->Data gatherer 1: Corrected formatting in some paragraphs, removed unnecessary WIkipedia links for simple terms, removed a few ambiguous and possibly incorrect statements that could not be verified, added better citations. The article needs lot more cleanup

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Corrected formatting in some paragraphs, removed unnecessary WIkipedia links for simple terms, removed a few ambiguous and possibly incorrect statements that could not be verified, added better citations. The article needs lot more cleanup

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{{short description|Indian freedom fighter, first Indian helmsman and former leader of INC}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = V. O. Chidambaram Pillai
| image = V. O. Chidambaram Pillai.jpg
| birth_date = 5 September 1872
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1936|11|18|1872|9|5|df=y}}
| caption = V. O. Chidambaram
| other_names = V. O. C, Va Voo Cee, Kappal Oottiya Tamilzhan, Sekkizhutha semmal, Chekkilutta chemmal
| birth_place = [[Ottapidaram]], [[Tinnevelly District]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />{{small|(present-day [[Thoothukudi district]], [[Tamil Nadu, India]])}}
| nationality = Indian
| death_place = [[Thoothukudi]], British India
| movement = [[Indian Independence Movement]]
| website =
| organization = [[Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company]]
| spouse = Meenakshi
| children = 4 sons, 4 daughters
| party = [[Indian National Congress]]
}}

'''Valliyappan Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai ''' (5 September 1872 - 18 November 1936) was born into a Royal Family of Tuticorin. He is popularly known by his initials, '''V.O.C.''' and is also known as '''Kappalottiya Tamizhan'''  or "the Tamil Helmsman". He was a Tamil Indian freedom fighter and former leader of the [[Indian National Congress]]. Founder of [[Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company]]<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/swadeshi-ship-on-the-blue-waters-of-tuticorin/article4015532.ece | title=Swadeshi ship on the blue waters of Tuticorin | date=20 October 2012 | access-date=17 August 2014 | author=Manian, Ilasai}}</ref> in 1906 to compete against the monopoly of the [[British India Steam Navigation Company]] (BISNC).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/VOCs-descendants-found-in-dire-straits/articleshow/11236236.cms | title=VOC's descendants found in dire straits | date=25 December 2011 | agency=TNN | access-date=17 August 2014 | author=J, Arockiaraj | location=Madurai}}</ref>
He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin (India) and Colombo (Sri Lanka) with the [[Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company]] (SSNC), competing against British ships. [[Tuticorin Port Trust]], one of India's thirteen major ports, is named after him. At one time a member of the [[Indian National Congress]], he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to [[life imprisonment]], and his [[barrister]] license was revoked.

==Early life==
V. O. Chidambaram Pillai was born in a [[Vellalar]] family in [[Ottapidaram]], [[Tuticorin district|Tirunelveli District]] to Olaganathan Pillai and Paramayee Ammal.<ref name="Dorairaj">{{cite web| url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/22/stories/13221102.htm| title=Doyen of Swadeshi shipping| work=[[The Hindu]]| access-date=26 February 2017| author=S. Dorairaj| archive-url=https://archive.today/20141126050421/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/2001/09/22/stories/13221102.htm| archive-date=26 November 2014| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref> When Chidambaram was six years old, he learned Tamil from teacher Veeraperumal Annavi. He heard stories about [[Shiva]] from his grandmother and stories from the [[Ramayana]] from his grandfather. He heard stories from [[Mahabharatha]] told by Allikulam Subramanya Pillai. In his childhood, he learned horse riding, [[silambattam]], archery, sword fighting and played [[kabaddi]], swimming, [[stilt walking]], wrestling and chess.

He learned English from a Taluk officer named Krishnan Iyyengar in the evenings. When Iyyengar was transferred, Chidambaram Pillai's father built a school for him and appointed Aramvalarthanatha Pillai from [[Ettayapuram]] as the English teacher. The school was run by a priest at Pudhiamuthur. At fourteen, Chidambaram Pillai went to Thoothukudi to continue his studies. He studied at CEOA High School and Caldwell High School and in [[Thoothukudi]] at the Hindu College High School, [[Tirunelveli]].

