This is my World

Among the many freedom fighters of South India who were written out of history by the historians of India, Theeran Chinnamalai is one of the most important. His dispute with the British began when he tried to help the farmers on whom heavy taxes were imposed by the British. The dispute grew over the years and it ended when he was put to death by the British. This article is a small biography of his life. Chapter 1: Early years Theeran Chinnamalai was born as Theerthagiri on April 17, 1756. He was the second of the six children of Rathina Sarkkarai and Periyaatha. He had an elder brother-Kulandhaisamy, three younger brothers-Thambi, Kilothar and Kuttisamy, and a younger sister-Parvatham. His grandfather, Kottravel  Sarkkarai  Mandraadiaar  ( மன்றாடியார்),  belonged to the Palayakottai pattakkaarar family that controlled large tracts of land around Paalayankottai.  Kottravel  Sarkkarai was still childless after two marriages and adopted two sons to take ...

The Indian independence movement brought to fore great souls who were selfless and honest. While many of them resigned back to peace after independence, others ventured into politics. Not to make money or name for themselves, but to provide a better life for the suffering and the unprivileged. Though a few of them are still remembered today, most of them have been wiped off from the pages of history. One such man is P. Kakkan.  Personal life: Kakkan was born into a Dalit family on 18 June 1908 in a small village called Thumbaipatti near Madurai. He did his primary schooling in Melur - the town closest to his village - before moving to Thirumangalam or Madurai(there is some confusion over where he studied) for higher secondary education. He seemed to have failed the SSLC exam and thereafter, worked as a teacher before becoming a social worker. He was married to Parvati with whom he fathered five sons and a daughter. He was deeply religious and rejected Periyar's ideologies and me...

Indian historians have always had selective memory. To them, the four cities of Shahjahanabad(Delhi), Mumbaai(Mumbai), Mahishur(Mysore) and Kalikata(Kolkata) form the boundaries of the country. Many a men have lost their place in Indian history due to this geopolitical blindness. One such man is Vanchinathan.  Personal life: Vanchinathan was born into a Brahmin family in 1886 in the southernmost corner of the country. Sengottai, the town in which he was born, literally means 'Red fort' in English, but this one is not celebrated as the other one in the northern corner of the country. As a child, it is said, Vanchinathan was polite and unassuming, almost shy. He also seems to have been studious, graduating with a B.A. from Moolam Thirunal Maharaja College in Thiruvananthapuram and a M.A from Baroda university. While he was in college, he married Ponnammal with whom he fathered a daughter. After college, he was offered a clerkship in Travancore forest department which he happil...