Bandbaajabarat at 01:04, 24 September 2025

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{{Short description|Indian playwright and freedom fighter (1886–1940)}}
{{Infobox actor
| image =
| birth_name = Dasari
| birth_date = {{birth date|1886|06|16|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Sivakasi, Madras Presidency, [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(now Tamil Nadu, India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1940|12|31|1886|06|16|df=yes}}
| death_place = [[Madras]], Madras Province, [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>(now [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu, India)
| occupation = Playwright, actor
| known_for = advocating for Indian independence through his art
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
}}

'''Viswanatha Das''' (16 June 1886 – 31 December 1940) was an Indian playwright, actor, and participant in the [[Indian independence movement]]. He is noted for incorporating nationalist themes into his theatrical productions and promoting Indian independence through art.
== Life ==
Das was born on 16 June 1886 in [[Sivakasi]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=B.A |first=Pon Vasanth |date=2022-08-11 |title=Viswanatha Das: rousing the masses through songs |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/viswanatha-das-rousingthe-masses-through-songs/article65757734.ece |access-date=2025-01-04 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> as the eldest son of Subramaniam and Jnanambal,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Viswanatha Das |url=https://amritmahotsav.nic.in/unsung-heroes-detail.htm?8630 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav |last1=Mahotsav |first1=Amrit }}</ref> who named him ''Dasari''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last= |date=2021-09-12 |title=Freedom 75 – Unsung Hero 7 – S S Viswanatha Das |url=https://vsktamilnadu.org/freedom75/freedom-75-unsung-hero-7-s-s-viswanatha-das/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=VSK |language=en-US}}</ref> Raised in [[Thirumangalam, Madurai|Thirumangalam]], he developed an early interest in devotional music and acting. His first performance came at the age of eight.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Prasuram |first=Vijayabharatham |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=c4o2EQAAQBAJ |title=Pride Of Tamilnadu Freedom Fighters |date=2024-11-22 |publisher=Pustaka Digital Media |language=en}}</ref>

In 1911, after meeting [[Mahatma Gandhi]] in [[Thoothukudi]], Das incorporated [[khadi]] into his performances, with characters in his productions wearing khadi garments as a symbol of the [[Swadeshi movement]].<ref name=":2" /> Das used his theater work as a medium to advocate for Indian independence.<ref name=":0" /> One such song sung by Das was "''Kokku Parakuthadi Paapa"'', which referred to the British as [[Cranes of Great Britain|cranes]] that flew all the way from the banks of the [[Thames]] to loot India.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=India) |first=Mythic Society (Bangalore |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CnAMAQAAMAAJ |title=The Quarterly Journal of the Mythic Society (Bangalore). |date=2006 |publisher=Mythic Society |pages=105 |language=en}}</ref> His plays, which included depictions of figures like [[Lord Muruga]] and [[Harishchandra|Harischandra]], were infused with messages opposing British rule. For instance, [[Valli]] (in ''Valli Thirumanam'') would drive away the flocks of birds that came to feed off the corn, singing: ‘From somewhere, you have come here to exploit India’.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Jallianwala Bagh massacre|1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre]] profoundly influenced Das. He wrote and performed the song ''"Punjab Massacre is the Most Horrible Act on the Earth"'' (''பஞ்சாப் படுகொலை பாரில் கொடியது''), which gained prominence in protests and rallies.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wmVkAAAAMAAJ |title=Journal of Tamil Studies |date=1975 |publisher=International Institute of Tamil Studies |pages=94 |language=en}}</ref> His activities attracted the attention of British authorities, leading to frequent arrests and legal challenges.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Aruṇācalam |first=Mu |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XYdKgPDbrocC&q=Viswanatha |title=Aintām Ulakat Tamiḻ Mānāṭu-Karuttaraṅku Āyvuk Kaṭṭuraikaḷ |date=1981 |publisher=International Association of Tamil Research |language=en}}</ref> Despite these obstacles, Das continued his theatrical and political activism, founding the Shanmuganandam Art Group, which performed in various regions, including Southeast Asia.<ref name=":2" />

Throughout his career Das faced significant personal and financial difficulties due to his involvement in the independence movement.<ref name=":0" /> He pledged his home in Thirumangalam to manage legal expenses and rejected offers from British authorities to perform plays supporting their regime in exchange for financial relief.<ref name=":1" />

In 1936 Das traveled with [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] to [[British Ceylon]] (now [[Sri Lanka]]) but was denied entry by British officials, who considered him a security risk.<ref name=":1" /> Locally, he contributed to political efforts as a member of the [[Tirumangalam taluk]] Congress Committee in the [[Madura District (Madras Presidency)|Madurai District]].<ref name=":3" />

Das died on 31 December 1940 while performing the play ''Valli Kalyanam'' in the now defunct Royal Theatre in [[Madras|Madras (now Chennai)]]. He collapsed on stage during the performance, dressed as [[Lord Muruga]]<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /> and passed away.

== Memorial ==
In recognition of his contributions, the [[Government of Tamil Nadu]] established the '<nowiki/>''Thiyagi Viswanatha Das Memorial''' in Thirumangalam, Madurai. The memorial features a bust of Das, a library, and an exhibition hall commemorating his work and legacy.<ref name=":2" />

== External links ==

* ''[https://memorial.tn.gov.in/360/30-viswanatha-das-memorial-Madurai/index.html 360 degree view of Viswanatha Das Memorial]''

== References ==
<references />
[[Category:1940 deaths]]
[[Category:1886 births]]
[[Category:Indian theatre people]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:People from Madurai district]]

S. S. Viswanatha Das - Revision history

Bandbaajabarat at 01:04, 24 September 2025