Pattimandram Fame Solomon Pappaiah Dies at 90; Vijay, Rajinikanth, Sethupathi Pay Tribute

Tamil scholar and television personality Solomon Pappaiah, best known for hosting the popular debate programme Pattimandram, died in Madurai on Friday at the age of 90.

His death prompted an outpouring of grief from Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and film personalities including Rajinikanth, Vijay and Vijay Sethupathi, who paid tribute to the veteran scholar.

Vijay pays tribute to Solomon Pappaiah

Actor-politician Vijay shared a photograph of Solomon Pappaiah on X and expressed his grief over the scholar’s death.

“Upon learning of the passing of Tamil scholar Professor Solomon Pappiah, who, through forum platforms, made the world aware of the greatness of Tamil and the way of life of Tamils, I am filled with immense sorrow and pain,” Vijay wrote.

He highlighted Pappaiah’s ability to combine humour, his deep knowledge of Tamil and social commentary in a manner that connected with ordinary people.

Vijay also said Pappaiah had transformed traditional debate forums from entertainment platforms into spaces that encouraged public discussion and thought, describing his contribution as “monumental”.

Rajinikanth, Vijay Sethupathi mourn loss

Rajinikanth also remembered the veteran Tamil scholar, praising him for taking literary debate from educated circles to the wider public.

“I pray to the divine that the soul of the great Tamil luminary, Professor Solomon Pappaiah, who elevated the literary forum from the realm of the educated to the common folk in a populist manner, attains peace,” Rajinikanth wrote on X.

Vijay Sethupathi described Pappaiah’s death as the end of a golden era of Tamil stage debates.

“A golden era of the Tamil stage has vanished,” Sethupathi wrote, recalling how Pappaiah took the Pattimandram format into homes while making Tamil accessible through his simple and engaging style.

Actor Prabhu Deva also expressed his condolences, writing, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Solomon Pappayya Sir. A great voice of Tamil, forever remembered.”

Actor-politician R Sarath Kumar remembered Pappaiah for his distinctive voice, humour and ability to bring Tamil literary and cultural discussions to audiences across the state.

Who was Solomon Pappaiah?

According to PTI, Solomon Pappaiah died following an illness in Madurai on Friday. He was 90.

Pappaiah played a major role in popularising Pattimandram, the traditional Tamil debate format, taking discussions beyond classical literature to contemporary social issues and everyday subjects.

Alongside his television career, Pappaiah had a long academic association with Tamil literature. He served as a Tamil professor at The American College in Madurai for more than three decades.

He was also known to Tamil cinema audiences through cameo appearances in films including Mudhalvan, Boys and Sivaji: The Boss.

Pappaiah’s contribution to Tamil literature and public discourse was recognised with the Kalaimamani award in 2000. He was later honoured with the Padma Shri in 2021, one of India’s highest civilian awards.