Maruthu Pandiyar Maruthu pandiyargal The Maruthu Pandiyar brothers (Periya Maruthu & Chinna Maruthu) ruled Sivagangai,

Tamil Nadu during the last part of the 18th century and they were the first to issue a proclamation of independence from the British rule from Trichy Thiruvarangam Temple, Tamil Nadu on June 10, 1801, which is 56 years before the North Indian rebellion - Sepoy mutiny of 1857. Childhood Marudu brothers are the sons of Udayar Servai alias Mookiah Palaniappan Servai and Anandayer alias Ponnathal. Maruthu Pandiyar, the Elder was born on 15.12.1748 in a small village Narikkudi near Aruppukkottai of the Ramnad principal state. After five years, i.e., in 1753 Marudhu Pandiyar, the younger was born in Ramnad. Their father Udayar Servai served as a General in the Ramnad state military and he shifted his family to Ramnad from Narikkudi. Early life The brothers both learned all martial arts at Surankottai, a then training centre for Ramnad military. Boomerang is a peculiar weapon to India. Two forms of this weapons are used in India. These weapons are commonly made of wood. In tamil it is called as Valari stick. It is said that Maruthu brothers were experts in the art of throwing the valari stick. It is said that Maruthus used Valari in the Poligar wars against the English. By that time they were awarded with the titles of Pandiyas by the then Raja of Ramnad Muthu Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathy. They participated in many competitions of martial arts and won all of those. Bravery Hearing their fame, the Raja of Sivaganga principal state (near Ramnad), Muthu Vaduganadhar requested the Ramnad king to send them for serving in the Sivaganga military service. After their arrival they were appointed as Generals of the Sivaganga military and the brothers got an unremovable place in the history of Sivaganga. In the year 1772, the English military of the East India Company, under the

command of Lt.Col. Bon Jour attacked the state at Kalayar Kovil. As the war worsened, Raja Muthu Vaduganadhar lost his life on the spot. But the Maruthu brothers managed to escape along with Rani Velu Nachiar, wife of Raja Muthu Vadughanadhar and arrived at Dindigul which was ruled by Hyder Ali the Sultan of Mysore as refugees. Hyder Ali supported them with all respects. Arcot Nawab, the alliance partner of East India Company was not able to collect any taxes from the people of Sivaganga state for eight years, arranged for an agreement whereby the rule of Sivaganga was restored to Rani Velu Nachiar after he collected his dues from her. The Marudu brothers with 12,000 armed men surrounded Sivaganga and plundered Arcot Nawab's territories. The Nawab on the 10th of March 1789 appealed to the Madras Council for aid. On 29th April 1789, the British forces attacked Kollangudi. It was defeated by a large body of Marudu's troops. War against British They were in close association with Veera Pandiya Kattabomman of Panchalankurichi. Kattabomman held frequent consultations with Marudhus. After the execution of Kattabomman in 17th October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai (dumb brother). But, the British took this reason to invade and attacked Sivaganga in 1801 with a powerful army. The Maruthu Pandiyars and their allies were quite successful and captured three districts from the British. British considered it as a serious threat to their future in India that they rushed additional troops from Britain to put down Maruthu Pandiyars' rebellion. These forces surrounded Maruthu Pandiyars' army at Kalayar Koil, and the latter scattered. The Maruthu Brothers and their top commanders escaped. They regrouped and fought the British and their allies at Viruppatchi, Dindigul and Cholapuram. While they won the battle at Viruppatchi, they lost the other two battles. Administration Marudu brothers were not only warriers and noted for bravery, but they were very great Administrators. Rani Velu Nachiar made a Will and paved way for Marudhu Pandiyar Elder to rule. Marudhu Pandiar younger was made as Dewan of the state. During the period from 1783 to 1801, they worked for the welfare of the people and the Sivaganga Seemai was reported as fertile. They constructed many notable

temples like Kalayar Kovil, Sivaganga many Ooranis and Tanks . Death Maruthu Pandiyars and many of their family members were captured at Cholapuram and they were hanged on October 24, 1801. Sivagangai - Marudhu Brothers After the death of Muthu Vaduganatha Rajah, Rani Velu Nachiar and her daughter Vellachi Nachiar lived under the protection of Hyder Ali at Virupakshi near Dindigul. Frustrated by the joining of forces against him, the Nawab ordered that Velu Nachiar and Marudhu Brothers were permitted to return to Sivaganga and rule the country subject to payment of Kist to the Nawab. Abiding by this Order, Rani Velu Nachiar accompanied by Marudu brothers and Vellachi Nachiar entered Sivaganga. An agreement was reached where by Rani Velu Nachiar was permitted to govern the Sivaganga Country and Chinna Marudu, the younger was appointed her minister and the elder Vellai Marudu as the Commander-in-chief. Thus the widow Queen Velu Nachiar succeeded her husband in 1780. The Queen Velu Nachiar granted powers to Marudhu Brothers to administer the country in 1780. Velu Nachiar died a few years later, but the exact date of her death is not known (it was about 1790). Marudu brothers are the sons of Udayar Servai alias Mookiah palaniappan servai and Anandayer alias Ponnathal. They are native of Kongulu street of Ramnad. They belonged neither to the family of the ancient poligars nor to their division of the caste. Servaikaran was the caste title and Marudu the family name. The Marudu Brothers served under Muthu Vaduganatha Thevar. Later they were elevated to the position of Commanders. Boomerangs are peculiar to India. Two forms of this weapons are used in India. These weapons are commonly made of wood. It is cresent-shaped on end being heavier than the other and the outer edge is sharpened. Their name in Tamil is VALARI stick. It is said that Marudu Brothers were experts in the art of throwing the valari stick. It is said that Marudus used Valari in the POLIGAR wars against the English. The Marudu brothers with 12,000 armed men surrounded Sivaganga and plundered the Nawab's territories. The Nawab on the 10th of March 1789 appealed to the Madras Council for aid. On 29th April 1789, the British forces attacked Kollangudi. It was defeated by a large body of Marudu's troops. He was in close association with Veera Pandiya Kattabomman of Panchalankurichi. Kattabomman

held frequent consultations with Marudhus. After the execution of Kattabomman in 17th October 1799 at Kayattar, Chinna Marudhu gave asylum to Kattabomman's brother Oomadurai (dumb brother). He issued an epoch-making Jumboo Deweepa proclamation to the people in the island of Jamboo the peninsular South India to fight against the English whether they were Hindus, Mussalamans or Christians. At last the Marudhu Pandiyars fell a victim to the cause of liberating the motherland from the English supremacy. Marudu Pandiyan the popular leader of the rebels, together with his gallant brother Vellai Marudu were executed on the ruins of fort at Tiruppathur in SIVAGANGA District on 24th October 1801. They showed their determination and spirit at the outset of the final struggle of 1801 by setting their handsome village Siruvayal on fire to prevent its being made use of by the English forces. Marudu brothers are not only warriers and noted for bravery, but they are very great Administrators. During the period from 1783 to 1801, they have worked for the welfare of the people and the Sivaganga Seemai was reported as fertile. They have constructed many notable temples (i.e Kalayarkoil) Ooranis and Tanks. After, so many successions of legal heirs ruled the estate, lastly, Sri D.S. Karthikeya Venkatachalapathy Rajah succeeded to the estate of late Sri. D. Shanmuga Rajah and he was the Hereditary Trustee of Sivaganga. Devasthanam and Chatrams consisting of 108 temples, 22 Kattalais and 20 Chatrams. Sri. D.S. Karthikeya Venkatachalapathy Rajah passed away in 30.8.1986 leaving his daughter Tmt. Maduranthagi Nachiyar as his heir. At present, tmt. Maduranthagi Nachiyar is administering the Sivaganga Estate, Sivaganga Devasthanam and Chatram of Sivaganga Royal Family now. Based on the "District Gazette" 1990 of Ramanathapuram , and history of Sivaganga maintained by samasthanam. The Sivaganga District has been formed mostly with an area of entire Sivaganga Zamin and part of Ramnad Zamin.

E V Ramasamy

Born On: September 17, 1879 Born In: Erode, Coimbatore district, India Died On: December 24, 1973 Career: Politician, Businessman, Social Activist Nationality: Indian E V Ramasamy, or Periyar as he is better known of, was one of the most inspiring politicians and activists that India had ever seen. Having experienced vices such as discrimination and exploitation at a very young age, Periyar had committed his life to social work. He is best known for leading the movement for the creation of the state of South India or Dravidasthan. E V Ramasamy fought for the establishment of principles such as equality of castes and sexes, realization of fundamental rights for women and an end to the exploitation of the non Brahmin Dravidians of South India. Periyar was always against the Brahmins in the Tamil society, often making controversial statements about them. He was also responsible for introducing several changes in the Tamil alphabet and the language in general. Early Life Erode Venkata Ramasamy was born on September 17, 1879 in the small town of Erode in Coimbatore district of Madras Presidency. Periyar, as he later came to be referred as, had one elder brother and two younger sisters. It was for his high thinking that E V Ramasamy came to be known as Periyar, which translates to 'respected one' in the Tamil language. Periyar's father was a well known businessman and he was thus raised in very wealthy surroundings. Periyar attended school for only five years and joined his father's business when he was a child of only 12 years. He was very small when E V Ramasamy understood that there was no truth in mythological stories and religion. His visit to Kasi in the year 1904 left E V Ramasamy disillusioned towards Hinduism. It was in Kasi where he saw that Brahmins were exploiting the other sects of society in the name of religion, an anger which persisted till the days he was to begin the Dravidian Movement. He remained an atheist for the rest of his life, always preaching the futility of religion and warning people about priests and superstitions.

Early Years In Politics Periyar joined the Indian National Congress in the year 1919, only to quit his post six years later in 1925 when he felt that the INC was not a democratic organization, supporting only the Brahmins of the society. Before joining the INC, Periyar had quit his father's business and all other service positions that he was holding. As part of the Congress Party, E V Ramasamy became the chairman of the Erode Municipality and fought extensively for the use of khadi and the boycott of foreign cloth. He also spoke out vehemently against untouchability. The British administration got him arrested in order to curb his efforts. But not to be stopped by anything, Periyar took an active part in the Non Cooperation Movement and the Temperance Movement in 1921-1922. After being elected as the president of the Madras Presidency Congress Committee, Periyar vehemently advocated for the reservation of the lower classes in education and jobs, quitting his post three years later when his interests were not served. E V Ramasamy was a strong believer in the policies of Mahatma Gandhi. Therefore, he adopted the principle of Satyagraha in the town of Vaikom in Kerala, where Dalits were so much discriminated against that they were not even allowed to visit the streets close to temple areas. On April 14, 1924, Periyar and his wife Nagammai came to Vaikom to organize the Satyagraha movement and although Gandhi himself did not want the participation of non Keralites and non Hindus in his struggle, Periyar nevertheless did not relent and continued fighting for peoples' basic rights until Gandhi called off the movement. Later Political Life In the year 1925 Periyar launched the Self Respect Movement. This movement was started to allow the lower classes of the society gain the rights that the privileged enjoyed. While most activists fought for independence from the British, Periyar was more concerned about the establishment of equality in society. Periyar said that even the non Brahmins have much to rejoice about because of their Dravidian history. The Self Respect Movement also stood for doing away with exploitation in the name of religion. Periyar was an atheist, and though he did not have any problem with people practicing the religion of their choice, he protested against meaningless customs and ceremonies associated with religion. Periyar also advocated for widow remarriage, inter caste marriage and the end of child marriage

