Rajah Muthiah Chettiar Biography 
Rajah Muthiah Chettiar was an Indian educationist and philanthropist belonging to Tamil Nadu state. He was also involved in politics for a short period of time. He served as the first Mayor of Chennai. He founded Annamalai University along with his father Rajah Sir Annamalai Chettiar. He was honored by Tamil Nadu Government by giving him the title of Isai Kavalar.
He was born on 5th August 1905 in Kanadukathan in Madura District of Madras Presidency. He belonged to the Nattukottai Nagarathar community. He studied at Madras and got his graduation from the Presidency College at Chennai in the year 1922. He went to Burma to look after his family business where he acquired the skills of banking.
He represented the South Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Madras Legislative Council and was elected as its President in the year 1941. He was appointed as the member of the Provincial Banking Enquiry Committee in 1931. He was elected as the member of the Corporation of Madras in 1929 and became its mayor in 1933 and 1934. He served as the president of the Federation of the Indian Chambers of Commerce and industry.
He worked with his father in erecting Sri Minakshi College in Chidambaram. He became the Chairman of Legislative Assembly of the Justice Party. He served as the member of the board of management of the Pachaiyappa’s Charities for 33 years. He was highly interested in the Tamil language, Tamil literature, Tamil music and culture.
He served as the leader of the opposition in 1939 and became the first Mayor of the Corporation of Chennai in 1933. He was elected as the member of the constituent assembly in 1946. He was knighted in 1941. He hosted the lunch in the Chettinad House for the Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh.
He received Padma Bhushan award in the year 1973 by Government of India and received honorary doctorate in 1982 from New York World University. He died on 12th May 1984. He was honored by Government of India by issuing a postal stamp in his memory on 21st December 1987.
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Updated: August 26, 2011
