Had the honour of meeting Dr. Y. Manikandan, Professor and Head, Department of Tamil Language, University of Madras, today at Bharathi Tamil Sangam, Kolkata, where I’ve had the privilege of being a life member for the past 25 years. Our conversation was intellectually stimulating and soulfully Tamil. We exchanged thoughts on his rich body of research in Tamil grammar, classical literature, manuscriptology, and most notably, his profound work on Bharathiyar and Bharathidasan—two towering figures in Tamil literary and cultural history. Dr. Manikandan’s academic contributions—over 114 publications and active participation in more than 150 seminars and workshops—reflect his unwavering dedication to the Tamil language and its legacy. It was a joy to connect with someone who shares a deep, abiding love for Tamil and Tamil literature. Grateful for this memorable exchange of ideas that reaffirmed our shared passion. – Venkataramanan Ramasethu 21st June 2025
