Two kilometres to the east of the Chidambarm Railway Station is Annamalai Nagar. An intellectual spring of knowledge of South India, an Energy farm, the fourth Tamil Sangam, it has been praised by the knowledgeable. This place-an abode for scholars is also a repository of fine Arts. The old name for Annamalai Nagar was Tiruvetkalam. Thiruvetkalam is an old place sung by two hymnists of Thevaram. This place has close links with adjacent Thillai. Because Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar (1881-1948 A.D) instituted educational institutions here, this got the name Annamalai Nagar in his memory.
Natural Environment
This University, adjacent to Chidambaram Town, is located in a sylvan scene. Free from smoke, dirt and mosquito menace, this place is peaceful with cool groves. Lecturers, Professors, Staff and such people are provided with a residence. Comfortable hostels for students to stay and study have been built. In these, 4000 students stay and read. Students numbering more 300 come from outside for studying. Tamil names such as Malligai, Thenral, Mullai, Thiruvalluvar, Ilango, Kambar, Thiru Vi Ka are specialty names for these hostels.
College of Music
The music college here is a renowned one. It is to be mentioned that the late genius Chittoor Subramania Pillai, and Isai Arasu Dandapani Desikar infused fresh life to Tamil and Carnatic music. This Music College is the life breath of Raja Annamalai Chettiar who charted an independent path of Tamil Music. This possesses professors, who have achieved success. In short this is a rearing farm for Tamil Music.
Research in Marine Biology
The Marine Biology section located in Porto Novo and forming a nucleus of this University has secured the appreciation of scholars of the world. Here research is conducted on marine life and serves to the betterment of the nation. The Central Government has accepted this as a first Research Centre.
Medical College
Recently Dental Medicine, Pharmacology and Nurses Training grow day by day. A grand Medical College has been started very recently and is progressing well. Beautiful mansions similar to European buildings have been built. They are of exquisite workmanship and revert out attention. Stupendous buildings resembling palaces, stand like the Red Fort. It is a novelty in the realm of medicine, a boast to the land of Tamils.
Correspondence Education
The correspondence courses is growing into an efficient institution. It stands in a building of its own. Its professors are masters from whom spring scholarship, bubbling like Ganga and Cauvery.
Library
Of the big libraries in Tamil Nadu the Annamalai University Library shines with a unique splendour. It is located in a very big building. About 4,00,000 books of diverse subjects find a place here. Very old books, new editions of rare books, are in safe custody here. |
