Book on Eezham Tamil educationalist reproduced in Canada

The Toronto-based Saiva Siddhanta Manram in Canada has reproduced a valuable old publication on a unique Eezham Tamil educationalist, Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar, born 150 years ago at Kaarai-theevu (Kaarainakar), an island off Jaffna Peninsula. The reprint, which will be released on Saturday at Scarborough Civic Centre, is of much historical importance to today’s younger generation of Eezham Tamils as well as to academics studying the affairs of the island of Ilangkai/ Lanka, to understand the discourse of the struggle for self-respect waged by the nation of Eezham Tamils in the times of British colonialism. The teacher devoted his entire life in challenging and edifying the then British and American ‘educational imperialism,’ which demanded that one has to become a Christian in order to become a teacher in any of the government recognised schools.

Commenting further on the book on Kaarai-theevu Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar, a student of History coming from the same island said that in the 19th century, Kaarainakar has produced two great educationalists, Subramaniar Ampalavaa'nar alias Allen Abraham (1865–1922) and Sankarappi'l'lai Aru'naasalam (1864–1920). But their lives made a sharp contrast in responding to the times and in contributing to the educational needs of the people.

Ampalavaa'nar born at Payirik-koodal and Aru'naasalam born at Kuddip-pulam of the same island went together in 1881 to the teacher training facility of the American Mission institution at Thellippazhai (which was in the complex of today’s Union College that will be celebrating its bicentenary in 2016).

Ampalavaa'nar who had lost both his parents to the cholera epidemic of 1876, got converted to Protestant Christianity on joining the Teacher Training School and became Allen Abraham. But Aru'naasalam delayed the process by saying that he would do it after writing the final exams. When the demand for conversion pressed him after the exams, Aru'naasalam, taking his bags on one night, ran away from the institution. He didn’t receive his academic or teacher qualification certificates.

Allen Abraham, later getting university education at the Jaffna College of the American Mission and receiving a degree from the Culcutta University, became a Professor of Mathematics and world recognized Astronomer. He was the first native of Ceylon to get Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS) recognition from the British in 1911, for correctly calculating the transit of the Halley’s Comet. However, at Jaffna College, he could become only a ‘functioning’ Vice Principal, as such posts were then not conferred on natives. It is said that a top person of the college once threw his research papers into pouring rain.

Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar on the other hand decided to devote his life to fight against the injustice of colonialism. He started his own school at his birthplace Kuddip-pulam in 1885. Another was started at Viyaavil in the island. He was behind the formation of yet another school at Kaarai-theevu in 1889, which later became Kaarainakar Hindu College. Around 10 more schools were started in different parts of Jaffna Peninsula through his inspiration.

With a simple Veaddi and shawl, and without any footwear, the teacher walked the length and breadth of the peninsula seeking people’s support for his educational mission.

The life obsession of Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar was liberating teacher training. He started the first native teacher training school at Kaarai-theevu with free boarding and lodging facilities. But it had to be closed down due to missionary opposition and non-recognition of the colonial government.

He made a second attempt of starting a teacher training school at Keerimalai. Again the government refused recognition, citing ‘lack of facilities’. Relentlessly, in 1915, he made a third attempt of running a training school in the premises of the Arumuga Navalar School at Va'n'naar-pa'n'nai. Great scholars like Chunnaakam Kumaraswamip Pulavar were guest lecturers at the training school. Yet, the colonial education department didn’t want to give recognition to a native initiative.

Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar fought the case at the Legislative Council, through Mr. Rajaratnam and Tamil political stalwarts of that time. Finally in 1916, the colonial administration said that a non-Protestant section could be created for Saiva teachers at the Government Teacher Training School at Koappaay. (Catholic Church was already running its own teacher training school). This section, headed by Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar, was started with just 7 students.

Upaaththiyaayar passed away in 1920, after making his point heard and justified. Later, when certain attitudinal issues cropped up at Koappaay, Mr. Rajaratnam, who continued the educational mission of Upaaththiyaayar through Hindu Board of Education, started a teacher training school for Saiva teachers at Thirunelveali. This was handed over in good faith to Colombo government after ‘independence,’ only to see its shutdown.

Eezham Tamil scholar, the late Pa'ndithama'ni Ka'napathippi'l'lai, once wrote that Naavalar, Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar and Rajaratnam were the “Three Eyes” (as that of God Siva).

Looking back, religion or caste, as some would try to project, was not the ultimate underlying issue. Actually the local discourse was taking place mainly between two formations of the same caste. The struggle of larger dimension was a dialectical process set against the backdrop of the paradigm of colonialism and imperialism. Post 1920s show the synthesis of both the Saiva and missionary school products joining hands in social reformation, nationalism and in anti-imperialist struggle, led by movements like the Jaffna Youth Congress.

The paradigm set by colonialism is yet to be over. It has only taken new forms with added actors. As an occupied nation facing structural genocide, Eezham Tamils are yet to see the power to decide their education.

• Ambalavanar Allen Abraham (1865 - 1922)

Jaffna College has documented Allen Abraham to English readers in a miscellany brought out in 1985. The documentation is presented in PDF along with this feature. This has to be read together with the book on Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar for the historiographical purposes of understanding the dialectical process of the past, in order to grasp and synthesise the spirit and enlightenment that are needed to shape and spearhead the struggle for future.

Appreciably, the Saiva Siddhantha Manram in Canada has chosen to reprint the book on Aru'naasala Upaaththiyaayar, for that spirit of self-respect in him for his nation, and his determination for struggle, have to be introduced to today’s generation. As a humble and selfless person, not on the side of any establishment, he was easily forgotten.

Another significant person who needs revisit today is Mr. K. Chooran, who had the same spirit of self-respect in starting a Saiva school for the oppressed sections of people at Theavaraiyaa'li in Vadamaraadchi, a hundred years ago.