M.A. Nuhman
இந்தப் பக்கத்தை தமிழில் வாசிக்க: எம். ஏ. நுஃமான்
M.A. Nuhman (born August 10, 1944) is an Tamil scholar from Eazham. He is a Professor, Poet, Writer, Critic, Translator, Researcher and a Journalist. He worked to develop a grammar for modern Tamil prose.
Birth, Education
M.A. Nuhman was born on August 10, 1944 at Kalmunaikudi in Amparai district to Maqbul Alim and Sulaiha Umma couple. Father is a religious worker and teacher of Arabic language.
M.A. Nuhman did his primary education at Government Boys' School, Kalmunaikudi and his secondary education at Kalmunai Uwesuli High School. Later he worked as a school teacher for 15 years. He did his teacher training at Atalai Senai Government Teachers College. He studied BA Linguistics at University of Sri Lanka, Colombo Campus (1973). Similarly, he pursued a postgraduate course in Tamil literature at Jaffna University (1982). He did doctoral research in the Department of Linguistics at Annamalai University under the supervision of Prof. Kumaraswamy Raza for three years.
Faculty Work
From 1976 to 1982, M.A. Nuhman worked as a Tamil lecturer at Jaffna University. Later he worked as a Linguistics Lecturer. In 1991, he joined the University of Perathanai as a Senior Lecturer and rose to the rank of Professor (2001). In between, he worked as a visiting professor at Thanjavur Tamil University for one year (1988) and produced a grammar book. M.A. Nuhman has worked as a Visiting Professor at the Open University of Sri Lanka, South Eastern University (1999-2000) and University of Malaya (2007-2008).
During his tenure, M.A. Nuhman worked as a member of the advisory committee on education in various educational committees and institutions of the Government of Sri Lanka. He also worked as a foreign examiner evaluating foreign papers. M.A. Nuhman participated in international seminars held in Sri Lanka and other countries including India and presented research papers.
Journalism
M.A. Nuhman ran a quarterly magazine called Kavignan' in 1969-1970.
Literary Life
M.A.Nuhman established a publishing house named as Vasagar Sangam[1] and published quality books through it. He has written more than thirty books. Numan's works belong to three domains of poetry, linguistic studies and literary criticism.
Poems
M.A. Nuhman started writing poetry at the age of sixteen. He was introduced to literature through the poet Neelavanan. It was Neelavanan who introduced Nuhman to the poetry of Mahakavi, Murugaiyan, Puratshi Kamal Annal. M.A. Numan's song written with with form of Ettradi 'Nenjame Nanjukku Ner' was released in Veerakesari.
M.A. Nuhman became familiar with Mahakavi since 1963. In the beginning Nuhman had the predominance of spiritual thought. After 1967, he created works based on personal feelings and social problems in connection with the Progressive Writers' Association. While working at the Jaffna University, he conducted a program called Kavitha Nigalvu. He has participated in many poetry halls and sung poetry. One of his essays on the trend of poetry houses is to mention the ups and downs that poetry houses have had in society. He recorded his thoughts on poetry in the collection Azhiya Nizhalgal</>'. M.A. Nuhman has translated the poems written by the poets of Palatinate. The book 'Pathinoru Ezhathu Kavignargal' is a remarkable book. This book will also be useful for understanding the development of Eelam Modern Poetry in the mid-twentieth century.
Linguistics
M.A. Nuhman was an academic methodical researcher. He has done significant research on grammar, sociological content of literature and linguistic evolution.
M.A. Nuhman's PhD research titled 'A Contrastive Study of the Structure of the Noun Phrase in Tamil and Sinhala' is considered by scholars as a good study of the Tamil and Sinhala language. One of his short term project work for Tamil University is the study 'Mattakilappu Muslim Tamilil Kadanvangapettrulla Arabu Sorkal[2]'. The dissertation titled Mattakilappu Muslim Tamil Sottrogai Aaivu[3]' is a study showing the uses of Tamil words by Muslims.
Literary Research
M.A. Numan has closely studied and analyzed the works published in Tamil Nadu. His article entitled 'Eezham Tamilkavithai Ithazgal[4]' introduces several magazines published in Eelam. He has also reviewed contemporary works such as novels and short stories. In his article Eezhathu Tamil Novelgazhin Mozhi[5]' he has explained the evolution of language in the Eelam Tamil novel with evidence. M.A. Nuhman has explored the modern Tamil epics that appeared in Eelam under the title Modern Tamil Epics. He has also researched and written about plays based on songs (Pa) that appeared in Eezham.
