N.K. Narayanan, former principal of Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, passed away on Monday. He was 96.

He is survived by a son and a daughter. His other son, N. Rajendran, who was a former Vice Chancellor of Alagappa University, had died recently and his wife died several years ago. The funeral will take place at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, sources close to the family said.

Condoling his death, the Tamil Nadu History Congress recalled his eloquence and oratorical skills, his mastery of Shakespearean Theatre, and his contributions that earned him a prestigious UNESCO award.