Tamil superstar Rajinikanth paid tribute to eminent Tamil scholar, debate moderator and actor Solomon Pappaiah, who passed away in Madurai on Friday, September 11, 2026. He was 90 and reportedly died following age-related ailments. Remembering the veteran’s contribution to Tamil language and culture, Rajinikanth prayed for his soul to rest in peace.Taking to X, Rajinikanth described Pappaiah as a great Tamil personality who helped take the traditional Tamil debate forum, pattimandram, beyond educated and literary circles and make it accessible to the common people through his popular and engaging style.Rajinikanth’s post read, “படித்தவரிடையே இலக்கியத் தரத்தில் இருந்த பட்டிமன்றத்தை பாமரர்களிடமும் ஜனரஞ்சகமாகக் கொண்டு சென்ற மாபெரும் தமிழ் ஆளுமை பேராசிரியர் சாலமன் பாப்பையாவின் ஆத்மா சாந்தியடைய இறைவனைப் பிரார்த்திக்கிறேன். (I pray to the divine that the soul of the great Tamil luminary, Professor Solomon Pappaiah, who elevated the literary forum from the realm of the educated to the common folk in a populist manner, attains peace.)”

Vairamuthu pays tribute to Solomon Pappaiah

Seven-time National Award-winning lyricist Vairamuthu also mourned the passing of Solomon Pappaiah. In a post on X, he remembered the scholar’s immense contribution to Tamil and noted that Pappaiah passed away on the same date as celebrated Tamil poet Subramania Bharati.Vairamuthu wrote, “The demise of eminent Tamil scholar Solomon Pappaiah breaks my heart. Pappaiah has passed away on the same day eminent poet Bharathiar passed away. It appears September 11 is not a good day for Tamil.”He further reflected on Pappaiah’s ability to take Tamil beyond academic spaces and connect it with ordinary people. “Has the Tamil of debates ended? Has the Tamil of the common man stopped breathing? Solomon Pappaiah took the Tamil that was taught in colleges to the common people in market places. I have also written about him in my book, ‘Intha Kuzhathil Kalerindhavargal,” he wrote.

Solomon Pappaiah’s contribution to Tamil debates

For the unversed, Solomon Pappaiah was one of the most recognisable faces associated with Tamil pattimandram, a traditional debate format that discusses social, cultural and literary subjects. Over the course of his long career, he reportedly moderated more than 12,000 debates. His simple, conversational style helped make the format accessible to audiences across different sections of society, turning what was traditionally seen as a more literary or academic form of discussion into popular public entertainment. His contribution earned him a lasting place in Tamil cultural life, with his work extending beyond the world of formal scholarship.

Solomon Pappaiah also acted in films

Besides his work as a Tamil scholar and debate moderator, Pappaiah also appeared in several films. He shared screen space with Rajinikanth in the blockbuster ‘Sivaji: The Boss’, adding an acting credit to a career otherwise strongly associated with Tamil scholarship and public debates.Pappaiah was also seen in the 1999 film ‘Mudhalvan’ and the 2003 release ‘Boys’.