T. N. Sivagnanam Pillai

Sir Tinnevely Nelliappa Sivagnanam Pillai
Minister of Development (Madras Presidency)
In office
November 19, 1923 – December 3, 1926
Premier Raja of Panagal
Governor Freeman Freeman-Thomas, 1st Marquess of Willingdon

Sir Charles George Todhunter (acting),
George Goschen, 2nd Viscount Goschen
Preceded by Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu
Succeeded by R. N. Arogyasamy Mudaliar
Personal details
Born April 1, 1861
Tinnevely, Madras Presidency
Died 1936 (aged 75)
Nationality Indian
Political party Justice Party
Alma mater Madras Christian College
Occupation legislator, civil servant
Profession lawyer
Religion Saivite

Diwan Bahadur Sir Tinnevely Nelliappa Sivagnanam Pillai (Tamil: திருநெல்வேலி நெல்லையப்ப சிவஞானம் பிள்ளை) (b. April 1, 1861- d. 1936) was an Indian lawyer, civil servant and politician from the Madras Presidency. He belonged to the Justice Party. He served as the Minister of Development in the government of the Raja of Panagal from 1923 to 1926.

Contents

Early life and education

Sivagnanam Pillai was born on April 1, 1861 to Nelliappa Pillai.[1] He belonged to a Saiva Vellalar family from Tinnevely.[2][3] He graduated in law from Madras Christian College in 1882 and practised as an advocate.[4]

Sivagnanam Pillai was selected for the Provincial Civil Service and served as a Deputy Collector for sometime.[5][6] On his retirement as deputy collector, he joined the Justice Party. In 1919, he was elected to the Madras Legislative Council from Tinnevely.[2] He replaced Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu as Minister of Development on November 19, 1923.[5][6][7]

As Minister of Development

Sivagnanam Pillai was appointed Minister of Development on 1923 replacing Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu. Critics often opine that this was a move planned by the Raja of Panagal to appease the Tamil-speaking people of the Presidency.[5]

During his tenure as the Minister of Development, Sivagnanam Pillai participated in the 9th All-India Non-Brahmin Conference held at Madras on December 19, 1925.[8]

Freemasonry

Sivagnanam Pillai was a prominent freemason and was a member of the Carnatic Lodge from 1905 to 1914[9] and 1925 to 1929.[10]

Notes

  1. ^ Indian Who's who. 1937. pp. 578. 
  2. ^ a b F. Irschick, Eugene (1986). Tamil Revivalism in the 1930s. Cre-A. pp. 29. 
  3. ^ Sargunam, M. J. (1966). Bishop Selwyn of Tirunelveli: A Biography of the Rt. Rev. George T. Selwyn, Faithful Missionary and Bishop of Tirunelveli, 1945-53. Christian Literary Society. pp. 62. 
  4. ^ Studdert-Kennedy, Gerald (1998). Providence and the Raj: Imperial Mission and Missionary Imperialism. SAGE Publications. pp. 80. ISBN 0761992774, ISBN 9780761992776. 
  5. ^ a b c Rajaraman, P. (1988). The Justice Party: A Historical Perspective, 1916-37. Poompozhil Publishers. pp. 217. 
  6. ^ a b Rajaraman, P. (1988). The Justice Party: A Historical Perspective, 1916-37. Poompozhil Publishers. pp. 826. 
  7. ^ Balasubramaniam, K. M. (1965). The Life of J. M. Nallaswami Pillai: The Centenary Memorial to a Champion of Saiva Siddhanta. J. M. Somasundaram Pillai. pp. 109. 
  8. ^ Ralhan, O. P.. Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd.. pp. 236. 
  9. ^ History of the Carnatic Lodge No. 2031, E.C. 1883-1933 Jubliee. 1933. pp. 134. 
  10. ^ History of the Carnatic Lodge No. 2031, E.C. 1883-1933 Jubliee. 1933. pp. 141. 
Preceded by
Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu		 Minister of Development (Madras Presidency)
November 19, 1923– December 3, 1926		 Succeeded by
R. N. Arogyasamy Mudaliar