P.J.
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MADURAI: For 73-year-old S K Murugesan, age is just a number before his passion for reading and collecting books. This ardent reader from Athikulam in Madurai, still helps Tamil research students with books they need for their work. A second standard dropout, Murugesan is a well-known personality among the academicians and research scholars in Tamil departments in Madurai and southern districts.
As he has been helping the Tamil scholars and researchers by providing books from his vast collection, he is well known as 'Tamil Thaathaa'. Every year around 50 persons including PhD, M Phil and Post Graduates, get books from the Murugesan for their research purposes. An ardent reader, his love for books have made him collect so many books that his house is now completely filled with books, sparing some space to lie down and sleep.
Murugesan, who is well versed with the libraries in Madurai and Dindigul districts, knows the locations of the books too. "Researchers and scholars, who need books for their research and writing books, would inform me through a call. I would then send them the required books. If I am falling short of books from my collection, I would tell them where they can get the books. Moreover, they can keep hold of my books until they have completed their research," Murugesan said.
"After the death of my wife and loss in business in my 40's, I found solace in books which became my only companion. With the help of Punitha Ekambaram, I got enrolled in a library and spent most of my time there. Suddenly a thought struck and I decided keep my collections open for the sake of students and started a free service," Murugesan said.
Despite his poverty Murugesan educated his children well. Although his two sons and daughter are well off, he wants to lead his life separately with the only companionship of his books, he said.
Source:Name any book, 'Tamil Thaathaa' will get it for you! - Times Of India
As he has been helping the Tamil scholars and researchers by providing books from his vast collection, he is well known as 'Tamil Thaathaa'. Every year around 50 persons including PhD, M Phil and Post Graduates, get books from the Murugesan for their research purposes. An ardent reader, his love for books have made him collect so many books that his house is now completely filled with books, sparing some space to lie down and sleep.
Murugesan, who is well versed with the libraries in Madurai and Dindigul districts, knows the locations of the books too. "Researchers and scholars, who need books for their research and writing books, would inform me through a call. I would then send them the required books. If I am falling short of books from my collection, I would tell them where they can get the books. Moreover, they can keep hold of my books until they have completed their research," Murugesan said.
"After the death of my wife and loss in business in my 40's, I found solace in books which became my only companion. With the help of Punitha Ekambaram, I got enrolled in a library and spent most of my time there. Suddenly a thought struck and I decided keep my collections open for the sake of students and started a free service," Murugesan said.
Despite his poverty Murugesan educated his children well. Although his two sons and daughter are well off, he wants to lead his life separately with the only companionship of his books, he said.
Source:Name any book, 'Tamil Thaathaa' will get it for you! - Times Of India
