Love is bliss …! – Prof. K. Gnanasambhandan

‘Light Foundation’, a wing of Kalyanamalai honored Prof. K. Gnanasambhandan and his wife Amudha Gnanasambhandan at its function got up to propagate the values of family system.

Right from the youngsters to elderly people, who watch television, he is liked by one and all. His humor is known for decency and in-depth meaning. Harmless ridicule, Tamil songs belonging to the days of yore, directing the speakers on the right path whenever they deviate from the theme etc. mark his leadership at ‘Pattimanrams’ (debates). Who cannot but like such a jovial favorite of the Tamils, the Tamil professor K. Gnanasambhandan?! His greatness lies in the fact that he follows all that he teaches! When we talk to his wife, children and grandson, we realize that his success starts at home itself!

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: Normally, Tamil professors would be particular to see that the grammar is in tact whenever we talk to them. But, in your case, humor seems to be your basic grammar! How did it happen? Were you like this from the beginning?

A: I understand that you want to know about my early days. Chozhavandhan on the banks of Vaigai River is the place where I was born. It is a fertile land, a land where many Tamil poets had been born. T. R. Mahalingam, who sang the song ‘Isaith thamizh nee seytha …’ in the film ‘Thiruvilaiyaadal’ also belonged to this land. Aranshanmuganaar, the Tamil teacher of Va. Vu. Chidamparam Pillai was also born here. The land was donated by the Pandiya kings to the Brahmins who recited Vedic hymns. Temples of Perumal and Mariamman add to the beauty and sanctity of this place. My father was a Tamil teacher. I feel proud to think that I was also born in this glorified land.

Also, I’ll tell you the reason why I was given this name. My father founded ‘Thirumuraikazhagam’, a literary organization and was running it successfully. On one occasion, the ‘Othuvaar’ who used to recite Devaram hymns didn’t turn up. I volunteered and sang. The mutt head wondered at my rendition as I was just four years old at that time. He said that I reminded him of Thirugnanasambhandan , who had the blessings of Goddess Parvathy and received ‘gnanappaal’ from Her. My given name Anguswamy was changed to Gnanasambhandan at this incident. I think I must have been the only one to have earned name and fame through singing just one song!