P. Theagaraya Chetty
Sir Pitti Theagaraya Chetty (April 27, 1852 – May 23, 1925) alias Thiyagaraya Chetty was one of the founders of the Justice Party. He is revered as one of the senior leaders in the Dravidian movement. He was a prominent political leader of the Chennai province in the first quarter of the twentieth century and was also known as a businessman. In 1916 he started the Justice Party along with Dr. DM Nair to give a voice for the welfare of non-Brahmin castes. The Justice Party won the first election to the Chennai Assembly in 1920 and he had the opportunity to become the Chief Minister. But he did not accept it and continued as party leader. During his tenure as the leader of the Justice Party, the party’s Subramanian Rettyar and King Pangal were the Chief Minister of Chennai. When he died in 1925, the newly formed city of Thiyagaraya (T. Nagar) in Chennai was named after him. There is a stadium in the city called Pitti Thiagarayar Stadium where government ceremonies are held. He was awarded the title of Rao Bahadur by the British Government on January 1, 1909 and the title of Diwan Bahadur on January 1, 1919.
Early life
Ayyappa Chettiar, a wealthy man engaged in weaving and tanning, lived in Korukkupet, Chennai, and was born on April 27, 1852, the third son of Valli Ammal. He studied at Chennai State College in 1876 and obtained his B.A. Graduated. Thiyagarayar’s wife’s name is Chinnavalli Ammal. He had a son and seven daughters.
Profession
Apart from weaving, Thiyagaraya also had industries such as tanning, salting and lime making. A lot of people worked on it. He had his own transport department with a hundred boats to help these businesses. Weavers held conferences and exhibitions and participated in competitions and won many prizes.
He set up a weaving mill with about a hundred looms near his house called the Pitti Weaving Mill. He is the one who introduced the method of pulling the weave in our handloom weaving now. Before that the tape was woven just by pushing it in the hands. The Pitti Mark handkerchiefs made here are world famous.
Politics
The third conference of the Indian National Congress was held in Chennai. Thiagarayar presided over the conference. When Gandhiji came to Chennai he was given a special welcome. In 1882 he continued to run an organization called the Chennai Indigenous Association. The association was later renamed the Chennai Mahajana Sabha. The House met from time to time in Chennai and submitted its demands to the Government in English. Until 1916 he was an active congressman. He was the one who started the self-esteem movement before Father Periyar. He left the Tamil Nadu Congress in a fit of rage. Periyar, who then issued a statement harshly criticizing him, later left the Congress for the same reason and began to actively oppose it. The Dravidian leaders who contested on behalf of the Congress Party in the 1916 Assembly elections were Dr. D.M. Nair, King of Pangal, Rama Niyangar, K.V. Reddy Naidu and Sir. B. Thiagarayar was defeated by the Congress party.
Leaders of many parties, although he differed in principle, were emotionally attached to him. At one point, Tamiltennal Thiru.V.K spoke very angrily against his administration at a public meeting at Chennai beach. Thiagarayar also lauded his friendliness. Sr.C.P. Ramasamy Iyer contested against Thiyagaraya during the election. He pointed a gun and collected votes against him. But Thiagarayar won by a very large margin. When he passed away, the same CP Ramasamy Iyer proposed a condolence resolution in the Assembly saying, “Have we lost an unselfish humanitarian?”
Justice Party
On Monday, November 20, 1916, Sir P. Thiagarayar convened a special meeting at Ethrasu Mudaliar’s residence in Vepery, Chennai. At that meeting it was decided to continue to run an organization called the South Indian Welfare Rights Association. He also ran a magazine called “Justice” on behalf of the organization. The organization was widely known as the Justice Party, under the name “Justice” magazine.
Sr.P. Thiagarayar led the party well as the leader of the Justice Party. The policy statement issued by Thiagarayar raised a great deal of awareness among the people. They were very supportive of the policies and plans of the Justice Party. The Justice Party insisted that India should be liberated. At the same time the underprivileged. Demanded full rights and protection for the downtrodden and tribals.