Chidambaram Pillai worked as Taluk office clerk for some time before his father sent him to [[Tiruchirappalli]] to study law. He passed his pleadership exam in 1894, returning to Ottapidaram to become a pleader in 1895.

In Madras, Chidambaram Pillai met Swami [[Ramakrishnananda]], a saint who belonged to [[Swami Vivekananda]] Ashram (monastery), who advised him to serve the nation. Here{{Where|date=December 2021}} he met the Tamil poet [[Subramanya Bharathi|Bharathiyaar]] who shared his political ideology. The two men became close friends.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Venkatachalapathy|first=A. R.|date=2021-12-09|title=Subramania Bharati: The poet and the patriot|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/subramania-bharati-the-poet-and-the-patriot/article37912151.ece|access-date=2021-12-11|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

==Political life==

===Background===
{{Main|Indian Independence Movement}}
In the 1890s and 1900s India's independence movement and the [[Swadeshi movement]], which confirms the politic parcel initiated by [[Bal Gangadhar Tilak]] and [[Lala Lajpat Rai]] of the Indian National Congress (INC), were at their peak. From 1892 Chidambaram Pillai was influenced by Tilak Maharaj and became his disciple.<ref>''Awakening Indians to India''. Chinmaya Mission (2008). p. 68. {{ISBN|978-8175974340}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=India through the ages|url=https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada|author=Madan Gopal|year= 1990| page= [https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada/page/200 200]|editor=K.S. Gautam|publisher=Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India}}</ref> Along with [[Subramanya Siva]] and [[Subramanya Bharathi]], he became a prominent spokesperson for the cause in the [[Madras Presidency]]. Following the [[Partition of Bengal (1905)|partition of Bengal]] in 1905, Chidambaram entered politics, joining the [[Indian National Congress]] and taking a hardliner stance. He also presided at the [[Salem District]] Congress session.
===Companies and institutions===

Chidambaram Pillai established many institutions like Yuvanesh Prachar Sabha, Dharmasanga Nesavu Salai, National Godown, Madras Agro-Industrial Society ltd and Desabimana Sangam.

In response to the [[British India Steam Navigation Company]]'s trade monopoly, Chidambaram started an Indian-owned shipping company. He registered the Swadeshi Shipping Company in October 1906.<ref>[http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070906/asp/nation/story_8281926.asp ''Karat's war against US''] ''The Telegraph'', Retrieved 2 March 2012</ref><ref name="Hindu">{{cite web | url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/Fitting-tribute-to-VOC/article15450751.ece | title=Fitting Tribute to V.O.C. | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=19 February 2011 | access-date=26 February 2017 | author=Praveen Paul Joseph | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125234428/http://www.hindu.com/2011/02/19/stories/2011021951560300.htm | archive-date=25 January 2013 | url-status=dead | df=dmy-all }}</ref> The capital of the company was ten lakh rupees. The number of shares was 40,000 and the face value of each share was Rs. 25/-.<ref name=Hindu/> Any Asian could become a shareholder. The director of the company was [[Pandithurai Thevar|Pandi Thurai Thevar]], Zamindar of [[Palavanatham]] and the founder of "[[Madurai Tamil Sangam]]".

In the beginning, the Company owned no ships, instead leasing them from Shawline Steamers Company. The B.I.S.N.C. pressured Shawline Steamers to cancel the lease; in response, Chidambaram Pillai leased a single large freighter from Sri Lanka. Realizing the need for the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company to own its own vessels, Chidambaram Pillai travelled around India selling shares in the company to raise capital. He vowed, "I will come back with ships. Otherwise I will perish in the sea". He managed to secure sufficient funds to purchase the company's first ship, the [[SS Gallia|S.S. ''Gallia'']];<ref>M. Soundarapandian; ''Environment, Degradation And Rural Poverty'', Discovery Publishing House 2005, p44</ref> shortly afterwards, they were able to acquire the S.S. ''Lavo'' from France.

In response to the new competition, the B.I.S.N.C. reduced the fare per trip to Re.1 (16 annas) per head. The S.S.N.C responded by offering a fare of Re.0.5 (8 Annas). The British company went further by offering a free trip to the passengers with a free umbrella; however, nationalist sentiment meant that the free service was underused. The B.I.S.N.C. attempted to buy out Chidambaram, but he refused the deal.

