Unsung Swadeshi Militant Nationalists of Tamilnadu

Dr.V.Venkatraman,Ph.D.,D.Litt.
Principal & Head,
Research Centre in Hisory,
Rajapalayam Rajus’ College,
Rajapalayam.

The Swadeshi Movement and the emergence of the extremist leaders like Bipin
Chandra Pal, B.G.Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai and Feroz Shah Mehta impinched a great change in
the history of freedom struggle. It gave concrete and determined objectives which comprised
of economic and political ideology. Swadeshi and its boycott programmes were clarified
definite shape to freedom struggle.

The British Government did not expect such an agitation and alarmed at the success of
the Swadeshi Movement, the government took strong measures to suppress the movement. It
passed series of Acts such as Public Meeting Act, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, the
Seditious Meeting Act (1907), the Explosive Substance Act (1908), the Newspaper
(Incitement and Offence Act 1908) and the Indian Press Act (1910) were passed to suppress
extremist activities.

The Swadeshi Movement spread throughout India. The word ‘Swadeshi’ implies use
of goods made in one’s own country. The boycott of foreign made goods and the promotion
of swadeshi enterprise the twin pillars of the Swadeshi movement saw various activities in
Madras Presidency. G.Subrahmania Iyer played a key role in spreading the ideas of
Swadeshi. His lectures in Madurai aroused powerful nationalist feelings among the students
of Madurai Native College in 1906. 1 In November 1897, Hawett, Seceratary to the
Government of India, Home Department instructed the Chief Secretary of Madras to forward
any information “regarding matters of political or administrative importance or events which
have excited public interest”. 2 During the anti-partition agitation of Bengal, the Madras
Government closely watched the activities of its servants. In 1907, Parameswaran Iyer, a
Government Chemical Examiner was asked to explain his ‘inflamatory speech on the subject
of Swadeshi’. 3 Thus, the Madras Government made it clear that it did not approve of
government servants attending political meetings.

Special Address delivered in the National Seminar organised by G.T.N. Arts College, Dindigul
on 13th March 2018.

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 Vanchi Iyer, born at Shenkottah in Travancore State in 1880 4 was the son of
Ragupathy Iyer. He was employed as a forest guard at Punalur in the then Travancore state.
He was one of the members of the secret society called Bharatha Matha Association,
organized by Nilakanda Brahmachari5. Other members of the society were Sankara Krishna
Iyer of Krishnapuram, Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai of Tenkasi, Dharmaraj Iyer and
Harihara Iyer of Shencottah, Madasami pillai of Ottapidaram and Arumugam Pillai of
Tuticorin. The aim of the society formed by Vanchi and Nilakanta Brahmachari was to kill
all European officers of the district to intimidate European officials and discourage them from
coming to serve in India which would pave the way to obtain Swaraj. The society planned to
carry out a revolution like that of 1857. It aimed at people to be prepared to rise rebellious on
a stated day and massacre the Europeans to attain Swaraj.

Vanchi Iyer took leave and went to Pondicherry and got trained in using the revolver
from V.V.S.Aiyar. V.V.S.Aiyar also known as Maharishi was in London for some years,
working in close collaboration with Vinayak Damodhar Savarkar, Shyamji Krishnavarma and
Madam Cama. He was a scholar in Sanskrit and a master of English prose. On his return to
India in January 1910, he settled at Pondicherry. He was a well known patriot and extremist
in Indian nationalist politics. He believed in violent, revolutionary means to obtain India’s
freedom. He was of the opinion that training to the citizens in the free use of arms and heroic
deeds are necessary for free India. Thus practice in using the revolver was one of the items
traught to young recruits who were sent to Pondicherry for moral and physical training.
Pondicherry was found suitable for smuggling of small arms and also for printing secret
pamphlets. Later the venue was converted to be the political asylum of the Swadeshi
nationalists of Madras Presidency.

Arumugam, an accountant in Tuticorin was a true nationalist of this region. Nilakanta

Brahmachari, a young man of twenty one years old and a native of Erukkur near Shiyali in the
Tanjore district and connected with India and Suryodhayam, was one of the extremists. The
papers published by them were proscribed in March 1910 by the Government of British India.
They had, therefore, to adopt other methods of spreading their extremist propaganda. For this
purpose, Nilakantan was sent to Tinnevelly district. Immediately after the Tinnevelly riots, he
attempted to give a lecture in Palayamcottah on Swaraj. Inspector Viraraghava Aiyar, who
was then in charge of Palayamcottah division prevented him from doing. So under his
superiors orders went to Tenkasi then and became a good friend of Madathukadai
Chidambaram Pillai, who began financing him every now and then. 6 Nilakanta therefore

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preferred Tinnevelly district which was the centre of Swadeshi activity and went to Tenkasi in
April 1910 to start the Bharatha Matha Association. From Tenkasi he sent Sankara Krishnan
Iyer to fetch Arumugam and Vande Mataram Subramaniya Aiyar and went to Toticorin and
met Arumugam and discussed with him about the new plan of action. Arumugam returned to
Tenkasi and met Sankara Krishna Iyer at the Tenkasi railway station platform 3 and 4 p.m. on
10th April 1910 and discussed about the Swadeshi matters.7

