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From 'Pattimandram' Pappiah to 'Padma Shri' Pappiah: An inspiring life story of Solomon Pappiah!

By alagu, 09 November, 2021
Solomon Pappiah, Padma Awards, Padma Shri

Reputed Tamil scholar and 'Pattimandram' fame Solomon Pappiah has on Tuesday added another remarkable feather to the cap of his inspiring life story as he has been conferred with Padma Shri Award, which is India's fourth-highest civilian honour, after Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan. The award was conferred to him by President Ram Nath Kovind in a ceremony, hosted by Rashtrapati Bhavan, that was attended by various dignitaries including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

84-year-old Solomon Pappiah is among ten recipients of Padma Awards from Tamil Nadu and he was honoured for his contribution in Literature and Education (Journalism). The ceremony was held on Tuesday for the second consecutive day where the President had handed over the accolades to every recipient from various backgrounds. Solomon Pappiah is a household name across and beyond Tamil Nadu and besides his contribution to Tamil Literature, he has gained immense reputation through moderating 'Pattimandrams' in Tamil during important festivals. 

Every family in Tamil Nadu is his fan and would relish watching his Pattimandrams, hearing his voice, and listening to his thoughts and knowledge. He has been hosting the show for the past 25 years. As he has now become the laureate of Padma Shri, Pappiah has been flooded with commendations as hundreds and thousands of people are expressing their hearty congratulations for receiving the honour. The President had given the Padma Awards for over hundreds of people on Monday and Tuesday and these awards were for the year 2020 and announced this January. 

Posting a picture of Solomon Pappiah receiving the award from the President, Rashtrapati Bhavan wrote on social media, "President Kovind presents Padma Shri to Prof. Sundaram Solomon Pappiah for Literature and Education-Journalism. He is a Tamil scholar, television personality and actor. An unparalleled orator, he has gained fame through the ‘Pattimandram’ TV shows for the past 25 years." After receiving the awards, Solomon Pappiah and other recipients had taken a group photo with the President and with the Prime Minister.

Pappiah is considered one of the state's most popular scholars as he has spent over 60 years in the field of Tamil Literature. He is widely appreciated for the humour sense that he brings out in every Pattimandram and for the astute knowledge over several disparities in the society and strongly speaking about them before the masses. He has earned a huge following regardless of age, which now celebrates him as Padma Shri Pappiah. He was born in Tirumangalam of Madurai district on 22 February 1936 and completed his Masters in Tamil, and worked as a professor.

Pappiah had established himself in the literary circles initially and mentioned in the past that there were not many takers for a debate show. He then shifted his focus to social topics after realizing that debating topics that people could identify with would attract more interest. His speech in the Pattimandram would apparently display his command over the Tamil language and his interest and commitment to speak with and for people through Pattimandram have still lost no flame of fire and had taken him to a new height of decorating one of India's highest civilian honours. 

The Padma Awards were announced in January this year and speaking to Times of India after being picked as a recipient of Padma Shri Award, Pappiah said, "I didn't expect this. This is a recognition for Pattimandram, and for the speakers at these forums. This is an incentive to continue the tradition of Pattimandram." He further said, "Awards are a form of recognition of your work and when it is the Indian government that is giving the award, it is definitely exciting." 

Speaking about the history of Pattimandram, Pappiah said, "Pattimandram existed in literature. I have been taking Pattimandram to the people for the past 60 years. There were people before me who were doing that. We took them to villages and then to the cities. We were able to reach everyone with the help of television and this honour (Padma Shri) has become a prospect for Pattimandram to stay in people's hearts for long and that is what makes me happy." Pappiah had studied in American College, Madurai and later worked in the same institution as a professor in the Department of Tamil. 

His love and commitment towards Tamil is a guiding light for several students of Tamil Literature and his oratory skills have instilled in many speakers to speak for the people in their language and style. He was the sole reason why Pattimandram has been rocking beyond the borders and it will be his magnum opus. Being known for his command over Tamil, he is capable of getting complex literacy issues across to the common man. He is fondly referred to as 'Tamil Arignar'.

In 2000, the Tamil Nadu government has conferred him with Kalaimamani Award and Annamalai University has conferred him with the 'Muthamizh Perarignar' Award in 2010. Now, Padma Shri Award had reached his hands as he continues to touch more and more hearts through Pattimandram. Pappiah has also authored four books that include - Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram: Or Paarvai, Urai Malargal, Urai Kothu, and Tirukkural Uraiyudan. As the citation from Rashtrapati Bhavan said, Pappiah is an unparalleled orator who has earned unconditional love and affection from Tamil and from Tamil people. The path from being Pattimandram Pappiah to Padma Shri Pappiah has been difficult, yet inspiring. Congratulations Padma Shri Solomon Pappiah!

 

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