Doyen of Triplicane Dr TS Ramaswamy Iyengar is no more !!

A jewel of Thiruvallikkeni well known to all of us passed away this day !

 

“I have the Street – A kutti Cricket Story’ of Ravichandran Ashwin !?! - .   

 

The tall, Thiruman sporting, ever smiling, friendly Dr TS Ramaswamy is no more !!   He was just a boundary short of a well-deserved century !! Born in a small village near Maduranthakam, Thinnalur Sadagopan Ramaswamy was the eldest of eight children, and was deeply inclined into spirituality right from his young days.  Overcoming financial constraints he completed law at Madras Law College rising to become a very Senior lawyer  respected for his legal acumen and his friendly attitude towards one and all. 

 

Living in Triplicane, was an active beach walker and a great human being - he endeared himself to all.  He has promoted and has been part of many Socio religious groups including Probus Club, Thirumal Adiyar Kuzham and more. He did  yeoman service to Srivaishnavism  and has been a champion of Thennacharya Sampradhayam.  In his early age, he has organized coaching camps and was  instrumental in training some good cricketers that would include Sridharan Sriram, Subramaniam  Badrinath and Ravichandran Ashwin.  He has patronized many scholars and is always keen on doing something for the Society, especially in the field of education.  

Age was not a deterrent to his learning and in his 70s he completed a degree course in Vaishnavism in University of Madras.  His Sadhabhishegam [81st Birthday] was celebrated at Triplicane in July  2011.  

 

His sadhabhishegam  saw  – a conglomeration of Saints, Scholars and others. Among the distinguished guests were :  His Holiness  Srimath Paramahamsethyadhi  Appan ParakAla EmbAr Jeeyar swamy of Sriperumpudur; Thirukkovalur Jeeyar Swamigal;  His Holiness Thavathiru Kunrakudi Ponnambala Adigalar;  Dr MA Venkatakrishnan, Head of the Department of Vaishnavism, University of Madras; Hon’ble Thiru Justice V Ramasubramanian, reverred Judge of High Court of Madras; Dr Chockalingam, leading Cardiologist; Dr VV Ramanujam, Chemistry Professor and legendary scholar in Sanskrit, U Ve Pillailokam Thalasayanathuraiyavar and many others.   

Earlier,   27 days of discourse by eminent Vaishnavaite scholars had been arranged to mark this occasion.  The discourses were rendered at Sri Nampillai Sannadhi at  Peyalwar Kovil Street. 

When the World was cowed down by Covid 19 – the Nonagenarian   adapted to the technological model of fighting court cases over the Zoom.  Remember that in his younger days, he was active in the court room fighting cases for Moopanar and the Congress. 

Very recently too, a book written by him was released.  He strongly supported the activities of Triplicane TAMBRAS and had been the guest of honour on many occasions.  

In his passing away today, Triplicane has lost a jewel – a rare personality well versed in Sampradhayam as also in Law – lived as an example of humility and eruditeness.   

In his book - “I have the Street – A kutti Cricket Story’ – Ravi Ashwin has written about   TS Ramaswamy, owner of the club for which he played earlier and the encouragement and monetary gifts that TSR showered on his wards and how Ashwin won Rs.500/- for his excellent fielding in a tournament at Chinnaswamy stadium, Bengaluru.  

 

TSR, the gem has attained Acharyan thiruvadi just a day before the sarrumurai vaibhavam of Swami Emperumanar.  I have known him well and have spoken to him at length on more than a few occasions.

 

With sadness  – S Sampathkumar
21.4.2026.