Solomon Pappaiah, Sivaji The Boss Fame, Passes Away at 90, Industry Mourns His Sad Demise

On Sept. 11, 2026, Solomon Pappaiah, breathed his last at the age of 90 in Madurai. The “Sivaji The Boss” was not just a phenomenal actor but also a Tamil scholar, orator, and journalist. Born as Sundaram Solomon Pappaiah on Feb. 22, 1936, the renowned personality was struggling with an illness. Shortly before his health deteriorated, he recorded a special Vinayagar Chaturthi programme scheduled to air on Sept. 14, 2026. His family and hospital authorities in Madurai, where he had been receiving treatment for age-related health complications, confirmed the news of his sad demise. 

Solomon Pappaiah Dies at 90

தமிழின் பெருமையையும், தமிழர்களின் வாழ்வியலையும் பட்டிமன்ற மேடைகள் வழியாக உலகறியச் செய்த தமிழறிஞர் பேராசிரியர் சாலமன் பாப்பையா அவர்கள் மறைந்த செய்தியறிந்து மிகுந்த துயரமும், வேதனையும் அடைந்தேன். தமது நகைச்சுவை கலந்த பேச்சாலும், ஆழ்ந்த தமிழ்ப் புலமையாலும், சமூகச் சிந்தனைகளை எளிய… pic.twitter.com/BS82wqYpHI — CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) September 11, 2026

Solomon Pappaiah spent more than six decades of his life in Tamil literature and public service. He served as a Tamil professor at The American College, Madurai, before becoming a household name through television and films. He was survived by a son and a daughter, while his wife, Jeyabai, predeceased him.

On Saturday, the veteran was laid to rest with state honours. Taking to his social media feed, actor Rajinikanth shared, “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.” Actor-politician Vijay also posted a picture of Solomon and paid tribute to him, writing, “Upon learning of the passing of Tamil scholar Professor Solomon Pappiah, who, through forum platforms, made the world aware of the greatness of Tamil and the way of life of Tamils, I am filled with immense sorrow and pain.” Honoring the actor Sethupathi also wrote, “A golden era of the Tamil stage has vanished. The demise of Mr. Solomon Pappiah, who took the forum from home to home, speaking Tamil simply and beautifully to make it understood, is a great loss to Tamil and the Tamil people. His words will live on directly within Tamil. My deepest condolences to his family.”