M. Rajendran
M. Rajendran is an Indian essayist, who served as Vice-Chancellor of Tamil University, Thanjavur, in Tamil Nadu, India. He is a Tamil scholar, writer and publisher of Kanaiyazhi literary magazine in Tamil., He was the coordinator of academic committee, World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. He chaired the High Level Committee to amend the Tamil Nadu Public Library Act and Tamil Nadu Public Library Rules, which was constituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu in January 2022. Kalingar Mu. Karunanidhi Classic Tamil Award, Muthamilkavalar Ki.Aa.Be. Vishwanatham Award has been given to him.
Birth
M. Rajendran was born as a first son to classical musician Mahadevan and Gnanammal on 3 March 3, 1951, at Eda Annavasal, the hamlet of Itdangankottai Keelaiyur alais Eda Keelaiyur in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu state in India; but, his native village is Kudavasal,Education
Since the father of Rajendran died when Rajendran was one year old, he completed his schooling with the support of his maternal uncle. Mr. Su. Natesan.- Studied primary education at the Panchayat Union Primary School, Eda Annavasal.
- Studied upper primary education and secondary education at Government High School, Eda Melaiyur.
- Studied at Rajah's College of Tamil Studies and Music, Thiruvaiyaru and obtained Pulavar degree, while Mr. Gopaliyar was his teacher and principal.
- Studied M.A. at Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai.
- Awarded Master of Philosophy by Madras University in the year of 1979 against his research on "Ra.See.'s Novels – A Study" under the guidance of Professor Dr. N. Jeyaprakasam at Pachaiyappa’s College in Chennai.
- Awarded Doctor of Philosophy in 1984, for his research on First Surveyor General of India Colin Mackenzie's collection of manuscripts as "Mackenzie's Tamil Manuscripts'under the guidance of Professor Dr. N. Sanjeevi at Department of Tamil, Madras University.
Profession
Rajendran served in Government of Tamil Nadu asPresident, Tamil Development Academy, Chennai.Chairman, Tamil Nadu Public Library Act and Rules Amendment – High Level Committee 2022 from 31-01-2022 to 30-07-2022- Vice-Chancellor, Tamil University, Thanjavur, between 2008 June 19 and 2011 June 18,Coordinator of the academic committee, World Classical Tamil Conference between 2009 and 2010
- Director, International School of Dravidian Linguistics, Trivandrum between 2009 and 2011
- Director, International Institute of Tamil Studies, between 2006 June and 2008 June
- Director, Tamil Etymological Dictionary Project during 2008
- Special Officer, Kural Peedam – Tamil Nadu between 2001 and 2003
- Director, Department of Tamil Development between 1999 April 1 and 2008 June 17
- Director, Department of Translation between 1996 and 1999
- Deputy Director, Department of Translation between 1993 and 1996
- Special Officer for Research, International Institute of Tamil Studies – Two YearsLecturer and Special Research Fellow, Tamil University, Thanjavur between 1986 and 1989Assistant Professor of Tamil, Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai during 1980–81Tami Pandit, Government Oriental Manuscripts Library, Chennai between 1974 and 1986.
Member of Committees
Rajendran was appointed by the Government of Tamil Nadu to the following expert committees:Member, Madurai Kamaraj University vice-chancellor search committee, Member, Tamil Nadu Open University Vice Chancellor Search Committee 2022Member, Committee for Dravida KalanchiamEditor
Dr. M. Rajendran edited the following publications:- Translation of Sangam Literature in Hindi
- Proceedings of the World Classical Tamil Conference, 2010
- Journal of Tamil Studies, published by International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai
Awards
The Government of Tamil Nadu has given him the following awards to recognize his work in Tamil:Kalaingar Mu. Karunanidhi Classical Tamil Award 2020; Central Institute of Classical Tamil Studies, Chennai.K. A. P. Vishwanatham Award 2021; Department of Tamil Development, Government of Tamil Nadu, ChennaiAuthor of
Dr. M. Rajendran authored the following books| Title | Type | Year of publication | Publisher | Remarks |
| Andhi Pozhudhil– At the Sunset | A Collection of Short Stories in Tamil | 1990 | Tamil Puthakalaym, Chennai | - |
| Vidigira Velayil-At the daybreak | A Collection of Short Stories in Tamil | 1992 | Kurinjippadi | - |
| Kuttravaaligal- Criminals | A Collection of Novels in Tamil | 1995 | Dasara Trust, Chennai | - |
| Valarppu- Upbringing | A Collection of Short Stories in Tamil | 1996 | Rudhra Publication, Thanjavur | - |
| Collin Mackenzie Varalarum Suvadikalum – Collin Mackenzie: History and Manuscripts | Research | 2002 | Kanayazhi, Chennai | PhD Thesis |
| Nindra Sol– Lingering Word | A Collection of Essays in Tamil | 2003 | Kanaiyazhi Publication, Chennai | - |
| Mackenzie Suvadikalil Thamizhaga Pazhankudi Makkal – Tamil Tribes in Mackenzie Manuscripts | Research | 2003 | Kanaiyazhi Publication, Chennai | - |
| Omanadhi | A Collection of Short Stories in Tamil | 2004 | Kavitha Publication, Chennai | - |
| Pazhaverkadu Varalaru 1816il: Mackenzie Suvadikalil Pathippaiyu -Pazhaverkadu in 1816: Editorial Research on Mackenzie's Manuscripts | Research | 2004 | Tamil University, Thanjavur | - |
| Sirpiyin Vidhi- The Rule of the Sculptor | A Collection of Short Stories in Tamil | 2004 | Kanaiyazhi Publication, Chennai | - |
| Kanaiyazhi Thalaiyangam- Kanaiyazhi Editorials | Editorials | 2007 | Kavitha Publication, Chennai | - |
| Ninakkappadum – Random Thoughts | ? | 2007 | Kavitha Publication, Chennai | - |
| Nigazhvukalin Pathivil – Records of Events | Nostalgia | 2011 March 3 | List of works were done at Tamil University | |
| Chol Puthithu Porul Puthithu – New Word New Meaning | Creation of Technical Terms in Tamil | 2017 | Kavitha Publication, Chennai | |
| India Ilakkiya Sirpi - Kalaignar Mu. Karunanithi - Indian Literary Sculptor - Kalaignar Mu. Karunanithi | Biography | 2023 | Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi | |
| Kālā picācukaḷ - Time demons | Short Stories | 2024 | Yavarum Publications, Chennai |
Translations
His works have been translated into English and published in the following books:- Memory Mist; 2016 Dec 23; Pustaka Digital Media
- TRIO Modern Tamil Stories; 2002; Writer's Workshop, Calcutta.
Published journals
- Publisher, Kaniyazhi, since 1995
- Editor, Journal of Tamil studies, 2006–2008, International Institute of Tamil Studies, Chennai.