A digitally colourised version of a historic photograph of U V Swaminatha Iyer; (right) Deepak Swaminathan
Tamil is a language. But, Tamizh is an emotion.
54-year-old Deepak Swaminathan, entrepreneur, start-up mentor and author, knows a thing or two about this. As the great-great-grandson of UV Swaminatha Iyer — fondly called ‘Tamizh Thatha’ by Tamilians across the globe — he comes from a legacy rooted in the preservation of knowledge. Today, armed with over 25 years of experience in the multimedia training and experiential events space, Deepak has embarked on a series of projects to put the spotlight on ‘Tamizh Thatha’.
UV Swaminatha Iyer (1855-1942) is best known for devoting his life to Tamil literature; he travelled across Tamil Nadu collecting palm-leaf manuscripts and saved ancient Tamil literature from destruction. Scholars believe that it is primarily due to his efforts that we still have access to classics like Silappathikaram and Manimekalai. “His contribution was as much about ‘method’ as it was about ‘discovery’,” describes Deepak, “He pioneered modern textual criticism in Tamil. He didn’t just find texts; he spent years cross-referencing multiple versions to ensure accuracy, adding detailed commentaries, and providing historical context.”
Deepak’s latest work is an illustrated English–Tamil e-book version of Kandathum Ketadhum, a 90-year-old treatise of U Ve Sa. Unlike the ancient Sangam manuscripts that he rescued from decaying palm leaves, this work is a collection of personal memoirs and oral histories. “It is a literary treasure that functions as a vibrant social autobiography of the Tamil land. It captures the events he personally witnessed, such as the grand patronage of arts and the discipline of the gurukula system and the stories passed down by his mentors and elders,” explains Deepak, “The significance of this work lies in its role as a timeless compass for human character.”
For him, the biggest challenge was in the sheer density of the original 195-page text, where each of the 12 stories includes classical poems, narratives and ‘story-within-a-story’ concepts. To do justice to the material, Deepak even undertook a journey to select locations around Thanjavur, Kumbakonam and Mayuram that are mentioned in the treatise. “Standing on that ground, I attempted to visualise how these encounters spanned out centuries ago, connecting the physical geography of today with the historical atmosphere of his writing.”
A file photo of U Ve Swaminatha Iyer
Future steps
While the e-book version of Kandathum Ketadhum receives positive feedback from the Tamil community – in fact, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sent a letter of appreciation on February 19, 2026, the 171st birth anniversary of U Ve Sa – Deepak’s larger dream is to build a metaverse for Tamizh Thatha. “Technology can well be the ultimate vessel for our heritage,” he adds, “I believe the current generation needs to know Tamizh Thatha not just as a historical figure, but as a masterclass in resilience, purpose, and intellectual grit. He didn’t just collect books; he rescued the very soul of a civilisation.”
Deepak’s idea of a metaverse is a “living, breathing digital ecosystem”, where users can walk through new-age galleries, participate in gamified quizzes and engage in an e-library where you can not only read Tamil works but also meet experts in real-time to exchange notes and thoughts. He adds, “We hope to create a space where the wisdom of the 20th Century meets the technology of the 21st. My goal is to ensure that Tamizh Thatha’s work is not just stored for the future, but is vibrantly experienced by it.”
To access the e-book, log on to playtown.co.in
Published – March 02, 2026 04:07 pm IST
