Dr. U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, affectionately known as UVeSa, embarked on a monumental journey at the age of 32, bringing the ancient Tamil epic Jeevaka Chintamani to the public eye for the first time in paper form.

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Dr. U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, affectionately known as UVeSa, embarked on a monumental journey at the age of 32, bringing the ancient Tamil epic Jeevaka Chintamani to the public eye for the first time in paper form. This marked the culmination of a seven-year odyssey across Tamil Nadu, where UVeSa diligently sought to compile the scattered manuscripts of classical Tamil literature, starting with Jeevaka Chintamani, a masterpiece from the 10th century by Jain monk Thiruthakka Thevar. Before this effort, the epic had been lost to time, known only in fragmented forms across the state.

UVeSa's quest was ignited by a challenge from Salem Ramaswami Mudaliar, a judge and admirer of Tamil literature, who questioned UVeSa's knowledge of ancient Tamil classics. At a time when Tamil scholarship was in decline, influenced by English education policies, and classical Tamil's rich tradition was nearly forgotten, UVeSa set out to prove the depth and value of Tamil's literary heritage.

The search for Jeevaka Chintamani was fraught with challenges, including deciphering discrepancies between manuscripts and navigating the complexities of ancient Tamil's preservation through palm-leaf manuscripts. These manuscripts, inscribed with a metal stylus, were meticulously copied over generations, a tradition that waned under colonial rule, leading to the neglect and loss of countless works.

UVeSa's journey was not just a literal search but an intellectual one, requiring him to immerse himself in Jain culture to fully understand and accurately annotate the Jeevaka Chintamani. This endeavor led him to discover that the differing commentaries he encountered were both authentic, penned by Nachinarkiniyar before and after he joined a Jain monastery.

After painstakingly gathering and verifying 23 manuscripts, UVeSa faced the daunting task of publishing his findings. Despite financial difficulties and discouragement, including competition fears and personal financial strain, UVeSa's dedication never wavered. With support from Ramaswami and other patrons, he managed to publish the epic in 1887, earning acclaim and the affectionate title 'Thamizh Thatha', the grand old man of Tamil, for his contributions to reviving ancient Tamil literature.

UVeSa's resilience and scholarly rigor not only restored Jeevaka Chintamani to its rightful place in Tamil culture but also set a precedent for the preservation and celebration of Tamil literature, leading to the publication of nearly 100 books on Tamil epics and poetry. His work illuminated the depth and beauty of Tamil's literary tradition, forever altering the course of Tamil scholarship.

©️ Venkataramanan Ramasethu

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