About Us
Senthamil College was established in 1957 by the Madurai Tamil Sangam, a distinguished non-profit institution devoted to education, culture, social advancement, and scholarly research. The Sangam was founded by the eminent philanthropist and scholar Pon Pandithurai Thevar, a nobleman of royal descent and Zamindar of Paalavanatham.In a remarkable act of patriotism and generosity, Pandithurai Thevar donated one lakh rupees to the renowned freedom fighter V. O. Chidambaram Pillai to support his pioneering Indian shipping enterprise launched in defiance of British colonial rule. This magnanimous gesture exemplified the enduring philanthropic legacy of the Sethupathi dynasty.
Pandithurai Thevar was the son of Ponnusamy Thevar and the uncle of Bhaskara Sethupathi, who notably sponsored Swami Vivekananda to represent Hinduism at the historic Parliament of the World's Religions held in Chicago. He was also among the distinguished nephews of the Sethupathis of Ramnad, the erstwhile rulers of Ramanathapuram.
The Madurai Tamil Sangam was formally inaugurated on 14 September 1901 with the noble objective of disseminating knowledge and fostering a profound appreciation for Tamil language and literature, as well as for subjects of enduring relevance to the people of Tamil Nadu.
Until 2001, the Sangam functioned from the premises generously endowed by Pandithurai Thevar. Under the patronage of the Sethupathis, it evolved into a preeminent centre for Tamil scholarship. In its formative years, the Sangam extended free boarding and lodging to students pursuing Tamil studies, thereby nurturing generations of scholars.
To promote and circulate the findings of Tamil research extensively, the Sangam launched a monthly research journal titled *Senthamil* on 7 December 1902. Esteemed scholars such as U. V. Swaminatha Iyer, M. Raghava Iyengar, R. Raghava Iyengar, Sholavandan Arasan Shanmuganar, Vai. Mu. Sadagopachariar, Pinnathur Narayanasamy Iyer, Vi. Ko. Suryanarayana Sastri, Thirumayilai Shanmugam Pillai, and Narayana Iyengar enriched its pages with their erudite contributions. Devotees of Tamil language and culture continue to take pride in subscribing to this esteemed publication.
In its sustained commitment to cultivating linguistic loyalty and cultural consciousness among younger generations, the Sangam conducts special model examinations titled *Tamil Sangath Thervu* for high school and higher secondary students. These examinations significantly enhance students’ performance in public assessments. Distinguished achievers are awarded prizes, and successful candidates are conferred certificates by the Sangam, thereby upholding its enduring mission to preserve and promote Tamil heritage.