THE MEASURE OF A MAN – PROF. DR.AVVAI NADARAJAN, M.A., M.Litt., Ph.D
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Culture, Identity, Values, Beliefs and Power is what it takes to be respected as a Man. Prof Avvai, the Tamil Classical Scholar
Is one among few who has been endowed with all these attributes to qualify to be honoured as a Man of dignity, a Man of Vision.
a Man for All Seasons, a Man for all time.
It was indeed a great honour for me to meet this Man, in Oxford of all places, when he visited his son Dr.Arul, who had come to UK.
The moment I met him I felt overwhelmed by his aura, his simplicity, his magnanimity and his humility. I had always associated him as a man who wielded power, the power of reason, of knowledge, of justice which we read in the Tamil classical works.
Manime kalai, Silappadhikaram, Tholkappiyam, and works of the Third Sangam Period of Tamil Literature often depict power as
awesome, so when I was in the presence of a Man of Letters, I was transported to examine the glories of the past and speculate
about the future of Tamils.
Prof.Avvai made me feel at ease, a quality which endeared him to me. It was the now of the moment to which I could directly relate to him and learn from his vast experience. I still recollect my encounter with great pride.I cherish the moment when he adorned me with a “pattu paadai.” It was an enchanting moment as I kept wondering what made me deserve this accolade from such a dignitary.
What kind of power does Prof.Avvai wield?
Individuals use power for their personal glory. Business uses power to achieve performance. National Leaders use power for the glory of their nations; everyone now refers to revolutions as People Power .But, power is of no use without the authority to use it.
Power can be used to change. provided they be allowed to change and know how to change. Avvai exercised the power of his writing and his word to change people, to make them simple, to empower and endow them and in this process energised the dignity of Tamil culture and its people.
The smiles of the Tamil people the world over will always have a place in your psyche and warm the cockles of your heart.
Victor Cherubim, FICS,HCMM
Freeman of the City of London
15 March 2011
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