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Rama Subbaiah: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}} | ||
{{more citations needed|date=December 2021}} | |||
{{Indian name|Subbaiah|Rama}}{{Infobox officeholder | {{Indian name|Subbaiah|Rama}} | ||
{{Infobox officeholder | |||
| office = Member of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] | | office = Member of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] | ||
| term_start = 20 April 1972 | | term_start = 20 April 1972 | ||
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| caption = | | caption = | ||
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1908|11|14|df=yes}} | | birth_date = {{Birth date|1908|11|14|df=yes}} | ||
| birth_place = [[Arimalam]], [[Pudukkottai State | | birth_place = [[Arimalam]], [[Pudukkottai State]], [[British India]]<br/>(now in [[Tamil Nadu]], India) | ||
| death_date = {{death date and age|1997|05|21|1908|11|14|df=yes}} | | death_date = {{death date and age|1997|05|21|1908|11|14|df=yes}} | ||
| death_place = [[Tamil Nadu]], | | death_place = [[Tamil Nadu]], India | ||
| education = | | education = | ||
| occupation = Social activist<br />Politician | | occupation = Social activist<br />Politician | ||
| party = [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|24px]] [[Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam]]<br />(1949-1997; his death) | | party = [[Image:Flag DMK.svg|24px]] [[Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam]]<br />(1949-1997; his death) | ||
| otherparty = [[Self Respect Movement]]<br />(1930-1944)<br />[[Image:Flag | | otherparty = [[Self Respect Movement]]<br />(1930-1944)<br />[[Image:Flag of Dravidar Kazagam.svg|24px]] [[Dravidar Kazhagam]]<br />(1944-1949) | ||
| spouse = {{marriage|Visalatchi |1933|1987|end={{abbr|d.|died}}}} | | spouse = {{marriage|Visalatchi |1933|1987|end={{abbr|d.|died}}}} | ||
| children = Lenin (1934-38/39)<br />[[ S. P. Muthuraman]] (1935-)<br />Kanagalakshmi (1936-)<br />Selvamani (1939-)<br />Indhira (1942-74)<br />Swaminathan (1946-)<br />[[Suba Veerapandian]] (1952-) | | children = Lenin (1934-38/39)<br />[[S. P. Muthuraman]] (1935-)<br />Kanagalakshmi (1936-)<br />Selvamani (1939-)<br />Indhira (1942-74)<br />Swaminathan (1946-)<br />[[Suba Veerapandian]] (1952-) | ||
| parents = Pazhaniyappan {{small|(father)}} | | parents = Pazhaniyappan {{small|(father)}} | ||
}} | }} | ||
'''Karaikudi Rama Subbaiah''' (14 November 1908 - 21 May 1997) was an Indian | '''Karaikudi Rama Subbaiah''' (14 November 1908 - 21 May 1997) was an Indian politician and a forerunner of the [[Dravidian movement]]. He served as a member of the erstwhile [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] from 1972 to 1978. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Subbaiah was born on 14 November 1908 in a [[Nattukottai Nagarathar]] family in [[Arimalam]] (in [[Pudukkottai district]]). Despite his family's religiousness, he was attracted by the [[Rationalism|rationalist]] thoughts of [[Periyar|"Periyar" E.V. Ramasamy]], to whom he got introduced during 1924-25.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=சமதர்மம் சுப்பையா - காரைக்குடி இராம.சுப்பையா நினைவலைகள் / எழுத்தும் குரலும் இரா. உமா|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK5plbh9gGo|language=en|access-date=2021-10-26}}</ref> | Subbaiah was born on 14 November 1908 in a [[Nattukottai Nagarathar]] family in [[Arimalam]] (in [[Pudukkottai district]]). Despite his family's religiousness, he was attracted by the [[Rationalism|rationalist]] thoughts of [[Periyar|"Periyar" E.V. Ramasamy]], to whom he got introduced during 1924-25.<ref name=":0">{{Citation|title=சமதர்மம் சுப்பையா - காரைக்குடி இராம.சுப்பையா நினைவலைகள் / எழுத்தும் குரலும் இரா. உமா|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fK5plbh9gGo|language=en|access-date=2021-10-26}}</ref> | ||
== Politics == | == Politics == | ||
