M.K. Kovaimani
M. K. Kovaimani (Born: June 03, 1963) Professor of Tamil, Researcher, Writer, Publisher, Speaker. He worked as the Associate Professor and Head of the Manuscriptology Department at the Tamil University, Thanjavur. He wrote and published poetry, researched manuscripts on multiple fields. He digitized more than 75% of the manuscripts in the Tamil University. Government of Tamilnadu awarded him for his book on manuscriptology.
Birth & Education
M. K. Kovaimani was bord on June 03, 1963, in Podaturpet, Thiruvallur District, to M. K. Kothanda Mudaliar and Theivanaiyammal. His given name was Gopal and it was changed when he was admitted to school. He studied at Podaturpet Government School.
He completed his bachelors degree in Chemistry at Presidency college, Chennai. He obtained post graduate degree in Tamil at Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai. He received Master of Philosophy degree through his research on Amudhabharathi's poetry. He researched on "Naadi Maruthuvam" and obtained Diplomo from International Institute of Tamil Studies. He studied Shaiva Siddhanta and received Diplomo from Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam. He received diplomo in computer science from Tamil University.
He obtained PhD from Tamil University, Thanjavur, through his research on "Manuscripts published through magazines".
Educational Work
M. K. Kovaimani started his career in 1989 as Project assistant at Tamil University, Thanjavur. After an year of tenure as Project assistant, he worked as Research Assistant until 1992 (தொகுப்பு ஊதியம் for crowdfund?). From 1992 to 2007, he was a full time Research Assistant. He was an Assistant Professor from 2007-2015, Associate Professor from 2015 to 2023. He retired as a Professor.
He wrote five textbooks for diplomo courses and certificate courses for distant education programmes offered by Tamil University.He wrote a book, "Introduction to Tamil Manuscriptology", for The Open University of Sri Lanka. He wrote four textbooks for undergraduate and masters degrees on Tamil for the Directorate of Distance Education, Alagappa University, Karaikkudi.
He introduced a workshop on reading Tamil Palm-leaf manuscripts within 2 hours of training for Research students and enthusiasts. He has conducted such workshops for more than 70 universities and collages. He conducted online workshop on reading palm-leaf manuscripts and Manuscriptology, named 'Vaanga, Suvadi Padikkalam’, for 33 weeks for தமிழ்நாடு அரசு சுவடிகள் பாதுகாப்புக் குழுமம்.
Under the guidance of Dr. Kovaimani, 43 students obtained Master of Philosophy and 9 students obtained Doctor of Philosophy.
Literary Life
M. K. Kovaimani has written more than 250 research articles on several fields including Manuscriptology and Computer Science. He was involved in field work and collected palf-leaf manuscripts. He wrote books that span genres like poetry, essays, short tories, plays, novels, travlogue. He has written more than 90 books. He has appeared on Chennai television and has spoken about Manuscriptology in Malasian radio.
He wrote several text books for Distance Education. He created video courses for Alagappa University (Karaikkudi) and Tamil University (Thanjavur). Tamil Universithy of Thanjavur has plans to release more than 10 books written by M. K. Kovaimani. He is known for digitizing more than 75% of the manuscripts in the Tamil University.
Organizational Activities
M. K. Kovaimani conducted seminars and conferences at state, national and international levels. He ran online workshops on Manuscriptology. He was the director of the following seminars and conferences. 1. National Research Seminar and Conference for 200th edition of Thirukkural. 2. Anaithulaga Muthamizh Murugan International Conference. 3. Anaithulaga Bharathiyar Centenery Memorial Conference.
He conducted research projects through funding from University Grants Commission, Government of Tamilnadu, and Tamil University. He organised the research publishing for several manuscripts like Appachimaar Kaviyam, and Kaliyuga Perungaviyam . He created branch sites such as Kovaikkural, Kovai Kavi, Kovai Manam, Kovaichoodi, Kovai Ootru, Kovai Kani, Kovai Poo, and Kovai Paa through his website and published essays.
Journalism
M. K. Kovaimani ran a handwritten maganize named "Jyothi" as editor for three years when he was a student.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Member of Advisory Committee, Newborn Youth Trust, Thanjavur
- Treasurer, Alumni Association, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Chairman, Alumni Association, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Member of Executive Committee, Board of Teaching Staff, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Chairman, Board of Teaching Staff, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Member of Advisory Committee, Wings, Thanjavur
- Member of Curriculum Committee, Center for Marine Archaeology, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Organiser and Member of Curriculum Committee, Department of Palm leaf Manuscripts, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Member of SAP (2015-2020), Subramanya Bharathiyar Department of Tamil, Pondicherry University
- External Examiner, Bharathidasan University, Trichy.