through the Self Respect Movement. A school that taught its students the methods and usefulness of the Self Respect Movement was opened in Erode, the birthplace of Periyar. E V Ramasamy remained actively associated with the Self Respect Movement till 1929 after which he traveled extensively around several countries across continents from 1929 to 1932 to educate himself in several aspects of life and work. Periyar visited Russia, different countries of Europe and Malaysia and studied the respective countries' histories and their system of governance. Communism was rampant in different parts of the world during this time and Periyar was sure that communism was the answer to the establishment of a better government and society in India. Periyar returned to India in November 1932 with a completely different political ideology. In an effort to fight the concept of discrimination through the division of castes, Periyar announced in the year 1929 that he would no longer use Naicker behind his name, his title from birth. Anti Hindi Protest In the year 1937, Hindi was introduced as a compulsory language in the state of Madras by newly elected Chief Minister Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari. Several anti Hindi movements were launched in the state after this announcement, with Periyar taking the lead in protests that started in the year 1938. Periyar coined the term 'Tamil Nadu for Tamilians' and was totally against the concept of introducing the Hindi language in schools. He was of the opinion that learning Hindi would destroy the Tamil culture, a reasoning that was supported by several politicians in Tamil Nadu who followed Periyar's policy of 'Tamil Nadu for Tamilians'. The anti Hindi protests launched after the language was made compulsory in schools continued for a fairly long time and became a primary issue in Tamil Nadu politics. When the government authorities did not relent to mass demands, Periyar took the help of the Justice Party or the South Indian Liberation Federation which had originally been formed in the year 1916 to fight for equal rights for non Brahmins. With Periyar at the head of a party, the Justice Party gradually acquired a lot of supporters, many of them students who considered Hindi learning as a form of bondage. Periyar was also jailed in 1939 for launching anti Hindi protests in Tamil Nadu. Periyar remained with the Justice Party until 1944, but several conservative members of the party, especially the rich and intellectual quit from their posts

during his term. The Dravidar Kazhagam During the last part of 1944, E V Ramasamy announced that the Justice Party will henceforth be known as the Dravidar Kazhagam or the Dravidian Association. With Periyar at its helm the Dravidar Kazhagam soon became a popular political party, their chief aim being social reform work in the form of elimination of Hindi and Brahmin culture from Tamil. Periyar thwarted all religious farce and spoke out against the Brahmin priests. Periyar never forgot his chief aim was to do away with untouchability of the Dalits or Harijans and propagate the cause of women in society. Rift between Periyar and Annadurai Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai, who was the chief support of E V Ramasamy and also his staunch supporter until the year 1948, parted ways with the leader in the year 1949 forming a separate party called the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam or the Dravidian Advancement Association. The chief reason for the split was the fact that while Periyar wanted a separate state of Tamil Nadu, Annadurai had joined hands with the government in Delhi who had promised more independence for Tamil Nadu. Periyar's methods of running his party did not earn him or the other members of the party any political power or money and this was the reason why several supporters gradually began to leave him to join Annadurai. Moreover, Periyar's second marriage to Maniammai, a woman forty years his junior was enough reason to drive away the remaining supporters of Dravidar Kazhagam. However, it is important to mention here that though Annadurai had split from his mentor Periyar, his newly formed DMK continued to preach the supremacy of the Tamil language when compared to Hindi and Sanskrit. Controversies Periyar's journey in Tamil politics was full of controversies and arrests. While his non cooperation and satyagraha movements landed Periyar in prison a number of times, the fact that he burnt the effigy of Lord Rama in order to show his hatred for the Hindi language also got him arrested. Periyar tried his best to undermine the Brahmins and Hindus by attacking their beliefs and customs in public. His speeches and teachings were always dedicated to the downtrodden in the society

and it was for them that he continued to fight till the end of his life. However his policies fell under a bad light and invited the wrath of many a critic and intellectual when Periyar famously commented that the Christians and Muslims residing in Tamil Nadu should not even be counted as Tamils! Personal Life E V Ramasamy married Nagammai in the year 1898, when he was only 19 years old. The couple was blessed with a daughter, who unfortunately could not live longer and died just five months after her birth. In the year 1933, Periyar met with another setback in his personal life as his wife, Nagammai also left for the heavenly abody. Later, in 1948, Periyar married for the second time in the month of July. Death Periyar breathed his last on December 24, 1973. Periyar's legacy was carried forward by his second wife Maniyammai, who was appointed the leader of the Dravidar Kazhagam after his death and continued his policy of protests against all things Hindu and standing by the social minority. A film made on the life of E V Ramasamy by Gnana Rajasekaran was released both in national and international film festivals in May 2007. Timeline 1879: E V Ramasamy is born on September 17. 1898: Married Nagammai. 1904: Periyar visited Kasi and turned an atheist. 1919: Periyar joined the Indian National Congress. 1922 - Periyar became President of Madras Presidency Congress Committee. 1925: Had quit from his post in the INC. 1924: Periyar organized the Vaikom Satyagraha. 1925: The Self Respect Movement was launched. 1929: He traveled to several international countries, including Europe, Russia and Malaysia. 1929: Relinquished his title Naicker. 1933: Nagammai died an unfortunate death. 1938: Periyar declared the slogan 'Tamil Nadu for Tamilians'.g

1939: Periyar became the head of the Justice Party. 1944: The name of the Justice Party is changed to Dravidar Kazhagam. 1948: E V Ramasamy married for the second time in the month of July. 1949: There is a split between Periyar and Annadurai, leading to a division in the Dravidar Kazhagam. 1973: Periyar died on December 24.

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Ayya

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar Ayya was born to ate.Shri.Ukirapandiya Thevar and Indirani Ammaiyaar on a fine Friday 30th October in the year 1908. The great human of the South Tamilnadu Pasumpon Thevar Ayya, was a man known for his spiritual affection and majestic influence over the people of Southern regions of Tamilnadu like Madurai,Thirunelveli and Ramnad District are remarkable. This energetic humanized freedom fighter fought against the British rule from 1935 and made an irony relationship with the West Bengali Tiger,Nethaji SubhashChandraBose. Hands with Netubhash Chandra Bose Pasumpon Thevar Ayya , a materialized human supported Nethaji and his views to get the Free India. World War II brought the two national legends closer than ever before to breathe free Indian air by cleaning the British rule from the brown Indian soil Gandhiji used the mental human power but nethaji was eager to adopt by physical power, which was fired in the blood of brown Indians. In Indian National Congress This joint venture of the legends made the confusion in the Indian National Congress.Gandhi viewed to solve the struggle through peace whereas Nethaji focussed war as the only weapon to finalize India. Hence a huge controversy ruledout, Gandhiji supported Mr.Pattabi Seetharamaiya and he was elected as a congress chief whereas Pasumpon Thevar Ayya increased the majority hands for Nethaji from the Indian National congress. Nethaji won the congress chief leadership with the major help of Pasumpon Thevar Ayya from the down

south of Tamilnadu. Gandhiji had openly accepted his defeat. Forward Block and Ayya's Contribution Nethaji founded the Indian National army, Pasumpon Thevar Ayya was elected as a Forward Block Chief in Tamilnadu. Nethaji strengthened his Indian National army with lot of brave tamilians' to handle firing machine and marched towards the International war. Pasumpon Thevar Ayya's hope of Free India created many human potentials from the south to help the army under Nethajis supreme leadership. During a tight and a busy schedule of Nethaji, on Pasumpon Thevar Ayyas request Nethaji came to Madurai on 6th September in the year 1939 for a general meeting. This shows Nethajis sincere- respect and affection towards Pasumpon Thevar Ayya. Ayya's Victory Right from the beginning of 1939 till his end , whenever he stands for an election no one had defeated this humble tiger. In 1939, British Government decided to give an automacy rule for ten province of India. Under Madras Provincial area , for the first time Congress party was admitted for an election. Many of them scared to stand against the Indo-British Candidate. Mostly the IndoBritish candidate was the small regional kings, Nawabs and Jamins played the role in rubber stamp impression of the British government. At that time Pasumpon Thevar Ayya was very active in Congress party, decided to face things against the Indo-British candidate Pandiya raja for Ramnad district. But the storming influence brought Pasumpon Thevar Ayya to the court of victory. In the year 1946, Pasumpon Thevar Ayya was elected again by the people, belonging to Muthukulathoor. After 1947,he shifted himself towards national political arena, that is he concentrated more in Forward Block which was an opponent party for the Indian National Congress in the Free India, congress men challenged to keep his victory down. In the year 1952 , the whole Indian nation General election surprised with the huge breathe in seeing the victory of Pasumpon Thevar Ayya in both of his Legistratory and Parlimentary area of Ramanad District. The Potential Speaker Pasumpon Thevar Ayya electrical speech echoed all corners of Tamilnadu.It charged the inner feelings of every human of the down south to turn as a high potential and raising energetic. This Indian National human was admired by all freedom fighters of the north. He had been arrested many number of times for raising the inner energy of the people against the British Government.He refused to join the cabinet during though he was requested a lot by others.

Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar(Oct 30,1908-Oct 30 1963)was one of the five founding fathers of the Forward Bloc and a close aid of Subhas Chandra Bose.He was the undisputed leader of the party in Tamil Nadu till his death in 1963.He was inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose at their very first meeting at the Indian National Congress Session in 1927 and thereafter followed Bose to Calcutta. He continued to be an aid to Bose and joined the CSP in 1936 and later the Forward Bloc in 1939.He protested against the Congress high commands secret maneuvers to oust out Bose from the Presidential Chair of the Congress.He was also critical of the Communist for calling Bose a 'quisling an 'imperialist stooge'.He was a prominent freedom fighter and led noteworthy campaigns of the Congress in Tamilnadu.He led the 'Temperance campaign Kullupatti,Mudukullathur etc.The massive campaign that he led in 1929 against the Criminal Tribes Act in which he urged the people to defy the laws was also noteworthy in spite of the fact that he was unable to influence the Government and later Congress ministry under C Rajagopalachary to repeal the act. (Historical Film titled "Pasumpon Thevar Varallaru"-the Tamil film- which would be released in connection with the hundredth anniversary of Thevar has raised high expectations.It deals with the time Bose spent in hiding with Thevars help and is expected to shed new light on the mysteries revolving around the disappearance of Bose in 1945.) On cannot help remembering Thevar who declared at several public meetings in Tamilnadu that he had met Bose,in 1956 at a village near the Himalayas.(He claimed that the information was passed to him by Sarat Chandra Bose.Thevars mysterious disappearance first in 1949 and later his travel to Burma in 1955 had also left doubts).He criticized the Shahnawaz Committee as an 'eye wash'and refused to disclose the truth before the committee.Like many of the followers of Bose he doubted the credibility of Shanawaz-the one time loyal of Bose and was also critical of Nehru's unsympathetic attitude towards the probe. Thevar asked for assurance form the union Government as to the treatment that would be given to Bose if Bose discloses his identity and come out to public- once again but the government gave no satisfactory reply(Thevar like many others doubted whether the government would hand over Bose to the British as a 'war criminal. Thevar never disclosed his secrets.All through his lif he continued as the strongest adherent to Bose and his policies.This is well reflected in his outright criticism to the dictatorial policy and

the loss of vitality of the Congress Working Committee,his advocacy of Socialism and his opposition towards regional factionalism and disunity.He was the strongest critic to EVR's policy of "Tamil love is important:Tamilnadu must live"

K. Kamaraj

"Face the problem. Don't evade it. Find a solution, however small. People will be satisfied if you do something." On July 15, 1903, in a tiny town of Virdunagar, Tamil Nadu, and a little baby boy was born. His parents Kumaraswamy Nadar and Sivakami Ammal named him Kumaraswamy Kamaraj Nadar. Kamaraj's father, Kumarswamy Nadar, who belonged to a family of traders, was a coconut merchant who sold and traded coconuts for a living. Their family was not rich and Kamaraj, right from his babyhood led a simple and a humble life. Kamaraj's mother Sivakamitada soft corner for her little son and called him "Raja" affectionately. When Raja turned three, she enrolled him at the local elementary school, the Nayanar Vidyalaya close to his home. By and by he was shifted to a bigger school Kshatriya Vidyalaya, which provided high schooling at that time. But tragedy struck their family. His father died unexpectedly within a year of Kamaraj's enrollment in school. His peaceful life was thoroughly disrupted, as there was no other earning member in the house. Following his fathers death, Kamaraj fearfully asked his mother, "What are we going to do for a living, mother?" Kamaraj's mother Sivakami, a woman of great determination replied, "I will sell all the jewellery I have and sustain you my dear Raja. Why do you worry? You will continue to go to school". Thus, she sold all the jewels she had except her earrings. She deposited the money with a local Merchant and cared single handedly for the entire family on the monthly interest that the money earned.