On 10th April 1910, Nilakandan and other Swadeshi nationalists of this region
started the Bharatha Matha Association at Tenkasi. Thereafter they formed this association.
They then thought it necessary to kill Europeans by direct attacks. 8 Some of these too
convicted, and that all their endeavours having thus failed they had hit upon a new plan and
that was to take the shape of a general rising all over the country like that of 1857. The Great
Indian Mutiny, on a certain date to be subsequently fixed and the massacre of all white people
on the same day and asked him if he would join the new movement. All of them agreed to do
the job for the nation. There was Kali picture there. There was red powder, scared ashes and
flowers kept on the floor in front of the picture. Red powder was put into water and made a
solution to it. Nilakandan made Pooja to the Kali picture while the rest sat in a line.9

After taking on Oath, Arumugam was asked by Nilakandan to enlist recruits and to
distribute the Dharmam paper published at Pondicherry for the purpose of enlisting the
sympathy of the readers and getting recruits. Arumugam left Tenkasi next morning and
reached Tuticorin that very day, he met Somasundaram, who consented to become a member.
Nilakantan went to his village Erakkor and then to Pondicherry.10

Vanchi Aiyar applied medical leave and went to Pondicherry to meet Neelakandan and
got his training in revolver practice from V.V.S.Iyer. V.V.S.Iyer also known as Maharishi
was for some years in London working in closing collaboration with Vinayak Damodhar
Savarkar, Shyamji Krihnavarma and Madam Cama. He was learned person, scholar in
Sanskrit and a master of fine English prose. On his return in 1910, he settled at
Pondicherry.11 He was a well known patriot and extremist in Indian Nationalist politics. He
believed in violent and revolutionary method for winning India’s freedom. He was at opinion
that training to the citizens in the free use of arms and heroic deeds are necessary for every
Indian to free India. Thus practice in gun and revolver shooting was one of the items taught
to young recruits, who were sent to Pondicherry for moral and physical training. Pondicherry
was found suitable for smuggling of small arms and also for printing secret pamphlets. 12

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Later the venue was converted to be the political asylum of the Swadeshi nationalists of
Madras Presidency.

Having trained in revolver practice under V.V.S.Iyer at Pondicherry, Vanchi Iyer and
Sankara Krishna Iyer went to execute their master plan t assassinate Ashe. At that time Ashe
had succeeded Wynch as Collector of Tinnevelly and the feelings f the members of the
Bhratha Matha Association were bitter against him.13

On 17th June 1911 Morning, Ashe left Tinnevelly Bridge station accompanied by
Mrs.Ashe travelling in the 9.30 a.m. train for Maniyachi on his way to Kodaikanal. Just
before Vanchi and whom he described and could identify. Vanchi and Sankara Krishnan a
member of the association, who travelled from Tinnevelly along with Ashe, the District
Collector of Tinnevelly. They hurried on to the platform and went to the second class
compartments.14 One of them carried a wooden box measuring some 30 inches by 9 by 4, and
they had other small parcels done up in cloth. On arrival of the train at Maniyachi, Mr. and
Mrs.Ashe did not alight as the train from Tuticorin had not arrived. The two sons of the
Maniyachi Station Master came and stood opposite the compartment occupied by Ashe. 15

One of them stood near the servant’s compartment while Vanchi went up to the
first class compartment and started shooting at Ashe. Ashe frowned at the latter, who
immediately drew a pistol and aimed it at Ashe, who observing this stood up and taking of his
cap threw it at the man.16 The hat missed the man and fell on the platform. The pistol then
went off and Mr.Ashe was wounded. He tried to get out of the compartment, but was
prevented by Ashe and both of them fell on to the floor of the carriage. The man standing by
the servants, compartment made off up the platform as soon as the shot was fired and got
away into the open fields. Vanchi Iyer was tackled by the Collector’s personals, they had
come from the station buildings on hearing the shot fired. Vanchi Iyer threw off the duttadar
and hit him on the face: he then pointed the pistol at him and the duttadar ran away to the
refreshment room. He then walked up the platform to the north and sounded the station
buildings to the west side and came down the platforms to its south end.17

CHAKKARAI CHETTIAR

Chakkarai Chettiar, the man who created this first labour union was born on 12th
December 1878 in Chennai. His ancestors were from the village of Vengal near Thiruvalur
which is adjacent to Chennai. He was born to Kesava Chettiar and Aandal Ammal. In his

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young age, Chakkarai Chettiar was taught by his grandmother to affiliate to religion, be
disciplined and respect their culture.

He was the college Student President while he was in Christian college. The then
viceroy of India, Lord Curzon once talked to the students of the Christian college. As the
student president, Chakkarai Chettiar delivered the vote of thanks. Stuck by his oratory skills
in English Lord Curzon told the college principle Dr.Miller “Who is this youngster who talks
such good English? He will become a great orator in the future.”18

In the year 1905 he left his profession of a lawyer. The reason behind his move is not
known. In the year 1910 Chakkarai Chettiar married a woman named Senjulakshmi. Because
of his unquenched interest in Tamil he came in contact with Maraimalai Adigal. He was also a
close friend of the poet Bharathiyar. In 1922, Chakkarai Chettiar penned the introduction for
the book Swadesha Geethangal by Bharathiyar. He maintained close friendship with Tamil
Thendral Thiru V.Kalyamasundaram, C.P.Ramasamy Ayyar and E.V.R. Periyar.

