Very soon hundreds of linguists will gather together at the Annual Dravidian Linguistic Association conference. They will bring with them their considerable knowledge and share this knowledge with their colleagues in linguistics and adjacent disciplines. Dravidian Linguistic Association is a remarkable achievement of Professor V. I. Subramoniam and his dedicated students.
Professor V. I. Subramoniam belongs to the group of great Indian linguists such as Suniti Kumar Chatterjee, Sukumar Sen, T. P. Meenakshisundaran, S. M. Katre, Bh. Krishnamurti, Ashok Kelkar, and others, whose contributions helped develop the ancient field of linguistics in India with greater vigor in the twentieth century. V. I. Subramoniam stands tall among the Indian linguists not only by his very significant contribution to linguistic research, but also through mentoring students in linguistics and adjacent sciences. He always has time for any person interested in the study of Indian languages and linguistics. As a great scholar in Tamil and Dravidian linguistics, he looks toward the development of all Indian languages, and has a special place in his heart for the minor languages of India.
Many are his achievements, which include, among others, founding the Tamil University as a model university for language sciences, International School of Dravidian Linguistics in Kerala, International Journal of Dravidian Linguistics, and Dravidian University in Andhra Pradesh. IJDL is the premier journal of linguistics in India. It is amazing to see how Professor V. I. S. was able to accomplish all these things with single-minded devotion. He is like no other person - he is truly selfless, and he looks toward the future always with great vision. His words of encouragement in times of trouble have helped many, including the present writer, with hope for the future.
Professor V. I. S. is a dedicated Hindu, a Shiva worshipper, hailing from a Saivite family. But his friends and students come from all religious backgrounds, including those practicing agnosticism, atheism, and communism. His cosmopolitan approach to religious and linguistic diversity in India is a model for all of us to follow. He always has a very soft corner for those belonging to the poor and deprived castes. He would choose students from such communities and encourage them with counsel and material help. At the same time he would never hamper the progress of students from upper castes. He is always at home with all, always generous with all.
Stern discipline, self-sacrifice, simple frugal life, and generosity for all, dedication to the cause of Indian languages, enlightened vision for the future are the hallmarks of Professor V. I. S. Even as his commentaries on Tamil grammars will ensure him a place of honor in Tamil linguistics, the contributions he makes even today for the development of Indian languages will always be remembered by the contributions of the institutions that he has created with devotion. May God bless him with good health and long life!
M. S. Thirumalai,
A STUDENT OF PROFESSOR V. I. SUBRAMONIAM