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{{Short description|Tamil scholar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{infobox person
| name = Mahamahopadhyaya U. V. Swaminatha Iyer
| image = File:U. V. Swaminatha Iyer.jpg
| birth_name =
| birth_place = Sooriyamoolai,<br/>[[Thanjavur Maratha Kingdom]], [[Company rule in India|British India]]<br/>(now in [[Thanjavur District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1855|2|19}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1942|4|28|1855|2|19}}
| death_place = [[Tirukalukundram]],<br/>[[Chingleput District (Madras Presidency)|Chingleput District]],<br/>[[Madras Province]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now in [[Chengalpattu District]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]])
| occupation = scholar, researcher
}}
'''U.V. Swaminatha Iyer''' (19 February 1855 – 28 April 1942) was a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] scholar and researcher who was instrumental in bringing many long-forgotten works of [[classical Tamil literature]] to light. His singular efforts over five decades brought to light major literary works in Tamil and contributed vastly to the enrichment of its literary heritage.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref> Iyer published over 90 books in his lifetime, on a variety of matters connected to classical Tamil literature, and collected over 3,000 paper manuscripts, [[palm-leaf manuscript]]s and notes of various kinds.

He is affectionately called ''Tamil Thatha'' (literally, "Tamil grandfather").<ref>{{cite book |title=Tamil Thatha (U.V. Swaminatha Iyer) |author=Ki. Va. Jagannathan | publisher=Sahitya Academy |year=1983 }}</ref>

==Early life==
Swaminatha Iyer was born in [[Tamil Brahmin|Tamil-speaking Brahmin]] family on 19 February 1855 in the village of Suriyamoolai and grew up in Uthamadhanapuram, near [[Kumbakonam]] in [[Tamil Nadu]]. In his early years, he studied Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam, Kamba Ramayanam, Tamil Grammar - Nanool. He got married in 1868. Between 1870 and 1875, he trained under the great Tamil scholar [[Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai]], gaining expertise on various Tamil medieval texts.

==Academic career==
In 1880, Swaminatha Iyer became a Tamil professor at the [[Government Arts College, Kumbakonam]]. He also took classes in [[Thiruvaduthurai Adheenam|Thiruvaduthurai Saiva mutt]]. During his tenure at the college, Swaminatha Iyer met [[Salem Ramaswami Mudaliar]], a civil munsif who had been recently transferred to Kumbakonam. Mudaliar gave Iyer a text named Chintamani and wanted to learn about it. This not only transformed Iyer's life but also marked the beginning of his lifelong mission to rediscover, edit, and publish ancient Tamil literary works, thereby preserving and revitalizing Tamil literature for future generations.

Later in 1903, he became a Tamil teacher in [[Pachaiyappa's College|Pachaiyappa's College]] in Chennai and continued until his retirement in 1919.

==Ancient Tamil Literary recovery==
[[File:U. V. Swaminatha Iyer studying palm-leaf manuscripts.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Iyer studying palm leaf manuscripts]]

When Iyer read the opening verses of the Chintamani, he found the stanzas praised a god, as was customary, but intriguingly did not mention any specific deity. The text also contained [[Nachinarkiniyar]]'s commentary. To interpret the epic accurately, Iyer realized he needed a deeper understanding of [[Jain]] traditions. He sought the guidance of Chandranatha Chettiar and other Tamil Jains and studied the epic with them regularly. He also encountered discrepancies between two existing copies of the text. Determined to resolve these inconsistencies, he searched for palm-leaf manuscripts across Tamil Nadu and meticulously compared them.

