my initiation from him. The world of Saiva Siddhantam enthralled me. I had liked Carnatic music from my younger days and this helped me to read Thevaram, Thiruvasagam and Thirupughazh. It was nice to be with Pattiappanar and Senniappanar at the Perur Tamil Kalluri (College). Earlier I had studied Sillapadikaram under Meenakshisundaram in Annamalai University. However my assimilation of Tamil literature was at Prerur. I had worked for more than 31 years and had served as its Principal too," added CNM, the happy Tamil scholar.
Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy continues to enjoy the association of His Holiness Sarvottama Satchidananda Natheswara Swamigal of Sivakudil in Kovaipudur. He considers this experience to be mystic and joyful. CNM had literally seen the growth and development of the Swamiji of Sivakudil. It is believed that one Aruva Siddhar guides the Swamiji. The happy scholar is an authority on Saiva Siddhantam and has written a number of books and essays over the years. He has specialized in Kongunadu's folk lore and his doctorate was titled ‘ Annamar Samy Kadhai ‘ . His work has a multi faceted approach. The scholar acknowledges the guidance that he had received though the work of C.M.Bowra on Heroic Poetry. His education at the Government Arts College had given him the chance to learn history well.
The calm and content scholar has been involved with a number of good projects and publications. His works can be seen in http://www.TamilHindu.com. Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy has been working with the ' Madura Project ' for sometime. He has helped in the digitizing a number of Tamil classics. The Perur Puranam and a number of works have been digitized due to his efforts. He had also worked on the composition of Kandaswamy Mudaliar, the father of Sivakavimani C.K. Subramanya Mudaliar. The great scholar CNM was awarded the title ' Sivakudil Anban '.
Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy had been brought up in a good atmosphere. His Holiness Ramaswamy Adigal of Perur used to visit their family home during his younger days. He had academically known CNM's sister Mangaiyarkarasi then for they had been classmates.. Ku.Natesa Gounder was a teacher for many. He had guided a number of eminent citizens. His classes had attracted a number of people. C.S.Kannaiyram Mudaliar from the family of Sivakavimani C.K.Subramanya Mudaliar used to attend those sessions. Ku.Natesa Gounder used to wait for C.S.Kannayiram Mudaliar in order to begin the class.
The Thiruvaduthurai and Perur Adheenams are known for educating people on Saiva Siddhantam. Normally classes are held at Coimbatore and at the Sengunthar School in Erode for a 10 day duration. CNM has been taking these summer classes year on year in both the places. He would stay in campus at Erode along with the students regularly. The scholar continues to be in touch with Senniappanar by serving the ' Manivasagar Narpani Mandram '. This esteemed Mandram promotes Tamil culture and tradition. CNM provides inputs for their publications and activities.
"Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy is a great scholar. Several aspirants and students have been guided by him over the years. his contributions have been qualitative and it is rare to see a person of his caliber in every sense. People are really fortunate to have been associated with him. His book ' Vedanta Thelivam Saiva Siddhantam ' is a wonderful compendium of essays by Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy. These essays are the sample which will let the aspirant or reader to understand the scholarly nature and the depth of the works by Dr.C.N.Muthukumaraswamy. He has also written a treatise for the ‘ Thiru Perur. RettaiManimalai ‘ originally written by our family elder Sivakavimani C. K. Subramanya Mudaliar. stated C.K. Sivasubramaniam, the son of C.S.Kannayiram Mudaliar who lives in ‘ Sekkilar Nilayam ' on Vysial Street. Additionally Dr. C. N. Muthukumaraswamy has written a treatise for ‘ Kovaipudur Thavathiru Aruva Siddhar Pillai Tamil ‘ written by C. S. Kannayiram Mudaliar.
The happy Tamil scholar is our own treasure.