Kamaraj was not a good student in school and dropped out when he was twelve years old. Thus his schooling lasted only for a few years. His relatives scolded him for his slackness. One day Karuppiah, his maternal uncle called him aside and said, "Kamaraj you are so backward in studies. You might as well join me as apprentice in my cloth shop. I think that is the best thing for you." Kamaraj readily agreed for the change. When he was 15 years of age, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in the country where the British as a sign of resentment towards the Indian freedom struggle, opened fire killing hundreds of innocent people. When Kamaraj heard this, he was touched and furious. He told himself, I will not sit quiet. I will join in India's struggle for freedom." The massacre was the turning point in his life. Little Kamaraj loved to attend public meetings addressed by orators like Dr. Varadarajulu Naidu and George Joseph for the cause of the freedom struggle He would slip out from his uncle's shop to join processions and attend the meetings. His relatives frowned upon Kamaraj's budding interest in politics and frequently chided him. They sent him to Thiruvananthapuram to work at another uncle's clock shop. But even in Thiruvananthapuram Kamaraj's fire for the country's freedom could not be quenched. There he participated in the Vaikom Satyagraha led by George Joseph of the Congress, against the atrocities of the higher caste Hindus on the Harijans much to the annoyance of his family. Two years later when Kamaraj was seventeen, he saw Gandhiji at Madurai. He was struck by his simplicity and his non-violent attitude towards India's freedom struggle. His relatives called him aside and said, "Kamaraj politics is not good for you. It is time you get married and settle down. You will be happy then." But Kamaraj was stubborn and he declared his decision, "This is the path that I will choose. Please do not stop me. I will not get married." Thus Kamaraj resolutely refused to bow to the dictates of his elders. And at such a young age he became a dedicated member of the Indian National Congress and enrolled himself as full-time worker.

Kamaraj was content for years to remain a Congress volunteer, working hard for the cause of the freedom movement. He was neither worried of his personal comfort nor did he care for higher placements in his career When Kamaraj was 18, Gandhiji started the non-cooperation movement against the British. Kamaraj was one of the first to respond. He carried on the Propaganda in the villages, raised funds for Congress Work and took a leading part in organizing meetings. Satyamurthy, one of the greatest orators and a fading figure of the Tamilnadu Congress Committee met Kamaraj when he was twenty. Later on he turned out to be Kamaraj's political guru and main source of inspiration. Satyamurthy praising Kamaraj said, "He is the most efficient, loyal, indefatigable worker and skillful organizer I have ever seen" Both of them developed a deep friendship and complemented each other's skills very well. They made a great team together much to the delight of the Congress leaders. In April 1930, Kamaraj joined the Salt Satyagraha Movement at Vedaranyam. The British government sentenced him to two years of imprisonment for his active participation. This was his first term in prison. He was 27 at the time of arrest. Following this, Kamaraj was implicated in the Virudhunagar Bomb Case two years later. Dr. Varadarajulu Naidu and George Joseph, who by then knew the faithful little boy who attended every one of their meetings, argued on his behalf and proved the charges to be baseless. But his jail going did not stop there. It almost became a part of his career. He was arrested now and again, and in all he went to prison six times and spent more than 3,000 days in British Jails. When he entered mainstream politics, he felt handicapped and realized the importance of a good education. But Kamaraj who was strong-minded decided, "I will not feel sorry for myself. I shall start studying again." Thus, he educated himself during his periods of imprisonment and even learned English from his coworker.

While still in jail, Kamaraj was elected Chairman to the Municipal Council. Nine months later upon his release, Kamaraj went straight to the Municipality and tendered his resignation from his post. When people asked him why he did so, he calmly replied "one should not accept any post to which one could not do full justice." When Kamaraj was 33, Satyamurthy, his good friend and guru was elected President of the Provincial Congress. Following this he appointed Kamaraj as the General Secretary. Four years later they swapped positions. The party base was very much strengthened under their leadership. When Kamaraj was 38, Gandhiji asked him to spread propaganda material for the Quit India movement. He was arrested once more on that account and was sentenced to three years in the Amaravath' prison. While in prison, his spirit was not deterred .read books and continued his self-education within the four walls. Kamaraj kept his word and remained a bachelor throughout. He chose not to marry, as he was fully dedicated to the country's freedom struggle movement. Finally his efforts did pay off and when he was forty- four years of age, India became free. By then, Kamaraj's guru Satyamurthy had already passed away. So deep was Kamaraj's devotion for him that when India gained independence, he first went to Satyamurthy's house and hoisted the Indian flag there. On April 13, 1954, K. Kamaraj was elected the Chief Minister of Madras. To everyone's surprise, Kamaraj nominated C. Subramaniam and M. Bhakthavatsalam, who had contested his leadership, to the newly formed cabinet. Kamaraj gave simple advice to his ministers, "Face the problem. Don't evade it. Find a solution, however small. People will be satisfied if you do something." Under Kamaraj's guidance, the State made immense strides in education and trade. New schools were opened-, better facilities were added to existing ones. No village remained without a primary school and no panchayat without a high school. Kamaraj himself, though hardly attended school, did not stop in striving to eradicate illiteracy. He introduced free and compulsory education up to eleventh standard.

He introduced the Midday Meals Scheme to provide at least one meal per day to the lakhs of poor children. He introduced free school uniforms to weed out caste, creed and class distinctions among young minds. Kamaraj was a firm believer of Gandhiji's principles. He said, "Mahatmaji not only spread the message freedom to the farthest comers of India, but also devoted his attention to the eradication of poverty and misery among the masses. That's is what I intend to do" During Kamaraj's administration, a number of irrigation schemes were completed in record time. The Land Ceiling Act and the Tenancy Protection Act benefited small farmers and saved them from being exploited by landlords. Medium and small scale industries prospered in the midst of large industries making Madras one of the leaders in industrialization. Nehru who was the Prime Minister then complimented Kamaraj saying, Madras (renamed State of Tamil Nadu) is the best administered State in India." Kamaraj remained Chief Minister for three consecutive terms. On October 2, 1963, almost nine years since he had become the chief minister, he resigned his post to serve a greater purpose. He noticed that the Congress party was slowly losing its vigor and came up with a plan, which was called the "Kamaraj Plan." He proposed that all senior Congress leaders should resign form their posts and devote all their energy to the re-vitalization of the Congress. A number of Central and State ministers like Lai Bahadur Shastri, Jagjivan Ram, Morarji Desai and S.K. Patil followed suite and resigned from their posts. Kamaraj was then elected the President of the All India Congress and he successfully navigated the nation through the stormy years following Nehru's death. On October 2, 1975, the day celebrated as Gandhi Jayanti, Kamaraj awoke from his afternoon nap feeling uneasy. He was 72 years of age, His housekeeper, Vairavan worried said, "I will bring in the physician sir." While he was on his way out, Kamaraj said, "Vairavan, put out the lights when you go out." K. Kamaraj died before he came back. He was honoured with the highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, posthumously in 1976.

He was perhaps the first non-English knowing Chief Minister in India. But it was during the nine years of his leadership that Tamilnadu came to be known as one of the best administered States in India.

C.N. Annadurai Born On: September 15, 1909 Born In: Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu Died On: February 3, 1969 Career: Politician, Writer Nationality: Indian Popularly known as Anna or Arignar Anna, Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai was the first Dravidian and first non-Congress leader to become the Chief Minister of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Despite being born in a middle class family, Annadurai rose to become a school teacher and journalist before switching into hard-core politics. After working for the Dravidian party, Dravidar Kazhagam, he gathered his supporters and gave birth to his own party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Such was the influence of Anna in the political world that a party was then launched in his name as Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) by M.G. Ramachandran in 1972 posthumously. With his election as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Anna rose to extreme popularity amongst ordinary people. He is regarded as one of the charismatic and forceful political leaders of modern India. Besides, he gained fame as an acclaimed orator, Tamil and English litterateur, and a stage actor. Early Life C.N. Annadurai was born to Natarajan and Bangaru Ammal, in Conjeevaram (now called Kanchipuram) in Tamil Nadu. He was born in a middle-class weaver family belonging to Sengunta Mudaliar caste. He was brought up by his sister Rajamani Ammal. Annadurai attained his formal education from Pachaiyappa's High School in Chennai, but left his studies midway due to financial problems and worked as a

clerk in Kanchipuram municipal office to help with the family finances. He later took admission in Pachaiyappa's College for his graduation. However, he was married off with Rani in 1930 at the age of 21 while he was still a student. In 1934, he completed his B.A. (Hons) degree and later achieved his M.A. degree in economics and politics from the same college. For a short period, he earned his living as an English teacher in Pachaiyappa's High school but left to join journalism and politics. Entry into Politics Annadurai was keen on joining politics. With his deep interest in working for the conditions of the poor and down-trodden, his ambition firmed as he was highly influenced by two Communist leaders, M. Singaravelu and C. Basudev. On his first meeting with Periyar E.V. Ramasami in 1934 at a youth conference at Tirupur in Coimbatore district, he was instantly attracted towards him. Even after his split with Periyar on the launch of his own party DMK in 1949, he continued to praise him in public as his one and only leader. He joined the Justice Party, which was formed in 1917 by non-Brahmin elites, in 1935. When he entered the party, the president was Periyar E.V. Ramasami. The party ran a magazine where Annadurai served as the sub-editor. The party was in power till 1937 after it was defeated by Indian National Congress. Thereafter, Annadurai became the editor of Viduthalai, which means freedom in English, and was even associated with a Tamil weekly paper "Kudi Arusu". In 1942, he began his own Tamil journal titled "Dravida Nadu". Periyar renamed the Justice Party as Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944 and bid adieu to contesting in the elections. Establishment of DMK During India's struggle for independence, the movement was dominated by Indian National Congress that was led by Brahmins. As such, Periyar feared that independent India would be ruled under the government of Brahmins and North Indians. With this, Periyar objected the move and declared August 15, 1947 as a day of mourning. As such, Periyar witnessed opposition from his supporters and saw that the cause of demand for independence from British rule was a national cause and not just of Aryan North. This triggered a cold war between Annadurai and Periyar. Further when Periyar refused to stand in the democratic elections, Annadurai walked off the meeting in 1948. Periyar's marriage to Maniammai, who

