Arumuga Navalar

A Tamil scholar who revitalized Tamil language and culture through education and literary works.

Arumuga Navalar (1822–1879) was a Tamil scholar, poet, and social reformer from Jaffna, Sri Lanka. He is celebrated for his efforts to revive the Tamil language and culture during the British colonial era. Navalar founded the Saiva Siddhanta Kazhagam, an organization promoting Tamil literature and religious education. He authored works like 'Thiruvisaippa' and translated Shakespeare’s plays into Tamil, making European literature accessible to Tamil speakers. His debates with Christian missionaries defended Tamil traditions while advocating for secular education. Navalar’s advocacy for Tamil script reform and his establishment of schools in Jaffna made him a cornerstone of Tamil cultural identity. Explore his contributions here.