Raja Annamalai Chettiar
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Raja Annamalai Chettiar was born on September 30, 1881 at Kanadukattam in the Ramanathapuram District of Tamil Nadu, India. His father, S.R.M.M. Muthiah Chettiar was a rich and influential banker. After his schooling, he joined his family business. During the course of his business, he visited some of the countries in Southeast Asia. He also spent a considerable time in England. On his return home, he became the head of the civic body of kairaikudi, also member of several local organisations and the District Board.
In 1916, he transferred from local affairs to the Legislative Council of Madras Presidency, where he sat for 3 years. In 1920 he stood for election to the Council of State, established under the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms, and was returned for the general constituency (the whole of the Presidency) at the head of polls. He held his seat in the Council for three consecutive terms, always by election and every time at the head of the polls. With his natural bent for finance, he with others founded the Indian Bank. He was also appointed a governor of the Imperial Bank of India at its inception in 1921 and continued as one of its directors almost to the end of his life. Annamalai Chettiar was of the firm view that education was the primary need for the country. He made his mind to found and endow a college at Chidambaram. Sri Minakshi College was formally opened in 1920. To the Arts College was added the Sanskrit College and a Tamil College in 1927. Soon an Oriental Training College followed by a College of Music was established. With all these institutions forming a splendid nucleus for a university came into existence on 1 January 1929 with the passing of the bill and started functioning from July 1929. In recognition of his unique services to the cause of learning, a Knighthood, and the distinction of a hereditary Rajah was conferred on him. Rajah Annamalai Chettiar was deeply concerned over and made persistent efforts to safeguard the interests of Indians in Burma and French Indo-China. For this purpose he led a deputation to London and Paris in 1935. Even while immersed in other affairs, his thoughts were always with the University at Annamalainagar. Its development and expansion was his master passion. His devotion to music, especially Tamil music was another of his passions. The movement and the impetus that he gave to Tamil music were hailed by all. He died on 15 June 1948. Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is privileged to issue a commemorative stamp in his honour.
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