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Subbaiah joined the [[Self-Respect Movement]] in 1930 and was instrumental in developing the movement in [[Karaikudi]] region. He became a close confidant of Tamil poet [[Bharathidasan]], who had joined the Self-Respect movement the same time as he did. Others who were close to Subbaiah's family included [[Kunjitham Gurusamy]], [[Pattukkottai Alagiri]], [[N. D. Sundaravadivelu]], [[Moovalur Ramamirtham]] and [[Poovalur Ponnambalanar]].<ref name=":0" /> | Subbaiah joined the [[Self-Respect Movement]] in 1930 and was instrumental in developing the movement in [[Karaikudi]] region. He became a close confidant of Tamil poet [[Bharathidasan]], who had joined the Self-Respect movement the same time as he did. Others who were close to Subbaiah's family included [[Kunjitham Gurusamy]], [[Pattukkottai Alagiri]], [[N. D. Sundaravadivelu]], [[Moovalur Ramamirtham]] and [[Poovalur Ponnambalanar]].<ref name=":0" /> | ||
In the 1930s Subbaiah successfully conducted "[[Adi Dravida | In the 1930s Subbaiah successfully conducted "[[Adi Dravida]]r Welfare Conference". He also gained the friendship of [[Communism|communist]] icons like [[Malayapuram Singaravelu|M. Singaravelu]], [[P. Jeevanandham]] and [[P. Ramamurthi]]. In 1935, Singaravelu suggested that Subbaiah name his house as "சமதர்ம விலாஸ்" (translit. "''camatarma vilās''"; meaning "[[Socialism|Socialist]] Villa"),<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் சமூகநீதிக்கான சரித்திர நாயகரின் மேலான பரிசீலனைக்கு!|url=https://www.viduthalai.page/2021/09/blog-post_157.html|access-date=2021-10-26}}</ref> and even provided a marble plaque with the name etched on it. From that point, some of Subbaiah's friends called him as "Samadharmam Subbaiah".<ref name=":0" /> | ||
In 1932, amidst much opposition, Subbaiah conducted "[[Ramanathapuram district]]'s "Self-Respect Movement Conference" in Karaikudi. <ref name=":0" /> | In 1932, amidst much opposition, Subbaiah conducted "[[Ramanathapuram district]]'s "Self-Respect Movement Conference" in Karaikudi.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
During the [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu#Agitation of 1937–40|1937-40 Anti-Hindi agitation]], Subbaiah mobilized hundreds of people into participating, though he himself did not partake (Periyar advised him not to get arrested but to strengthen the agitations as an outside participant).<ref name=":0" /> | During the [[Anti-Hindi agitations of Tamil Nadu#Agitation of 1937–40|1937-40 Anti-Hindi agitation]], Subbaiah mobilized hundreds of people into participating, though he himself did not partake (Periyar advised him not to get arrested but to strengthen the agitations as an outside participant).<ref name=":0" /> | ||
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=== Dravidar Kazhagam (1944-49) === | === Dravidar Kazhagam (1944-49) === | ||
Subbaiah stayed with the Self-Respect movement as it metamorphosed into the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (DK) on 27 August 1944. The DK held its first state conference (called "Blackshirt Conference") in [[Madurai]] during | Subbaiah stayed with the Self-Respect movement as it metamorphosed into the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (DK) on 27 August 1944. The DK held its first state conference (called "Blackshirt Conference") in [[Madurai]] during 11–12 May 1946.<ref>{{Cite web|last=மா.செங்குட்டுவன்|first=கவிக்கொண்டல்|title=திராவிட இயக்க வரலாற்றில் கருஞ்சட்டைப் படை|url=https://keetru.com/index.php/2016-10-05-08-08-14/nimirvom-jan19/36546-2019-01-28-10-01-44|access-date=2021-11-11|website=keetru.com|language=ta-in}}</ref> On 12 May, some miscreants set fire to the conference [[Shamiana|''pandal'']] set up in the sandy banks of [[Vaigai River]], as part of a few other violent incidents (which the DK later claimed happened at the behest of [[A. Vaidyanatha Iyer]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=இயக்கத்தில் கட்டுப்பாடான ஒற்றுமையையும் கூட்டுப் பொறுப்பையும் உண்டாக்க வேண்டியது மிகவும் அவசியம்|url=https://www.viduthalai.page/2020/07/ujHmSr.html|access-date=2021-11-11}}</ref>). Following the chaos, Subbaiah, [[K. Anbazhagan]] and a few other participants fled Madurai. After crossing [[Manamadurai]] and [[Thirukoshtiyur]], they reached Karaikudi. On 14 May, Subbaiah arranged a meeting in a village near Karaikudi. There too, some unidentified people pelted stones.<ref name=":3" /> | ||
=== Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1949-97) === | === Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1949-97) === | ||
Subbaiah left the DK in 1949 along with [[C.N. Annadurai]] as the latter had differences with Periyar. Subbaiah joined Annadurai's new party [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK). He then gained the friendship [[M. Karunanidhi]], then a second rung leader in the party. Karunanidhi introduced poet [[Kannadasan]] to Subbaiah.<ref name=":0" /> | Subbaiah left the DK in 1949 along with [[C.N. Annadurai]] as the latter had differences with Periyar. Subbaiah joined Annadurai's new party [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK). He then gained the friendship [[M. Karunanidhi]], then a second rung leader in the party. Karunanidhi introduced poet [[Kannadasan]] to Subbaiah.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
Subbaiah also played an important role in drawing many youth to the DMK in the Karaikudi region. Those mentored by him include [[R. M. Veerappan]] (later founder of [[MGR Kazhagam]]) and poet Sami Palaniappan ( | Subbaiah also played an important role in drawing many youth to the DMK in the Karaikudi region. Those mentored by him include [[R. M. Veerappan]] (later founder of [[MGR Kazhagam]]) and poet Sami Palaniappan (Tamil lyricist [[Palani Bharathi]]'s father).<ref name=":0" /> | ||
In 1953, Subbaiah became involved in the protests against the [[Chief Ministership of C. Rajagopalachari|Rajagopalachari government's]] [[Modified Scheme of Elementary education 1953|Modified Scheme of Elementary education]], a short-lived initiative that gained notoriety as the "Kula kalvi thittam (Hereditary/Caste Education Scheme)". Around the same time, he led the second batch of protesters [[Kallakudi demonstration|against the renaming of Kallakudi as Dalmiapuram]], the first and third batch being led by Karunanidhi and Kannadasan respectively. He was arrested and sentenced to three months of imprisonment at [[Tiruchirappalli Central Prison]]. Karunanidhi was among his prison-mates. After release, Subbaiah became a member of the DMK's general council. In the [[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957 Madras Assembly election]], he unsuccessfully contested against [[M. A. Muthiah Chettiar]] (of the [[Indian National Congress|INC]]) in [[Karaikudi (state assembly constituency)|Karaikudi constituency]].<ref name=":0" /> | In 1953, Subbaiah became involved in the protests against the [[Chief Ministership of C. Rajagopalachari|Rajagopalachari government's]] [[Modified Scheme of Elementary education 1953|Modified Scheme of Elementary education]], a short-lived initiative that gained notoriety as the "Kula kalvi thittam (Hereditary/Caste Education Scheme)". Around the same time, he led the second batch of protesters [[Kallakudi demonstration|against the renaming of Kallakudi as Dalmiapuram]], the first and third batch being led by Karunanidhi and Kannadasan respectively. He was arrested and sentenced to three months of imprisonment at [[Tiruchirappalli Central Prison]]. Karunanidhi was among his prison-mates. After release, Subbaiah became a member of the DMK's general council. In the [[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957 Madras Assembly election]], he unsuccessfully contested against [[M. A. Muthiah Chettiar]] (of the [[Indian National Congress|INC]]) in [[Karaikudi (state assembly constituency)|Karaikudi constituency]].<ref name=":0" /> | ||
On 20 April 1972, Subbaiah was appointed by Karunanidhi (then [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]) as a member of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] (MLC). He served in that position till 19 April 1978.<ref name=":0" /> | On 20 April 1972, Subbaiah was appointed by Karunanidhi (then [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]) as a member of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] (MLC). He served in that position till 19 April 1978.