Tamil University

About Tamil University

Tamil Univesrity was established in September, 1981 by Mr M G Ramachandran, the erstwhile Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The Location of the Tamil University was chosen to be in the outskirts of Thanjavur. This ancient capital of the later Chola dynasty and the granary of the South as it is known from time immemorial, was happily accepted as the site of the University. The Tamil Nadu State Assembly unanimously passed the Tamil University Act in the second week of September 1981 and the first Vice-Chancellor took office a week later, The University Grants Commission accorded a statutory recognition to the university in 1983. The University is situated in a very large area of about 800 acres, generously granted by the State government of Tamil Nadu. Huge buildings and blocks meant for the administrative departments are located in the campus. The administrative block with its imposing structure and a gopuram motif is a sight to see even from the National Highway connecting Thanjavur with Trichinopoly. No less is the magnificence of the University Library, the edifice of which will remind the onlookers of the glorious Indian Parliament at New Delhi. The Karikalan Gallery, built on the occasion of the World Tamil Conference is capable of accommodating about 2000 people.

The aims and objectives of this unitary type of university comprise a higher research in Tamilology and advanced study in various other allied branches such as Linguistics, Translation, Lexicography, Music, Drama and Manuscriptology. But this pure research-oriented University introduced academic research by offering M.Phil and Ph.D programmes in 1992 for a few disciplines such as Language, Literature, Translation, Sculpture, History and Architecture. Due to the public demand, even Post graduate programmes had to be included in June 2003. His Excellency the Governor of Tamil Nadu is Ex-officio Chancellor of the University. So is the Education Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu, its Pro-Chancellor

Transportation - Nearest airport is at Trichy. Thanjavur is 65 kms east of Tirchy. Next closest airport is at Madurai. It's about 200 kms by road.If you come from other parts of the country you can land in Chennai airport. Thanjavur is around 350 kms south of Chennai by road.

There is a railway junction in Thanjavur. It's well connected with Tiruchi, Chennai and Nagore

Thanjavur is well linked with all the major towns in Tamil Nadu and is also connected with Kochi, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram and Bangalore.

Faculty

1. The Language Faculty with major disciplines such as Literature, Linguistics, Folklore, School of Indian Languages, School of Philosophy and Tribal Studies.
2. The Faculty of Manuscriptology consists of the Departments of Rare paper Manuscripts, Palm Leaf Manuscripts, Epigraphy and Under-water Archaeology.
3. The Faculty of Developing Tamil includes the Departments of Tamil Studies in Foreign countries, Translation, Compilation, Sociology and Scientific Tamil
4. The Faculty of Arts consists of the Departments of Drama, Music and Sculpture.
5. The Faculty of Science has got in its fold the Departments of Siddha Medicine, Ancient and Earth Sciences, Architecture and the Computer Science.

Facilities

Library - The University Library,a replica of the Indian Parliament House in its structure is located prominently in the campus of the University. As on date, the total number of books is 1,36,324 and the total number of periodicals is 393. A few rare personal collections of great scholars however procured. Mention may be made of an old collection procured from the first mobile library started in 1931 at Mannargudi. India Office Library Records (1600-1900) are available in Microfilm. Scholars of repute, researchers and students frequently visit the library for reference. Moreover, a current awareness service, selective dissemination of Information and reprographic service are offered to them. Apart from the availability of photostat machine, materials such as linguaphone records, audio cassettes, video cassettes and CD's are available for reference in the Library.

Gallery and Museum - It provides source material for original research work on socio-historic aspects of the Tamil people. Even though emphasis is on Tamil Arts, Culture and tradition, it has been arranged as a part of pan-Indian scenario to underline unity in diversity. The Museum and Gallery are located in one part of the historical Maratha palace in the centre of the Thanjavur city. There are about 3000 collections and objects relating to arts, crafts and general materials. Due importance is being given to collection, preservation, presentation, research and education. The Museum is kept open for the public during office-hours on all working days. A conservation unit attached to the Museum is scientifically taking care of the acquired objects for preservation and study. A hand-book on Museology in Tamil is to be published soon.

Directorate Of Distance Education

The Language Block

Women's Hostel and Boy's Hostel

Guest House

Open Air Theatre

---

Information compiled from: Tamil University Website