Tamil Heritage Trust (THT) records with deep regret the passing of Sri S Kannan, a founder Trustee of THT on Thursday, January 26, 2023, after a prolonged illness.
Sri Kannan, popularly known as “Music” Kannan in recognition of his contributions to the world of Carnatic music in Chennai, was present at the birth of THT. He had been proposing an organization to promote the appreciation and dissemination of India’s rich cultural heritage to THT’s other founders including Prof S Swaminathan, Sri Annamalai, Sri Badri Seshadri and others. When it was decided to set up such an organization, it was only natural for him to come on board as a Trustee.
In the initial years of THT, Sri Kannan actively guided and supported all aspects of THT’s functioning – from opening a bank account, through recommending topics and speakers for monthly heritage talks, to obtaining sponsors for an initial corpus and much more.
Sri Kannan was a scholar with a deep love for and knowledge of Tamil, Sri Vaishnavism, and of course, music. He was also an excellent orator. Nevertheless, he only acceded on a few occasions to our requests to deliver a Talk to THT’s audiences – once on the saint Ramanuja for the Pechu Kacheri on “Srirangam”, another time on the lives of the Vaishnava Alwars and on a third occasion on place names in Tamil Nadu under the title “செந்தமிழ் ஊரெனும் பேரினிலே”.
Over the years Sri Kannan has been a pillar of strength to THT, gently nudging the organization forward with suggestions for improvements, generously sharing his wide network of contacts for the benefit of the Trust, and promoting THT in all the other forums that he participated in. As recently as June 2022, he served as THT’s representative on the Jury to select the winner of the THT-Prof S Swaminathan Heritage Award 2022.
With his passing, THT has lost an irreplaceable well-wisher, guide and friend. We will forever be inspired by his ideals of selfless service to the cause of Indian and Tamil heritage and hope to continue the good work established by him.
Note: THT, in association with Madhuradwani, is organizing a Tribute Meeting for Sri S Kannan at 6.15 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at Arkay Convention Centre, Luz, Chennai.