was 40 years younger than him, caused the final rift between him and Annadurai, who, in turn, walked out of his party and gave birth to his own party known as Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949, in partnership with Periyar's nephew, E.V.K. Sampath. Initially DMK focused on urban centers and surrounding areas, but with the party's emphasis shifting on to urban lower, lower middle, working classes, students, Dalits, and lower castes, DMK gained rapid recognition and immense support. Dravida Nadu While working for "Dravida Nadu" under Periyar at the time of Dravida Kazhagam, Annadurai supported the former for forming an independent state under the name Dravida Nadu. This thought stayed alive during the initial days of DMK as well. Sampath, who had left Periyar and joined Annadurai, still opposed the fact and considered this demand an unrealistic goal. Later, when Annadurai accepted film stars in his party, Sampath suffered differences between him and other leaders supporting the Dravida Nadu, and hence, left DMK to form his own party, the Tamil Nationalist Party in 1961. But when the Indian government separated Kannada, Telugu, and Malayalam speaking regions from Madras Presidency, Annadurai and his party changed the call for Dravida Nadu into independent Tamil Nadu for Tamil speaking regions. However, when the Sixteenth Amendment was initialized that banned any party from contesting in elections; Annadurai was one of the members present in the Parliament of India but could not stop from the amendment being passed. Protests Apart from standing for the formation of a separate Tamil-speaking region, Annadurai was actively involved with other protests throughout his political career. When Motilal Nehru recommended Hindi for use as an official language in 1928, people and politicians of Tamil Nadu strongly opposed considering that they would be regarded as second-class citizens, since Hindi was major language of North Indians. This was just the beginning as the Congress party headed by C. Rajagopalachari in Madras Presidency suggested the use of Hindi as a compulsory language in schools in 1938. This was highly objected by Tamil leaders, including Annadurai who, along with poet Bharathidasan, held demonstrations against the cause. He even participated in the first Anti-Hindi imposition conference that was

held in Kanchipuram on February 27, 1938. With no positive response and immense opposition, the Madras Presidency withdrew from the cause in 1940. In 1950, when India became a republic, the constitution declared Hindi language to gain official status after 15 years in 1965. This was, as expected, not accepted by the Tamils. As such, Annadurai organized an open-air conference against Hindi imposition at Kodambakkam in Chennai in August 1960. With the rise in the opposition, Jawaharlal Nehru ensured that English would be the official language of India, as long as non-Hindi speaking people wish. However, when no amendment was made in the constitution in 1965, Annadurai declared 26th January, 1955, the 15th Republic Day of India, as the day of mourning. He replaced the protest slogans with "Down with Hindi; Long live the Republic". Though the protest initially broke out in Madurai, it spread throughout the state within days. With violence increasing to its height, Annadurai asked the students to call off the protest, but DMK leaders like Karunanidhi continued the violence. Annadurai was even arrested for inducing the agitation. Though DMK was not personally responsible for instigating the agitation, it was due to this that DMK won the elections in 1967 with Annadurai becoming the Chief Minister of Madras State. Tenure as a Chief Minister In 1967 elections, the opposition party won nine states over Congress, but Madras was the only state where a single non-Congress party attained majority. Annadurai became the Chief Minister of Madras in February 1967 and legalized self-respect marriages wherein one did not require a Brahmin to preside with the marriage ceremony. Self-respect marriage was an idea conceptualized by Periyar, who considered conventional marriages as an excuse for bribing dowry. It was during Annadurai's tenure as the Chief Minister that the Madras State was renamed as Tamil Nadu. He even introduced the two language policy against the three language formula prevailing in the neighboring states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. He organized the Second World Tamil Conference on January 3, 1968. To mark this conference, the government released a commemorative stamp but it contained Hindi while Annadurai insisted on printing Tamil. He issued an order to remove all pictures of gods and religious symbols from public offices and buildings. On his visit to Yale University in April-May

1968, he was awarded with the Chubb Fellowship and became the first nonAmerican to receive this honor. Later in the same year, he was conferred upon with an honorary doctorate from Annamalai University. Literary Career Apart from his political career, Annadurai was very much involved into writing and filming as well. Talking about his literary career, he was regarded as one of the best Tamil orators during his time. With his spoken and written language, he managed to develop a unique style. He penned several novels, short stories, and plays that revolved around politics. While working for Dravidar Kazhagam, he acted in some of his own plays. His notable works include Annavin Sattasabai Sorpolivukal (Anna's speeches at the state legislative, 1960), Ilatchiya varalaru (History of Principles, 1948), Valkkaip puyal (Storm of life, 1948), Rankon rata (Radha from Rangon), Kambarasam, Kapothipura kathal (Love in the city of Blind), Parvathy B.A., Kalinga Rani (Queen of Kalinga), and Pavayin payanam (Travels of a young lady). Film Career Annadurai wrote for movies also. His first movie was 1948 "Nallathambi" (Good Brother) starring N.S. Krishnan revolving around cooperative farming and abolition of zamindari system. He earned Rs. 12,000 from this project, a large amount at that time. His novels "Velaikaari" (Servant Maid, 1949) and "Or Iravu" were culminated into movies. His career in films proved to be a boon for him as he was supported by several stage and cine stars, such as D.V. Narayanaswamy, K.R. Ramasamy, N.S. Krishnan, S.S. Rajendran, Sivaji Ganesan, and M.G. Ramachandran. His other works that were converted into movies by the same name are Panathottam (1963), Valiba virundhu (1967), Kumarikottam (1971), Rajapart Rangadurai (1973), Needhi devan mayakkam (1982). Death Annadurai served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for just two years as he died on February 3, 1969. Though he was suffering from cancer, he managed to keep himself in a healthy condition. It was his tobacco chewing habit that had led to the worsening of his condition. His funeral was attended by a recorded 15 million people, the highest till date as recorded in The Guinness Book of Records. His

remains were buried in the northern end of Marina Beach, now known as Anna Square. Legacy With the split of DMK in 1972 by actor M.G. Ramachandran, the rebel fragment formed another party and renamed it as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). A residential neighborhood in Chennai is named after Annadurai and is called Anna Nagar. The Anna University, offering high education in engineering, technology, and applied sciences, founded in 1978 was also named after Annadurai. The current head office of DMK, built in 1987, was a tribute to Annadurai with the name Anna Arivalayam. The previously known Mount Road, a major road in Chennai, was renamed as Anna Salai in his honor and a statue was also set up there. Annadurai was listed as one of the "Top 100 people who shaped India by thought, action, art, culture, and spirit" by India Today magazine. Anna Centenary Library was established in Chennai in 2010 as a tribute to Annadurai. Distinguished Works Komalathin Kobam, 1939 Kalingarani, 1942 Parvathi B.A, 1943 Chandrodhayam, 1943 Sivaji kanda indhu samrajyam, 1945 Velaikaari, 1946 Kumari kottam, 1946 Nallathambi, 1948 Or iravu, 1948 Sorgavasal, 1953 Kumari Surya, 1955 Thazhumbukal, 1965 Inba oli, 1970 Notable Films Nallathambi, 1949 Velaikaari, 1949 Or Iravu, 1951 Rangoon Radha, 1956

Panathottam, 1963) Valiba virundhu, 1967 Kumarikottam, 1971 Rajapart Rangadurai, 1973 Needhi devan mayakkam, 1982 Timeline 1909: Was born in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu 1930: Married Rani 1934: Completed bachelor's degree from Pachaiyappa's College, Chennai 1935: Joined Justice Party 1938: Participated in the first Anti-Hindi imposition conference in Kanchipuram 1944: Justice Party was renamed as Dravidar Kazhagam 1948: Made first movie "Nallathambi" 1949: Founded Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) 1962: Elected to Rajya Sabha 1965: Opposed against Hindi being declared as the official language 1967: Elected as the Chief Minister of Madras Presidency 1968: Received Chubb Fellowship from Yale University 1969: Madras state was renamed as Tamil Nadu 1969: Died on February 3 in Chennai aged 59 1972: ADMK (Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) was formed 1978: Anna University was founded in his honor 1987: DMK's head office Anna Arivalayam was built 2010: Anna Centenary Library was established in Chennai

Kattabomman History Early life Veerapandiya Kattabomman was born to Jagaveera Kattabomman and Arumugattammal on January 3, 1760. He had two younger brothers Dalavai Kumarasami and Duraisingam. Veerapandiyan was fondly called Karuthaiah (the

black prince) and Dalavai Kumarasami was nicknamed Sevathaiah (the white prince) and since Duraisingam was a good orator he was nicknamed Oomaithurai meaning the dumb (speech impaired) Prince. The name could be attributed as VEERAM in Tamil means Bravery and Veerajakkadevi a Hindu God worshiped by his family. Ancestors Azhagiya Veerapandiapuram (Ottapidaram of today) was ruled by Jagaveera Pandiyan. He had a minister Bommu, also a brave warrior, who had migrated from Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu during the Vijaynagar times. He was known as Gettibommulu in Telugu after the god Sastha Ayyanam Swamy to describe his strength and fighting qualities which over a period of time, became Kattabomman in Tamil. Kattabomman ascended the throne after Jagaveera Pandiyan, who had no issue, as Adi Kattabomman, the first of the clan of Kattabomman. Panchalankurichi Legend has it that during a hunting trip into the forests of Salikulam (close to Azhagiya Pandiyapuram) one of the Kattabommans was amazed to see a hare chasing seven hounds. Believing that the land possessed the power to instil courage in his people, he built his fort there and named it Panchalankurichi. On February 2, 1790, Veerapandiyan, 30, became the king of Panchalankurichi as Veera Pandia Kattabomman supposedly the 47th ruler of the region and the 5th ruler from the Kattabomman clan and a Palya-karrar (or Polygar) of the Madurai Nayak kingdom. Role of Palayakkarars Following its collapse in the mid-16th century, the Tamil governors of the Vijayanagara Empire broke away from the empire and established independent kingdoms. The old Pandiya country came to be governed by Naicker rulers in Madurai, who in turn divided their territories into 72 Palayams. These 72 Palayams were franchised to Palayakarrars (Tamil word) or Polygars or Poligars (a British Term), who had to administer their territories, collect taxes, run the local judiciary,

and maintain a battalion of troops on behalf of the Naicker rulers of Madurai. Their function was a mixture of military governance and civil administration. The regional/local chieftains and rulers who were earlier subordinates to the Madurai Kings became Polygars (or Palaya-karrar). Dispute origins The Nayak rule in Madurai which controlled the entire West Tamil Nadu after two centuries came to an abrupt end in 1736 when Chanda Sahib of Arcot seized the Madurai throne from the last queen of Madurai in an act of treason. Chanda Sahib was later killed after the Carnatic Wars and the territory came under the Nawab of Arcot. The Palaya-karrars of the old Madurai country refused to recognize the new Muslim rulers driving the Nawab of Arcot to bankruptcy, who also indulged in lavishes like building palaces before sustaining his authority in the region. Finally the Nawab resorted to borrowing huge sums from the British East India Company, erupting as a scandal in the British Parliament. The Nawab of Arcot finally gave the British the right to collect taxes and levies from the southern region in lieu of the money he had borrowed. The East India Company took advantage of the situation and plundered all the wealth of the people in the name of tax collection. They even leased the country in 1750s to a savage warrior Muhammed Yusuf Khan (alias Marutha Nayagam), who defeated and killed many of the Polygars and later got himself killed by the Arcot - British forces. Many of the Polygars submitted, with the exception of Katta-bomman and a few others who formed an alliance with the Maruthu Brothers of Sivagangai. Major Events Kattabomman refused to pay his dues and for a long time refused to meet Jackson Durai the Collector of the East India Company. Finally, he met Jackson at Ramalinga Vilasam, the palace of Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. The meeting turned violent and ended in a skirmish in which the Deputy Commandant of the Companys forces, Clarke was slain. Kattabomman and his men fought their way to freedom and safety, but Thanapathi Pillai, Kattabommans secretary was taken prisoner. The Commission of Enquiry that went into the incident fixed the blame on Jackson and relieved him of his post, thinking the Companys plan to take over the entire

