The 88th Memorial Day of the ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O. Chidambaram Pillai

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M.K. Stalin, On September 3, 2021, announced that the memorial day of the ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O. Chidambaram Pillai would be observed as “Diocesan Memorial Day.” Accordingly, under the aegis of the Tamil Nadu Government, the 88th Memorial Day of the ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O.C. will be observed as “Diocesan Memorial Day” on 18.11.2024 at 10:00 AM in the Gandhi Mandapam complex, Guindy. Hon’ble Ministers, under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, will garland the statue of the ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ and pay tributes.

History of the Diocesan Pioneer:
“Kappalottiya Tamizhan” V.O. Chidambaram Pillai was born on 5.9.1872 in Ottapidaram, Tuticorin district, to parents Ulaganathan Pillai and Paramayee Ammai. He received primary education in Ottapidaram, higher education in Tuticorin, and legal education in Tiruchirappalli, eventually becoming a lawyer.

V.O. Chidambaram Pillai actively participated in social reform and political activities. He was one of the first in Tamil Nadu to advocate for freedom from colonial rule. He embraced the ideologies of his mentor, political leader Bal Gangadhar Tilak, and fought against British imperialism both politically and commercially. He founded the “Swadeshi Navigation Company,” a shipping enterprise, to challenge British maritime dominance, earning him the title ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ (The Tamil who sailed ships).

For his active involvement in the freedom struggle, the British government accused him of sedition, prosecuted him, and sentenced him to two terms of life imprisonment. As a result, he was imprisoned in the Central Jail of Coimbatore in 1908, enduring severe hardships.

The people of Tamil Nadu highly revere ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O.C. Despite enduring numerous challenges, he upheld his love for Tamil and authored significant works, including his autobiography, in elegant prose. He worked tirelessly for the growth of the Tamil language.

On 5.9.1972, under the leadership of the legendary Tamil scholar Kalaignar (Karunanidhi), a statue of V.O.C. was unveiled in Tuticorin by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Following Kalaignar’s appeal to the Prime Minister, the Government of India named four shipyards constructed between 1975 and 1976 in Tuticorin after V.O.C. In 1998, Kalaignar facilitated the nationalization of 16 works authored by ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O.C.

As per the announcement made by the Hon’ble Chief Minister in the Legislative Assembly on 3.9.2021, the 88th Memorial Day of ‘Kappalottiya Tamizhan’ V.O. Chidambaram Pillai will be observed annually as “Diocesan Memorial Day” under the Tamil Nadu Government’s auspices to honor his unwavering dedication to the nation’s freedom struggle, Tamil Nadu’s glory, and the Tamil language.

Hon’ble Ministers, Members of Parliament, Members of the Legislative Assembly, local body representatives, and senior government officials will participate in this event to pay homage and honor the memory of V.O.C., who continues to live in the hearts and minds of the people.

Release: Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai.