Tamil Thai

[3] The concept became popular in the Tamil-speaking world after the publication of a song invoking and praising Tamil mother in a play titled, "Manonmaniyam", written by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai (1855 – 1897) and published in 1891.

The Tamil Thai temple remains closed except during the Kamban Vila which happens during the month of April every year.

Since the coinage of the concept and terminology of Tamil Thai by Manonmaniam Sundaram Pillai, the persona of Tamil Thai has been presented in a variety of ways in the print media via books, posters, paintings, in textbook illustrations, advertisements, and cartoons.

[13] The depiction of this entity has been influenced by the Hindu goddess Saraswati, who has adopted some of her aspects, most significantly, her veena.

In this statue, Tamil Thai holds in her hands palm leaf manuscripts, a japa mala, the torch of knowledge, and a Sengottu yal.

The statue proposed to be installed at Madurai represents Tamil Thai in a standing position.

Tamil Aṉṉai (தமிழ்த்தாய் Mother Tamil). Statue installed to commemorate the 5th International Tamil conference, Madurai, held in 1981. ^{[

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