During this time, [[C. W. Thamotharampillai|Thamodharam Pillai]] visited Iyer and showed his interest in publishing Chintamani. Pillai had experience publishing few morks in Chennai and had contacts for sponsorship. However, Pillai had not looked into Chinthamani, while Iyer worked extensively on it. Iyer continued his work and after seven years of dedicated effort, in 1887, he published the complete works of '' [[Seevaga Sindhamani|Jeevaka Chintamani]]'' along with his notes.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Hudson |first=Dennis |title=The Responses of Tamils to Their Study by Westerners 1608-1908, Comparative Civilizations Review: Vol. 13 : No. 13, Article 14. |year=1985 |pages=192–193}}</ref>

Swaminatha Iyer then turned his attention to [[Culamani|Soolamani]], another Jain text, with the intention of editing and publishing it. Although he worked on the text, he did not publish as Thamodharampillai was working on it.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

He subsequently focused on [[Ten Idylls|Pattupattu]], but initially, he did not have access to the actual poems. Instead, he obtained scattered and disordered notes related to the text. Determined to reconstruct the Pattupattu, Iyer traveled extensively across Tamil Nadu, collecting materials related to the work. In 1888, after thorough research and editing, he successfully published Pattupattu in 1889.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

In 1890, while searching for copies of [[Cilappatikaram|Silapathikaaram]], Iyer discovered additional Pattupattu manuscripts, which he used to produce a revised edition of the text. Alongside the Silapathikaram manuscripts, he also acquired Arumbada Urai (commentaries) and notes by Adiyaarku Nallar. He was particularly impressed by the rich content in Silapathikaram related to music and drama. To enhance his understanding of the musical references, he delved into texts such as Kachapuda Venba, Thaala Samudram, and Suddhantha Prasadham. During his travels, Iyer also discovered Purananuru manuscripts at the home of a Kavirayar in Mithilaipatti. Over the course of visiting more than fifty locations, he meticulously gathered materials and insights. Finally, in 1891, he published Silapathikaram.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

In 1892, Swaminatha Iyer began his research on [[Purananuru]], an anthology composed by various poets. Some of these poets had also authored other works, prompting Iyer to study those poems to better understand their writing styles and themes. Many Purananuru poems were incomplete, with missing introductions, middle sections, or concluding parts. While researching, Iyer observed that some Purananuru poems were referenced in Tholkappiyam's Porul Athikaaram, which provided additional insights. He also gathered historical and geographical information related to figures like [[Athiyamān|Athiyamaan]] and [[Karikala|Karikal Valavan]] and locations such as Venni. In 1894, after extensive research and reconstruction, Iyer published Purananuru. Along with the text, he included notes on various countries, regions, mountains, rivers, and historical figures mentioned in the poems, offering a broader context to readers.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

Swaminatha Iyer next turned his attention to [[Manimekalai]]. He first learned that it was a Buddhist text from Rangachari, a professor at Kumbakonam College. He observed that most Buddhist texts were written in Pali or English, with very few available in Tamil. Unlike the Jains he had previously consulted, Iyer could not find Tamil Buddhists in Tamil Nadu to assist him. Instead, Rangachari, who had studied English translations of Buddhist texts, discussed them extensively with Iyer. In addition, Iyer sought the guidance of notable scholars such as G.U. Pope and Colombo Kumarasamy Mudaliar, from whom he collected information. After meticulously referring to 59 Tamil texts and 29 texts in North Indian languages, Iyer published Manimekalai in 1898, marking another milestone in his efforts to revive ancient Tamil literature.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

He continued his research on ancient Tamil literature editing, adding fine and detailed commentaries and publishing:<ref>{{cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India |year=1973 |isbn=9004035915 }}</ref>
* [[Ainkurunuru]] in 1903 and revised it in 1920
*[[Patiṟṟuppattu]] in 1904
*[[Paripāṭal|Paripaatal]] in 1918
*[[Purananuru]] first in 1923 and revised in 1935 and 1936
*[[Kuṟuntokai]] in 1937

Swaminatha Iyer's research and publications were primarily supported by [[Salem Ramaswami Mudaliar]], [[Pandithurai Thevar]], Zamindhar of [[Palavanatham]], and few others.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref>

