Koviloor mutt head passes away

SIVAGANGA: The 12th head of the Koviloor Aadheenam Nachiappa Gnanadesika Swami has passed away following a prolonged illness.

Gnanadesika Swami (89) was suffering from kidney and heart problems and passed away on Monday night. His body was buried at Koviloor, near Karaikudi in the district yesterday, aadheenam sources said.

He was known for his expertise in photography and printing technology. He was part of the Kalakshetra established by Rukmini Devi Arundale for nearly six decades.

After taking over the running of the math in 1995, he had established several educational instituitions benefiting children of poor families.

The Koviloor aadheenam, the first to translate Vedantha texts into Tamil, is reverved by the Nagarathars of Nattukottai.