A. Dakshinamurthy

A. Dakshinamurthy Biography

Dakshinamurthy Ayyasamy, better known as A. Dakshinamurthy is a Tamil non-fiction writer, translator and scholar. He is a Tamil professor too. He is a pioneer in the field of translation of Classical Tamil works, he translated many works written during classical, medieval and modern Tamil era to English. He translated 19 ancient classical Tamil works for the very first time to English during 1999-2012. Indian President's Tolkappiyar Award (2015), Tamilnadu Government's Bharathidasan Award (2003), Nalli Thisai Ettum Translation Award (2012), Kalaignar Porkili Award (2013) and Kolkatta Bharathy Tamil Sangam Outstanding Tamilian Award (2014) are some of the honours received by him.

Professor Dakshinamurthy Ayyasamy was born in 10 April 1938 in Tamil Nadu. He got interested in Tamil literature and studies, and that’s how he got into translation field, and translated many classic Tamil works to English. His professional career began in 1962 in Thiruvarur at a high school and later he served as a Tamil professor in many colleges across Tamil Nadu. Tamilar Nagarikamum Panpadum - a work on Tamil culture, civilization and development from the ancient Sangam period to the contemporary age was his first published work. He published the book in 1973, marking a new beginning as a translator.

He took doctorate after completing the thesis of 'Sanga Ilakkiyangal Unarthum Manitha Uravugal' in 1997. "The Poems of Bharathidasan – A Translation, Akananuru – The Akam Four Hundred, Kuruntokai – An Anthology of Classical Tamil Poetry, Natrinai - Four Hundred, Ancient Tamil classic Pattuppattu in English and Patinenkillanakku – Works on the Akam Theme are some of his major translation works to English. He translated Sangam anthology, Natrinai in 2001 which is the first authenticated translation work regarding this subject.

Published: September 08, 2018

Updated: September 08, 2018