History of Tamil Department
The Department of Tamil, a venerable institution in Tamil Nadu, was established in 1909 as a pioneering center exclusively dedicated to the study of Tamil language and literature. Its inception was a testament to the concerted efforts of Tamil intellectuals and its lineage traces back to the Sangam Period. Remarkably,
it stands among the earliest academic departments inaugurated at the dawn of the 20th Century. It holds the distinction of being the second Tamil College in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant historical milestone.
In its nascent stage, the department, then known as Sanmarkasabhai (Ganesar Senthamil Kalloori), commenced Tamil studies at the intermediate level in 1909. The guiding principle of “Saivamum Tamilum Thazhaithini thonguha” underscored its mission to satisfy the intellectual curiosity of its students.
Six years later, in 1915, the Madurai Tamil Sangam introduced the “Parvesa Pandit and Bala pandit” Vidwan Course, administering examinations through their auspices. The department was assimilated into Madras University in 1938, assuming the name Ganesar Sentamil Kalloori.
A significant evolution occurred in 1975 when the Vidwan course transitioned into a B.Litt. degree program, signifying a substantial shift from its previous diploma-based structure. Affiliating itself with Bharathidasan University in 1982, Ganesar Senthamil Kalloori expanded its academic horizons, introducing postgraduate programs in Tamil in 1987, further enriched by the inception of the M.Phil. programme in 1991.
This academic bastion steadily evolved into an Advanced Research Center of Tamil, culminating in its zenith in 2003. A pivotal juncture emerged in 2006 with the legal sanction for expanding into additional arts and science disciplines, prompting the institution to rechristen itself as Ganesar College of Arts and Sciences.