Vairamuthu pays tribute to Solomon Pappaiah
Seven-time National Award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu also mourned the passing of Solomon Pappaiah. In a post on X, he remembered the scholar’s immense contribution to Tamil and noted that Pappaiah passed away on the same date as celebrated Tamil poet Subramania Bharati.
Vairamuthu wrote, “The demise of eminent Tamil scholar Solomon Pappaiah breaks my heart. Pappaiah has passed away on the same day eminent poet Bharathiar passed away. It appears September 11 is not a good day for Tamil.”He further reflected on Pappaiah’s ability to take Tamil beyond academic spaces and connect it with ordinary people. “Has the Tamil of debates ended? Has the Tamil of the common man stopped breathing? Solomon Pappaiah took the Tamil that was taught in colleges to the common people in market places. I have also written about him in my book, 'Intha Kuzhathil Kalerindhavargal,” he wrote.
Solomon Pappaiah’s contribution to Tamil debates
For the unversed, Solomon Pappaiah was one of the most recognisable faces associated with Tamil pattimandram, a traditional debate format that discusses social, cultural and literary subjects. Over the course of his long career, he reportedly moderated more than 12,000 debates. His simple, conversational style helped make the format accessible to audiences across different sections of society, turning what was traditionally seen as a more literary or academic form of discussion into popular public entertainment. His contribution earned him a lasting place in Tamil cultural life, with his work extending beyond the world of formal scholarship.
Solomon Pappaiah also acted in films
Besides his work as a Tamil scholar and debate moderator, Pappaiah also appeared in several films. He shared screen space with Rajinikanth in the blockbuster ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, adding an acting credit to a career otherwise strongly associated with Tamil scholarship and public debates.Pappaiah was also seen in the 1999 film ‘Mudhalvan’ and the 2003 release ‘Boys’.