ONE HUNDRED TAMILS OF THE 20TH CENTURY

Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani
1903 - 1974
[Courtesy: The Modern Rationalist]

An individual, if he has in him the spark of a noble principle and a lofty goal, will be able to lead a whole community
in such a way as to secure them a safe, secure and respectable position in a nation. The life history of Thamizhavel
G.Sarangapani of Singapore bears testimony to this fact. Born in Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, India, on 20 April 1903,
he went to Singapore at the age of 21. He began his career as a book-keeper and rose to be the manager of the firm.
Being a Matriculate of early 20th Century, he was effectively bi-lingual in Tamil and English.

Kosa, as Sarangapani was known among the Tamils in Singapore, came under the influence of the principles and
policies of Periyar E.V.Ramasamy. He accepted the need for rationalist thought and the goal of creating a casteless
society. As the agent of Periyars magazine, Kudi Arasu in Singapore and Malaysia, he was closely associated with
Self-respect movement. When Periyar visited Malaya (Malaysia) and Singapore in 1929, Sarangapani was among
those who stood in the forefront to welcome him and to arrange functions, enabling the social revolutionary leader to
propagate his ideas among the immigrant Tamils. He did the same to Periyar in 1954 when he went there second
time.

Sarangapani (Kosa) asked the Tamils to give up caste, give importance to education, live united and not to be
addicted to alcohol. He earned the goodwill of the workers and the middle class. He propagated his progressive views
through his magazines Munnetram (Progress) started in 1929 and Tamil Murasu, started in 1935. He used Tamil
Murasu, not for his personal gain but to rally the Tamil community to live unitedly. He explained the benefits of
having a stake in the country, and motivated Indians/ Tamils in Singapore to become Singaporeans.

Kosa (G.Sarangapani) was one of the leading founders of the Singapore Tamils Reform Association. He served as its
Chairman and Secretary at various intervals. In 1937, he married Madam Lim Boon Neo, a Peranakan Chinese. They
became proud and loving parents of four sons and * daughters.

It was due to the concerted efforts of Kosa and his colleagues, Tamil has become a legally taught language in the
educational institutions from the primary to the University level in Singapore and Malaysia. He played a vital role in
Tamil being made one of the four official languages of Singapore.

When he died on 16th March 1974, sincere tributes were paid to him in Tamil Nadu, the land of his birth, in
Malaysia and in Singapore. His foresight and dedicated services endeared him to all, Tamils and non-Tamils.

Tributes

Dravidar Kazhagam celebrated in cooperation with the Thamizhavel Narpani Manram the Birth Centenary of
Thamizhavel G.Sarangapani on 12th June 2004. It was a grand and colourful function. The Radha Manram in
Periyar Thidal in Chennai was fully occupied. The Kavi Arangam (the poets tribute) was the first programme of the
function. Kavikkondal Ma. Senguttuvan presided over and poets Maraimalaiyaan, Malarmaamani Pulavar Ilanjezhian
and Kavingnar Sigamani participated paying glorious encomiums to Thamizhavel in sweet and effective rhymes.
Then followed Karutharangam (Seminar) on the life and achievements of G.Sarangapani. Dr.A.R.A.Sivakkumaaran
presided over the seminar. Dr.M.V.Thiagaraasan, Dr. R.Velmurugan and Thi. Veerapaandian spoke, presenting
cogently the various aspects of Thamizhavels dedicated services, talents and charming qualities.

The President of Dravidar Kazhagam, K.Veeramani chaired the concluding session of the Centenary Celebrations
and recollected the glorious achievements of Kosa. M.Ilias, Secretary, Thamizhavel Narpani Manram, Singapore,
welcomed the distinguished guests and the gathering. Prof. Dr. Thinnappan gave a special speech on the occasion.

The President of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Kalaignar Mu. Karunanidhi released the Souvenir published on
behalf of Viduthalai, the rationalist Tamil daily, and commended the services of Thamizhavel Kosa. K.Siladas, Bar-
at-Law, Vice-President of Oxford Tamil Association, prescented to Kalaignar, on behalf of the Association, a
memento in appreciation of his wonderful contribution to Tamil literature. A.Ayyub, P.Ponnaiyya, K.Murugaiyya,
G.Paramasivam, Irshad Mohammed, M.Rahmathulla, A.Azad Ali, P.M.Ashraf Ali, brothers and close relatives of
Kosa were honoured on the occasion. Kali Poongunran, Deputy General Secretary of Dravidr Kazhagam coordinated
the function.

Tribute by Thiru S.R. Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore

Thamizhavel G. Saranga pany was one of our senior community leaders who had worked hard for a united
Singapore and the welfare of Singaporeans. In the early 1950s Thamizhavel Sarangapany helped many members of
the Indian community to register themselves as citizens of this country. He personally collected and distributed the
application forms to those who were permanent residents and those who were stateless. The Indians who are now
living in prosperous Singapore must never forget his efforts in encouraging and securing cotizenships for them. He
was instrumental in setting up the Department of Indian Studies at the then University of Malaya in Singapore.

