M. Nallathambi

M. Nallathambi " (13-09-1896- 08-05-1951)!a Tamil poet who is popular for translating Sri Lankan national anthem into Tamil Language which is an official language of the country along with Sinhala language. Translation was accepted officially from 1950 and being used in areas where Tamil is widely spoken in the island nation, especially North and East of the country. Pandit Nallathamby received an honorary title "Muthu Tamil Pulavar" from Thirunelvely Tamil Sangam, South India, in 1940. He also won the first prize for his collection of poems titled " Maniththaai Nadum Marathan Oddamum" ( Mother Lanka and Marathon Relay), in 1950, by participating in a poetry competition organised by the Sri Lankan government to mark the country's independence in 1948. As a Tamil scholar and teacher at Zahira College, Colombo, and visiting lecturer, University of Colombo, he was instrumental in promoting the language amongst many Muslims and other prominent people amongst his own community. His works have been widely quoted by many scholars and journalists. His books "Eezhavasakam and "Mozhi Payirchi " were used as school texts. A collection of his children poems " Ilaignar Virunthu" was published after his death.