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Subbaiah married Visalatchi | Subbaiah married Visalatchi, who was also a member of the Self Respect Movement since 1930. They had seven children. Owing to his interest in socialist ideals, Subbaiah named his eldest child (b. 17 January 1934) after [[Lenin]]. The boy died of fever when he was just four or five years old. Indhira (Subbaiah's daughter; b. September 1942) too died early aged 32, leaving behind two sons.<ref name=":3">{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Bs_yILhtmrAC|title=Bs_yILhtmrAC}}</ref><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":2" /> Visalatchi died on 19 September 1987 due to chronic [[diabetes]].<ref>{{Citation |title=பேராசிரியர் சுப.வீரபாண்டியன் |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ME1gH8SHfng |access-date=2023-03-18 |language=en}}</ref> | ||
As of 2015, five children of Subbaiah were alive. They are: Tamil film director [[S. P. Muthuraman]] (b.1935), Kanagalaksmi (b. December 1936), Selvamani (b.1939), Swaminathan (b.1946) and Dravidian ideologue [[Suba Veerapandian]] aka '''Subavee'''.(b.1952).<ref name=":2" /> | As of 2015, five children of Subbaiah were alive. They are: Tamil film director [[S. P. Muthuraman]] (b.1935), Kanagalaksmi (b. December 1936), Selvamani (b.1939), Swaminathan (b.1946) and Dravidian ideologue [[Suba Veerapandian]] aka '''Subavee'''.(b.1952).<ref name=":2" /> | ||
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== Legacy == | == Legacy == | ||
In 1985, Subbaiah's biography titled நானும் என் திராவிட இயக்க நினைவுகளும் [translit.''Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum''; meaning ''Me and my Dravidian Movement Memories''] came out after being edited by Subavee. Kanimuthup Pathipagam (Chennai) was the publisher.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Cuppaiyā|first=Kāraikkuṭi Irāma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bRu5AAAAIAAJ|title=Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum|date=1985|publisher=Kaṉimuttu Patippakam|language=ta}}</ref> It was launched by Karunanidhi (then an MLC) at [[Periyar Thidal]]. | In 1985, Subbaiah's biography titled நானும் என் திராவிட இயக்க நினைவுகளும் [translit.''Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum''; meaning ''Me and my Dravidian Movement Memories''] came out after being edited by Subavee. Kanimuthup Pathipagam (Chennai) was the publisher.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book|last=Cuppaiyā|first=Kāraikkuṭi Irāma|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bRu5AAAAIAAJ|title=Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum|date=1985|publisher=Kaṉimuttu Patippakam|language=ta}}</ref> It was launched by Karunanidhi (then an MLC) at [[Periyar Thidal]]. | ||
{{hidden begin|title = Translation of Subavee's preface to ''Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum''|titlestyle = background:lightgrey;}} | {{hidden begin|title = Translation of Subavee's preface to ''Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum''|titlestyle = background:lightgrey;}} | ||
" Dear Father, | "Dear Father, | ||
I have some reasons for pride. | I have some reasons for pride. | ||
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You are the eldest in our house; | You are the eldest in our house; | ||
You're the last child too ! | You're the last child too! | ||
I still remember your shoulders that lifted me towards the ''thinnai'' ''pallikkoodam''. | I still remember your shoulders that lifted me towards the ''thinnai'' ''pallikkoodam''. | ||
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I have a regret that you have not beaten me since the day I remember. | I have a regret that you have not beaten me since the day I remember. | ||
Had it not been for | Had it not been for mother's sternness, waves would have gone astray. | ||
I have often heard my mother tell stories of you disappearing and returning home five or six months later. | I have often heard my mother tell stories of you disappearing and returning home five or six months later. | ||
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It is because of the work you have done that all of us children are well today. | It is because of the work you have done that all of us children are well today. | ||
