Historian and writer S.Muthiah passed away on Saturday after a brief period of ill health. He was born on April 13th 1930 at Pullathur. He did his education in Sri Lanka and the United States. After earning a Master’s degree in International Relations, he took to journalism and joined the Times of Ceylon. He served for 17 years and returned to Chennai and made Chennai his home. He wrote his first book,’ Madras Discovered’ in 1981. The book became a bestseller and went into several editions. In 1991, he began ‘Madras Musings’ a fortnightly dedicated to the culture and heritage of Chennai.
The Sanmar group stepped in and ensured that the periodical continued. In 2016, it celebrated it’s silver jubilee. In 1999, Mr. Muthiah began ‘Madras Miscellany’ a weekly column for The Hindu. It was later made into a book. He along with others began the ‘Madras Day’ celebrations which later became ‘Madras Week’ and later ‘Madras Fortnight’. He also founded the Madras Book Club where book lovers meet every fortnight to have discussions. As his wife predeceased him, he is survived by two daughters, son’s in law and grand children.