Editor
M.A. Nuhman has been responsible for the publication of many books as a publisher. He published the works of Mahakavi and reviews of Mahakavi's poems. M.A. Nuhman worked as a co-editor for the book Nattar Padalgal[6]'.
Literary Significance
M.A. Nuhman was primarily an academic. He used the external research methods of education in fields including literature. Although he had basically a pro-Marxist literary approach, he always used an external research framework instead of the partisan position of people like K. Kailasapathy, Karthikesu Sivathambi. Thus Nuhman's studies were balanced beyond personal taste or bias. Since 1985, Nuhman has acted as an advocate of a sober academic approach against the hyper-enthusiasm of Tamil postmodernism, which was presented with a dismissive view of everything.
M.A. Nuhman's linguistic studies are considered significant achievements in the field. Nuhman has played an important role in redefining and grammaticalizing the language according to its development and evolution. Nuhman's literary contribution lies in his continuous introduction of Eezham poetry in the context of Tamil Nadu and translation of Palestinian poetry. M.A. Nuhman, who has been prominent among the writers of modern poetry in Tamil since 1980, has not actively engaged in it due to the later political climate of Sri Lanka and his research work. The short stories written by Nuhman in the early days were similar to those written by the likes of Vannadasan, which conveyed delicate sentiments. But he didn't stay involved in the stories either.
Today, Nuhman is noted for his grammatical studies, Marxist literary criticism, and linguistic studies.
Awards
- Vizhakku Viruthu was presented to M.A. Nuhman for the year 2011.
Books
Poems
- Mazhainatkal Varum (Annam, Sivagangai 1983)
- Azhiya Nizhalgal, Narmatha, 1982
- Thathamargalum Perargalum - Nedum Kavithaigal, Kalmunai, 1977
- Pathinoru Eezhathu Kavignargal, Kiriya, 1984
Poem Translations
- Palestheena Kavithaigal, Muppathu Kavignargalin 109 Kavithaigal, Adaiyalam, 2008
- Mohamooth Tharvees Kavithaigal, Adaiyalam, 2008
- Palastheena Kavithaigal, 15 Kavignargalin 71 Kavithaigal, Moondravathu Manithan Veliyeedu, 2000
- Kaattril Mithakkum Sorkal (Malai Mozhi Kavithaigal)
- Iravin Kural (Indonesia Mozhi Kavithaigal)
Translated Essay Texts
- Kadapadu allathu Suyatheenam, Isulamiya Pengal Pattriya Satta Prachanaigal, Kozumbu, 2004
- Inamuranbadu Varalattriyalum Kozumbu, 2000
- Muslim Pengalum Arasiyal Thalamaithuvamum, Muslim Pengal Aivu mattrum Seyalpattu Amaippu, Kozumbu, 1999
Literary Criticism
- Mozhiyum Ilakkiyamum (Kalachuvadu, 2006)
- Thiranaivu Katturaigal (Anna, Sivagangai 1986)
- Samooga Etharthamum Ilakkiya Punaivum
- Bharathiyin Mozhisinthanaigal: South Vision, Chennai, 1999
- Mozhiyum Ilakkiyamum
- Marxiyamum Ilakkiya Thiranaivum (Ana, Sivagangai, 1987)
Grammar Books
- Irupatham Noottrandu Eezhathu Tamil Ilakkiyam, Inaipathipaasiriyar, 1979
- Aramba Idainhilai Vaguppugalil Tamil Mozhi Karpithal
Literature History
- Irupatham Noottrandu Eezhathu Tamil Ilakkiyam, Inaipathipaasiriyar, 1979
Compilations
- Mahakavi Kavithaigal, (Thoguppaasiriyar, Annam, 1984)
- Mahakaviyin Veedum Vezhiyum, Kalmunai Vasagar Vattam, 1973
- Mahakaviyin Kodai, Kalmunai Vasagar Vattam, 1979
English
- A Contrastive Grammar of Tamil and Sinhala Noun Phrase
- Sri Lankan Muslims - Ethnic Identity within Cultural Diversity
- Understanding Sri Lankan Muslim Identity
M.A. Nuhman's books are available for reading in Internet (Link)
Other Links
References
- Professor M.A. Nuhman, (Ilangai) | Munaivar Mu. Ilangovan (muelangovan.blogsot.com)
- Enakkul Nuzhaintha M.A. Nuhman: A. Ramasamy
- Azhiyachudargal, M.A. Nuhman
- M.A. Nuhman, Vanem Magazine
- Eelathu Kavidhai Idhazh - M.A. Nuhman, Iravie.com
- M.A. Nuhman yenum Tamil Aringar, Suyaaanthan blog
Footnotes
✅Finalised Page