The ships commenced regular service between [[Tuticorin]] and [[Colombo]] (Sri Lanka) against opposition from British traders and the [[British India|Imperial Government]].

===Coral Mill strike===
{{Main|Tinnevely Riot of 1908}}
On 23 February 1908 Chidambaram Pillai gave a speech at [[Thoothukudi]], encouraging the workers at Coral Mill (now part of Madura Coats) to protest against their low wages and harsh working conditions. Four days later, the workers of the Coral Mill went on strike. Chidambaram and Subramanya Siva led the strike. Their demands included incremental earnings, weekly holidays and other leave facilities.

Chidambaram ensured the strike was widely publicised, and it quickly gained popular support. On 6 March the head clerk Subramanya Pillai met Chidambaram and said that the management was ready to concede their demands. Chidambaram went with 50 workers and met the managers, who agreed to increase the wages, to reduce the working hours and to give leave on Sundays. The workers went back after a nine-day strike. The outcome of the strike encouraged the workers of other European companies, who also gained increased wages and better treatment. [[Sri Aurobindo]] appreciated Chidambaram and Siva for the unequalled skill and courage with which the fight was conducted in his Vande Mataram daily on 13 March 1908.

==Arrest and imprisonment==
[[File:Grinding mill VOC2.JPG|thumb|V. O. C. yoked oil press kept now at [[Gandhi Mandapam (Chennai)|Gandhi Mandapam]] [[Guindy]]]]

By 1908, Chidambaram's political involvement drew the attention of the British. Hearing of his intention to speak at a rally celebrating the release of Bengali leader [[Bipin Chandra Pal]], Winch, a British official invited Chidambaram to meet him in [[Thirunelveli]] with his political comrade Subramanya Siva. At the meeting, Winch expressed concern about Chidambaram's activities and asked him to give assurances that he would not participate in any political revolt. Chidambaram refused to accept his conditions, so he and Siva were arrested on 12 March 1908.

The arrest was followed by widespread protest. In Thirunelveli shops, schools and colleges were closed in protest, and rioting broke out. The Thirunelveli municipal office, post offices, police stations and municipal courts were attacked. A general strike was declared in Thoothukudi, which was the first political strike in India.{{Citation needed|date=November 2012}} Public meetings and processions were held, and four people were killed by the police.

Although his supporters were able to raise sufficient funds for bail, Chidambaram refused to leave the jail without the release of Siva and his other comrades. [[Subramanya Bharathi]] and [[Subramanya Siva]] also appeared in the court for questioning for the case instituted against Chidambaram. He was charged under sections 123-A and 153-A of the [[Indian Penal Code]] for speaking against the British and giving shelter to Siva. Chidambaram refused to take part in the proceedings.

He was charged with sedition, and a sentence of two life imprisonments (in effect forty years) was imposed. He was confined in the [[Central Prison, Coimbatore]] from 9 July 1908 to 1 December 1910.

The judgement was widely condemned in the popular press, with even the British ''Statesmen'' magazine claiming that it was unjust. Chidambaram appealed the sentence in [[Madras High Court|High Court]], gaining a reduced punishment of four years imprisonment and six years in exile. An appeal to the Privy Council led to a further reduction in sentence.

Chidambaram was interned in Coimbatore and Kannanoor jail. He was not treated as a political prisoner, nor was the sentence ''de facto'' of simple imprisonment; rather, he was treated as a convict sentenced to life imprisonment and required to do hard labour, which caused his health to suffer.<ref name=heroes>{{cite web|url=http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/v-o-chidambaram-pillai.html|title=Famous Indians: V. O. Chidambaram Pillai|work=iloveindia.com|access-date=29 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130126060507/http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/v-o-chidambaram-pillai.html|archive-date=26 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Historian and Tamil scholar R. A. Padmanabhan later noted in his works that Chidambaram was "yoked (in place of bulls) to the oil press like an animal and made to work it in the cruel hot sun....".<ref name="Dorairaj"/> From prison Chidambaram continued correspondence, maintaining a steady stream of legal petitions. He was finally released on 12 December 1912.