You plucked [fruits]; | You plucked [fruits]; we quenched our appetites. | ||
You walked; | You walked; we rested. | ||
Few are the days in which I saw money in your pockets. You never hid wealth in a box. | Few are the days in which I saw money in your pockets. You never hid wealth in a box. | ||
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{{quote box|" Have you ever seen the miraculous sight of 'Toil' taking a shape and working [enthusiastically]? If you haven't seen it, see Rama Subbaiah!... | {{quote box|" Have you ever seen the miraculous sight of 'Toil' taking a shape and working [enthusiastically]? If you haven't seen it, see Rama Subbaiah!... | ||
...The one with a motherly heart, the one who speaks so [eloquently] that even a diabolic heart may be moved. He has impressed not only me, but the frontline warriors of the movement, not today or yesterday, but [since the very beginning]... | ...The one with a motherly heart, the one who speaks so [eloquently] that even a diabolic heart may be moved. He has impressed not only me, but the frontline warriors of the movement, not today or yesterday, but [since the very beginning]... | ||
The force under his command fought a virtuous battle just like us on the field and was captured by the ruling class. " | The force under his command fought a virtuous battle just like us on the field and was captured by the ruling class. " | ||
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}} | }} | ||
Karunanidhi held the birth centenary celebration of Subbaiah on 10 May 2008, during his fifth term as Chief Minister.<ref name=":0" /> | Karunanidhi held the birth centenary celebration of Subbaiah on 10 May 2008, during his fifth term as Chief Minister.<ref name=":0" /> | ||
In a statement dated 8 September 2021, Dravidar Kazhagam president [[K.Veeramani]] requested Chief Minister [[M.K.Stalin]] to name a proposed college in Karaikudi after Subbaiah.<ref name=":1" /> | In a statement dated 8 September 2021, Dravidar Kazhagam president [[K.Veeramani]] requested Chief Minister [[M.K.Stalin]] to name a proposed college in Karaikudi after Subbaiah.<ref name=":1" /> | ||
| Line 130: | Line 131: | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:Suba Veerapandian }} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Suba Veerapandian}} | ||
[[Category:1908 births]] | [[Category:1908 births]] | ||
[[Category:1997 deaths]] | [[Category:1997 deaths]] | ||
[[Category:People from Pudukkottai district]] | [[Category:People from Pudukkottai district]] | ||
[[Category:Dravidian movement]] | [[Category:Dravidian movement]] | ||
[[Category:Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] | [[Category:Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council]] | ||
[[Category:Indian rationalists]] | [[Category:Indian rationalists]] | ||
[[Category:Indian atheists]] | [[Category:Indian atheists]] | ||
[[Category:Anti-caste activists]] | [[Category:Anti-caste activists]] | ||
[[Category:Indian socialists]] | [[Category:Indian socialists]] | ||
Latest revision as of 15:21, 20 July 2023
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (December 2021) |
Rama.Subbaiah | |
|---|---|
| Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council | |
| In office 20 April 1972 – 19 April 1978 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 November 1908 Arimalam, Pudukkottai State, British India (now in Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Died | 21 May 1997 (aged 88) Tamil Nadu, India |
| Political party |  Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam(1949-1997; his death) |
| Other political affiliations | Self Respect Movement (1930-1944)  Dravidar Kazhagam(1944-1949) |
| Spouse(s) | Visalatchi
( m. 1933; d. 1987) |
| Children | Lenin (1934-38/39) S. P. Muthuraman (1935-) Kanagalakshmi (1936-) Selvamani (1939-) Indhira (1942-74) Swaminathan (1946-) Suba Veerapandian (1952-) |
| Parent(s) | Pazhaniyappan (father) |
| Occupation | Social activist Politician |
Karaikudi Rama Subbaiah (14 November 1908 - 21 May 1997) was an Indian politician and a forerunner of the Dravidian movement. He served as a member of the erstwhile Tamil Nadu Legislative Council from 1972 to 1978.