Thamizhavel Sarangapany was a good friend of Periyar EV Ramasamy, a great social reformist in Tamil Nadu. He
made many attempts to eradicate the differences caused by the caste system, superstition and alcoholism which had
ruined many families.We must appreciate the enormous service done by Thamizhavel Sarangapany to the Tamil
language and the Tamil community.We should be grateful to him for the yeoman services he rendered to the society
and the nation
Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani, (Tamil: . , 19
April 1903 16 March 1974) or Kosa as he was also known, a Tamil writer and publisher,
was born in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, on 20 April 1903. He received a good education and
was effectively bi-lingual in Tamil andEnglish. At 21, he went to Singapore to work as a
bookkeeper, eventually becoming the manager at his firm.
Sarangapani was deeply influenced by E. V. Ramasami Naicker (better known as Periyar)
and his Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu. He was committed torationalism and the
ideal of a modern, progressive society. Sarangapani established direct contact with the
Self-Respect Movement in India when he became the agent in British Malaya (then
including Singapore) for the distribution of its magazine, Kudi Arasu. These links were
strengthened in 1929 and 1954, when he helped to arrange Periyar's visits to Singapore
and Malaya to spread his message to local Tamils.
Sarangapani was also active as a Tamil writer and publisher in his own right. In 1929 he
set up the magazine Munnetram (Progress), and in 1935 he launched Tamil Murasu,
which remains Singapore's only daily Tamil newspaper. He was also a founder of the
Tamils Reform Association, and served as its Chairman and Secretary at various points.
Through his publications and the Association, Sarangapani promoted the importance of
education, as well as denouncing the Hindu caste system, superstitions and alcoholism.
Sarangapani was also a champion of the Tamil language in Singapore. He was part of
campaigns to make Tamil one of the four official languages of Singapore, as well as
having it taught in Singapore schools from the primary to tertiary level. He also helped
set up the Department of Indian Studies at the University of Malaya in Singapore.
Sarangapani also urged Tamils to embrace Singapore as their home. Former Singapore
President Sellapan Ramanathan has noted that
...In the early 1950s Thamizhavel Sarangapany helped many members of the Indian
community to register themselves as citizens of this country. He personally collected and
distributed the application forms to those who were permanent residents and those who
were stateless. The Indians who are now living in prosperous Singapore must never
forget his efforts in encouraging and securing citizenships for them.
In 1937, he married Lim Boon Neo, with whom he had six children (four sons and two
daughters). When he died on 16 March 1974, tributes were paid to him in Tamil Nadu,
the land of his birth, in Malaysia and in Singapore. In 2004, Sarangapani's birth centenary
was marked in Chennai, by tributes from leading Tamil poets, and a seminar on his life
and achievement.

Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani
 Born April 19, 1903
Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu
India

Died March 16, 1974 (aged 70)

Other names Ko.Sa

Occupation Tamil journalist, writer,publisher

Agent Tamil Murasu

Thamizhavel G. Sarangapani, (Tamil: . , 19

April 1903 16 March 1974) or Kosa as he was also known, a Tamil writer and publisher,
was born in Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, on 20 April 1903. He received a good education and
was effectively bi-lingual in Tamil and English. At 21, he went to Singapore to work as a
bookkeeper, eventually becoming the manager at his firm.
Sarangapani was deeply influenced by E. V. Ramasami Naicker (better known as Periyar)
and his Self-Respect Movement in Tamil Nadu. He was committed to rationalism and the
ideal of a modern, progressive society. Sarangapani established direct contact with the
Self-Respect Movement in India when he became the agent in British Malaya (then
including Singapore) for the distribution of its magazine, Kudi Arasu. These links were
strengthened in 1929 and 1954, when he helped to arrange Periyar's visits to Singapore
and Malaya to spread his message to local Tamils.
Sarangapani was also active as a Tamil writer and publisher in his own right. In 1929 he
set up the magazine Munnetram (Progress), and in 1935 he launched Tamil Murasu,
which remains Singapore's only daily Tamil newspaper. He was also a founder of the
Tamils Reform Association, and served as its Chairman and Secretary at various points.
Through his publications and the Association, Sarangapani promoted the importance of
education, as well as denouncing the Hindu caste system, superstitions and alcoholism.
Sarangapani was also a champion of the Tamil language in Singapore. He was part of
campaigns to make Tamil one of the four official languages of Singapore, as well as
having it taught in Singapore schools from the primary to tertiary level. He also helped
set up the Department of Indian Studies at the University of Malaya in Singapore.
Sarangapani also urged Tamils to embrace Singapore as their home. Former Singapore
President Sellapan Ramanathan has noted that
...In the early 1950s Thamizhavel Sarangapany helped many members of the Indian
community to register themselves as citizens of this country. He personally collected and
distributed the application forms to those who were permanent residents and those who
were stateless. The Indians who are now living in prosperous Singapore must never
forget his efforts in encouraging and securing citizenships for them.
In 1937, he married Lim Boon Neo, with whom he had six children (four sons and two
daughters). When he died on 16 March 1974, tributes were paid to him in Tamil Nadu,
the land of his birth, in Malaysia and in Singapore. In 2004, Sarangapani's birth centenary
was marked in Chennai, by tributes from leading Tamil poets, and a seminar on his life
and achievements.