country gradually could be marred by Jacksons fight with Veerapandiya Kattabomman. The new Collector of Tirunelveli wrote to Kattabomman calling him for a meeting on 16 March 1799. Kattabomman wrote back citing the extreme drought conditions for the delay in the payment of dues and also demanded that all that was robbed off him at Ramanathapuram be restored to him. The Collector wanted the ruling house of Sethupathis to prevent Kattabomman from aligning himself with the enemies of the Company and decided to attack Kattabomman. The British also instigated his long time feuding neighbor Ettayapuram Poligar to make provocative wars over Kattabomman on their long pending territorial disputes. War against English Kattabomman refused to meet the Collector and a fight broke out. Under Major Bannerman, the army stood at all the four entrances of Panchalankurichis fort. At the southern end, Lieutenant Collins was on the attack. When the forts southern doors opened, Kattabomman and his forces audaciously attacked the corps stationed at the back of his fort, and slew their commander Lt. Collins. The British after suffering heavy losses, decided to wait for reinforcements and heavy artillery from Palayamkottai. Sensing that his fort could not survive a barrage from heavy cannons, Kattabomman left the fort that night. A price was set on Kattabommans head. Thanapathi Pillai and 16 others were taken prisoners. Thanapathi Pillai was executed and his head perched on a bamboo pole was displayed at Panchalankurichi to demoralise the fighters. Soundra Pandian Nayak, another rebel leader, was brutally done to death by having his head dashed against a village wall. Capture and Sentence Veerapandiya Kattabomman hid in so many places including Thirumayam, Virachilai and finally stayed at Kolarpatti at Rajagopala Naickers house where the forces surrounded the house. Kattabomman and his aides fled from there and took refuge in the Thirukalambur forests close to Pudukkottai. Bannerman ordered the Raja of Pudukkottai to arrest Kattabomman. Accordingly, Kattabomman was captured and on October 16, 1799 the case was taken up (nearly three weeks after

his arrest near Pudukkottai). After a summary trial, Kattabomman was hanged unceremoniously on a Tamarind tree in Kayathar (near Thirunelveli). Veeran Sundaralingam was a general of the Poligar Veerapandiya Kattabomman in his fight against the British East India Company.According to a majority of the accepted historical accounts, he was killed in 1799, while fighting for Kattabomman during the First Polygar War. Another view is that he was killed in the Second Polygar War (1800-1) while assisting Kattabomman's younger brother Oomaithurai. Some of the other noteworthy persons who were hanged along with Kattabomman were Veeraghechayan Naicker, Dali Ethalappa Naicker and Palayakarrars of Kaadalkudi, Nagalapuram Puthur, Vripachy, Sivagangai, to death by hanging on charges of treason. Aftermath The Fort of Panchalankurichi was razed to the ground and all of Kattabommans wealth was looted by the English soldiers. Few years later, after the second Polygar war, the site of the captured fort was ploughed up and sowed with castor oil and salt so that it should never again be inhabited by the orders of the colonial government. Legend and folklore In subsequent years, a good deal of legend and folklore developed around Kattabomman and the Marudu Brothers. Kayatharu, where Kattabomman was executed has remained a place of political pilgrimage. In his Tinnevelly Gazetteer of 1917, H. R. Pate notes the presence, in Kayatharu, of "a great pile of stones of all sizes, which represents the accumulated offerings by wayfarers of the past hundred years. Folk songs recalling the heroism of the Poligar leaders remain alive in Tamil Nadu to this day..." The popular Tamil slang for a traitor or committing treason is Ettapa or Ettapan, courtesy the Ettayapuram Polygar whom the British later conferred the title of Raja. But it is disputed that Ettapan committed treason Kattabomman was arrested by King of Pudukottai. The Campa Cola ground in Chennai belongs/belonged to Ettappan family. Lately there is cry that unfair portrayal of Ettappan in the film

Kattabomman in which actor Sivaji Ganesan gave a great performance, is the main cause for this. It seems that Ma.Po.Si(Ma.Po.Sivanyanam) who wrote the dialogues for the film had some misunderstanding with the Ettappan family. Honor and Monuments Kattabomman became thus the pivot of the emerging feeling of Tamil nationhood. His story is celebrated in many legends and epic poetry in Tamil. Kattabomman is today recognised by the government as one of the earliest independence fighters opposing the British and has been hailed as the inspiration behind the first battle of independence of 1857, which the British called the Sepoy Mutiny. In 1974, the Government of Tamil Nadu constructed a new Memorial fort. The Memorial Hall has beautiful paintings on the walls depicting the heroic deeds of the saga which gives a good idea about the history of the period. A cemetery of British soldiers are also seen near the fort. The remnants of the old fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. At Kayathar, near Tirunelveli on the present day NH7, the place where he was hanged, there is another memorial for Kattabomman. To commemorate the bicentenary on 16 October 1999 of Kattabommans hanging, the Government of India brought out a postal stamp in his honour. India's premier communication nerve centre of the Indian Navy, at Vijayanarayanam, about 40 km from here, is named as INS Kattabomman [1]. Till recently (1999) the state transport buses of Tirunelveli District was named Kattabomman Transport Corporation. Veerapandia Kattabomman Panpattu Kazhagam (Veerapandia Kattabomman Cultural association) is an organisation named in his honour. The district administration celebrates `Veerapandia Kattabomman festival' at Panchalankurichi on his anniversaries. From Hindu Newspaper The district administration celebrates `Veerapandia Kattabomman festival' at Panchalankurichi Later, he unveiled a huge portrait of Kattabomman at the function, which was held near the Kattabomman memorial fort constructed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1974. Special pujas were conducted at Sri Devi Jakkammal temple, hereditary goddess of Kattabomman, located near the fort. Members of Veerapandia Kattabomman Panpattu Kazhagam brought torches in as relay to the Kattabomman fort from places like Tiruchendur, Pudur, Soorangudi and Kulathur, to mark the occasion.

Hundreds of people thronged the Kattabomman fort, which was thrown open to the public on Friday, to get a glimpse of the beautiful paintings on the walls of memorial hall inside it, which depicted the heroic deeds of the saga. The visitors were also told by the officials how the Britons sentenced Kattabomman along with Kaadalkudi Zamin, Nagalapuram Puthur Zamin, Vripachy Zamin, Sivagangai Zamin, Veeraghechayan naicker Zamin and Dali Ethalappa Naicker Zamin, to death by hanging on charges of treason. Heirs of Kattabomman attended the function.

Dr. Bheem Rao Ambedkar Bheem Rao Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 at Ambedkar village in Ratnagiri District of Maharashtra state. His father was Ramji. He was the 14 th son of his father. Ambedkar was a brilliant child. His teacher at school, who noticed this, was impressed and added a surname to him. It is also said that his earlier name was Bheemrao Ambedkar and it was his teacher who made it Ambedkar and gave him the full name as Bheemrao Ramji Ambedkar. After leaving school, Ambedkar studied F.A., at the Elphinstone College, Bombay (Mumbai). With the help of the Rajah of Baroda, Ambedkar went to Colombia University, America and completed his B.A., and M.A., degrees, in 1912 and 1913 respectively. For his M.A. degree he Zwrote a research paper Commerce in India. He wrote many more research essays while staying at Colombia. They are: (1) Religious in India and their origin, (2) Nationalists in India-a historical study. For the latter research paper he was awarded Ph.D., by the Colombia University. With this he became Dr. Ambedkar. He went to England to study law. Along with law, he studied Economics and political Science. He acquired the degree of Barrister-at-law and also M.Sc. degree simultaneously. Dr. Ambedkar hails from the community of Mahars who are condemned as untouchables. On this account Dr. Ambedkar had to face a number of problems. He was looked down upon and ill-treated. Hence he wanted to agitate against untouchability. In 1918, he took up a job as a professor in a college and in 1920 he took part in the first meet of the Depressed Classes held at Nagpur. In 1923, he started practice at

Bombay High Court. In 1924, he started a paper Bahishkrita hitakarini. He took up the cause of the Depressed Classes before the Simon Commission which visited India in 1928. He attended the First Round Table Conference held at London and argued that the Depressed Classes should have voting rights and the right to elect their own leaders. Dr. Ambedkar had a sharp mind. He said that all men are equal in all matters. Once he entered the Veereswar temple where Mahars were not allowed. A case was field against him by the temple authorities. The court justified the action of Dr. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar could not reconcile to the domination of upper castes. It was Mahatma Gandhi who could convince Dr. Ambedkar against this and bring him back to the mainstream. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was first Law Minister of India after we got Independence in 1947. He was also the chairman of the drafting committee of our Constitution and in fact, he is one of the main architects of our Constitution. As a brilliant law minister and an intelligent person, he could include in the Constitution, the required safeguards for the depressed Classes. On November 1, 1949 the Draft Constitution was approved by the Government and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was since then called, the Modern Manu of India. The caste system in Hinduism forced Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to embrace Buddhism along with 5 lakhs of other Depressed Class people. He attended a conference of Buddhists in Sri Lanka in 1950. He was a lover of books. On a visit to New York, it is said that he purchased as many as 2000 books. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956. Dr. B.R. Ambedkars life is an example to others. He had shown how men born in humble surroundings could rise up in life, by sheer hard-work, sincerity and steadfastness. Very rarely we get such persons of special caliber in history.

MGR

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran, popularly known by his initials MGR, was an Indian film actor, producer and politician. Well known as a Tamil activist, he served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death in 1987.

MGR was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, British Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), to immigrant Keralite Nair parents Gopala Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama. (Nairs are traditionally matrilineal, hence he shares his matrilineal family surname "Maruthur"). His family was originally from Vadavannur, Palakkad, Kerala, but his father had migrated with his family to Ceylon. MGR was a Hindu and portrayed himself as a devotee of Lord Murugan, as is common practice for many Hindus in Sri Lanka. This was during his early days. Later, when he joined the DMK,a pro-rationalist party,he followed the rationalist ideology, though not appearing very aggressively atheistic.However,in later days after he founded his own party following his expulsion from the DMK, he seems to have shown some leaning towards religious faith. He had asked his followers to pray for the success of his AIADMK party. His followers even prayed for him when it was determined that he had a kidney illness. After his demise, his wife opened up a temple in his name. After his fathers death, he joined a drama troupe called Original Boys. Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, and later a director, producer, and editor. MGR married Bargavi also known as Thangamani who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathi who also died soon due to Tuberculosis. M. G. R. married V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress as his third wife after the death of his second wife. Janaki divorced her husband Ganapati Bhat, to marry MGR. Making his film debut in 1935, in the film Sati Leelavati, directed by Ellis Dungan, an American born film director, Generally starring in romance or action films, MGR got his big breakthrough in the 1947 film Rajakumaari, written by M. Karunanidhi. He had the maximum number of all-time blockbusters to his credit at that time viz. Nadodi Mannan, Enga Veetu Pillai and Adimai Pen. He was shot by fellow actor Mohan R. Radha, affecting his ability to speak clearly. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshakaran. His film Nadodi Mannan, which was produced and directed by himself and released in 1956, and ran to full houses.He also got Bharata ratna. MGR was a member of the Congress Party till 1953 and he used to wear Kh?d?. In 1953 MGR joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) with the help of M.

