Kalaikkalanjiam (Tamil: Encyclopedia) is a universal encyclopaedia in Tamil, published by the Tamil Development Academy, Chennai. The project was funded by the Union Government of India, the State Government of then Madras Presidency and many Tamil well wishers. The Tamil Development Academy announced its intent to produce this encyclopaedia on the day of Indian Independence 15 August 1947. The work started in the academy's Madras University Campus on 20 October 1947. The chief editor of this effort was Periyasaamy Thooran. Source: Wikipedia (en)