Death Anniversary of Thiru Subramania Siva Context: Vice-President of India paid floral tributes to the freedom fighter Thiru Subramania Siva on the occasion of his death anniversary (23rd July). About Subramania Siva Subramania Siva was born on 4 October 1884 at Batlagundu, in the present day Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu. Literary and Cultural Contributions He was one of the early leaders of the Tanittamil (Pure Tamil) Movement, which encouraged the use of Tamil with very little Sanskrit influence. In 1902, he became a disciple of Sadananda Swami. After this, he adopted the name "Sivam" and developed a strong combination of spiritual and nationalist ideas. In 1913, he started the nationalist magazine Gnanabhanu. During his lifetime, he wrote more than 30 books, including Ramanuja Vijayam, Madhva Vijayam, and Vitutalaipporil Tamil Valarnta Varalaru. Role in Nationalist Awakening Siva was inspired by the speeches of Arya Samaj leader Thakur Kahan Chandra Verma, which motivated him to join the freedom movement. He became a well-known public speaker who spread nationalist ideas. Along with V.O. Chidambaram Pillai and Subramania Bharati, he supported and promoted the nationalist views of Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1906, he founded the Dharma Paripalana Samajam to encourage social reform and create patriotic awareness among the people. Role in the Freedom Movement Subramania Siva played an important role in the Swadeshi Movement and worked closely with V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. He organised and inspired workers during the famous Coral Mill Strike (1908) at Thoothukudi. Even though the British government banned public meetings, he continued to organise gatherings and deliver patriotic speeches. His speeches made Tirunelveli an important centre of the freedom movement. He was arrested on charges of sedition, becoming the first recognised political prisoner of the Madras Presidency. In 1923, he laid the foundation stone for the Bharat Mata Temple at…