He started his public life by joining the Congress party. He worked as the secretary of
the Madras city’s congress committee. In 1907 he attended the Surat session of Congress with
V.O.Chidambaram, Subramaniya Ayyar and Bharathi. In this session of Congress there arose
difference between the Moderates and Extremists on the issue of choosing the leader. The
extremists headed by Thilak put forth Lala Lajpat Rai as the leader. But the moderates headed
by Dadabhai Naoroji elected Rash Behari Ghosh of Kolkata as their leader. Men from
Chennai- Chakkarai Chettiar, V.O.C, and Bharathiyar joined Thilak’s faction in this session.19

Joining with these three in those days were Srinivasacharya, Surendranath Arya and
P.Thirumalachari who worked to strengthen the nationalist movement in Chennai. For this
purpose they formed the Chennai Jansangh.20

In the month of May in 1907 this Sangh brought Bipin Chandra Pal to Chennai where
he was made to address numerous gatherings. Chakkarai Chettiar’s role in politics kept
growing.21

When Gandhi started his Non Cooperation movement Chakkarai Chettiar worked with
Rajaji, E.V.R. Krishnasamy Sharma and Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram for this cause. Chakkarai
Chettiar took active part in organizing the protests in Chennai against the Rowlatt Act,
Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the boycotting of the visit by Prince of Wales. As he was also

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the leader of the labour union he was able to mobilize the workers for the non-cooperation
movement.

In November 15-16 of the year 1924 the Congress party’s convention was held in
Thiruvanamalai. Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram headed this convention. A resolution was taken
that the Congress party will take part in the assembly elections. Chakkarai Chettiar who took
part in this convention, was in favour of this resolution.

In 1927 Chakkarai Chettiar came out of the Congress and joined the Justice Party.
Later he contested in the parliamentary elections as a Justice Party candidate against
S.Srinivasa Ayangar of the Congress Party.22

It is said that he revealed the reason for leaving the Congress Party to his relatives to
be the lack of internal democracy within the party and the oppression against the younger
generation carried out by the older leaders of the party. His journey with the Justice Party was
short lived. He came out of the Justice Party on August 21st 1928. Thereafter he did not join
any other political party.

He played an important role in forming and guiding the labour union in Chennai’s
B&C Mills. Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Selvapathi Chettiar assisted Chakkarai Chettiar in
the formation of the Union. In 1917 Selvapathi Chettiar was the General Secretary of the
Venkatesha Gunamrutha Varshini Sabha. There was a separate section for workers in this
Sabha. When a meeting of this section took place in 1917 on Vijayadasami there was a talk
given by N.C.Kannabhiran Mudaliar on the topic ‘Vaishnavism’. More than 20 workers took
part in this meeting. They discussed about the state of the workers. In those days festival
holidays were scarce and workers were expected to work for 12 hours a day. To compensate
for certain holidays on festivals workers were expected to work on Sundays. These issues
were discussed during this meeting and it was decided that it was necessary to form a labour
Union in order to negotiate these issues with the owners.23

In light of this decision Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram, Chakkarai Chettiar and

P.Kesavanpillai were approached and were asked to head the Union. In those days,
Kesavanpillai used to write about the torments of the workers in the English daily ‘Indian
Patriot’. He also wrote about the state of workers in the B&C Mills. When asked to take up
the leadership of the union he refused on the ground that he was not a permanent resident of
Chennai.24

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 Later Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Chakkarai Chettiar approached B.P.Wadia of the
Thesophical Society. Soon the Madras Labour Union was started with B.P.Wadia as the
President, Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram and Chakkarai Chettiar as Vice Presidents and
Selvapathi Chettiar and Ramanajalu as Secretaries. Following this MSM Railway Workers
Union, Tramway Workers Union and kerosene workers Union were formed in 1919. The
leaders who guided these Unions were mostly Congress Party leaders.
Thiru.V.Kalyanasundaram, Chakkarai Chettiar, E.L.Ayyar, V.O.Chidambaram, Kasturi
Renga Ayyangar and M.S.Subramaniya Ayyar were all men who had worked with the
Congress party. Therefore the protests headed by these men were not merely for the demands
of the workers but were also nationalist protests against the British colonialism.25

Chakkarai Chettiar was a person who learnt law, was well versed in Tamil and
English, one who fought for the welfare of workers, member of the corporation, Mayor,
Upper House Member and so on. He struggled for the working population throughout his life.

Though he did not join the Communist Party, he enjoyed a close relation with it. He
maintained close friendship with Communist Leaders like S.A.Dange, E.M.S.Namboodripad,
A.S.K, P.Ramamoorthy and K.T.K.Thangamani.