- External Examiner, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore
- External Examiner, Manonmaniam Sundaranar University, Tirunelveli
- External Examiner, Dravida University, Kuppam
- External Examiner, Alagappa University, Karaikkudi.
- Head of the Department, Department of Palm leaf Manuscripts, Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Registrar (In Charge), Tamil University, Thanjavur (from 09.07.2021 to 24.12.2021)
- Controller of Examinations (In Charge), Tamil University, Thanjavur
- Organiser for Manuscript Conservation Center, National Mission for Manuscripts, New Delhi
- Chairperson (Tamil), AIIA, CCIM, New Delhi.
- EAP Project Co-Ordinator, Digitization, Cataloguing and Preservation of Palm leaf Manuscripts in the Tamil University, Endangered Archives Program (EAP), British Library, London, November 2019 to April 2023.
Awards
- M. K. Kovaimani's book on "Palm Leaf Manuscriptology" was awarded the Best book in 2023 by Department of Tamil Development , Government of Tamilnadu.
- Received the Tamil Wiki Thooran Award in 2024.
Contributions
M. K. Kovaimani designed easier methods and trained people on Manuscriptology. He taught hundreds of people from India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka on publishing related to Manuscriptology. Travelled wide across Tamilnadu, collected palm leaf manuscripts and digitized them. He discovered and published rare palm leaf manuscripts from his field research. He collected both Tamil and Sanskrit manuscripts. He published Folk Poetry, Sirrilakkiyam, religious and spiritual books from palm leaf manuscripts. He is known as the foremost researcher, publisher and teacher of palm leaf manuscriptology.
Books
- Indhiya Kaalakkaṇitam (Indian Chronometry)
- Sitta Maruttuvaththil Naadi
- Tamilum Visaippalakayum
- Paruva Ithazhch Suvadippadippu Varalaru
- Paruva Ithazhkalil Suvadip Padippukal
- Sevviyal Tamilch Suvadigal
- Tamilil Kathaippadal Suvadigal
- Udhayaththoor Pulaimaadathi Varathu
- Kathaippadalgal Moondru
- Ithazhp Padippu Noolgal
- Olaichuvadiyiyal
- Padippulagath Thoongal
- Ithazhp Padippu Varalaartril Ithazhlgal
- Purananuru Unarththum Vagaittinai
- Naadi Maruttuvam
- Tamilum Visaippalakayum
- Aathichoodith Thiravukol
- Ettuthogai Noolgalil Paadaveṟupaadugal
- Naachiyaaramman Kadhai - Suvadippadippum Aayvum
- Tamil Naavalar Sarithai - Suvadippadippum Aayvum
- Muthumaalayamman Kadhai - Suvadippadippum Aayvum
- Padippulagath Thoongal
- Ennum Ezhutthum
- Tamil Suvadigalil Ezhutthamaithi
- Purananuru Unarththum Vagaittinai
- Tamil Suvadippadippu Varalaartril Ithazhgalin Pangu
- Tamil Palkalaikkalaga Olai Suvadigal Attavanai
- Tamil Suvadi Vilakka Attavanaigal - from collection 6 to collection 10
- Vannacharabam Thandapani Swami Aaivumaalai - 2 collections
- Kumaraguruparar Aaivumaalai - 3 collections
- Tamilkkadavul Murugan Aaivumaalai - 2 collections
- Thirukkural Aaivumaalai
- India Kalaviyal (Indian Chronology)
- Tirikatukam Moolamum Naattaar Uraiyum
- Mahakavi Bharatiyar Aaivukkovai
- Murugan Ilakkiya Aaivukkovai - Two Collections
- Sevviyal Tamil Suvadigal (Classic Tamil Manuscripts)
- Uyarvullal - Tamilology Essays
- Suvadiyiyal (Manuscriptology)
- Haiku Inuru
- Sembulap Peyalneer (Poetry)
- Kanaa Nool
- Kanavu Nool
- Kumarapuri Murugan Mummanikkovai
- Guruparampara Agaval
- Thiruthondar Maalai
- Thiruppullani Thiruvananthal
- Pazhanimalai Vadivelar Pathigam
- Animurukarruppatai - 1
- Animurukarruppatai - 2
- Arul Murukarruppatai - 1
- Arul Murukarruppatai - 2
- Varumurukarruppatai - 1
- Varumurukarruppatai - 2
- Varumurukarruppatai - 3
- Porun Murukarruppatai
- Porul Murukarruppatai
- Iyal Murukarruppatai
- Oru Murukarruppatai
- Saei Murukarruppatai
- Vel Murukarruppatai
🔏Being Created
Please do not write any content below this line. This section is only for editing templates & categories.
