Thousands pay their last respects to Thangamma Appakkuddi

More than five thousand people gathered together at Thellippazhai on Monday to pay their last respects to the mortal remains of Thangamma Appakuddi, the veteran religious and cultural personality of Eelam Tamils.

Thangamma Appakkuddi, passed away at noon on June 15 at the age of 84, after bedridden for a few weeks in a stage of coma at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Apart from her religious leadership, Thangamma Appakkuddi, was a philanthropist and a social worker, caring for the much needed requirements of women and children in a war-torn society. She was an institution by herself.

Born on 7th January, 1925, Thangamma Appakkuddi, had her early education at Ramanathan College, Chunnaakam, and became a trained teacher in 1945.

She studied Tamil and Saivaism in the traditional schools and became a Pundit in 1952 and a Saiva Pulavar (Madras) in 1958.

She was a popular teacher for 31 years of which the last 12 years were spent at the Union College, Thellippazhai. She retired from government service in 1976.

She became inclined towards Saivaism and Tamil at a much earlier age, remained a spinster and devoted her entire life to the cause of her ideals.

Known as Pandithai Thangamma Appakkuddi, she was gracing the temples of Jaffna as early as 1950's and 60's, with her unique lectures in her deep and resonant voice captivating the masses.

The early 70's marked a big transition in her life. She became involved in the construction of a temple dedicated to the martial goddess Durga in her native place Thellippazhai. The temple that existed there before her times was a humble structure with a thatched front.

It was essentially the spirit of Thangamma Appaakkuddi, which was behind the upsurge of the cult of Durga and for the temple to become a big and leading religious establishment among Eelam Tamils.

In her later years, she became known Sivath-thamizhch-chelvi (the lady of God Siva's Tamil) and Thurkaa-thuranthari (one who is in the service of Durga). She became a preceptor whom the people were looking upon for religious leadership. But, she remained a rational person with a spiritual and social mission.

Her temple establishment became an epicentre for a multitude of social and cultural activities. The Thurkaapuram Makalir Illam, set up by her for destitute female children was a unique institution by itself. The temple also assisted the sick, elderly and helpless refugees.

She was also a philanthropist in establishing libraries and assisting valuable publications.

Recognising her academic achievements and service to culture and society, the University of Jaffna, bestowed her with an honorary doctorate in 1998.

The final farewell event was held in the Common Hall outside Thellippazhai Thurkkai Amman Kovil, the day after her death with Mr. Aaruthirumurkan presiding over the event.

Most of the schools in the peninsula were closed before lunch interval while all schools, shops, private and public institutions in Valikaamam north were closed before noon, enabling all to attend the funeral.

Mavai Senathirajah, Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Jaffna district parliamentarian, Jaffna High Court Magistrate R. T. Vignarajah, Jaffna Government Agent (GA) K. Ganesh and Prof. N. Shanmugalingan, Vice-chancellor of Jaffna University, were some of the dignitaries who paid tribute to the lady who was looked upon as religious beacon by Tamils from all walks of life.

“That Tamils should attain self-governance and build up a life of fulfilment aided with economic development, was the noble ideal of Father Chelva and Thangamma Appakuddi, until her death acted in keeping to the same goal, striving to achieve it,” Mavai Senathirajah said, in his tribute address.

“Besides her extraordinary religious and social service, she relentlessly prayed for the deliverance, peaceful life and prosperity of the Tamil Nation, a fact that I realized in the several meetings I had with her,” he added.

“Thurkaa-thuranthari, had been a model personality for me for a long time and we pledge to emulate her example in our service to the people,” K. Ganesh, Jaffna GA, said, paying homage to Pandithai Thangamma Appakuddi.

Thousanbds of members of the public patiently waited in long queues to pay their last respects.

Representatives of Saiva Assembly, Saiva Organizations, principals, teachers, students, teacher trainees and Jaffna University students were among those queueing to pay their last respects, as were several social and religious dignitaries.

The sight of the orphan girls, brought up by Saiva-tamil-chelvi in the Thurkaapuram Makalir Illam (Girls Home), weeping uncontrollably when her remains was about to be taken for cremation, was heart-wrenching, observers reported.

The last journey of the beloved lady of light began around 2:30 p.m. with the students leading in two rows on either side of the Thellipazhai-Kaangkeasanthurai road and the mourners following the vehicle that carried the casket.

The remains of the lady were cremated at Kadduppeddi crematorium in her native village, Thellippazhai, around 4:00 p.m.