Dr. SAmin^Atha iyer ((Uttamadhanapuram Venkatasubbaiyer Swaminatha Iyer Tamil: உத்தமதனபுரம் வேங்கடசுப்பையர் சுவாமிநாத ஐயர்), was one of the illustrious students of MahA VidwAn MInAtchi sun^tharam PiLLai. He lived to the ripe age of 87 and was affectionately referred to as the 'Grand Father of Thamizh' .
He held senior academic positions in Thamizh at the Madras Presidency College. This was the time when the British were at the peak of their power and it was rare, if not impossible, for a native son with expertise in the vernacular language to be elevated to these high positions. He was conferred the honorary doctoral degree (D.Litt.) by the University of Madras. In recognition of his outstanding literary accomplishments and contributions, he was also honoured with the title, "MahAmahOpAthiyAya' - greatest of the great teachers.
He has written 91 published works including the editing of several Sangam texts, epics and grammatical works. He will be remembered for his style of prose including two biographies, one on his mentor, MInAtchi sun^tharam PiLLai and the other on the musician, GAnam KrishNa iyer and a long list of essays and reminiscences. His famous Autobiography is regarded as a legacy he bequeathed to posterity providing a liaison between older schools of thought and modern Thamizh literary trends.
