Sivaganga: An 80-year-old 'palm leaves expert' has made his mark by recording all the 1330 verses of 'Thirukkural, the magnum opus of Tamil Saint Tiruvalluvar, on palm leaves, using styles, sitting at the government museum premises for the past 15 days.

On the concluding day on May 6, Sivaganga District Collector Dr Santhosh Babu honoured the old man, Velu Lakshmanan, by offering him 'ponnadai' (golden shawl).

Auhorities of the museum and Pasumpon Muthuramalilnga Thevar Memorial Trust jointly conducted the valedictory function. Seer of the Kovai Katchipuri Adheenam Mutt Sri Sivalingeswara Swami and Sivaganga Municipal Chairman Santhi Manoharan among others participated in the function.

Lakshmanan handed over the palm manuscrips to the Collector as his gift to the museum.

PTI