Remembering the life and times of Pachaiyappa

The name Pachaiyappa Mudaliar conjures up an image of an educationist blessing a student, and reminds one of a slew of educational institutions bearing the name.

Actually, neither the educational institutions nor the Trust founded in his name were in the picture during his lifetime, or even some 40 years after his death.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who made a fortune as a

dubashi (interpreter) during the reign of the East India Company in the country, died in 1794. The foundation stone for the first residential school for caste-Hindu students was laid only in 1846.

The money, bonds and jewels, all worth over Rs. six lakh, were used for charitable activities and various temple rituals, before the arrival of George Norton, the attorney general of Madras Presidency.

The biography of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who lived only 40 years, has been re-issued after a gap of 104-years. It reveals the life and times of the man and the legal battles, attempts to appropriate his properties and the efforts taken by Mr. Norton to create Pachaiyappa’s Trust and a slew of educational institutions, including a key college Chennai.

The biography was penned by Komaleeswaran Pettai (now Pudupettai) Seenivasa Pillai, the first trustee of the Trust who worked together with Mr. Norton in establishing the educational institutions.

Now,Va.Mu.Se. Andavar, associate Tamil professor at Pachaiyappa’s College, has re-published the book, written in a quaint style that was probably in vogue about a 100 years ago.

“This is probably the first authentic material on the life of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar,” says Mr. Andavar.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, born in Periapalayam in 1754, lost his father even before his birth. His mother, Poochi Ammal, reached Madras with her children in search of a livelihood and was supported by a renowned dubashi , Powni Narayana Pillai, who took Pachaiyappa Mudaliar under his wing.

Pachaiyappa Mudaliar had a meteoric rise as a dubashi and his richness can be explained by the fact that he lent Rs. one lakh to the king of Thanjavur. But the book tells us Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, who married twice, could not lead a peaceful life, as his wives fought over the inheritance of his fortunes. He died in Thiruvaiyaru in 1794.

“Mr. Norton interpreted the will of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar in such a way that the money utilised for temple charities and feeding of the poor was used to launch educational institutions,” says Mr. Andavar, pointing out that Rs. one lakh was set apart for resumption of temple charities, but it could not be continued because of subsequent legal battles.

The biography of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar, re-issued after 104 years, throws light on the creation of the Trust and educational institutions that bear the dubashi’s name