Rettamalai Srinivasan (1859–1945)
Birth & Early Life
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- Born on 7 July 1859 at Kozhiyalam village, Maduranthagam Taluk, Kancheepuram district.
- Father: Rettamalai.
- Popularly known as “Thatha”.
- Studied at Government Arts College, Coimbatore and became one of the first graduates from the Scheduled Castes.
- Married Renga Nayaki in 1887.
Social Reform & Activism
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- Brother-in-law of Pandit Iyothee Thass.
- Worked with the Theosophical Society and Henry Steel Olcott in the Nilgiris.
- Founded the Paraiyar Mahajana Sabha (1891), later renamed Adi-Dravida Mahajana Sabha (1893).
- Campaigned for Panchami land restoration, house pattas, agricultural land, and education for Scheduled Castes.
- Submitted petitions to the British government for the rights of Depressed Classes, including school admission and equal opportunities.
- Opposed conducting the ICS examination in India, fearing caste discrimination in administration.
- Started the Tamil newspaper “Paraiyan” (1893) to highlight the issues faced by Depressed Classes.
Association with Gandhi
- Lived in East Africa and South Africa (1900–1921).
- Met Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa and worked as a court translator.
- Helped Gandhi sign his name in Tamil as “Mo.Ka. Gandhi”.
- Met Gandhi during the Poona Pact discussions but differed on issues like untouchability and separate electorates.
Political Career
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- Returned to India in 1921.
- Served as a Member of the Madras Legislative Council (1923–1929).
- Played a key role in securing public access to roads, wells, buildings, and markets for Scheduled Castes.
- Supported replacing the terms Paraiyar/Panchama with Adi-Dravida/Adi-Andhra.
- Advocated ending the monopoly of caste Hindus in Village Administrative Officer posts.
- Contributed to the establishment of the Labour Welfare Department (1919).
- Presided over the First Adi Dravidar Provincial Conference (1928).
- Demanded statewide prohibition.
- Published his autobiography “Jeeviya Sarithira Surukkam” in 1939.
Round Table Conferences
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- Represented the Depressed Classes at the First and Second Round Table Conferences (1930 & 1931) along with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
- Later joined and resigned from the Servants of Untouchables Society (Harijan Seva Sangh).
Honours & Recognition
- Passed away in 1945 at the age of 85.
- Awarded Rao Sahib (1926), Rao Bahadur (1930), and Diwan Bahadur (1936) by the British Government.
- Received the title “Dravida Mani” in 1940.
- Since 2011, 7 July is observed by the Tamil Nadu Government as Rettamalai Srinivasan Day.
- A Manimandapam has been built in his honour at Gandhi Mandapam, Guindy, Chennai.
- The Government of India issued a commemorative postage stamp in 2000.
- The Liberation Panthers Party established the Urimai Kalam Memorial at Otteri, Chennai.