==Contributions to Tamil music==
[[File:U. V. Swaminatha Iyer in Saiva garb.jpg|300px|thumb|right|Swaminatha Ayyar]]
Another significant contribution made by Swaminatha Iyer is in the realm of Tamil [[Carnatic music|music]]. Until Swaminatha Iyer published the [[Cilappatikaram]], [[Pattupattu]] and [[Ettuthokai]], music was a grey area in Tamil research. During the previous four centuries, [[Telugu language|Telugu]] and [[Sanskrit]] dominated the music scene in [[Tamil Nadu]] in the absence of any valuable information on Tamil music. Swaminatha Iyer's publications threw light on the presence of Tamil music in the earlier centuries and paved the way for serious research on the subject. As the son of a famous musician of his time, Swaminatha Iyer learnt music from [[Gopalakrishna Bharathi]], a musical exponent and the author of ''Nandan Sarithiram''.

==His autobiography==
Swaminatha Iyer published his autobiography, ''En Sarithiram'', serialised in the Tamil weekly [[Ananda Vikatan]], from January 1940 to May 1942. It was later published as a book in 1950.<ref>{{cite book |title=En Sarithiram |author=Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer |isbn=978-81-8476-462-8 }}</ref> Running into 762 pages, the book is an excellent account of the life and times of villages, especially in the Thanjavur district in the late 19th century. The Tamil is simple and peppered with many observations on people as well as descriptions of school life, life in monasteries (Mutts). The book also reveals the enormous perseverance of U V Swaminatha Iyer in his quest to master Tamil and save manuscripts.

== Style of writing ==

Dr. U. V. Swaminatha Iyer showed deep respect for the original texts, preserving the language as it was used in the classical and medieval periods, including Sanskritized terms where they naturally appeared. He reflected the historical and cultural context of the texts he worked on, bridging Tamil and Sanskrit traditions without bias. His focus was on preserving and explaining the literary, historical, and cultural essence of Tamil texts, irrespective of their linguistic influences.

<blockquote>
The discovery of the oldest Tamil literary works will always be connected with the name of a research scholar in literature and a great cultural historian, Dr. U. V. Swaminatha Iyer, who edited, towards the end of the nineteenth and the beginning of the 20th centuries, in quick succession a considerable number of classical works of Tamil literature. He thus became one of the foremost representatives of the so-called Tamil Renaissance.<ref>{{cite book |title=Introducing Tamil Literature |author=Kamil Zvelebil |publisher=Hoe & Co |year=1968 |page=1}}</ref>

- [[Kamil Zvelebil]]
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
In the recovery and publishing of ancient Tamil literature, a noted man of Tamil letters has written, [[Arumuka Navalar|Arumuga Navalar]] broke the ground and [[C. W. Thamotharampillai|Damodharam Pillai]] built the walls. But the person who put on the roof and made the work into a temple was U. V. Swaminatha Iyer.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Responses of Tamils to Their Study by Westerners 1608–1908 |author=Dennis Hudson |year=1985 |page=13}}</ref>
</blockquote>

==Legacy and honours==
[[File:U. V. Swaminatha Iyer statue.jpg|thumb|Statue of U. V. Swaminatha Iyer in the campus of [[Presidency College, Chennai]]]]

Besides writing his autobiography, U. V. Swaminatha Iyer also authored a two-volume biography of his tutor, [[Meenakshi Sundaram Pillai]]. Additionally, he wrote the biographies of Vidwan Thiagaraja Chettiar, [[Maha Vaidyanatha Iyer]], and [[Gopalakrishna Bharati]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Tamil Thatha (U.V. Saminatha Iyer) |author=Ki. Va. Jagannathan | publisher=Sahitya Academy |year=1983 }}</ref>

Dr U.V. Swaminatha Iyer along with [[C. W. Thamotharampillai|C.W. Damodharam Pillai]] was responsible for the rediscovery of old classical heritage.<ref>{{cite book |last=Zvelebil |first=Kamil |title=The Smile of Murugan: On Tamil Literature of South India |year=1973 |isbn=9004035915 |page=283 }}</ref>

In 1906, U.V. Swaminatha Iyer was honored with the title '''Mahamahopadhyaya'''. (Tamil: மகாமகோபாத்தியாயர், Sanskrit: महामहोपाध्याय)

In 1917, he was honored with the title '''Dravida Vidya Bhoosanam'''. (Tamil: திராவிட வித்தியா பூஷணம்)

In 1925, he was honored with the title '''Dakshinathiya Kalanidhi'''. (Tamil: தாக்‌ஷிணாத்திய கலாநிதி)

In 1932, Madras University honored him with a '''PhD'''.

