Page 52 - NIS English 16-31 Aug 2022

Nation Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav
SUNDARA SASTRI SATYAMURTI : A FREEDOM

FIGHTER AND SOCIAL REFORMER

ndia's famous revolutionary leader S Satyamurti played an active role in Civil
IDisobedience and Quit India Movement. He was also a great orator, educationist
and connoisseur of art. He made a significant contribution to the field of education
and social welfare. A lawyer by profession, Sundara Sastri Satyamurti was influenced
by the national movement at a very young age. The desire to liberate the country
inspired him to take the path of revolution. He was a resident of Thirumayam in the
present-day state of Pudukkottai in Tamil Nadu. He was born on 19 August 1887.
He fought tooth and nail against the British empire. He vehemently opposed the
partition of Bengal, the Rowlatt Act, the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and the Simon
Commission. He also played a key role in Vaikom Satyagraha, Salt Satyagraha, and
GuruvayurTemple Movement. He also participated in the Swadeshi movement. In
1919, Congress elected him as its representative to oppose the Rowlatt Act and the
BORN: 19 AUGUST 1887, Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms in Britain. In 1930 he was arrested for trying to unfurl
DEATH: 28 MARCH 1943 the tricolor on a temple in Madras. Satyamurthy played an important role in the victory
of the Congress in the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1937. When he became the
mayor of Madras in 1939, the city was facing a water crisis. As a mayor, he thought of
HE VEHEMENTLY getting a reservoir constructed to overcome the problem of water. Visionary politician

OPPOSED THE Satyamurthy got the reservoir built at Poondi, about 50 km west of the city, to augment
the water supply.
PARTITION OF BENGAL, Even in present times, this reservoir acts as an important water source for Chennai
THE ROWLATT ACT, city. He was arrested and tortured by the British after the Quit India Movement started
in 1942. He was tried and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment and sent to Amaravati
THE JALLIANWALA Jail. He died on 28 March 1943 at the General Hospital in Madras. Satyamurti is also

BAGH MASSACRE, considered the mentor of another freedom fighter K Kamaraj who later became the
AND THE SIMON Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He was also proficient in folk art. He was particularly well
versed in Carnatic folk art. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Academy
COMMISSION. of Music in Madras. He was a mass leader who always worked for the interest of the
common people.

K KELAPPAN: FREEDOM FIGHTER POPULAR

AS THE KERALA GANDHI

BORN: 24 AUGUST 1889, DIED: 07 OCTOBER 1971

ne of the prominent reformist leader and Kerala. After he took the decision to become a part
Ofreedom fighter of Kerala, K Kelappan, left of the non-cooperation movement led by Mahatma
an indelible mark. Born on 24 August 1889 in a Gandhi there was no looking back in his pursuit of
small village in Calicut, Kelappan not only fought freedom for the nation.
against British imperialism but also undertook a Kelappan led the Payyanur and Calicut Salt
campaign for social reforms. Renowned freedom Satyagrahas and was elected as the first Satyagrahi
fighter, social reformer, educationist, and journalist of Kerala in the Individual Satyagraha movement
K Kelappan is well known as the Gandhi of Kerala launched by Mahatma Gandhi. In 1932, the Vaikom
because of his demeanor and non-confrontational Satyagraha and the Guruvayur Satyagraha brought
approach. He popularised the Gandhian ideals in Kelappan to the fore in the freedom struggle. In

50 New India Samachar August 16-31, 2022