"Easy for anyone to give a handful of food before eating | Easy for anyone to speak kind words to others." ❤️

Oru Kaippidi Thamizh | A Handful of Thamizh

ELA Valedictory | Loyola College

A Report

2nd March 2026

The Valedictory of the English Literary Association of the Department of English (Aided), was a memorable one with a lot of takeaways!

The programme started with an impressive rendering of the ‘Thamizh Thaai Vaalthu’ by the students of the Department of English, with two students playing so skilfully on the guitar and on the violin respectively.

My talk centred on the topic, “Literary” Agency: Navigating the Pathway to Literary Excellence, where I also emphasised on the importance of jotting down one’s thoughts for posterity.

I also had a special word of congratulations for the Head of the Department Dr. Porselvi, on releasing her second book of poetry today. By doing so, the HoD has set a noble trend to be emulated by all faculty members and students alike.

In her prefatorial to her book, Dr. Porselvi observes –

(just excerpts)

There are many reasons why I, an English professor, developed a passion for Tamil. From a young age, my father, also an English professor with a deep devotion to the Thirukkural, and my aunt, a Tamil professor who understood the glory of Bharathi, introduced me to the beauty and ethics of the Tamil language through their words and actions. My mother, a kind storyteller, would blend the nectar of Tamil with food and serve it to us every day.

One day, amidst my daily chores, a beautiful Tamil phrase fell upon my ears: “Oru Kaippidi” (A Handful). Simplicity, humility, modesty, neatness, and truth - all are contained within this phrase.

At the same time, in the vast treasure trove of the Tamil language, what I have learned and understood is merely a “handful,” while what remains to be learned is the size of the world! This book is the first step in that Tamil quest.

While conducting doctoral research on the topic of Ecofeminism in Indian Literature, I gained a deep understanding of Sangam literature - specifically concerning Thinai (landscapes), Akam-Puram (inner and outer life), and the various categories of poetic elements (Mutharporul, Karupporul, Uripporul).

Similarly, while researching folk literature, I gained clarity regarding the natural traditional wisdom of simple people.

Some aspects of Ecofeminism can be seen below –

This ideology celebrates the value of the relationship between women and nature on one hand, and the connection between nature and culture on the other. It recognizes the inner connection between marginalized groups; it proclaims the rights of Mother Earth and her oppressed children, and guides us toward understanding the benefits of establishing gender equality and sustainable development for human beings.

It awakens all human minds to understand the spiritual dimension of all living beings with fresh vigor. It questions the contemporary problems faced by women and nature due to exploitation, destruction, and indifference. Furthermore, it urges human beings to gather their collective strength.

I see Poetry as a noble tool that gives shape to the deep thoughts and broad inner reflections born from our faith. The word "Poetry" (Kavithai) can be broken down to mean: Kalvi (Education) + Vidhai (Seed), Karpanai (Imagination) + Vidhai, or Karuthu (Thought) + Vidhai.

My beloved child born of this process is this small poetry collection, Oru Kaippidi Thamizh.

These poems were born from the values I learned from Sangam and Folk literature, such as ethics, love, affection, romance, separation, compassion, bravery, knowledge, encouragement, silence, language, prosperity, simplicity, strength, truth, hard work, relationships, nature, faith, and duty,

she signs off.

Dr. Prema, Recipient of the Mahakavi Bharathiyar Award by the Government of Tamil Nadu, (who has also written the foreword to the book) did an impressive book review of ‘Oru Kaipidi Thamizh’. Dr. Prema was formerly Professor at Ethiraj College for Women in Chennai and later held the position of Principal at Bhaktavatsalam Memorial College for Women. She is the author of over 20 books and has published hundreds of research papers at both the national and international levels.

Excerpts from her book review –

Dr. Prema, while elucidating on the significance of the title, ‘Oru Kaippidi Thamizh’, alluded to Thirumoolar’s Thirumandhiram (Song 252), where he talks about offering “a handful of food while eating” to the poor.

Easy for anyone to offer a green leaf to the Lord,

Easy for anyone to give a mouthful of grass to a cow,

Easy for anyone to give a handful of food before eating,

Easy for anyone to speak kind words to others.

Historically, in many Tamil households, the women in the family would usually set aside one “handful of rice” (Pidi-Arisi) into a separate pot before cooking the family meal. This accumulated rice was eventually given to the poor and the needy.

Just as the “handful of food” is a daily practice of physical charity, “A Handful of Tamil” represents a daily practice of cultural and linguistic “giving” – by cherishing the joys of the language - through one’s reading and writing.

On an aside, one is also reminded of Kamala Markandaya’s A Handful of Rice (1966) which is also set in Chennai. However, while in Thirumoolar’s verse, the “handful” assumes that the giver has a surplus, in Markandaya’s Madras (now Chennai), the protagonist Ravi experiences the “handful”  as a lack!

A lovely takeaway for the day!

Dr. Christina Sagaya Mary, President of ELA presented the Annual Report. The events that were conducted throughout the year, is testament to the unbridled talent of the students, and the encouragement and support they receive from their professors.

Prizes and awards were distributed to the winners of competitions in various categories. I was so happy to know that, students of Loyola had participated regularly in the literary festivals organised by our Department of English in MCC, and in turn, our students have also been regularly participating in paper presentations and competitions in Loyola College, all through the year.

Hearty congratulations to Dr. Christina Sagaya Mary, and Dr. Ashwin on successfully completing their stint as President and Vice-President of the ELA on a highly victorious note. So happy to meet with Dr. Kannan, Dr. Sebastiraj and a host of other lovely faculty members and students of the Dept of English.

A memorable day in every way!