Karunanidhi. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK] ("Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam" aka Dravidian Progressive Federation). He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. He became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, MGR became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after Karunanidhi became the chief minister. On the 12th of January 1967, he was shot in the neck by fellow actor M.R. Radha. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. Within hours of the shooting, some 50,000-odd fans had gathered at the hospital where MGR had been taken. People cried in the streets shops closed. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital as fans awaited each report of his health. He was visited by a steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and bureaucracy. The shooting was supposed to be conspired by his unannounced political rival, M.Karunanidhi. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for Madras Legislative Assembly. He won twice the number of votes polled by his Congress rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly. In 1972, DMK leader Karunanithi started project his first son M.K.Muthu in a big way in film industry and also in politics. Understanding the tactics played by Karunanithi to corner him, MGR started to claim that corruption had grown within the party after the demise of Annadurai and in a public meeting asked for the financial details of the party to be publicized which enraged the leadership of DMK. Consequently, as expected, MGR was expelled from the party, and floated a new party named Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK), later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK.He mobilised the period between 1972-1977 to spread and preach his party ambiition with films like Netru Indru Naalai(1974), Idhayakani(1975) etc..,. He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on the 30th of July 1977, remaining in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor, became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to be ministers in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK won every state assembly election as long as MGR was alive. Although Anna Durai as well as Karunanidhi had acted in stage plays in trivial roles, in their younger days, before

becoming chief minister, MGR was the first popular film actor to be a Chief Minister in India. Once he became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, he placed great emphasis on social development, especially education. One of his most successful policies was the introduction of the "Mid-day Meal Scheme" introduced by the popular Congress Chief Minister and Kingmaker K Kamaraj to a nutritious Mid-day Meal Scheme in the Government-run and aided schools in Tamil Nadu, which encouraged underprivileged children to attend schools. He also introduced Womens Special buses. He set up a free school for the Cinema Technicians children in Kodambakkam called MGR Primary

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) was born on October 2, 1869, into a Hindu Modh family in Porbanadar, Gujarat, India. His father, named Karamchand Gandhi, was the Chief Minister (diwan) of the city of Porbanadar. His mother, named Putlibai, was the fourth wife; the previous three wives died in childbirth. Gandhi was born into the vaishya (business caste). He was 13 years old when married Kasturbai (Ba) Makhanji, through his parents arrangement. They had four sons. Gandhi learned tolerance and non-injury to living beings from an early age. He was abstinent from meat, alcohol, and promiscuity.

Gandhi Gandhi studied law at the University of Bombay for one year, then at the University College London, from which he graduated in 1891, and was admitted to the bar of England. His reading of "Civil Disobedience" by David Thoreau inspired his devotion to the principle of non-violence. He returned to Bombay and practiced law there for a year, then went to South Africa to work for an Indian firm in Natal. There Gandhi experienced racism: he was thrown off a train while holding a valid first class ticket and pushed to third class. Later he was beaten by a stagecoach driver for refusing to travel on the foot-board to make room for a European passenger. He was barred from many hotels because of his race. In 1894, Gandhi

founded the Natal Indian Congress. They focused on the Indian cause and British discrimination in South Africa. In 1897, Gandhi brought his wife and children to South Africa. He was attacked by a mob of racists, who tried to lynch him. He refused to press charges on any member of the mob. Gandhi became the first nonwhite lawyer to be admitted to the bar in South Africa. During the South African War, Gandhi was a stretcher barer. He organized the Indian Ambulance corps of 300 Indian volunteers and hundreds of associates to serve wounded black South Africans. He was decorated for his courage at the Battle of Spion Kop. At that time Gandhi corresponded with Leo Tolstoy and expressed his admiration of the Tolstoyan principles of non-violence. In 1906 Gandhi, for the first time, organized a non-violent resistance against the Transvaal government's registration act. He called upon his fellow Indians to defy the new law in a non-violent manner and suffer the punishment for doing so. He was jailed on many occasions along with thousands of his supporters. Peaceful Indian protests caused a public outcry and forced the South African General J. C. Smuts to negotiate a compromise with Gandhi. However, Gandhi supported the British in World War I and encouraged Indians to join the Army to defend the British Empire, in compliance with the full citizenship requirement. Back in India, Gandhi became active in the struggle for Indian Independence. He spoke at the conventions of the Indian National Congress, becoming one of its leaders. In 1918, Gandhi opposed the increasing tax levied by the British during the devastating famine. He was arrested in Champaran, state Bihar, for organizing civil resistance of tens of thousands of landless farmers and serfs. In jail Gandhi was on a hunger strike in solidarity with the famine stricken farmers. Hundreds of thousands of his supporters gathered around the jail. Gandhi was addressed by the people as Mahatma (Great Soul) and Bapu (Father). He was released. Then he represented the farmers in negotiation with the British administration. His effort worked. The tax collection was suspended and all prisoners were released. He declared that all violence was evil after the Amritsar massacre of 379 civilians by British troops, which traumatized the Indian nation. As the leader of the Indian National Congress party Gandhi launched "Swaraj", a campaign for independence and non-cooperation with the British authorities. He urged Indians to replace British goods with their own fabrics and goods. He was imprisoned from 1922-

1924, being released after an appendectomy. During that time a Swaraj party was formed by his anxious opponents; it later dissolved back into the Congress. On New Year's Eve, December 31, 1929, the Indian National Congress unfurled it's flag of independence. Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru issued the Declaration of Independence on January 26, 1930. Gandhi planned to achieve stability through the secularization of India, as the only way of uniting Hindus and Muslims in one peaceful nation. The religious divide was growing under the British colonial rule, which prospered from the monopoly on the salt trade. Everyone needed salt. Gandhi wrote to the Viceroy, Lord Irwin: "If my letter makes no appeal to your heart, on the eleventh day of March I shall proceed with co-workers of the Ashram as I can take, to disregard the provisions of the Salt Laws. I regard this tax to be the most iniquitous of all from the poor man's standpoint. As the Independence movement is essentially for the poorest in the land, the beginning will be made with this evil." From March 12 to April 6, 1930, Gandhi made the famous Satyagraha ("Satya" truth, "Agraha" - persuasion), The Salt March to Dandi. He walked on foot to the ocean in protest against the British salt monopoly and salt tax. He led thousands of Indians on a 240 mile (400 km) march from Ashram Ahmetabad to the village of Dandi on the ocean to make their own salt. For 23 days the two-mile long procession was watched by every resident along the journey. On April 6, Gandhi raised a grain of salt and declared, "With this, I am shaking the foundations of the British Empire." Gandhi's plan worked because it appealed to people in every region, class, religion, and ethnicity. The successful campaign led to the reaction of the British government and imprisonment of over 60,000 people for making or selling salt without a tax. The British opened fire on the unarmed crowd and shot hundreds of demonstrators. Gandhi was arrested in his sleep on the night of May 4th, 1930. Eventually the British government, represented by Lord Irwin, signed the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in March 1931, agreeing to free all political prisoners. Gandhi was invited to London as the leader of the Indian National Congress, but he was disappointed with the British attempts to destroy his influence by dividing him from his followers. Gandhi campaigned to improve the lives of the untouchables, whom he called

Harijans (the children of God). He promoted equitable rights, including the right to vote in the same electorates as other castes. In 1934 Gandhi survived three attempts on his life. In 1936, he briefly resigned from the party, because his popularity was stifling the diversity of membership; ranging from communists and socialists to religious conservatives and pro-business groups. He returned to the head of the party with the Jawaharlal Nehru presidency. At the beginning of the Second World War Gandhi declared that India could not be a party to this war, unless it has independence. His "Quit India" campaign led to mass arrests on an unprecedented scale of struggle. He was arrested in Bombay (Mumbai) and was held for two years. During his captivity his wife passed away and his secretary also died. Gandhi was released in May of 1944, due to a necessary surgery. His campaign led to a release of over 100,000 political prisoners before the end of the war. India won independence in 1947, followed by the Indo-Pakistani War of 1947, and partition of India. Gandhi said, "Before partitioning India, my body will have to be cut into two pieces." About one million people died in the bloody riots until partition was reluctantly asserted by Gandhi as the only way to stop the Civil War. He urged the Congress Party to accept partition, and launched his last "fast-intodeath" campaign in Delhi, calling for a stop to all violence. Gandhi also called to give Pakistan the 550,000,000 rupees in honor of the partition agreement. He tried to prevent instability and anger against India. Gandhi was shot three times in the chest and died while on his way to a prayer meeting, on January 30, 1948. His assassins were convicted and executed a year later. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were split in portions and sent to all states of India to be scattered in rivers. Part of Gandhi's ashes rest in Raj Ghat, near Delhi, India. Part of Mahatma Gandhi's ashes are at the Lake Shrine in Los Angeles.

Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda is one of the most eminent personalities of our country. He was born in Kolkata on 12th of January 1863. His father was Visvanatha Datta and his mother was Bhubaneshwari. His original name was Narendranath. He studied Sanskrit, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata, the Puranas etc. he learnt things very quickly. He had an aptitude for music. He had a good voice. He joined the school of Sri Eswar Chandra Vidya Sagar and completed primary education. He completed his secondary education, a course of three years, in one year, and passed with distinction. He joined the college in his 16th year and studied logic and philosophy. He was handsome and bold. He gained mastery over English language and proved to be an eloquent orator. He was however not interested in worldly affairs. He was drawn towards spiritualism. He made his mind known to his parents and went to see Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa at Dakshineswar. On the request of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Narendranath sang some devotional songs. Swami Paramahansa went into trance listening to his songs. Later he informed Narendranath that he wad able to see god in his trance. He added that if one prayed to God in all perfection, one could see god, Narendranath became a disciple of Swami Ramakrishna Parmahamsa. Later Narendranths father died and Narendranath was forced to take up a teachers job for some time to meet his familys needs. Swami Ramakrishbna endowed Narendranath with all his spiritual powers and made him his heir. With this Narendranath assumed the name of Swami Bibekananda and a Sanyasi in true sense. After the demise of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Swami Vivekananda started a mutt named after his Guru, at Belur. Swami Vivekananda implored the youth to develop the spirit of adventure. He travelled all over India and reached Kanya Kumari. There he swam the ocean, reached to rock nearby and meditated there. During his travel he found poverty all over India and was moved by the sufferings of the poor. He felt that serving mankind is serving God. He felt there was need for a tremendous effort in this direction. He loved the motherland and was a great patriot. In 1893, Parliament of the world was convened at Chicago. With the financial assistance from Maharaja of Khetri, Vivekananda went to Chicago and addressed the audience on the greatness of Hindu religion. His address began with the words My dear Sisters and Brothers of America. This thrilled the audience, as this greeting contained the spirit of universal brotherhood. On return, he addressed meetings at London. One young lady by name Margaret became his disciple and later became Sister Nivedita to carry on his mission.