Chakkarai Chettiar died on June 1958 at the age of 82. The life of Chakkarai Chettiar
stands as an example for all those who fight for the rights of the proletariat.

ETHIRAJ SURENDHRANATH ARYA

The Swadeshi Movement produced many selfless patriots like G.Subramania Iyer,
V.O.C., Bharathi, Dr.Nanjunda Rao, Subramania Siva, Neelakanda Brahmchari, etc.. Among
them Ethiraj Surendhr Nath Arya was a noteworthy and a committed Swadeshi nationalist of
Tamilnadu.
Ethiraj Surendranath Arya (or) Ethiraj Surendranath Babu was a native of Madras
and a son of Dhanakoti Raju Naidu of Mylopore. In 1897, he went to Calcutta and joined the
Sadhu Ashram of the Brahmo Samaj, was converted to Brahmoism by Pandit Shivanath
Sastri. Arya, after having trained there, returned to Madras in July 1906 and he was paid
Rs.30/- per month as salary by the Samaj. He had a close contact with the Swadeshi
nationalists like G. Subramania Iyer, V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, Subramania Bharathi, Dr.
Nanjunda Rao and others in Madras and actively involved himself in the Swadeshi

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movement. Arya also attended the Calcutta Session of Indian National Congress, held in
December 1906.26
Arya organized several Swadeshi meetings at Moore Market in Madras between
January and April 1907 along with Subramania Bharathi, Neelakandan and others, motivated
the young people by delivering speeches in Telugu on Swadeshi and boycott, for which the
British Police arrested him on 18th July 1908. He was a frequent speaker at these Swadeshi
meetings in Moore Market and on the Marina Beach. Arya became the forerunner of ‘Madras
Swadeshis’ and participated in the Surat Congress Session, held on 26th December 1907.27
The extremist faction of Congress selected B.G. Tilak as their massive leader and decided to
launch the Swadeshi Movement very seriously. In February 1907, the Swadeshi leaders of
Madras initiated a new venture by starting ‘Chennai Jana Sangam’. V.O.Chidamabaram
Pillai, Bharathi K. Venkatramana Rao and T.G. Sankranarayana Aiyar and Neelakanda
Brahmachari were the prominent leaders of the Sangam. Arya played a key role in the
formation the Sangam and also became the active member of ‘Swadeshi Vasu Paricharini
Shabha. Arya had a close contact with B.C.Pal and Lala Lajapat Rai. He himself attended a
number of Swadeshi meetings in Calcutta with B.C. Pal in December 1906 and also made
speeches in the Swadeshi meeting, which have organized in Punjab Province alongwith Lala
Lajapat Rai in January 1907.28

Ethiraj Arya’s first reported Swadeshi Speach in Madras was delivered at

Perambur on 14th April 1907. In his virgin speech on the occasion, he then accused the
British authorities of taking away Indian money and abused the Indians for keeping quiet
instead of starting Swadeshi enterprises. The meeting at which he spoke was got up by the
Fellow Workers society, a society which was started by some Railway clerks at Perambur in
Madras.
Arya made a similar speech on 19th April 1907 at a meeting in George Town,
promoted by the Swadeshi Vasita Paripalana Shabha, a society formed by followers of G.
Subramania Iyer. On 26th August 1907, Arya made a violent speech at Moore Market
meeting when he said that he was prepared to make any sacrifice and that, if the people
combined, they could drive the white faced enemy away from India, this he urged the people
to do for the sake of Mother Bharatha. On 27th August 1907, he made another violent anti-
British speech it Moore Market. On this occasion, Arya made frequent references to the
Yugantar and Lalalajapat Rai’s sacrifice to the nation.29

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 On 4th September 1907, the Swadeshi Vastu Parcharini Shabha held a celebration
of Dadabhai Naoroji’s birth day at Triplicane. Arya prayed for the restoration of health of the
man who started the work of India’s emancipation from the British Yolk. On 17th September,
the members of the association under the leadership of Arya held a procession from George
Town to the Triplicane beach in honour of B.C. Pal, who was recently concicted for his
seditions speeches in Calcutta. V.Chakkarai Chetti, Bharathi, K.Venkatrama Rao, Ranganath
Rao and Arya addressed the public that B.C. Pal was a noble patriot and a true son of Mother
Bharatha.30
On 28th September, a procession has organised by the association in honour of
B.C.Pal, C.S.Bharathi headed the Swadeshi procession and Arya, Ramachandra Iyer,
C.S.Ranganatha Rao delivered speeches on Pal’s heroic efforts excellence of his character and
spirit. Bharathi dictated his Swadeshi Oath’ at this meeting at Marina beach. Arya spoke the
concept of Swadeshi, boycott and national education in Telugu to cover the Telugu speaking
population in connection with the National Fund and delivered a vehement anti-British speech
in which he said that Bande Mataran should be shown rather in deeds than in words, and that
man should be ready to sacrifice his money, wife and even his blood to become a patriot,
Further, a Swadeshi Vastu Paricharini that the meeting was held on the Marina beach on 19 th
October 1907 to celebrate the boycott anniversary. The meeting was preceded by a
procession which started from George Town with national flags. G.Subramania Iyer presided
the meeting; Arya said that boycott was absolutely necessary, that it was high time that the
pride of the foreigner was laid low and that by uniting they could obtain ‘swaraj’. On 27 th
October Arya in another meeting organized at Royapetta, praised the Japanese as they were
ready to shed their blood for their mother country. The same type of meeting was organized
by Arya in the Latheran Mission Church premises, Purasaivakkam, to arrange for Deepavali
day collections in aid of the National Fund, where the referred to his Punjab tour with Lala
Lajapet Rai.31
At Arakonam, Arya appeared on 8th November for a public meeting, arranged by
the local Swadeshi Leaque. He addressed the meeting on “boycott” there was a spontaneous
response to his appeal. O 6th December 1907, Arya attended a meeting of the Madras
nationalists to elect delegates to attend the Surat Congress Session. V.O.C and Bharathi were
keen interest in selecting Arya to attend the Surat Session. He seconded a resolution asking
congress to apply for arbitration courts and said that justice could not be expected from the
British courts. On 18th December, a meeting was held in Triplican theatre at which about 400
Swadeshis were present. T.G.Sankaran Narayana Aiyar presided in the absence of C.S.

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Bharathi, V.O.C, who was the first speaker, dwelt on the drain of money from India, urged the
people to support Swadeshism and boycott, to avoid British Law Courts and establish
National Schools. Arya wound up by getting the people to take a vow to act as he had
urged.32

On the 9th July 1908, Arya was arrested on a warrant issued under sections 124-A and
153-A of I.P.C, in respect of the speeches delivered on the 9th March, 3rd May and 2nd and 8th
June 1908 in different places of Madras province.33 When his house was searched by the
Madras Police on 17th May 1908, two letters were found there. One from C.P.V Chellam in
Burma, one from G. Subramania Iyer and one from B.V. Narasimha Iyer, a Salem Vakil, to
P.Tirumalachari, Secretary of Chennai Janna Sangam and also a photograph was found in
which Arya figured with two Bengalis and another in which there were six other men and two
women. Arya’s companion in the former were reported by the Commissioner of Police,
Calcutta were Sasi Bhusan Sarkar, M.A., a Brahmo missionary and a native of Nadia, went to
England with Bipin Chandra Pal and another one was a Brahmo missionary of Calcutta.34
The Government of Madras admitted the case Arya and the trial was closed in the
Madras High Court session on 17th August 1908. Arya was convicted and sentenced to five
years’ transportation on one count of three years on each of the other two.35 After sending
him to jail, the Chennai Jana Sangam activities were ceased to show any out ward signs of
activity. After release from the jail, Arya had gone to U.S.A where he converted himself to
the Christianity and returned to India after 1916 and met Subramania Bharathi at Pondichery
where he stayed few months with him. Arya involved himself in the religious activities in
Madras till his last breath.

SUBRAMANYA SIVA

The Nationalist Movement in India had many whimsical circles. Its course was
shaped and reshaped by many internal and external interests. While the Nationalist
movement in Russia was a ‘Proletarian Revolution’; while the Nationalist Movement in
America was a ‘Direct War’ against the British, the Nationalist Movement in India was one of
the uneven developments in its achievement of the goals. Initially it was one of the uneven
developments in its achievement of the goals. Initially it was a moderate i.e. petitioning one
and then it was an extremist agitation and finally it was Gandhian oriented. These historical
processes had altered some subalterns to emerge as elite of ne particular time, and re-altered

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the same elite into a subaltern at another time. This paradigm is well suit to the political
career of Subramaniya Siva (1884-1925).

Subramaniya Siva was an extremist, when there was the partition of Bengal, anti-
partition and the floating of sensational political concepts like Swadeshi and Boycott.36 It was
the time of the growth of education and unemployment; it was the times of the growth of self-
respect and self-confidence which had been painfully constructed by Swami Vivekandanda.
It had affecte4d many younger minds among which one was Subramaniya Siva who was at
that time, a student of Saint Michel Matriculation College at Coimbatore. The Boer wars
which happened at that time had its imprints on the mind of Siva. As a man of disposition to
the care of his body, he was popularly called as Pavalamkaadi Payilwan. Pavalamkaadi
represented his residential area in Tiruvananthapuram, Payilwan identifies his physical
appearance as one who performed gymnastics.

