V. O. Chidambaram Pillai Biography 
V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, also known as Kappalottiya Tamilan (Tamilian who drove ship) was a Tamil political leader who lived during the period 1872-1936. His full name is Valliappan Olaganthan Chidambaram Pillai and is popularly known by his initials V.O.C. (spelt Vaa. Oo.Ce in Tamil). He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin and Colombo with the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company during British rule. He was later charged with sedition by the British government, sentenced to life imprisonment and stripped his barrister license. He has been a member of Indian national congress. Meyyaram (1914), Meyyarivu (1915), autobiography, columns in magazines and a few translations are his contributions to literary world. Thirukural with literary notes of Manakudavar (1917) and Tolkappiam with literary notes of Ilampooranar (1928) are his published works.
Pillai was born on 5 September 1872 in Ottapidaram of Tamil Nadu to Olaganathan Pillai and Paramayee Ammal. He was deeply influenced by the Hindu mythological stories told by his mother and grandmother during his childhood. He learnt Tamil from the teacher Veeraperumal Annavi and English from a Taluk Officer named Krishnan. When Krishnan was transferred, Chidambaram’s father built a school where he studied later. His education was later completed at St. Xaviers High School, Caldwell High School, Thoothukudi and Hindu College High School, Tirunelveli. He briefly worked as Taluk office clerk before studying Law. His meetings with Ramakrishnananthar, a saint who belonged to Swami Vivekananda Ashram and Tamil poet Bharathiyaar prompted him to do something good for the society.
Chidambaram established many institutions like Swadeshi Prachar Sabha, Dharmasanga Nesavu Salai, National Godown, Madras Agro-Industrial Society Ltd and Desabimana Sangam. He started an Indian-owned shipping company with a capital of 10 lakhs and registered it in the year 1906. But Pillai’s political involvement and association with freedom struggle movement drew attention of British. He was arrested and sentenced to life imprisonment. Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company was liquidated in 1911, and the ships auctioned to their competitors.
Though released he was not permitted to return to his Tirunelveli district. He moved to Chennai with his wife and two sons and ran a provisions store and a kerosene store. In 1920, Chidambaram withdrew from the Indian National Congress, citing ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi. Then he got associated with labour movements and writings. Later he worked as bank manager, practised law and finally got settled in Thoothukudi with his writings.
Published: N/A
Updated: January 21, 2014