To his dismay, the [[Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company]] had already been liquidated in 1911, and the ships were auctioned to their competitors. The company's first ship, the ''[[SS Gallia]],'' was sold to the British Shipping Company.

==Later life==

Upon Chidambaram's release he was not permitted to return to Tirunelveli district. With his law license stripped from him, he moved to [[Chennai]] with his wife and two young sons. There he ran a provisions store and a kerosene store.

Chidambaram had a long correspondence with Gandhi, not yet Mahatma, from 1915 to 1920. In 1915, when Gandhi visited [[Chennai]] (Madras then), both had met. Some people in South Africa of Indian origin had collected money to help Chidambaram and transmitted the amount through Gandhi. However, Chidambaram did not receive the money. He had some lengthy correspondence with Gandhi on the subject. In one instance Gandhi wrote a postcard to Chidambaram in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] with his own hand. Chidambaram was delighted on seeing the postcard and, for a moment, forgot about the money dispute.<ref name="A. R. Venkatachalapathy">{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2003/01/26/stories/2003012600160200.htm|title=When Gandhi visited Madras|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 January 2003|author=A. R. Venkatachalapathy|access-date=26 February 2017|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141127045450/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2003/01/26/stories/2003012600160200.htm|archive-date=27 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, on 4 February 1916, Chidamabaram wrote to a friend, "Rs. 347-12-0 has come from Sriman Gandhi."<ref name="A. R. Venkatachalapathy"/>

In 1920, Chidambaram quit the Indian National Congress, citing ideological differences with [[Mahatma Gandhi]]. He focused his efforts on establishing [[Trades union|labor unions]] in Madras and on writing.

After moving to Coimbatore, Chidambaram worked as a bank manager. Dissatisfied with the income, he petitioned the court, seeking permission to practice law again. Judge E.H. Wallace gave permission to restore Chidambaram's pleadership license; to show his gratitude Chidambaram named his last son Valacewaran.

Chidambaram moved to [[Kovilpatti]] and practiced as a lawyer. He rejoined the Congress Party in 1927 and presided over the third political conference held at Salem. He said that he wanted to join Congress again because he noticed a remarkable change in the policies of Congress and was happy to note that the policies of which he did not approve were withdrawn one by one. However, after the Salem conference Chidambaram again severed his contact with Congress.

In 1929 he moved to Thoothukudi, where he spent his time writing and publishing Tamil books. By 1935, he had written commentary on the first book of the [[Tirukkural]] ([[Book of Aram|Book of Virtue]]) and was published under a different title. However, it was only in 2008 that the complete work of his commentary on the Kural was published.

==Death==
Chidambaram Pillai spent his final years in poverty. He died on 18 November 1936 at the Tuticorin office of the Indian National Congress.<ref name=heroes /><ref>{{Cite web|title=VALLINAYAGAM OLAGANATHAN CHIDAMBARAM PILLAI|url=http://indianculture.gov.in/node/2790437|access-date=2021-12-11|website=INDIAN CULTURE|language=en}}</ref>

==Written works==

* ''[[Meyyaram]]'' 1914.
* ''Meyyarivu ''1915
* ''Anthology'' 1915
* ''Autobiography'' 1946
* ''Many articles in various magazines''
* ''Translation works''
* Literary notes of ''[[Thirukural]]''

==Published works==

* ''[[Thirukural]]'' with literary notes of Manakudavar 1917
* ''[[Tolkappiam]]'' with literary notes of Ilampooranar 1928

==Post-independence honours==
[[File:VO Chidambaram Pillai 1972 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Chidambaram Pillai on a 1972 stamp of India]]
Posthumously, Chidambaram is known by the titles ''[[Kappalottiya Thamizhan]]'' ("the Tamizhan who drove the ship") and "Chekkiluththa Chemmal" ("a great man who pulled the oil press in jail for the sake of his people"). His ship is situated near [[Marina Beach]].

==Stamp==

The [[Indian Postal Service|Indian Posts & Telegraphs]] department of India issued a special postage stamp on 5 September 1972, on the occasion of his birth centenary.