In 1906, Siva and V.O.C went to the residence of Thirumalaichari in Madras, the
publisher of the India and expressed his desire to meet Subramania Bharathi. He was
introduced to Bharathi. Like Siva, V.O.C, Bharathi was also a native of Tinnevelly district
and naturally became closer to each other.37 Siva and V.O.C accompanied Bharathi to the
Marina Beach where they sat hours together and shared their emotions and feelings about
subjugation of India and her degradation under the British.38 It became customary for Siva
and V.O.C to visit the office of the India, exchange views with Tirumalachari and accompany
Subramania Bharathi to the Marina Beach. Among the several things, they discussed were
the histories of France and Italy.39 It was for the sake of V.O.C that Bharathi translated the
oath taken by Mazzini in Tamil on the occasion of Mazzini’s initiation into the organization
of Young Italy. In fact, Siva and V.O.C’s contact with Bharathi moulded him to become an
extremist.40

In Tinnelveli district, students of Hindu College were drawn to the nationalist

movement by the speeches of Subramania Siva, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, and G.Subramania
Iyer others. At the local high school on Punganur, North Arcot District, students together with
an assistant master formed a Sanadhana Dharma Bodhini, with Sitaramappa as Secretary and
the local Zamindar as Patron. 41 Their activities reached a climax a few days after the
Tirunelvelly riots on 17th March 1908. The students of arts and law took out a procession
which became violent and part of the high school building was set on fire. 42 The Swadeshi
movement first reached Tirunelveli around September 1905, when Ramakrishna Iyer, a local

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popular lawyer issued a call for boycott of foreign made goods – perhaps the first boycott call
to be made by the Swadeshi movement in Tamilnadu.43 A series of lectures made by V.O.C
and Subramania Siva in and around of Tirunelvelli for the cause of Swadeshi goods which
roused the feelings of the people who launched a number of strikes and lock-outs and burnt
foreign goods in public.44 The wave of protest meetings prepared the ground for the more
vigorous Swadeshi movement which was launched soon after the 1905 annual session of the
Congress.

Siva’s judicial statement given to Tirunelveli Session Court at 1908 mentions that
for the past four years, Siva had been preaching his policy in Tiruvananthapuram, cochin,
Madurai and Tirunelveli districts. He also spoke at Tirunelveli and Tuticorin during 9, 11
March 1908. He further mentioned that it was foolish to say that he had been tempted by
somebody to speak at Tuticorin. Here Siva did not make any commitment about his
companion ship with V.O.C.

Siva identified himself as a Satyagrahi, he advocated for the promotion of Kadhi and
prohibition of intoxicants. However, he retained the principle violence against Gandhi’s non-
violence. But his stand was not well appreciated by Gandhi, which led him placing in the
historical contexts of extremism, terrorism, Gandhiansim, Swaraj Party and in the context of
Congress Party. His contribution to Tamil renaissance is simply embryonic stage.

PARALI S.NELLAYAPPER

Nellayappar was born on 18th September, 1889 at Parali Kottai a small town of
Tirunelveli District. His father was Subramania Pillai, and mother was Muthu
Vadivu.Nellayappar was unmarried till his death.45 The main occupation of Nellayappar was
writing editorials, articles and editing and publishing books on Tamil literature. He was a
close friend of Bharathi. In the beginning stage, Bharathi called Nellayappar as ‘Mapillai’ 46.
But later he called Nellayappar as ‘Thambi’ (brother). Nellayappar worked in V.O.C’s
Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in his early days. His brothers also worked in same
company. He met Bharathi in1908 at V.O.C’s house.47

In 1909, V.O.Chidambaram Pillai was arrested and the court sentenced to double
transportation imprisonment. Nellayappar vehemently condemned the judgment. Meanwhile,
Neelakanta Brahmachari called Nellayappar at Puducherry. At that time, Bharathi wrote

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articles and editorials in the newspapers of the Vijaya and the Suryodayam. The owner of the
Suryodayam was Neelakanta Brahmachari. The salary of Bharathi was 35 rupees, and the
salary of Nellayappar was Rs.15 only.48 In the meantime, Nellayappar met Aravinda Ghose,
and discussed the situation of Tamil province. Meanwhile, Suryodayam stopped its
publications. At that time, Nellayappar joined in Bharathi’s Karmayogi. Bharathi’s
translation work of Bhagavat Geetha was published in the Karmayogi. The young daughter of
Bharathi namely Sakuntalai called Nellayappar as uncle. In 1912, V.O.C.Pillai released from
jail. At that time, V.O.C completed his works namely, ‘Manam Pol Valvu’ and his
autobiography with the help of Nellayappar.49

Nellayappar served as the sub-editor of newspapers namely Bharathi, Narathar,

Desabakthan and Dravidan newspapers. In 1922, he purchased the newspaper namely,
Lokopakari.50 Nellayappar created simple style of Tamil articles. At that time he was edited
by Bharthi’s Kannan Pattu, Papa Pattu and Nattu Pattu(Folk songs). While Bharathi was in
jail, Nellayappar met Bharathi. 51 Nellayappar also published Bha’athi's songs and plays.
Most of the songs of Tamil namely, Parukkulle Nalla Nadu and Sentamil Nadenum
podhinile were first published by Nellayappar in his newspaper. 52 Apart from that,
Lokopakari was also in favour of Gandhian ideals. The historians call Nellayappar, as “the
originality of Bharathi was visualized throughout the world”. Nellayappar passed away in
1971.53

S.V. ALAGAPPA PILLAI

Alagappa Pillai was born on April 15, 1893. He was well-versed in Tamil
literature. His main occupation was agriculture. He joined the Swadeshi Movement in
1907.54 He was one of the accused in the Ashe Murder Case 1911, and courted imprisonment
in 1911-12 and imprisoned in Madras jail for 9 months and was treated by the government as
a dangerous political suspect.55

