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Distance education
 When Madras Doordharshan started telecasting for the first time in the state, many programmes were shown which were of immense use to the public. Programmes of social interest like Nannan's 'Ennum Ezhuthum', 'Thamizharivom' and 'Ungalukkaga' were very popular with the masses at that time.
It is a great achievement for Nannan who conducted Tamil classes for 17 years through this medium, where he taught to write, read, speak and pronounce Tamil in an easy manner so that even a small child could comprehend.
His teaching was so simple and his style so engaging that many non-Tamils would sit in front of the TV with pen and paper to join his class. He would only be facing the camera but would make it appear as if he was standing in front of you and conducting a class: He would clearly spell out the letters. Then he would sprinkle his lecture with mild admonishes like 'No, don't look at your neighbour's slate', or 'Don't be frightened of big words, I will give you enough time to write them', or 'Don't get distracted but listen carefully to me'... like a teacher would talk in a real class - but this one was a teacher with a beautiful smile that would melt the heart of the most recalcitrant student.
We met Nannan, who has and is still doing yeomen service to the language
About your childhood and your native place
I belong to Cuddalore district. Kavanur, which is situated between Neyveli and Viruddhachalam, is my village. But I have been living in Chennai for the past 50 years.
 I studied till class-VIII in the District Board Higher Elementary School in Thirumuttam. Then I stopped going to school and involved myself in agriculture. We used to prepare jaggery in our house and take it to a wholesale shop at Chidambaram. Once, during such a trip with my father, we met Somasundaram Pillai who helped me continue my education. I studied in a school which prepared students for the entrance test in Annamalai University. I got selected and secured the highest mark. I got Rs 10 as aid money.
How did you meet U Ve Swaminatha
Iyer?
When he came to know that I had secured the first rank, he called me and gave me Rs 50 as prize money. That was the only and last time I saw him. He passed away the very next year. He had by then bought the books I needed for my study. Later, I was given the 'Thamizh Pulavar' degree, which is equivalent to today's M.A.
About your service as a teacher
I started working in Coimbatore Arts College and then went on to other colleges. Finally, I joined the Arts College in Madras. My students who had finished their postgraduation, secured jobs as assistant professors in the same college while I was there. I felt motivated and decided to continue my studies. I finished my M.A and asked permission from Madras University to do research and got my Ph.D.
What work did you undertake after your retirement?
I worked as the deputy chief of the Adult Education Department. I used all my previous experiences and worked to my level best. Of course, the Doordharshan experience helped me a lot.
About your 'Thamizharivom' programme on DD
I started teaching Tamil in 'Ennum Ezhuthum' which was a part of the 'Vazhkkai Kalvi' programme. I taught for nearly 17 years. My programmes were telecast even while cricket matches were being played and relayed by DD. They had started this progarmme all over India but it became a success only in Tamil
Nadu.
Can you tell us about your work in the field of development of Tamil?
Twentyfive years after the regulation on governing language was passed, I joined this department. I developed a three-year plan and implemented it successfully. There was a plan to give awards to best books, which had held back for seven years. I gave away all the eight awards in the same year.
What is your opinion about this new method of teaching called 'Nannan method'?
I developed my own method when I started teaching for class-I children. Later on, I experimented with it when I was working in the Adult Education Department. Many research works were undertaken and around 70 eminent persons from the State Resource Centre held discussions about this method of mine. Then, in nearly 100 centres, the teachers adopted this method, corrected the mistakes, and with the help of the Central government, this lesson plan was executed under the heading
'Kanperuvom'.
Your meeting with Periyar
Periyar had visited our university for a function and he spoke for nearly two hours. That speech triggered something in me and from that day I decided to follow his path. Even Anna had visited us to give a speech and his speech under the heading 'Aatroram' was a feast to the olfactory senses.
When did you change your original name?
We had called Maraimalai Adigalar for a meeting and came to know that his original name was Vedachalam. So, five of us wanted to do the same and I changed my name 'Thirugnana Sambandan' to 'Nannan' that day.
What have you got to say about this affinity towards English nowadays?
This is a disease. We chased the English out but retained their language. We have an inferiority complex and always tend to think high of others. We feel proud to converse in English and don't show proper respect to our language. I am sure that this trend will slowly decrease and our language will get its due respect and attention.
KT Sri
(Translated by Radha N)
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