Iconic television show moderator and Tamil scholar Solomon Pappaiah passed away on Friday at the age of 90. Solomon is most popular for moderating debate shows on TV channels, which explore socially relevant themes while showcasing his witty sense of humour. Also regarded as one of the finest Tamil scholars, he was conferred with the Kalaimamani award in 2000 and the Padma Shri in 2021, among other recognitions.

Born in Sathangudi, Madurai, Solomon Pappaiah also appeared in films such as Boys (2003) and Sivaji: The Boss (2007), directed by Shankar, in addition to Pudhu Varusham (1992) and Yes Madam (2003). Sivaji: The Boss, especially, introduced his signature humour sense to cinema audiences.

Speaking at a stage event once, he said that he learnt several traits from his Sivaji co-star, such as humility, discipline and affection. "More than the fact that I starred in this film, it is a bigger deal that I learnt from him," Solomon said about Rajinikanth.

Speaking of learning, in a 2017 interview with Madraswallah, Solomon revealed that in his younger days, he would often sit with women after their household chores and talk to them about their daily hardships. He credited this upbringing with shaping his understanding of the struggles that women faced every day, a perspective he integrated into his debate topics.