Sr.P. Thiagarayar’s selfless efforts won the confidence of the people of the Justice Party. Lord Wellington, then Governor of England, called on Thiyagaraya, the leader of the Justice Party, to come to power. However, he said he did not want to accept the post of Chief Minister and made Cuddalore lawyer Subbarayalu Rettyar the Chief Minister.
Gandhi and the martyrs
Although Thiagarayar was the secretary of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee, he vigorously opposed barbaric domination. So he contradicted Mahatma Gandhi. Gandhiji’s Khadar policy was also not accepted. Old-fashioned handloom weaving is not conducive to our Indian progress. It is Thiagarayar’s intention to innovate and revolutionize the industry. He also showed seriousness in it. Although Gandhiji disagreed with him, when he came to Chennai he visited Pitti Nesavala and visited it. In it he sat on a loom and watched the weaving. He sent his two sons, Manilal and Madanlal, for six months of art training to learn the modern techniques found in it.
Religious services
Everyone believed in Thiyagaraya as an atheist. But even though he was involved in the principle of self-respect, God was unmatched in his work. He rebuilt the Mayilai Kabaliswarar temple in Chennai at a cost of ten thousand rupees and arranged for the canopy. But the people of the temple did not allow him to climb the tower and pour the water. Parthasarathy also rebuilt the temple. He brought two glass eyes from London to imprint on his eyes in the festive lion vehicle of Sri Ramalinga Saudeswari Temple in Washermenpet, Chennai. Even today, the Amman Veedi Ula is held in that vehicle.
Position and charity
- The first president (mayor) to win a direct election to elect a mayor on the recommendation of the Montserrat Chelmsford in 1920 was Sir.Pitty.
- When Prince George V of England came to Chennai in 1905, Sir, who was the mayor of the city. P. Thiagarayar was approved by the then Governor to welcome the Prince.
- Thiagarayar, who was associated with the Chennai Municipal Corporation for about 41 years from 1882 to 1923, presided over 1081 meetings.
- He served as mayor from 1919 to 1923. At that time, the Governor demanded that he be appointed as the Chief Minister of Chennai Province. Refused to accept it.
- From 1909 to 12 he was a member of the Municipal Council sent from the Municipal Committee to the Board of Governors of Chennai.
Vision resistance and aids
The martyr never hated the barbarians, except to oppose the barbarians. He insisted that our cases should not be prosecuted by barbaric lawyers unless we had to decide for ourselves.
In the long corridor of Thiyagaraya, a large number of visionary boys sit and learn the North language and mantras. He will do them all the favor. Some friends look at him and run a movement against the barbarian. But I do not hate Brahmins for asking if you are doing such help in your own home. Let the Brahmins do their clan business. It is our job as a royal family. He told them they would go elsewhere if we told them not to do their business. A Brahmin named Yanyaraman went and stayed in a slum area to do charity for the downtrodden. So, he was castrated and lost his job. Then Thiagarayar intervened and appointed him as a lecturer in Pachaiyappan College.
Academic work
Sir.Pitty. Thiagarayar established many schools and colleges with his own money. He is the founder of Thiyagarayar College in Chennai. He worked hard to establish the Universities of Chennai and Andhra Pradesh. As there was no way for the development of Tamil at the University of Chennai, the King of Chettinad co-founded the Annamalai University with Annamalai Chettiar. He started technical training schools just like schools. He was also a member and chairman of the Muslim Education Foundation and made numerous reforms. Pachaiyappar reorganized the Education Trust and created the opportunity for all parties to become members.
Awards
A college in Chennai is still named after Thiyagaraya. Also, Thiyagarayar Nagar in Chennai refers to him. Bangalore also has an area called Thiagarayar Nagar. The Government of India recently added a proud postage stamp to his image. The image of the loom weaver is seen on the background of the mail head.
His statue is located at the entrance of the Chennai Corporation office known as the Ribbon House. DMK winners who won the Chennai Municipal Election for the first time in 1959 first wore garlands and paid homage to the statue of Thiyagarayar which was located in front of the premises before entering the city hall.
Source: Wikipedia
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