MU.VA –TO DR. MU.VA

MU.VA –TO DR. MU.VA


(M. Varadarajanar –affectionately called Mu-Va in Tamil. He was also born in an ordinary family with meager resources. He started his career as lower division clerk in Government. Salary was very poor and working time longer. But he resolved that he should study while earning and took Tamil. He passed several examinations in that subject and took his Doctorate in Tamil Literature)

Is it possible for any one to raise from lower division clerk to Vice-Chancellor of
University? Yes! That is Dr. Mu.Va. Born in an ordinary family with poor resources,
MuVa could not continue his studies from School level. He has to earn to keep his family going. He joined as LDC in government department. For LDC the salary paid on those days was very much less- below Rs.40 per month. The working hours was also long and who ever above him calls he has to come to the office. Right from sweeping the floor to dusting the tables the clerk is expected to do.


MuVa underwent all these ordeals. Very often his health failed. For any other person
such situation would have wrecked him but MuVa was not molded in such category. He
visualized that if he has to rise then he should study. In those days all people will prefer English since if you know English you can raise to highest position.


MuVa followed a different path. He took Tamil and went on to pass on many
examinations. This landed him to Teacher position. As Tamil teacher MUVa created a
new path for himself. He started to read many novels in both Tamil and English and soon
started writing short stories, which received warm reception.
MuVa trained many students who are later become famous in many fields. As Teacher he
did not stop- started research in Tamil literature and came out with rare findings. This earned him Doctorate in Tamil. He became Professor and later became Vice- Chancellor of Madras University.


What propelled him to this position? With failing health on one side and work on other side it was not easy for any one to study higher studies at home. For any thing to achieveyou require a set of goal-vision and you have to work hard to reach it. Obstacles will be there but you have to surmount them- under no circumstances you should leave your effort abruptly-MUVa used to tell his students.


I attended one such meeting when he visited our college. I never expected that this man is so simple, he sat with me and discussed some of the present day dilemma of Students. They are crazy to go to Engineering and Medical when there are treasures in our own language.

It is no wonder that Government and People honored him with many titles. MuVa’s
novels are based on common man and his life. Hence they became popular among
people. Besides earning MUVa helped many people financially- since he himself suffered and know the suffering of people. During his term as vice-chancellor he did a yeomen service to Tamil. He was responsible for conceiving separate Tamil University-, which is now a reality.

Analysis:

MuVa showed to this world especially to our younger generation that you could earn
reputation and also wealth from any field. In MuVa’s period to study and choose a career in Tamil was very risky. The life history of Bharathi, Thiru VI Ka and others lived poor life though they earned fame. Mu VA fully understood the shortcomings in such career. His approach was different- he did not stop in writing novels and stories but also worked hard to read and qualify in higher studies.

· Study while you earn.
· There is no limit for studying.
· Set before you a vision.
· Work to achieve your vision.