After Iyer's death, his son, KalyanaSundara Iyer approached Adyar Brahma Gnana Sabha in Chennai and donated thousands of books and palm leaf manuscripts, and several thousands of letters written by eminent scholars and researchers to Iyer. The sabha started the Mahamahobadhyaya Dr.U.Ve.Swaminatha Iyer Library in 1943 and preserve these materials.<ref>Library preserving his original research, https://uvesalibrary.org/</ref>

Tamil poet and nationalist [[Subramania Bharati]], who inspired the freedom movement with his songs, admired Swaminatha Iyer. Paying tribute to Swaminatha Iyer in one of his poems, Bharati equated Iyer with the sage, [[Agastya]] when he called him ''Kumbamuni''. He said, "So long as Tamil lives, poets will venerate you and pay obeisance to you. You will ever shine as an immortal."<ref>S. Viswanathan, https://frontline.thehindu.com/static/html/fl2205/stories/20050311001909700.htm{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, "The patriarch of Tamil", ''Frontline, Vol. 22, Issue 5'', 26 February – 11 March 2005</ref>

The meeting of [[Rabindranath Tagore]] and the grand old man of Tamil literature in 1926 in Chennai was a historic moment. Not only did Tagore call on Swaminatha Iyer, but also penned a poem in praise of his efforts to salvage ancient classical Tamil literary works from palm leaf manuscripts.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narasiah |first=K. R. A. |title=Tagore's ode hailed Tamil savant |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/tracking-indian-communities/tagores-ode-hailed-tamil-savant/ |access-date=2023-07-31 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

[[Ki. Va. Jagannathan]], also known as Ki.Va.Ja, was a student of Swaminatha Iyer.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0544_01.html En Charitram - Autobiography of U.V.Swaminatha Ayyar in Tamil (Part 1)]
* [http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0544_02.html En Charitram - Autobiography of U.V.Swaminatha Ayyar in Tamil (Part 2)]
* [http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0548_01.html En Charitram - Autobiography of U.V.Swaminatha Ayyar in Tamil (Part 3)]
* [http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0548_02.html En Charitram - Autobiography of U.V.Swaminatha Ayyar in Tamil (Part 4)]
* [http://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0556.html En Charitram - Autobiography of U.V.Swaminatha Ayyar in Tamil (Part 5)]
* [https://www.projectmadurai.org/pm_etexts/utf8/pmuni0725.html Tamil Thatha U.V. Swaminatha Iyer by Ki. Va. Jagannathan in Tamil]
* Viswanathan, S., The patriarch of Tamil, Frontline Volume 22 – Issue 05, 26 Feb – 11 March 2005
* Pradeep Chakravarthy's article on "The Hindu" – Grand Old Man of Tamizh [http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/grand-old-man-of-thamizh/article4414682.ece?homepage=true Grand Old Man of Tamizh – Article on "The Hindu"]

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Tamil language}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iyer, U. V. Swaminatha}}
[[Category:1855 births|Swaminatha Iyer, U.V.]]
[[Category:1942 deaths|Swaminatha Iyer, U.V.]]
[[Category:Tamil-language writers|Swaminatha Iyer, U.V.]]
[[Category:Linguists of Tamil]]
[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:Academic staff of Annamalai University]]
[[Category:Writers from British India]]

U. V. Swaminatha Iyer - Revision history

Prithoknnoman at 23:57, 3 May 2026