1913 — 1980 · Polyglot Scholar-Priest
Rev. Dr. Xavier S. Thani Nayagam
“Global Ambassador of Tamil Studies”
Catholic priest, polyglot scholar, and founding editor who placed classical Tamil scholarship on the global academic map through the Tamil Culture quarterly, the International Association for Tamil Research (IATR), and landmark world conferences.
“யாதும் ஊரே யாவரும் கேளிர்”
Every town is our hometown; every person is our kin.
Five Fields · 25 Landmark Works
Archival RegisterThree Selected Reading Vectors
Recommended EntriesKey Biographical Records
1913 → 1980Global Tamil Journey: 9 Key Centres
9 CitiesKarampon, Jaffna
Born on Kayts island.
Rome
Pontifical Urban University, Doctor of Divinity (The Carthaginian Clergy).
Annamalai University
Master of Letters research (Nature in Ancient Tamil Poetry).
Lisbon
Rediscovered the 1554 Cartilha, the earliest printed work containing an Indian language.
Ceylon & Tuticorin
Lecturer at University of Ceylon; founded Tamil Culture quarterly.
London
Ph.D. in Education at the University of London.
Kuala Lumpur
Head of Indian Studies, University of Malaya; organized 1966 KL Conference.
Paris & Naples
Visiting Professor at the Sorbonne and University of Naples.
Jaffna
Returned home; final lectures and passing.
“He who convinced the world that Tamil is a classical language.”