Early life[edit]
Subbaiah was born on 14 November 1908 in a Nattukottai Nagarathar family in Arimalam (in Pudukkottai district). Despite his family's religiousness, he was attracted by the rationalist thoughts of "Periyar" E.V. Ramasamy, to whom he got introduced during 1924-25.[1]
Politics[edit]
Self-Respect Movement (1930-44)[edit]
Subbaiah joined the Self-Respect Movement in 1930 and was instrumental in developing the movement in Karaikudi region. He became a close confidant of Tamil poet Bharathidasan, who had joined the Self-Respect movement the same time as he did. Others who were close to Subbaiah's family included Kunjitham Gurusamy, Pattukkottai Alagiri, N. D. Sundaravadivelu, Moovalur Ramamirtham and Poovalur Ponnambalanar.[1]
In the 1930s Subbaiah successfully conducted "Adi Dravidar Welfare Conference". He also gained the friendship of communist icons like M. Singaravelu, P. Jeevanandham and P. Ramamurthi. In 1935, Singaravelu suggested that Subbaiah name his house as "சமதர்ம விலாஸ்" (translit. "camatarma vilās"; meaning "Socialist Villa"),[2] and even provided a marble plaque with the name etched on it. From that point, some of Subbaiah's friends called him as "Samadharmam Subbaiah".[1]
In 1932, amidst much opposition, Subbaiah conducted "Ramanathapuram district's "Self-Respect Movement Conference" in Karaikudi.[1]
During the 1937-40 Anti-Hindi agitation, Subbaiah mobilized hundreds of people into participating, though he himself did not partake (Periyar advised him not to get arrested but to strengthen the agitations as an outside participant).[1]
On 27 December 1938, the Self-Respect movement held the Madras State's fourth "Tamils Conference", during which 28 people got elected as members of the organisation's state working committee. Subbaiah was one of them, along with two others from Ramanathapuram - namely M. Kasi Viswanatham and W. P. A. Soundarapandian.[1]
Dravidar Kazhagam (1944-49)[edit]
Subbaiah stayed with the Self-Respect movement as it metamorphosed into the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) on 27 August 1944. The DK held its first state conference (called "Blackshirt Conference") in Madurai during 11–12 May 1946.[3] On 12 May, some miscreants set fire to the conference pandal set up in the sandy banks of Vaigai River, as part of a few other violent incidents (which the DK later claimed happened at the behest of A. Vaidyanatha Iyer[4]). Following the chaos, Subbaiah, K. Anbazhagan and a few other participants fled Madurai. After crossing Manamadurai and Thirukoshtiyur, they reached Karaikudi. On 14 May, Subbaiah arranged a meeting in a village near Karaikudi. There too, some unidentified people pelted stones.[5]
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (1949-97)[edit]
Subbaiah left the DK in 1949 along with C.N. Annadurai as the latter had differences with Periyar. Subbaiah joined Annadurai's new party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). He then gained the friendship M. Karunanidhi, then a second rung leader in the party. Karunanidhi introduced poet Kannadasan to Subbaiah.[1]
Subbaiah also played an important role in drawing many youth to the DMK in the Karaikudi region. Those mentored by him include R. M. Veerappan (later founder of MGR Kazhagam) and poet Sami Palaniappan (Tamil lyricist Palani Bharathi's father).[1]
In 1953, Subbaiah became involved in the protests against the Rajagopalachari government's Modified Scheme of Elementary education, a short-lived initiative that gained notoriety as the "Kula kalvi thittam (Hereditary/Caste Education Scheme)". Around the same time, he led the second batch of protesters against the renaming of Kallakudi as Dalmiapuram, the first and third batch being led by Karunanidhi and Kannadasan respectively. He was arrested and sentenced to three months of imprisonment at Tiruchirappalli Central Prison. Karunanidhi was among his prison-mates. After release, Subbaiah became a member of the DMK's general council. In the 1957 Madras Assembly election, he unsuccessfully contested against M. A. Muthiah Chettiar (of the INC) in Karaikudi constituency.[1]
On 20 April 1972, Subbaiah was appointed by Karunanidhi (then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu) as a member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council (MLC). He served in that position till 19 April 1978.[1]
Personal life[edit]
Subbaiah married Visalatchi, who was also a member of the Self Respect Movement since 1930. They had seven children. Owing to his interest in socialist ideals, Subbaiah named his eldest child (b. 17 January 1934) after Lenin. The boy died of fever when he was just four or five years old. Indhira (Subbaiah's daughter; b. September 1942) too died early aged 32, leaving behind two sons.[5][6][7] Visalatchi died on 19 September 1987 due to chronic diabetes.[8]
As of 2015, five children of Subbaiah were alive. They are: Tamil film director S. P. Muthuraman (b.1935), Kanagalaksmi (b. December 1936), Selvamani (b.1939), Swaminathan (b.1946) and Dravidian ideologue Suba Veerapandian aka Subavee.(b.1952).[7]
Death[edit]
Subbaiah died on 21 May 1997.[1] His body was first garlanded by the then Chief Minister Karunanidhi as per the former's wish. Later, the body was cremated without any orthodox Hindu rituals as per Subavee's suggestions. As a defiance of customs, women too participated in the funeral. Advocate and Dravidian ideologue Arulmozhi delivered the condolence speech.[7]
Legacy[edit]
In 1985, Subbaiah's biography titled நானும் என் திராவிட இயக்க நினைவுகளும் [translit.Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum; meaning Me and my Dravidian Movement Memories] came out after being edited by Subavee. Kanimuthup Pathipagam (Chennai) was the publisher.[6] It was launched by Karunanidhi (then an MLC) at Periyar Thidal.
