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Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran

Dr.

Dr. T. N. Ramachandran (1934–2021) was a distinguished Tamil scholar, translator, and authority on Saiva Siddhanta philosophy. He was renowned for his extensive translations of Tamil Saivite scriptures into English, making them accessible to a global audience. 🧾 Biography • Full Name: Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran • Born: 18 August 1934, Madras (now Chennai), India • Parents: Siva Sri T. R. Natarajan (a Sanskrit scholar) and Srimati Kamakshi Ammal • Spouse: Sowbhagyavati Kalyani (married in 1956) • Education: Graduated in commerce from St. Joseph’s College, Trichy; later attended Madras Law College • Profession: Advocate (enrolled in 1956), Scholar, Translator • Residence: Mylapore, Chennai Dr. Ramachandran was deeply influenced by the works of Sekkizhar and Saiva Siddhanta philosophy. In 1956, he returned to Thanjavur at the age of 22 to promote Tamil literature and Saivite texts. He translated over 4,300 stanzas of the Periya Puranam into English, along with works like Tiruvachakam, Tirukkovaiyar, and compositions of Karaikkal Ammaiyar, Pattinathar, and other saint-poets. His meticulous research and translations have been invaluable to scholars and devotees alike. 🏆 Honors & Recognition • Bharati Centenary Award (1982): For his translations of Subramania Bharati’s works • Best Translator Award (1983): By the Government of Tamil Nadu • Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa): University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (2001) • Saiva Siddhanta Kalanidhi: Conferred by Dharmapuram Aadheenam (1984) • Gold Medal: By Kanchi Sankara Mutt (2004) • Siddhanta Saiva Semmani: By Thiru Vavaduthurai Mutt (2004) He was also the Honorary Director of the International Institute of Saiva Siddhanta and founded the Saint Sekkizhar School of Saiva Siddhanta, a trust dedicated to publishing rare and research works. 🕊️ Legacy Dr. Ramachandran passed away on 6 April 2021 at the age of 87. He spent his final years in Mylapore and Alwarpet, continuing his scholarly work until the end. His translations and monographs remain essential resources for those studying Tamil hagiographical literature and Saiva philosophy.

6 articles1951–19963 publications
The Indian Historical Quarterly · 4Jinamanjari · 1Jain Journal A Quarterly on Jainology · 1

Articles

The Indian Historical Quarterly

Excavations at Nagarjunakonda

By Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran

June 1952
The Indian Historical Quarterly

An interesting Terracotta Plaque from Ahicchatra (U.P.)

By Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran

December - 1951
The Indian Historical Quarterly

Fresh Light on the Deogarh Relief of Nara‑Narayana

By Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran

September - 1951
The Indian Historical Quarterly

The Manicapuri Cave

By Thillaisthanam Natarajan Ramachandran

June - 1951

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