Rettamalai Srinivasan (1859–1945) Birth & Early Life 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 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 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 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…
