Freedom Fighters from Tamil Nadu Part - 01

(இதன் தமிழ் வடிவத்திற்கு இங்கே சொடுக்கவும்)

1. Sivagami Ammaiyar

Early Life and Migration

• Sivagami Ammaiyar was born to Marimuthu Mudaliyar and Chinnathai in 1933 at Anna sagaram village in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu.
• Her family migrated to Malaysia, where her father worked on a tea estate.
• She studied at Jai Hind Hindu Padasalai in Kuala Lumpur.

Inspiration and joining the INA

• Inspired by Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s speech, Sivagami joined the Indian National Army (INA) in the ‘Balak Sena’ group for young boys and girls at the age of 11.
• She served as a caretaker and head of the social welfare hostel between 1942 and 1945.

Activism

• During her time in the INA, Sivagami performed a street play titled "Veera Vanitha" along with her brother Parantham, going from street to street to create a desire for freedom among people and to raise funds for the INA.
• Despite Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s invitation to come to Burma, Sivagami refused.

Heroic Acts During WWII

• During the Second World War, Sivagami and her brother Paranthaman rescued people injured by bombs at Sarkar Camp.

Recognition and Awards

• In 1973, the Tamil Nadu government honoured Sivagami Ammaiyar with the "Tyaga Chemmal" Award.
• In 1993, she was honoured by Dr. J. Jayalalitha, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

2. Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone

Early Life

• Maveeran Alagumuthu Kone was born on 11 July 1728 in Kattalankulam, Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) district, Tamil Nadu.

Role as a Polygar

• Alagumuthu Kone was an Indian polygar who rebelled against British occupation, becoming the country's first independence warrior.
• Between 1752 and 1759, he fought against the British soldiers in Tamil Nadu.
• He rose to the position of military commander in Ettayapuram and ruled over Kattalankulam.

Battles and Resistance

• In 1755, Alagumuthu, along with the force of Travancore, fought against Colonel Eran Keran’s army and emerged victorious.
• However, in 1759, he was defeated in battle against the British and Muruthanagayam’s forces.

Execution and Legacy

• Alagumuthu Kone was executed (Nadukaatur, Arcot) on 19 July 1759.
• In his memory, the government of Tamil Nadu conducts a Pooja ceremony every year on 11 July.

3. C. Subramaniyan

Early Life and Education

• C. Subramaniyan was born in a Brahmin family on 11 December 1882 in the village of Ettayapuram, Tamil Nadu, to Chinn swami Subramania Iyer and Lakshmi Ammal.

Exposure to Spirituality and Nationalism

• During his stay in Varanasi, he was exposed to Hindu spirituality and nationalism.
• This broadened his outlook, and he learned Sanskrit, Hindi, and English.

Involvement in Indian National Congress

• In December 1905, he attended the All-India Congress Session held in Banaras.
• He also attended the Indian National Congress Session in Calcutta under Dadabhai Naoroji, which demanded Swaraj and a boycott of British goods.

Exile and Revolutionary Activities

• Faced with the prospect of arrest, Subramaniyan escaped to Pondicherry, which was under French rule.
• During his exile, he had the opportunity to meet many other leaders of the revolutionary wing.

Social Reforms and Activism

• He fought for the emancipation of women, opposed child marriage, and advocated for reforms within Brahminism.

Death

• C. Subramaniyan died on 11 September 1921.

4. Kumaraswami Kamaraj

Early Life and Education

• Kumaraswami Kamaraj was born to Sivakami Ammal and Kumaraswami Nadar on July 15, 1903, in Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu.
• His initial name was Kamatchi, which was eventually altered to Kamaraj.
• Kumaraswami Nadar was a merchant by profession.
• As a young boy, Kamaraj worked in his uncle's provision shop, where he developed an interest in prevailing political conditions by reading newspapers daily.

Influence of the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre

• The Jallianwala Bagh massacre was a decisive turning point in his life.
• Kamaraj decided to fight for national freedom and to bring an end to foreign rule.

Early Political Involvement

• In 1920, Kamaraj became active in politics and joined the Indian National Congress as a full-time political worker.
• He visited villages, carrying Congress propaganda, and met Mahatma Gandhi in September 1921.