Swami Vivekananda said that the youth of the day were moving without any aim. There was no correct spiritual guidance. He felt that religion can lead a man on the moral and righteous path. He believed and propagated that all men of the world are one. Color, caste and creed had no meaning. He felt that there is a lot to be achieved. He advised the youth to move forward. His words were: arise, Awake and stop not till the goal is reached. Swami Vivekananda started many institutions under the Ramakrishna Mission to carry on his message of service. He passed away that at an early age on 4th of July, 1902. RAJAJI

The last days of the year 1931, in the Central Jail at Vellore. A number of freedom fighters were imprisoned there. Some of them were sitting under a tree in the open yard. As they were chatting, a lean man, wearing dark glasses, and trying to tighten the dhoti he was wearing, walked across the courtyard. The men who were squatting under the tree stood up respectfully. "Who is that?" one of them asked. "You dont know? He is Rajaji, the man who is worthy of being our Governor General" replied Professor N.G. Ranga, who happened to be there. About seventeen years later, Rajaji did become India's Governor General. The fifteenth of August 1947.The shackles of India's political slavery were at lasting broken. The country became independent. The determined fight under leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Nehru forced the British to quit India. For a few months, Lord Mountbatten was the last British Governor General. He was to return to England in June 1948. An Indian had to take over as the Governor General. 'The Post of the Governor General of free India is really a very high one. Who can worthily fill it? This was the question every where. All eyes turned to Rajaji. Rajaji became free India's first Indian Governor General. He held the reins of administration for some twenty months and proclaimed India a Republic on January 26, 1950. Rajaji was a great patriot, an unequalled statesman, a great social reformer, an able administrator, a popular writer, freedom fighter, an intimate associate of Mahatma Gandhi, one of the makers of modern India, a great leader of the Gandhian era and

the founder of the Swatantra Party. Rajaji's real name was Chakravarti Rajagopalachari. People affectionately called him Rajaji. How the family got the name of Chakravarti is an interesting story. In Sanskrit, 'Chakravarti' means the King of Kings. Once when an ancestor of Rajaji was bathing in the river near their village, he saw a dead body come floating down the river. Fearing that if left so to float, vultures would only eat up the body, he pulled it out of the river and cremated it. But later, it became known that the dead body was that of a Harijan, considered by Hindus as an outcast. Hence the Brahmins of the village expelled him. One day he had to perform an annual ceremony in memory of a dead ancestor. Such days are very sacred to Brahmins. But no Brahmins would agree to go to his house and partake of the ritualistic meal. Rajaji's ancestor was in great grief and anguish. Just then a person came along and said he was a Brahmin; he said he would perform the worship in that house and partake of the meal. As he was about to leave, he blessed the householder saying "Nallan Chakravarti" meaning a good Emperor. Then he vanished. The people who were theyre thought he was no ordinary mortal, but a super human being. From then on this family got the name of Chakravarti family. So goes the story. Rajaji was born on December 8, 1878 in Thorapalli Village near Hosur in Salem District of Tamilnadu. His mother was Shringaramma. His father Chakravarti lyengar was not only the village munsiff but also a great scholar in the Vedas, Puranas, and other Sanskrit lore. Rajaji completed his primary education in his native village and then joined the District Board High School at Hosur. Later he passed the B.A. degree examination from the Central College in Bangalore and secured a Law Degree in Madras. When he was studying in the Law College in Madras, an interesting incident happened. Swami Vivekananda visited Madras. He was put in the very hostel where Rajagopalachari was staying. Going round the rooms of the students in the hostel, he entered Raja- gopalachari's room. He saw on the wall a picture of Lord Krishna. He asked, "Why is Lord Sri Krishna blue in hue?" Raja- gopalachari, still a student, answered: "Sir, the sea is limitless. So is the sky. And both are blue. God is also boundless. And so His hue is also blue." Swami Vivekananda was overjoyed. He said the young boy would rise to eminence and would become very famous.

It was in Salem that Rajaji began independent practice as a lawyer. He was just twenty years old. He came to be known as an expert in conducting criminal cases. He was so skilful that he won even very complicated cases quite easily. Soon Rajaii became very famous as an advocate in Salem. He was the very first person there to own a car. When he was twenty, he married Alamelu Mangammal. When he was just twenty-one, he conducted very difficult cases independently. His knowledge of law, his intelligence and his fearlessness brought him great fame and wealth in a short time. Just then, the Government had prosecuted a patriot by name Varadarajulu Naidu; the charge was that he had spoken against the Government. Rajagopalachari was the advocate for Varadarajulu Naidu. Whenever Rajaji stood up to speak, the judge would say "Please sit down." Next day, at the very outset Rajaji stood up and made a submission: "I have great respect for the Honorable Judge. But if like a teacher in a classroom, Your Honor always asks me to sit down, I shall not be able to discharge my duty; and it will not add to the dignity of this court." The Judge apologized to Rajaji. Finally, on the basis of Rajaji's arguments, Varadarajulu Naidu was acquitted. Rajaji believed that the individual was part of society and must make his contribution to social life. In 1917 he becamePresident of the Municipal Council in Salem. No sooner, did he become President than the work of the local body got a new impetus. He started adult education classes and also night schools for factory workers. Schools for Harijans were also opened. Rajaji appointed a committee to prepare a glossary (list of difficult words) in Tamil so those science subjects could be taught in that language. He also drew up a plan for the supply of water to Harijans. A Master plan for the development of Salem was also formulated. Rajaji did much to better the lot of the Harijans. When he admitted Harijan students into a hostel, even some elders whom he respected very much opposed him. But Rajaji did not relent or retreat. Even from his student days, Rajaji was interested in politics. During those days he had the good fortune of being guided by great men like Chidambaram Pillai and Subrahmanya Bharati. He came under the influence of leaders who were trying to awaken the Indian people from slavery. Annie Besant, Bala Gangadhara Tilak and others began to appreciate Rajaji. That Rajaji entered the political arena was not surprising. In 1916, the Government of India arrested Annie Besant. When the train carrying her came to Salem, people gathered in a large numbers to see her.

But the authorities would not permit it. Then the people squatted on the rail track. The Collector of Salem called in the police and was about to order them to open fire. Rajaji talked to him, argued, and guaranteed that the people would be orderly and nonviolent. Then the gathering offered garlands to Annie Besant and showed its gratitude. Rajaji later argued on behalf of Annie Besant in the law court, and she was released. In South Africa, the Government and the Whites were treating non-White population like dirt under their feet. Gandhiji put up a tremendous struggle against that. It was on account of the Satyagraha conducted there that Gandhis extraordinary quality of leadership came to the limelight. When Gandhiji returned to India, Rajaji also accepted his leadership. Rajaji suggested to the then Editor of The Hindu, Kasturi Ranga Iyengar, that Gandhiji be invited to Madras. An invitation was accordingly sent to Gandhiji. When Gandhiji came, he stayed in Rajaji's house. For sometime Gandhiji could not make out that it was Rajaji who had invited him and that he was in Rajaji's house. The way Rajaji conducted himself, Gandhiji thought that he too was a guest! Rajaji held that the removal of Untouchability was very important. He admitted Harijans to the "Gandhi Ashram" which he founded. His cook was a washerman. Once it happened that a Harijan devotee entered a temple. He had religious ashmarks on his forehead and arms and was singing hymns. Some fanatics prosecuted him in a court of law. Reading about it in the newspapers, Rajaji was pained. He took up his case in the court and argued on his behalf. In those days Harijans were not allowed to enter temples. Rajaji tried very hard to see that a bill removing this disability was passed in the Madras and Central Legislatures. But he did not succeed. Rajaji was the first to work for legislation for the removal of Untouchability. He had to face intense opposition and many obstacles. But he was undaunted. Rajaji never cared for caste restrictions. He gave his daughter Lakshmi in marriage to Gandhis son Devadas. Rajaji's political life had a strange course. He was the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress in 1921-22. For two decades from 1922, he continued as a working committee member. He became a frontline leader of the Congress, and was a confidant of Gandhiji. His extraordinary genius was well known to all. He participated in various Satyagraha movements and was imprisoned fivetimes. When Gandhiji began the salt Satyagraha, Rajaji led a procession from

Tiruchirapalli to Vedaranya and began making salt on the seashore. They were all arrested by Government and sent to prison. When, for the first time, the Congress participated in the elections, Rajaji became the Chief Minister of the then Madras Province. But he resigned from the Congress in 1942. The Muslim League under Jinnah put forth the demand for Pakistan. It insisted that grouping together Muslim majority provinces and dividing India into two should create a separate nation. In the early stages the Congress opposed the demand. But Rajaji said that it was better to accept the demand for Pakistan. Many Congressmen criticized Rajaji very harshly. Rajaji left theCongress. But the same Congress agreed to the demand for Pakistan in 1946! Rajaji again joined the Congress in 1945. He became a Minister when Jawaharlal Nehru formed a Government on the eve of independence. The state of West Bengal had certain serious problems. Rajaji became the Governor of that State in 1947. When Lord Mountbatten returned to England, Rajaji became the Governor General occupying the highest position in free India. Later, he was Home Minister in the Central Government. By then he was 72 years old, and he needed rest. He gave up the Ministership and returned to Madras and the world of letters. He began a study of the Ramayana. A little later, when the Congress Party in Madras again urged him to take up the leadership, he said, "No. I am old, and I do not want any power or responsibility." But finally he had to agree and in 1952, at the age of 75 years, he became the Chief Minister. He infused a new dynamism into the Congress before retiring. But he became disgusted with the way the country's affairs were going on. He felt that in the havoc created by the control-licence -raj, corruption became rampant and the nation's life was in a shambles. It became clear that if there were no strong opposition party in a democracy, it would only be a travesty of democracy. So, the 82-year-old hero founded a new party called "The Swatantra Party". It was the main opposition party in the Lok Sabha till 1969. Rajaji hated sloth- even when he was kept in prison, he converted it into a school. He gave of his knowledge to his co-prisoners. He would recount the stories of the Ramayana and the Mahabharata to them. Not only did he seriously study many a book in prison, but he wrote some books too. It was in prison that he wrote his book on the ancient Greek philosopher, Socrates. It became a famous work. Many a time when there were quarrels between the prisoners and the officials of the goal and the situation became tense, Rajaji would step in as peacemaker. So

even the prison officials had greataffection and regard towards Rajaji. A feeling has grown that politics means competition and hatred. But the way Rajaji conducted himself in politics was remark- able.The well-known leader Satyamurty and Rajaji belonged to opposite groups in politics. Still when Rajaji was giving up the Presidentship of the provincial congress committee, he tried hard to see that Satyamurty was greatly surprised by knowing this thing. He freely praised Rajaji and said, "I never knew that Rajaji had a heart of gold!" Satyamurty was the only leader who had not courted arrest even sometime after Gandhiji began the Non Co-operation Movement in 1930. All other leaders of Madras were in goal. Rajaji went straight to Satyamurty, though he was his political opponent. He told him, "All other leaders of Madras have gone to goal. It is a question of the prestige of Madras. So you must also participate in the Satyagraha now." Satyamurty agreed. Both of them picketed before a shop selling foreign cloth and courted arrest. That was the first stretch of prison life to Satyamurty. Rajaji lived in an utterly simple way throughout his life. He had inherited property. Within a couple of years after enrolment as a lawyer, he was earning two to three thousand rupees a month. But he lived a very simple life. He never left the path of virtue. His life was dedicated to righteousness. He was like Bhishma in righteousness, and in statecraft like Chanakya. Rajaji always wore Khadi. He firmly believed in the need to use Khadi and Swadeshi articles. Even when he was in prison, he used to spin for a few hours every day. As for his clothes, he wore a dhoti, a jubba (a loose, long shirt) and a shawl on his shoulders. That was all. And he wore dark glasses. He had to wear them always because of some eye ailment. Someone once asked him about it. Rajaji humorously said, "When I meet anybody, I must look at him well and know about him. But he should not see in my eyes what I think of him. So I wear these dark glasses." There were three prominent traits in Rajaji. The first was fearlessness. Never would he refrain from saying or doing what he thought was correct because it might displease someone or it might be unpopular or those in power mightbecome angry. When he was yet very young, he was an admirer of a Swamiji by name Sahajananda, who was a Harijan. When the Swamiji came to Salem, Rajaji and his friends arranged a dinner for him. Some orthodox persons became wild with anger at this, and they ex-communicated Rajaji and his friends. The priests would not go