BABU PILLAI

Babu Pillai was otherwise called as Ramaswami Pillai. He belonged to the Vellalar
community. His main occupation was agriculture. He took part in the Tirunelveli conspiracy
and was accused in the Ashe murder case, in 1911. He was arrested at the age of 24 and
sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment.56

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CHAVADI ARUNACHALAM PILLAI

Chavadi Arunachalam Pillai, a native of Shencottah was born in 1892. He was a

Medical Practitioner (Doctor) and one of the active members of Bharatha Matha
Association. 57 He was convicted in the Ashe murder case. He died in April, 1973 at
Shencottah.58

MUTHUKUMARASAMI PILLAI

Muthukumarasami Pillai was otherwise called as Muthusami Pillai. He belonged

to the Vellalar community. His occupation was selling pots. He took part in the Tirunelveli
Conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe Murder Case in 1911.59 He was arrested at the age of
45 and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment.60

MADASAMI PILLAI

Madasami Pillai was born in 1886. He was a scholar in Tamil literature. He was a
member of Bharatha Matha Association. 61 He had close contact with V.O.Chidambaram
Pillai and Neelakanta Brahmachari.62 He was one of the accused in the Ashe Murder Case but
he escaped to Paris, France in 1912 and his whereabouts was not known.63

JAGANATHA IYENGAR

Jaganatha Iyengar was a good look and hailed from Brahmin community. He was
a participant in Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe Murder Case in 1911. He
was convicted under section 121A of I.P.C and sentenced to one year rigorous
imprisonment.64

HARIHARA IYER

Harihara Iyer was one of the merchants of the Brahmin community. He was a
member of the Bharatha Matha Association. He took part in Tirunelveli Conspiracy and was
accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911.65 He was convicted under Section 181A of I.P.C
and sentenced to three years rigorous imprisonment.66

MADATHUKADAI CHIDAMBARAM PILLAI

Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai a native of Tuticorin was one of the members

of Bharatha Matha Association. He belonged to the Vellala community. He was a grocer.

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He took part in the Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911.
He was sentenced to two years rigorous imprisonment.67

SANKARA KRISHNA IYER

Sankara Krishna Iyer, a native of Krishnapuram at Kadayanallur in Tirunelveli

district was one of the members of Bharatha Matha Association. His occupation was
agriculture. 68 He belonged to Brahmin community and participated in the Tirunelveli
conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911. He was sentenced to four years
rigorous imprisonment.69

SUBBAYYA PILLAI

Subbayya Pillai was otherwise called as Subramania Pillai. He belonged to

Vellala community and he was a Vakil Gumastha (clerk to a lawyer) by profession. He took
part in the Tirunelveli conspiracy and was accused in the Ashe murder case in 1911.70 He was
convicted under section 121A of I.P.C and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment.71

GURUNATHA IYER

Gurunatha Iyer was one of the Head Constables of Police in Tuticorin district. He
was close associate with V.O.Chidambaram Pillai. He was one of main accused in Tinnevelly
riots.72 At that time of arrest of V.O.Chidambaram Pillai the Tinnevelly district was totally
collapsed by revolutionaries. 73 The government buildings were set on fire. The police
arrested the Gurunatha Iyer in charge of set on fire of government buildings of Tiunnevelly.74
He got four years rigorous imprisonment. After released the jail, he went to Berlin. While he
was in Berlin, he joined the revolutionaries of India.

Dr.SENBAGARAMAN PILLAI

Dr.Senbagaraman belongs to Nanjil country. He was one of NRI (Non-Resident

Indian). He disseminated the status of India throughout the western countries. He created
some organizations against British in Europe. He started a newspaper called ‘PRO INDIA’. 75
Apart from English, some other newspapers were run by Senbagaraman. He was in favour of
Keiser William II of Germany. Senbagaraman sought the help of Germany to abolish the
British rule in India. In 1914, he threw a bomb at Madras High Court with help of ‘Emton’
water steamer. The Indian revolutionaries created a new organ in Afghanistan namely,
“Temporary Republic of India”. Senbagaraman was one of the Ambassadors of this organ.

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He dedicated his life for India’s Independence. He firmly believed that armed revolutionary
was the only way to abolish the alien rule in India. 76

Tamil Nadu played a significant role in the Swadeshi Movement from 1905 to
1912. The prominent swadeshi leaders like V.O.C.Pillai, Subramania Bharathi, Subramania
Siva, V.V.S.Aiyar, Vanchi Aiyar involved themselves in a consistent way during the
Swadeshi Movement. Apart from these prominent leaders, the leaders like Neelakandan,
Parali Nellaiappar, Madasamy Pillai, Madathukadai Chidambaram Pillai, Sankara Krishna
Iyer, Padmanabha Iyyangar, Harihara Iyer and others also exhibited their anti-British
sentiments in a deep way by participating each and every activities of the Swadeshi leaders.

