Parkavakulam -Origins & Identity

🧑‍🌾 Origins & Identity

• Parkavakulam is a Tamil-speaking caste/community primarily found in Tamil Nadu that traces its roots to ancient Chola times; the name is linked to the legendary king Paari, dubbed “Mullaikku Ther Kodutha Paari” in Purananuru literature Community members use different titles: Parkavan for men and Parkavi for women; collectively referred to as Udayar
• It is subdivided into five main groups: Malaimannar, Moopanar, Nainar, Nathamannar, and Shruthimannar

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Geographic Distribution

• They have a significant presence across Tamil Nadu—including districts like Pudukottai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Salem, Namakkal, Madurai, and in Chennai, Villupuram, Ariyalur, Ramanathapuram, and beyond.
• Many also reside in Puducherry and cities like Bangalore

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Religious & Cultural Aspects

• Nainar subgroup frequently follows Jainism, especially in central and northern Tamil Nadu.
• The other subgroups—Malaimannar, Moopanar, Nathamannar, Shruthimannar—primarily follow Shaivism or Vaishnavism. There are also Christian adherents due to historical conversions during the 18th century

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Community Initiatives & Sangam

• Parkava Kula Sangam (community association) operates to:
• Unite members under a common platform
• Maintain directories and profiles
• Support education via institutions, free hostels, scholarships
• Offer career counseling, matrimonial services, community halls, and elder care home initiatives
• Promote unity and national pride

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Prominent Personalities

• Late N. Arunachala Udayar: Founder of the Parkavakulam Sangam, led the first statewide gathering in Salem
• N.P.V. Ramasamy Udayar: Founder-Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra University
• T.R. Pachamuthu Udayar: Founder-Chancellor of SRM University
• Other notable figures include academicians like Prof. M. Ponnavaikko, Dr. P. Thangaraju, Dr. P. Ramasamy, and political leaders such as G.K. Moopanar, G.K. Vasan; plus artists like Vijaya T. Rajendar and Silambarasan Rajendar .

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Demographics & Classification

• Estimated population: around 68,000 across India
• Classified as an OBC (Other Backward Class) Hindu group, cultural-affiliated with the Dravidian linguistic family

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Summary Snapshot

Aspect	Details
Subgroups	Malaimannar, Moopanar, Nainar, Nathamannar, Shruthimannar
Religion	Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, Christianity
Regions	Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Bangalore
Community Org	Parkava Kula Munnetra Sangam
Notables	University founders, politicians, artists

 

Transforming Campus Life and Community Engagement: A Profile of Dr. V. Thirumurugan

Dr. V. Thirumurugan, Associate Director – Campus Life at SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), is a multi-faceted academic leader whose career bridges the realms of civil engineering, student welfare, sustainability, and rural development. With more than 20 years of experience in teaching, research, and institutional administration, he has emerged as a vital force in shaping both the academic and extracurricular ecosystem at SRMIST.

Dr. Thirumurugan holds a B.E. in Civil Engineering and an M.E. in Structural Engineering, followed by a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from SRMIST. His academic pursuits have led to significant contributions in the field, particularly in areas such as the structural behavior of infilled reinforced concrete frames, waste management in built environments, and sustainability practices in civil engineering. As a passionate researcher, he has published more than 15 journal papers, presented at several national and international conferences, and has guided multiple Ph.D. scholars. His research has earned him citations across reputed databases, reflecting his impact on the academic community.

Recognized as a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India), Dr. Thirumurugan is also a committed academic mentor who believes in experiential learning and student-centric innovation. His technical insights and dedication to quality research earned him the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award (ராம்கோ சூப்பர் கிரீட் சிமென்ட், ‘இந்து தமிழ் திசை’ சார்பில் ‘சீர்மிகு பொறியாளர் - 2023’ விருது)in 2023 by The Hindu Tamil, a recognition of his sustained contribution to civil engineering education and innovation.