Participation in Key Movements

• In 1922, Congress boycotted the visit of the Prince of Wales as part of the Non-Cooperation Movement.
• Kamaraj came to Madras to take part in the event.
• Between 1923 and 1925, he participated in the Nagpur Flag Satyagraha.
• He went to jail (Alipore) for two years in June 1930 for participating in the Salt Satyagraha.
• Kamaraj was arrested again in August 1942 (Vellore) in connection with the Quit India Movement.
• Over the course of his life, he was imprisoned six times by the British for his pro-independence activities.

Chief Minister of Madras State

• Kamaraj served as the Chief Minister of Madras State (now Tamil Nadu) from 1954 to 1963.
• His tenure is often considered a golden era for Tamil Nadu due to his focus on education, irrigation, and industrial development.

Educational Reforms

• Kamaraj implemented significant educational reforms, including the introduction of the mid-day meal scheme to combat hunger and encourage school attendance.
• He established numerous schools, especially in rural areas, to ensure that every child had access to education.

Agricultural and Industrial Development

• He prioritized agricultural development by constructing dams and irrigation projects, which transformed the agrarian landscape of Tamil Nadu.
• His industrial policies led to the establishment of several industries, providing employment and boosting the state's economy.

Special Titles and Honors

• Kamarajar was honored with several titles for his contributions to the Indian independence movement and his work in politics:
• Kingmaker: Due to his pivotal role in Indian politics, especially in the 1960s, where he played a crucial role in the selection of the Indian Prime Ministers.
• Kalvi Thanthai: He was hailed as Father of Education for his efforts to improve the education system of Tamil Nadu.
• Perun thalaivar: He was called Perun thalaivar for his remarkable leadership and contribution to society.
• Bharat Ratna: Posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honor in 1976 for his immense contributions to the country.

Kamaraj Plan

• In 1963, Kamaraj proposed the "Kamaraj Plan," a strategy to revitalize the Indian National Congress. He suggested that senior Congress leaders should resign from their ministerial posts to work to strengthen the party.
• Kamaraj himself resigned as Chief Minister to set an example.
• This plan led to the resignation of several senior leaders, including Lal Bahadur Shastri and Jagjivan Ram, to focus on party organization.

Later Life and Death

• After resigning as Chief Minister, Kamaraj continued to play a significant role in national politics. He served as the President of the Indian National Congress from 1964 to 1967.
• His influence was crucial during the succession of Prime Ministers after Jawaharlal Nehru's death.
• Kumaraswami Kamaraj passed away on October 2, 1975.
• His legacy continues to inspire generations, and he is remembered as one of India's most influential leaders.

Death

• Kumaraswami Kamaraj passed away on October 2, 1975.

5. Subramaniya Siva

Early Life

• Subramaniya Siva was born into a Brahacharanam Iyer family in Vatlagundu, near Dindigul, in the Madurai district of the Madras presidency.
• He was the son of Rajam Iyer.

Involvement in the Independence Movement

• In 1908, Subramaniya Siva joined the Indian independence movement.
• He became the first political prisoner held at Madras jail when he was taken into custody by the British that same year.

Imprisonment and Health Struggles

• During his imprisonment, Siva was transferred to Salem jail while being treated for leprosy.
• After his release, the British government prevented him from traveling by rail due to the infectious nature of leprosy, forcing him to travel by foot.
• Despite these hardships, he persisted in his quest for independence and spent a considerable amount of time in jail until 1922.

Literary Contributions

• In addition to his political activities, Subramaniya Siva was a prolific writer.
• He authored the novels "Madhva Vijayam" and "Ramanuja Vijayam," and also published a periodical called "Gnanabhanu."

Death

• Subramaniya Siva lost his battle with leprosy on July 23, 1925 at Papparapatti in Dharmapuri.

6. Tirupur Kumaran

Early Life

• Tirupur Kumaran, also known as Kodi Kaatha Kumaran, was born on 4 October 1904 in the Erode district of Tamil Nadu.
• His parents were Nachimuthu Mudaliyar and Karuppaayi.

Activism and Leadership

• Kumaran founded the Desa Bandhu Youth Association and led protests against the British colonial government.

Martyrdom

• On 11 January 1932, during a protest march against the British government on the banks of the Noyyal River in Tirupur, Kumaran died from injuries sustained from a police assault.
• At the time of his death, he was holding the flag of the Indian Nationalists, which had been banned by the British.
• This act of defiance earned him the epithet Kodi Kaatha Kumaran in Tamil, meaning “Kumaran who protected the flag.”

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