Notes and References

1
B.L.Grover, A New Book at Modern Indian History, New Delhi., 1994, pp.409-412.
2
G.O.1464-65, Public (Gen), 10th November 1897, TNA.
3
Unrest File Vol.I, Part I, p.39,TNA.
4
Nagendra K.Singh. Encyclopedia of the India Biography, New Delhi, 2000, p.74.
5
M.Siva Subramaniam, Ashe Padukolaiyum India Puratchiyum (Tamil), Makkal Pathipagam, Tuticorin, 1987,
p.39.
6
P.B.Gopalakrishnan, Extremist Movements in Tinnevelly District, 1906-1912, Madurai, 1998, p.16,
7
Ibid., p.21.
8
Sedition Committee Report, 1918, Madras, pp.115-117.
9
Select Documents File No.1. p.VII.
10
Siva Subramaniam, Ashe Padukolaiyum India Puratchi Iyyakamum, 1987, pp.36-40.
11
Va.a., V.V.S.Iyer, New Delhi, 1984, p.32.
12
Judicial, G.O.No.1010, Confdl., 30th March 1912.
13
Select Documents File No.1, p.IX.
14
V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.286.
15
The Hindu, Madras, 18th June 1911.
16
Swadesamitran, Madras, 19th June 1911.
17
Judicial, G.O.No.1014, Confdl., 24th June, 1912.
18
V.Venkatraman, Burmavil Bharathikku Thadai (Tamil), Rajapalayam, 2006, pp.63-65.
19
M.P.Sivanganam, kappalotiya Tamilzhan V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, Chennai, 2010, p.44.
20
Opinion of Advocate General, 11th May 1907, Home, Public (Political), A Dec. 1907, Procgs.Nos. 44-56, NAI.
21
The Madras Mail, Madras, 13th May 1907.
22
P.G.Gopalakrishnan, “Political implications of B.C.Pal’s visit to Madras in May 1907” in the
QuarterlyReview of Historical Studies, Calcutta vol. XX1X, No.1,1989, p.36.
23
Madras Secret Police Abstract of Intelligence, 1908, Para 528, p.313.
24
N.Rajendran., Op.Cit., p.62.
25
FNR, (Confdl), 22nd February, 1908.
35.
V.Venkatraman, Bharathiku Thadai (T), Rajapalayam, 2004, p.114
36.
Fortnightly Report, First Half of January 1907
37.
Swadesamitran, Madras, 12 February 1908
38.
The Hindu, Madras, 29 August 1907
39.
Fortnightly Report, First Half of October 1907
40.
Ibid, First Half of November 1907
41.
The Hindu, Madras, 20 December 1907

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42.
History Sheet of E.S.Arya, pp.8-12
43.
Ibid, p.12
44.
Ibid, p.14
36
Mani.P.S., Vira Murasu Subramaniya Siva, Chennai, p.65.
37
Notes on Tirunelveli Riots in March, 1908, compiled by CID, Madras, TNA.
38
V.O.C.Subramanian, VOC Kanda Bharathi (Tamil), Madras, 1946, p.7.
39
V.Venkatraman, Burmavil Bharathikku Thadai (Tamil), Rajapalayam, 2006, pp.63-65.
40
V.O.C.Subramanian, Op.Cit, pp.10-11.
41
N.Rajendran, Nationalist Movement in Tamil Nadu, 1905-1914, Madras, 1994, p.78.
42
Idid., p.79.
43
G.O.No.1542, Judicial (confdl.), 3rd October 1911.
44
Tinnevelly Riots Conspiracy and Ashe Muder, Select Document Series, 1900-1947, pp.427 & 454, TNA.
45
Muktha Srinivasan, Inaiyatra Sadanaiyalargal, Chennai, 2005, p.479.
46
R.A.Padmanabhan, Chitra Bharathi, IInd Edition, Nagercoil, 2005, p.282.
47
P.Duran, Bharathi (T), 1979, Chennai, p.128.
48
V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.170.
49
Muktha Srinivasan, Op.Cit., p.480.
50
R.A.Padmanabhan, Op.Cit., p.285.
51
Idem.
52
P.Durai, Op.Cit., p.174.
53
V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.174.
54
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.154.
55
V.Venkatraman, Bharathikku Thadai, p.170.
56
G.Venkadesan, Op.Cit., p.335.
57
A.Devanesan, History of Tamilnadu, 2004, Marthandam, p.400.
58
P.Chandrasekaran, Op.Cit., p.216.
59
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.155.
60
Ma.Po.Sivaganam, Viduthalai Poril Tamilagam, Chennai, 2005, p.505.
61
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.156.
62
Idem.
63
V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.286.
64
A.Devanesan, History of Tamilnadu, 2004, Marthandam, p.401.
65
Idem.
66
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.308.
67
Saroja Soundararajan, Madras Presidency in Pre-Gandhian Era, p.290.
68
Idem.
69
V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.288.
70
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.320.
71
Idem.
72
V.Venkatraman, Op.Cit., p.291.
73
V.Venkatraman, Towards Independence, p.65.
74
N.Rajendran, Op.Cit., p.330.
75
P.Chandrasekaran, Op.Cit., p.234.
76
A.R.Venkatachalapathy, V.O.C and Tinnevelly Riots., Chennai, 1987, p.68.

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