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A.K. Perumal

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"A.K.Perumal"

A.K. Perumal (1947) is a Tamil folklore researcher and literary historian whose area of research includes Kanyakumari district's literary and archeological history. He has experience in field-based research. He plays an important role in collecting and publishing research works on oral history, inscriptions, sculptures, temple architecture, palm leaf manuscripts, folklore and folk artforms of Tamil Nadu.

Birth, Education

Dr. A.K. Perumal (A. Kaakum Perumal) was born in Parakai, Kanyakumari district, to Azhagamperumal and Bagavati Amma in the year 1947. His father Azhagamperumal worked as a Malayalam teacher and as a court interpreter.

He got his school education from the Parakai Government School. He completed his bachelor's degree at the ST Hindu College, Nagercoil and began working as a journalist. He then joined the Government College, Chittur, Palakad for postgraduate studies. Dr. Jesudasan was one of the professors who taught him. He intended to do his PhD research on S. Vayyapuri Pillai under the topic "Vayyapuri's estimations on dating Tamil literary texts", but was unable to pursue it. Instead he did his doctoral thesis on “Villupaatugal (literally bow-songs, sung by folk singers sitting before a bow balanced on its side) of Nanjil Nadu” from Madurai Kamaraj University and got his PhD. Stuart Blackburn, who later wrote “Inside the Drama-House: Rama Stories and Shadow Puppets in South India” and other such books, was a fellow student.

Personal Life

Dr. A.K. Perumal is married to Devakumari and has a daughter, Ramya. He worked as a Professor of Tamil literature (retired) at the Arignar Anna College, Aralvaymoli. He lives in Nagercoil.

Research work

In June 1972, A.K. Perumal met Sundara Ramasamy (known as Su Ra). They were neighbors at the time and so A.K. Perumal got himself acquainted with writers like Parthasarathy, C.S. Chellappa, Premil, Ka.Naa. Subramanyam and made use of Su Ra's huge library.

A.K. Perumal began his career as a literary researcher and later contributed to other fields like folklore, archeology, and literary history.

Folkloristics

A.K. Perumal published Venkat Swaminathan’s magazine Yatra from Nagercoil for a significant period of time. In one issue of the magazine, Venkat Swaminathan wrote about the need for research into folklore. Encouraged by him, A.K. Perumal started engaging in folkloristic research. He wrote articles on folk artforms like Kaniyan Koothu and Isakki Amman Kadhai for the magazine. He published a research article on Villupaatu that marked the beginning of his career in folkloristics. When a Department of Folklore was established in St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai, A.K. Perumal studied folkloristics under its organizer Fr. Jayapathy. He attended a class on folklore research by Professor Alan Dundes. He has worked with folklore researchers, T. Lourdes and Ramachandran.

He researched extensively on the art of shadow puppetry or shadow play (Tholpavai Koothu) and published an introductory text called Tholpavai Koothu. His Ramayana Tholpavai Koothu includes a recorded version of the Koothu’s oral text of Ramayana along with detailed commentaries based on his research. He has published a study on the oral text of Villupattu of Kanyakumari, and six stories including the story of Ponnirathal Amman, the story of Poolangondal Amman, and the story of Thambimar. He compiled and published an encyclopedia of folk artforms for the department of folklore at St. Xavier's College, Palayamkottai. He has written books like Sadangil Karaindha Kalaigal, Deivangal Mulaikum Nilam, Sunnambu Keta Isakki on folkloristics and his folklore research experiences.

Historical Research

A.K. Perumal has done thirty years of research in regional microhistory. His method is to carry out historical research through the lens of folklore studies. A.K. Perumal says, "The cultural history of Tamil Nadu should be rewritten from a folkloristic perspective in accordance with the theory of historical reinterpretation. This would transform cultural history of Tamil Nadu as it exists today. Some historical details would become more lucid." He has written more than eighty books. Common topics include Tamil literary history, the history of Kanyakumari district, folklore studies, epigraphy, studies on sculpture and temple art. He published critical editions of Kavimani Desigavinayagam Pillai’s works. He tracked down Kavimani’s essays and brought them into print.

He pioneered research in regional microhistory. His research books include Thenkumariyin Kathai (History of Kanyakumari District), Thiruvattar Adikesava Perumal Temple, Suchindram Thanumalayan Temple, Parakkai Mathusoothana Perumal Temple, Thenkumari Kovilgal (Temples of Kanyakumari district) and Sivalaya Ottam. They detail the social and historical significance of these temples, and also the system of land governance that was centered on them.

He published the Mudhaliyar palm leaf manuscripts (found in Mudhaliyar House, Azhagiyapandipuram; detailing 10 centuries’ record of administrative history), which are among the primary sources for Kanyakumari’s history, with commentaries based on his research.

“Written history can be considered a sort of mainstream history. People’s history is seldom written down; it only prevails in their orally transmitted stories and traditions. It was this alternative history that he brought out and recorded through his studies on folklore,” says writer Jeyamohan about Dr. A.K.Perumal.

Literary Research

A.K. Perumal authored many books backed by original literary research conducted using S. Vaiyapuri Pillai's research methodologies. Vaiyapuri Pillaiyin Kaala Araichi was his first book. His books on Tamil literary history include Thamizilakkiya Varalaru and Thamizharingjargal. He published the works of Kavimani Dsiyavinayagam Pillai. He also published critical editions of Devasagayam Pillai Koothu and Vaikundarin Agaval.

Other Engagements

  1. Advisor, Kanyakumari district folk artistes welfare society.
  2. Advisor, Tamil Nadu Kanigar Thol Paavai Koothu Artistes Union, Nagarcoil
  3. Secretary, Sempavalam Aayvuthalam, Nagarcoil
  4. Life Member, Member on the Board, Tamil nadu Archeological Society, Thanjavur

Awards

  1. Tamil Nadu Government, Tamil Development Department Award (2002) - awarded for the book "Thennindhiyavil Thol Paavai Koothu"
  2. Tamil Nadu Government, Tamil Development Department Award and Appreciation Certificate (2003) - awarded for the book "Thenkumariyin Kadhai"
  3. Great Contribution Award - People Parliament for unity and development, Kanyakumari (19 August 2017)

Links

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✅Finalised Page

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