Tamil Maritime Historian Orisa Balu Passes Away at 60
Chennai mourns the loss of Tamil maritime historian Orisa Balu, also known as Siva Balasubramanian, who passed away at the age of 60. Born in Varayur, Trichy, Balu gained recognition for his extensive work in Orisa, where he conducted numerous studies on the maritime antiquity of Tamils. He played a crucial role in utilizing modern technologies to uncover traditional knowledge of Tamil history.
One of Balu’s notable discoveries was the ancient Tamils’ method of traveling by sea using turtles to navigate through the currents. His contributions to marine studies, including his research on Kumarikandam and Phumbukar submerged in the sea, have been highly regarded.
Unfortunately, Balu had been battling cancer and had been undergoing treatment. Sadly, he passed away today without receiving further medical intervention. His death has left the historical and Tamil communities in mourning.
Remembered as a maritime and Tamil researcher who brought to light the rich maritime knowledge of ancient Tamils, Balu’s contributions to raising the value of Tamils in world history have been widely recognized. Tributes have been pouring in on social media, highlighting the loss suffered by the academic community.
During a speech at Purumbakkam Government College in 2020, Balu emphasized the Tamil civilization’s development since ancient times. He noted that Tamils had spread to numerous countries through trade and invasions, leaving behind a lasting imprint of the Tamil identity. Balu highlighted the prevalence of Tamil town and tribal names worldwide, as well as the continued use of Sangam terms and ancient Tamil words by certain communities.
The ancient Tamils’ profound knowledge of the sea was also a subject of interest to Balu. He shed light on the various types of ships used by ancient Tamils and their ability to navigate the ocean currents. Balu uncovered evidence suggesting that turtles, known for their migration patterns, may have been utilized by ancient Tamils as a means of sea travel. He conducted extensive exploration in the deep sea, believing that there may be more traces of ancient Tamils in the sea than on land, and expressed the need for further exploration to preserve their legacy.
The passing of Orisa Balu, a visionary in the field of Tamil maritime history, has undoubtedly left a void in the academic and historical community. His dedication to unraveling the ancient maritime knowledge of Tamils will continue to inspire future generations of researchers and historians to preserve and promote the rich Tamil heritage.