"Dear Father,
I have some reasons for pride.
That I'm your child is the chief one among them.
You are the eldest in our house;
You're the last child too!
I still remember your shoulders that lifted me towards the thinnai pallikkoodam.
I have a regret that you have not beaten me since the day I remember.
Had it not been for mother's sternness, waves would have gone astray.
I have often heard my mother tell stories of you disappearing and returning home five or six months later.
It is because of the work you have done that all of us children are well today.
You plucked [fruits]; we quenched our appetites.
You walked; we rested.
Few are the days in which I saw money in your pockets. You never hid wealth in a box.
My little pen could not measure the 78-year-journey of your feet.
But still
It was only when I finished writing this book that a meaning came to my writing skill.
As I have written this book in colloquial tongue just as you spoke to me, I have recorded in it not only your opinions, but also your voice.
Your opinion, your work, your voice, your appearance, your handwriting can all be seen in this book.
I have been careful not to let any of my opinion and language style come in.
It is a shortfall that old photos and letters could not be added more. This shortfall will vanish in the next edition !
I will always be thankful to Mr. Subasundaram and Mr. Govindan who helped me [to write this book] upon mentioning your name.
This book
We think is a property you and Mother are leaving to us.
Love,
- Suba Veerapandian "
...The one with a motherly heart, the one who speaks so [eloquently] that even a diabolic heart may be moved. He has impressed not only me, but the frontline warriors of the movement, not today or yesterday, but [since the very beginning]...
The force under his command fought a virtuous battle just like us on the field and was captured by the ruling class. "
— M.Karunanidhi, writing about Subbaiah in his autobiography Nenjukku Needhi
Karunanidhi held the birth centenary celebration of Subbaiah on 10 May 2008, during his fifth term as Chief Minister.[1]
In a statement dated 8 September 2021, Dravidar Kazhagam president K.Veeramani requested Chief Minister M.K.Stalin to name a proposed college in Karaikudi after Subbaiah.[2]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 சமதர்மம் சுப்பையா - காரைக்குடி இராம.சுப்பையா நினைவலைகள் / எழுத்தும் குரலும் இரா. உமா, retrieved 26 October 2021
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "தமிழ்நாடு முதலமைச்சர் சமூகநீதிக்கான சரித்திர நாயகரின் மேலான பரிசீலனைக்கு!". Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ↑ மா.செங்குட்டுவன், கவிக்கொண்டல். "திராவிட இயக்க வரலாற்றில் கருஞ்சட்டைப் படை". keetru.com (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ↑ "இயக்கத்தில் கட்டுப்பாடான ஒற்றுமையையும் கூட்டுப் பொறுப்பையும் உண்டாக்க வேண்டியது மிகவும் அவசியம்". Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Bs_yILhtmrAC.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Cuppaiyā, Kāraikkuṭi Irāma (1985). Nāṉum eṉ Tirāviṭa Iyakka niṉaivukaḷum (in தமிழ்). Kaṉimuttu Patippakam.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Shankar (2 April 2015). "என்றும் ஒரே எஸ்பி.எம்!". tamil.oneindia.com (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 26 October 2021.
- ↑ பேராசிரியர் சுப.வீரபாண்டியன், retrieved 18 March 2023