| Karmega Konar | |
| Birth Date: | 1889 12, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Agathariruppu, Ramanathapuram district, India |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Other Names: | Chennaa Pulavar |
| Occupation: | Scholar |
| Known For: | Education and Poetry |
| Spouse: | Padmashini |
| Parents: | Ayarpadi Konar and Irulayiammaal |
Karmegha Konar (27 December 1889 – 22 October 1957) was a popular Tamil poet and educator. He is colloquially known as Chennaa Pulavar, a title given to him by his peer and close friend Bharathidasan.[1]
He was the Chairman of the Tamil department at The American College in Madurai.
Karmega Konar was born to U. Ayarpadi Konar and Irulayiammaal in Agathariruppu village near Abiramam in Ramanathapuram district. In 1904 he enrolled in Madurai fourth Tamil sangam. In 1912 Vallal Pandiduraithevar awarded him a Gold Medal for scoring top mark in the Pandithar examination.
In 1914 he joined Madurai American college to head the Department of Indian languages. He worked in the Department of Tamil for 37 years. Notable students who studied under him include: Shankaraiah (freedom fighter and Marxist Communist Tamil Nadu state secretary), V. Thillainayagam (Director of Tamil Nadu Public Library department), Krishnammal Jeganathan (land reformation fighter) and K. Lakshmikanthan Bharathi (government secretary).
In 1916 he started "Parimelazhaghar Kazhagam" for research in Thirukkural.
In 1924 he released his first book Nallisai pulavargal, which is included in Chennai, Annamalai, Trivancore and Mysore universities.
In 1946 he became a member in the Chennai government employment corporation
He headed the Chennai University curriculum group.
In 1912 he married Padmashini Ammaiyar and moved to Madurai. He retired from American college Madurai in 1951.
In 1955 Tamilvel P.T.Rajan and Navalar. Somasundarabharatiyar titled him as "Senna Pulavar".
Below are books written by Karmega Konar
The Tamil Nadu government has nationalised his books.[2] [3]