to their Houses to officiate at religious functions. But Rajaji remained undaunted by any of these things. When he went to Bombay in 1941, he had to face a blackflag demonstration against him. Some threw stones at him in the public meeting. But Rajaji did make his speech. In just a few minutes, there was calm and the people listened to him. Rajaji had unflinching faith in Mahatma Gandhis philosophy and principles. He always followed them. He was also very close to Gandhiji. When an association was started in Madras to explain to the people, the philosophy behind Gandhis method of Satyagraha, Rajaji was chosen president of that body. Gandhiji was very happy when he heard of it. Ofcourse, Rajaji was not a man to accept the ideas and views of others without examining them. Gandhiji so even with the ideals preached it. When the question of dividing the country arose, every Congress leader opposed it. Still Rajaji supported the demand for Pakistan. He kept aloof from the 'Quit India' movement started in 1942 to get the country's independence from the British. He was the only leader who did not take an active role in that movement. So he resigned from the Congress in 1942. Some accuse him of being the cause for the rise of Pakistan. He had to face the hostility of the people who thought that he supported the creation of Pakistan. It became difficult for him to speak in meetings. Quite a few leaders also criticized him harshly. But Rajaji faced not only harsh words but also stones, and justified opinion. At the time Rajaji started the Swatantra Party, the Congress Party and Jawaharlal Nehru had tremendous influence in the country. But Rajaji did build this opposition party. And till his last day, whenever he felt that either the ruling party or very popular leader like Nehru was making a mistake, he roundly condemned it. During the Second World War (1939-45), when it seemed the Japanese would bomb Madras in 1942, the Governor of Madras fled the city. The people also started appealed to them. This is our country, not of the British. They may run away. But in those days of run a teashop in the Hindi Prachar Sabha Bhavan. Secondly, Rajaji was an extraordinary genius. He was known for his sharp intellect. He could grasp any subject easily. He could pinpoint in a split-second the essence of any situation or problem. Because of such clear thinking and sharp understanding, his speech was also balanced, clear and to the point. As an administrator he displayed dareness and a keen intelligence.

He was the Chief Minister of Madras in 1937. Then he introduced prohibition. This was being done for the very first time in India. But prohibition meant loss of revenue to Government. So he introduced Sales Tax for the first time. Many economists also welcomed the measure. The farmers in our country were bowed and crippled by the weight of debts. Every farmers family was in debt, and the every interest on it was enough to ruin the family. A farmer was born as a debtor, and he lived as a debtor and finally died in the same conditions. To remove this pernicious evil, Rajaji brought in a new regulation. He banned the charging of unreasonably high interest. As Chief Minister of Madras, Rajaji had laid for himself a very high code of conduct, others would have found it impossible to follow it. He exercised great caution to see that he and his Ministers remained untouched by corruption. He always went to the State Legislative Assembly ready to answer any question or supplementary. He had asked other ministers also to be similarly prepared. In 1952, Rajaji again became the Chief Minister of Madras. He removed all controls on foodgrains. Several Ministers at the Center and also others thought that Rajaji had taken a wrong and hasty step. But soon it was evident that what he did was right. So all over the country, the controls on foodgrains were removed. Two years later he felt that the educational system in the State should be radically changed. There was great opposition to this. So he resigned. The third important trait in Rajaji was his service-mindedness. He had become quite rich while quite young. If he had continued as a lawyer and had not entered politics, he could have been very wealthy. He could have led a life of luxury. He gave up such a career for the sake of the country. He went to goal five times. Another Congress leader, Kaleswara Rao, has narrated how he became the Chief Minister of Madras. Rajaji never wanted any position. Vallabha Bhai Patel himself suggested that Rajaji should be the leader of the Party. "I do not want all that," said Rajaji. He just would not listen. Kaleswara Rao became angry. He said, "It is now your duty to lead the Party. If you do not wish to do your duty, why are you here? You can go anywhere.Go to the Himalayas. But this is not the place for you. Yes, please go away." Rao was shouting in fury. Finally, with great effort, Patel had to persuade Rajaji. As Governor General, he had held the highest position in the country. Any one else in his position would have said, "I was the Governor General of India. How can I accept a lower position?" But Rajaji had no such thought. He became a Central Minister and later the Chief Minister of a state.

When he felt that his work was over, he promptly laid down office. When he started the Swatantra Party he was a very old man. He wanted no position for himself. Building up a new party meant hard work; he could expect no personal gain. But he felt that in a democracy there should be a strong opposition party. If there is no such party, the Government will become irresponsible. So he started and nursed and built up the new party. It was only once that Rajaji went outside India. Representing the Gandhi Peace Foundation, he visited Britain and the United States of America in 1961. At that time, he was 83 years old. The old sage went out only to utter a few words of wisdom. Powerful nations of the world were competing among themselves; they wanted to make atom bombs and even more destructive weapons. Rajaji was troubled. He thought that if it went on, all mankinds would be destroyed. So he wished to warn that even the mostpowerful nation must consider the welfare of humanity at large. He went as the leader of a mission, which wanted to appeal, that suicidal atomic experiments should stop. He talked to the then President of the United States, John F.Kennedy, for forty-five minutes. Kennedy later said that the discussion brought him the great influence of a pure and gentle culture. Rajaji was a very popular writer in Tamil and English, Some of his books have a unique place in the world of letters. He has also translated some Kannada stories into Tamil. He has written more than thirty books. His books on the ancient Roman King Marcus Aurelius, on the Bhagavad- Gita, the Ramayana, the Mahabharata and the Upanishads are all very famous. Even a common man can read and understand his writings. Rajaji said, "My books on the Ramayana and the Mahabharata are my greatest service to my people." There is no exaggeration in it. Their simple style is very attractive. They are books, which every Indian should read and enjoy. By translating the Ramayana and the Mahabharata into simple and beautiful English, Rajaji has made it possible for the people of the Western countries to read and enjoy these great epics of India. The Mahabharata written in English by Rajaji is a textbook for Oriental Studies in five American Universities and more than three lakh copies of it have already been sold. Two lake copies of the Ramayana have been sold. Rajaji spoke and wrote very simple language. He was a great scholar, but his language was never pedantic. When people heard him speak, they were amazed that difficult and profound ideas could be expressed in such simple words. The same feeling

comes when we read his books. Rajaji's stories have their own charm. He had a fine sense of humor. Even while speaking in the legislature, according to the situations he was telling some stories. He wrote many articles in the "Swarajya". He dealt with every subject in the country's affairs. Any article by him on any subject always presented a new angle. It would make the readers think again. But the language was quite simple. It was Rajaji who introduced teaching of Hindi compulsory in Madras. But twenty years later Rajaji himself led the agitation against Hindi. He felt strongly that in the eagerness to spread Hindi as the national language, the regional languages should not be adversely affected; their development should not be harmed. Like many a great person, Rajaji also could foresee the future. Even when he was in prison in 1921, he wrote in his diary; "Freedom will come; but immediately thereafter or even for a long time it may not bring the people happiness or a good government. As soon as freedom comes, there will be a scramble for elected places; in its wake will come corruption, injustice and the wickedness caused by money and an inefficient administration. The life of the people will be like hell. Many will feel that the older regime, which was comparatively more just, efficient and honest, was better. What we get from our independence will be only freedom from indignity andslavery. Our future lies in making our youngsters good citizens by giving them from early days an education, which is likely to create good conduct, righteousness and mutual love. If that is not done, it is certain that they will be crushed under the wickedness of injustice and wealth." Many of Rajaji's ideas deserve serious consideration. Rajaji had something interesting to say about celebrating birthdays. He felt that in our country we went too far in the matter of celebrating the birthdays of grown-up persons. Suppose we admire a leader we celebrate every birthday of his-the fiftysecond, the fifty-third, the fifty-fourth and so on. Is this quite necessary? Suppose we celebrate his 50th birthday, his 60th birthday, his 70th birthday and so on. We shall be honoring him once in ten years. Is this not enough? It is different with children. There is nothing wrong in observing it every year for a little one. But there is certainly no propriety in observing the birth anniversaries of our grown-up leaders every year as we may do for children. We do go too far in declaring holidays. We seem to think that the best way to show respect for a great person or a great event is to give up work on that day. The folly is self-evident. Rajaji never sought fame. He did not attach any importance to it. He knew that he

was not exceptionally popular; he knew that quite often those who agreed with his views were very few. Once somebody mentioned this to him. Rajaji replied,"Our ancient sages did not give up their firm belief in their ideals just because they did not have many followers". Some persons once went to Rajaji to discuss with him about the celebration of Gandhis birth centenary. Rajaji said, "But we do not see Gandhiji in the political, social or economic spheres in the country. In this state of affairs you are thinking of celebrating the Gandhi birth centenary. You are brave men!" There was a touch of humor, but the pain in his mind was obvious. Rajaji's interest in the affairs of the country and his concern for the future always remained the same. They did not diminish a whit till the very end of his long life. He was troubled deeply that people of the country were not happy, that moral standards were going down in public life and that persons in public life did not have even basic honesty. This unequalled intellectual passed away on December 25, 1972. He was then 94. Rajaji received in his life both great honor and violent criticism. He heard theharshest words of criticism from his owncolleagues. People who could not understand him pelted stones at him. He withstood all that. And he was the Governor General of India. He was also the recipient of the highest award, the Bharata Ratna. Rajaji, who explained the meaning of the Bhagavad- Gita in his books, had imbibed its essence in his own life. Praise did not elate him; malicious words did not upset him. So many people reproached him saying that he encouraged the creation of Pakistan. Rajaji also did want an undivided India. But he came to the conclusion that India could not get freedom unless Pakistan was conceded to the Muslims. If some people want Pakistan, why keep them with us by force? Let us give them what they want let them experience the happiness or the misery or their new state. This is political wisdom. So ran his thoughts. Gandhiji himself once said, "If I had made over the leadership to Rajaji, I would not have had to see the bloodshed that occurred for the division of the country. He can see six months ahead of me." Rajaji did not get much happiness in his family life. When he was just thirty-five his wife died. He was very young and also had a very good income. Many relatives and friends told him that he should marry again. Rajaji, who had five children, said in his own humorous way, "If I marry again, I would have to look after the sixth child along with the five I have."

Rajaji was proud of India. He had studied deeply the history of India, its literature and culture. His pride was rooted in this knowledge. He always thought of the welfare of the country. He worked for it in several ways. He practiced the teachings of Gandhiji. Gandhiji had told his followers that it was not enough to fight against the British, their sacred task included hard work for developing our motherland, Rajaji always wore Khadi, and never failed to spin even in prison. He set up and ran a Gandhi Ashram in a village called Pudupalayam. He supplied. Spinning wheels and cottons not only to those in the Ashram but also to people in the villages around. He made arrangements for the sale of the yarn spun by the villagers. There was a school in the Ashram. Quite often Rajaji was found teaching in the classes. His son, who was a doctor, attended on the people in the Ashram and the villages nearby. Rajaji periodically visited the villages. He arranged for the digging of wells. He advised people to give up liquor. He started bee keeping in the Ashram and taught people to earn money in this way. He was convinced that the two great evils of Indian society were drinking and Untouchability, so he fought against them tirelessly when he was in power and later too. He was also responsible for starting over two hundred co-operatives. Rajaji was a child of Indian culture. At the same time he saw all mankind as one family. It seemed to him that selfishness and foolish notions of prestige blinded the powerful nations of the world. They were madly making most modernized weapons of mass destruction. They would plunge themselves and the whole of humanity in misery. Even in extreme old age, Rajaji tried to prevent this. Rajaji was grieved that freedom did not bring happiness and joy to the people of India; he was unhappy that the greed for money and power was ruining national life. He was the center of a hundred controversies. Different people may find this or that view of Rajaji unacceptable. But there can be no difference of opinion that Rajaji was the most brilliant leader of India in the twentieth century, and one who spoke fearlessly for the weal of India and the World.