Education as Magic: Exploring Digital Frameworks in the Heart of Tamil Nadu ❤️

International Conference | Mother Teresa College of Engineering & Technology

Pudukottai | 13th October 2026

A Report

Navigating New Frontiers: Reflections on LLDHAI-2026 at MTCET

I was so happy to be part of the International Conference on Literature, Language, Digital Humanities, and Artificial Intelligence (LLDHAI-2026) hosted at Mother Terasa College of Engineering and Technology (MTCET), Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu.

What’s added happiness is the fact that, this vibrant intellectual exchange and cross-disciplinary dialogue was jointly organised by three institutions from across Tamil Nadu - Mother Terasa College of Engineering and Technology, Pudukottai, Arasu Engineering College, Kumbakonam, and VHNSN College, Virudhunagar.

The morning’s session commenced with the customary Tamizh Thaai Vaazhthu, followed by the lighting of the traditional lamp by the gathered dignitaries.

Dr. K. Ravikumar of MTCET officially welcomed the delegates. Shortly after, Dr. R. Kabilar, Head, Department of English, from VHNSN College, Virudhunagar, provided a very comprehensive overview of the conference’s scope that beautifully set the tone for the Programme.

Dr. M. Ravichandran (Principal, MTCET) and Dr. T. Balamurugan (Principal, AEC), gave their warm felicitation addresses emphasising on the pressing need for institutions to adapt to the digital humanities landscape.

I had the distinct privilege of delivering the first keynote address of the day today. Stepping up to the podium, I was quite eager to share my perspectives on how we navigate the evolving intersections of text, pedagogy, and digital frameworks. Engaging with a room full of scholars on these multidisciplinary shifts was a very rewarding experience.

Following my talk, Dr. T. Poongundran, Director, MTGI, focussed on the important concepts that I had highlighted during my Talk and also quoted Mr. R.C. Uthayakumar’s famous maxim, “Education is Magic”. Then, Thiru. R. C. Uthayakumar, Chairman, MTGI, who spoke next, emphasised on the importance of organising such International Conferences for the academic vitality of an institution.

Following a formal introduction by Mr. B. Selvamurugan, the core academic deliberations began at noon.

The global perspective of the conference was reinforced in the following sessions by international speaker Dr. J.S. Rohan Savarimuthu from Sri Lanka, whose insights added a crucial geopolitical layer to our understanding of digital humanities. This was followed by a robust final keynote by Dr. J. S. Anantha Krishnan.

Prof. Mr. M. Balakrishnan from AEC, Kumbakonam, delivered the Vote of Thanks, expressing gratitude to the organisers, speakers, and participants who made the event a success.

Special congratulations to Prof. John Balakrishnan and his vibrant team, for spear-heading the International Conference on such a highly relevant theme, making it a grand success!

So happy to mention that the Conference Proceedings were also released today, containing 57 papers. A very great feat accomplished in such short notice, in such a grand manner.

I’m sure that, such rewarding Conferences in the realms of academia, will undoubtedly grow into gigantic trees bearing nourishing fruits, from the lovely seeds that were planted during this event!

Now, for some brief nuggets on the aura of Pudukottai –

From Sangam antiquity to modern times, Pudukottai has claims to fame for a myriad of reasons, including its awe-inspiring archaeological marvels that bear the indelible footprints of almost every major South Indian dynasty!

Recent excavations at the Sangam-era site of Porpanaikottai are testaments to this credo, brought forth a wealth of antiquities, while ancient Jain frescoes at Sittannavasal and newly discovered Buddhist artifacts remind us of a deeply pluralistic past that was celebrated in the region. Its historical monuments, such as the formidable Thirumayam Fort are indeed living archives that speak to the grandeur of the past - meticulously documenting such an ancient and rich musical heritage.

Pudukottai also gave us Tamil cinema’s first superstar, M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, and the legendary Pudukottai percussionist, Dakshinamurthy Pillai.

Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy, the pioneering medical practitioner and the first female medical graduate in India to enter a legislature is also from Pudukottai. She fought tirelessly against the Devadasi system, championed women’s rights, and laid the foundation for the renowned Adyar Cancer Institute in Chennai.

In the realm of cinema, the district gave us P.U. Chinnappa, the legendary actor and playback singer who dominated early Tamil cinema with monumental hits like Aryamala, Kannagi, and Utthama Puthiran. Then, of course, there is the illustrious Prof. Gemini Ganesan - a proud alumnus of Madras Christian College - who became one of the defining “Big Three” of Tamil cinema.

In the political and administrative landscapes also we have S. Satyamurti, a prominent independence activist and lawyer, widely remembered today as the political mentor to K. Kamaraj. Moreover, in contemporary times, we have Sagayam (IAS), a highly respected former civil servant known for his uncompromising anti-corruption stance.

Pudukottai continues to produce witty and inspirational speakers like Gopinath Chandran, the sharp journalist and anchor who has steered the long-running television debate Neeya Naana, and atheletes like Santhi Soundarajan, the formidable track and field athlete from Kathakurichi village who brought home 12 international medals for India.

With Dr. R. Kabilar, the Vibrant HoD, Department of English, VHNSN College, Virudhunagar

Engaging with the Pudukottai region trueproves to a tee on how a single district can continuously mentor, inspire, and contribute to the broader cultural discourse of the nation.

On the whole, a rewarding day in every way!

The beautiful rangoli