Page 24 - 03/2022 PULSE@FASS e-Bulletin

PP Issue no. 3 | 2022
POSTGRADUATE HIGHLIGHTOSTGRADUATE HIGHLIGHTOSTGRADUATE HIGHLIGHT

Dr. Premananthini Dhemudu

PhD, Department of Indian Studies

Years of hard work paid off finally, when I obtained my
Doctoral Degree from the Universiti Malaya this year.
Prior to that, I had completed my degree programme at
Universiti Utara Malaysia and my master's programme
at Universiti Sains Malaysia.

I wanted to study with the best, which was the major
reason I decided on the University of Malaya for my
advanced studies since UM topped the national
rankings of the universities. During the four years of
full-time study, I finished an original thesis along with
numerous publications and presentations at the local
and the overseas conferences.

At the initial stage of my study, it looked like a tough
journey as I had to balance family commitments with
studies. But the chosen topic of research, along with
the encouragement from my supervisor, motivated me
to push to my limits. Dr. Premananthini Dhemudu

My area of research is the deeply engaging field of
Modern Tamil literature. No matter how
straightforward a story may seem, looking deeper
within it yields all kinds of insights. I learnt to read
between the lines as the literary theories and analysis
enhanced my understanding and gave me new
perspectives to approach a text.

I chose to study the Tamil songs penned by the poet
Kannadasan. From social transformation to romance to
devotional spirituality, Kannadasan has enlightened
and empowered successive generations with his
ability to portray extraordinary and complicated
thoughts in lucid and simple words.

My study, ‘Self-Realization thoughts in Kannadasan’s
Philosophical Songs of Self-Actualization’, is an
attempt to show the depth of his messages. My study Dr. Premananthini sharing her research and attending forums
not only reveals the thoughts of self-realization in
Kannadasan’s philosophical songs, but also provides "No matter how straightforward a
insights for critically rethinking Abraham Maslow’s story may seem, looking deeper
Self-Actualization frame. I realized that this research is within it yields all kinds of insights.
just the first step in my quest to explore Kannadasan as I learnt to read between the lines as
a complete philosopher.
the literary theories and analysis

*Dr. Premananthini Dhemudu graduates at the end of enhanced my understanding and
2022 gave me new perspectives..."

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