==Statues of Chidambaram==
Many statues of Chidambaram have been commissioned; some of the more notable are:

* At the entrance of the Congress committee office, [[Royapettah]], [[Chennai]] (1939).
* At the arch of [[Palayamkottai]], [[Tirunelveli]].
* At Marina beach, Chennai. (unveiled at the World Tamil Conference).
* At the port, Thoothukudi. (unveiled by [[Indira Gandhi]], the former Prime Minister).
* At the Entrance of Kattu Paramakudi (V.O.C. Mahal) unveiled at 18 November 2012. By Tamil Nadu V.O.C Peravai, Ramanathapuram District.
* At Simmakkal, Madurai (unveiled by [[M.G. Ramachandran]], the former Chief Minister).
* At the commemorative building of V.O.C., Thirunelveli. (unveiled by [[Jayalalithaa]], the former Chief Minister).
* The Tuticorin Port was rechristened as [[V. O. Chidambaranar Port Trust]] by [[Manmohan Singh]], former Prime Minister and [[G.K. Vasan]], Union Minister of Shipping.
* At Theni district (Chinnamanur center place) & Bodi & (Chilamarathupatti-Bus stand) & (Putthipuram-Bus stand)

==Ma. Po. Si. (M.P. Sivagnanam)==
M.P. Sivagnanam, popularly known as [[Ma. Po. Si.]], wrote a biography of Chidambaram titled ''Kappalottiya Tamizhan''. Later Chidambaram was remembered as 'Kappalottiya Thamizhan'. Ma. Po. Si. brought the fame of Chidambaram to the limelight.

Books written by Ma. Po. Si. on V.O. Chidambaram Pillai are ''Kappalottiya Thamizhan'' (1944), ''Kappalottiya Chidambaranar'' (1972) and ''Thalapathy Chidambaranar'' (1950).

==Film portrayal==

In 1961 Kannada film director B.R. Panthalu made a film of Chidambaram's life titled ''[[Kappalottiya Thamizhan]]''. Chidambaram was portrayed by [[Sivaji Ganesan]], Subramanya Siva by [[T. K. Shanmugam]] and Subramanya Barathi by [[S. V. Subbaiah]]. The story of this movie is based on [[Ma. Po. Si.]]'s biography 'Kappalottiya Tamizhan'.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Bibliography==
* Appanaswamy, Parambarai (Tamil language), Barathi Boothakalayam, Chen (2004)

==External links==
{{Commons category|V. O. Chidambaram Pillai}}
* [http://tamilnation.org/hundredtamils/voc.htm V.O. Chidambaram Pillai – One Hundred Tamils of 20th Century (www.tamilnation.org)]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070310212501/http://www.sanmargroup.com/Newsmain/Matrix/Dec2001/LegVOCD01.htm V.O. Chidambaram Pillai – Heroes of the South]
* [http://www.indianpost.com/viewstamp.php/Alpha/V/V.%20O.%20CHIDAMBARAM%20PILLAI Stamp on V.O.C by Indian Postal Department]
* [http://www.silambuselvar.com/english/history.php Ma.Po.Si]
* [http://www.saivaneri.org/images/great-pillais/Ship-Owner-V.O.Chidambaram-Pillai.jpg V.O.C.'S original photo]
*[https://vocsongs.wordpress.com/home/ voc songs]

{{Authority control}}

{{Indian Independence Movement}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Pillai, V O Chidambaram}}
[[Category:1872 births]]
[[Category:1936 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Indian Tamil people]]
[[Category:Tamil history]]
[[Category:Trade unionists from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:People from Thoothukudi district]]
[[Category:Indian businesspeople in shipping]]
[[Category:Tamil lawyers]]
[[Category:Tamil trade unionists]]
[[Category:Swadeshi activists]]
[[Category:People convicted of sedition]]
[[Category:Indian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment]]
[[Category:Prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment by the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Tirukkural commentators]]
[[Category:19th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian businesspeople]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian lawyers]]
[[Category:Indian National Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu]]

V. O. Chidambaram Pillai - Revision history

Axis: corrected section for consistency and added references

->Data gatherer 1: Corrected formatting in some paragraphs, removed unnecessary WIkipedia links for simple terms, removed a few ambiguous and possibly incorrect statements that could not be verified, added better citations. The article needs lot more cleanup