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 its original in size. I submitted this English version of my research work to the First International Conference-Seminare of Tamil Studies which was held in Kualalumpur in April, 1966.

This book consists of three parts. The first part, "History of Lexicon in Tamil", deals with the history of the growth of lexicography in Tamil. The second part, "Nikandus", gives an account of Dhivaakaram, Pinkalam and the other Nikandus in the form of verse. I have written about more than thirty Nikandus in this chapter. The third Part, "Dictionaries", deals with the dictionaries which are about more than hundred in number.

I hope that Tamil scholars will welcome my work and encourage me to undertake more research works of this nature.

I am greatly indebted to Mr. R. Rajagopalan, B.A., B.T., Instructor, Centre Pedagogique, Pondicherry who helped me very much in translating this book into English. I take this opportunity to thank him for his kind help.

SUNDARA SHANMUGAM