Beyond academics, Dr. Thirumurugan plays a pivotal role in student life at SRMIST. As Associate Director – Campus Life, he is responsible for the planning and execution of activities that enhance the campus experience for thousands of students. From cultural festivals to sports infrastructure, wellness programs to student counseling, his office works to ensure an engaging, inclusive, and vibrant environment for all students. His approach integrates physical, mental, and emotional wellness into campus life, aligning with SRMIST’s vision of holistic education.

In addition to his responsibilities within the campus, Dr. Thirumurugan serves as the Nodal Officer for Unnat Bharat Abhiyan (UBA), a flagship program of the Ministry of Education. Through this role, he coordinates SRMIST’s outreach to adopted villages, implementing projects that focus on sanitation, solar energy, digital literacy, and sustainable agriculture. His leadership has helped bridge the gap between academic knowledge and ground-level social transformation, engaging faculty and students in meaningful community development.

Dr. Thirumurugan is also involved in institutional committees focused on sustainability, green campus initiatives, and waste management. His recent co-authored work on an “Integrated statutory waste management framework for sustainable built environments” has drawn attention in academic and policy circles.

With a career marked by academic rigor, administrative acumen, and community commitment, Dr. V. Thirumurugan continues to be a source of inspiration at SRMIST. His balanced approach to leadership – combining research excellence with student engagement and social responsibility – makes him a key contributor to the institute’s progress and reputation.

இசையின் மாயமும் பொருநராற்றுப்படையும்

இசையின் மாயமும் பொருநராற்றுப்படையும்

பொருநராற்றுப்படையில் மிகுந்த அழகான நிகழ்வுகளை கவிஞர் விளக்கி கூறுகிறார். குறிப்பாக, முடத்தாமக்கண்ணியார் பாடிய பாடலின் மகத்துவத்தை விவரிக்கும் இடத்தில், இசையின் அதிசய சக்தியை உணர்த்துகிறார்.

பாடல் இடையில் உறுதியும் பெருந்தகும் பொருந்திய பாணியில் பாடப்படுகையில், அதன் இசை ஒரு மயக்கம் ஏற்படுத்துகிறது. அந்த பாடலை கேட்டுக் களிறு வழங்கும் ஆண் யானைகள், தங்களது முரட்டுத்தனத்தை விட்டுவிட்டு அடங்கி விடுகின்றன. இது இசையின் அற்புதமான சக்தியை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறது. அந்த யாழ், மணமகளை அலங்கரிக்கும் நயத்துடன் வடிவமைக்கப்பட்டு, இசையின் பெருமையை தன் அழகினாலும் ஒலியினாலும் உணர்த்துகிறது.

பொருநராற்றுப்படையில் மேலும், இசையின் மேன்மையை ஒரு சமூக மாற்றம் விளைவிக்கும் சக்தியாகக் கூறுகிறார். திருடுவதற்காக வந்த கள்வர்கள், யாழின் இனிய இசையை கேட்டவுடன், தங்களது தொழிலையே மறந்து விடுகிறார்கள். அவர்களுடைய கல் போன்ற மனம் கரைந்து விடுகிறது. இது இசையின் ஆழ்ந்த தாக்கத்தை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறது.

இசையின் பல்வேறு அர்த்தங்களை தமிழில் பார்க்கலாம். இசை என்றால் சங்கீதம்; இசை என்றால் இசைவு, சம்மதம்; இசை என்றால் புகழ். திருவள்ளுவர் கூட இதை மிக அழகாக கூறுகிறார்:

"வசையென்ப வையத்தார்க் கெல்லாம்
இசையென்னும் எச்சம் பெறாஅ விடின்."

என்ற பொருள், உலகத்தாருக்கு புகழ்பெறாவிட்டால், அவன் வாழ்வில் பொருள் இல்லை என்பதாகும்.

மனித வாழ்க்கையின் உயர்வுக்கும் இசையின் மகத்துவத்திற்கும் இடையே உள்ள உறவை மிக அழகாக விளக்கும் ஒரு புகழ்பெற்ற சங்க இலக்கியமாக பொருநராற்றுப்படை விளங்குகிறது.