Timeline of Tamil History

Copyright 2015 T. Moodali

ISBN 978-0-620-66782-1

First edition, 2015

Published by T. Moodali

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 DEDICATED

To Tamil Humanists
The Tamil Humanist symbol

A is the first letter and with other letters forms the Tamil alphabet. It is also the first letter of the
word Anbe. Anbe means love. So the letter A is a symbol of love.

The circle around the letter A symbolizes the earth. This emphasizes the universality of love and
the philosophy of Tamil Humanism.

The shape of the heart around the earth is a symbol of love and healthy living.

The two rings overlapping together is a letter from the Indus Valley script. It is the symbol of
humanism, human unity and cooperation.

This Tamil Humanist symbol defines Tamil Humanisms unique identity and its philosophys
continued existence since the inception of the Indus Valley civilization to the present times.

Red, Black and yellow are traditional Tamil colours. Blue is the colour of the earth from space.
 CONTENTS

1. Pre-historic period of Tamil Independence

2. Sangam period of Tamil Independence (600 BC 300 AD)

3. Kalabhras Kingdom period of Tamil Independence over the Southern part of Tamil Nadu (300
AD 600 AD )

4. Pallava Colonization of Tamils in the Northern part of Tamil Nadu 550 AD 668 AD

5. Pandya, Chola and Jaffna Kingdom period of Tamil Independence (700 AD 1621 AD)

5.1. Pandya period

5.2. Chola period

6. The Great Tamil Divide

7. Urdu Islamic Military Rule of Tamils 1311 - 1377

8. Telugu Nayak Hindu Military Colonization of Tamils 1377 - 1736

9. British Colonial Rule of Tamils 1781 1947

10. Indian Independence 1947

11. The Jaffna Kingdom period of Tamil Independence in Eelam (1215 AD 1621 AD)

12. Tamil-Portuguese War Of 1560

13. The Dark Ages of Tamil History

13.1. Portuguese Colonization

13.1.1. Tamil Portuguese War Of 1619

13.2. Dutch Colonization

13.3. British Colonization

13.4. Sri Lankan Colonization and Genocide of Tamils

14. Founder of Tamil Humanism

Thiruvalluvar

15. Leaders of Tamil Humanism

Seenivasa
R.M. Moodali
Thiagesan Rajoo Moodali (Babs)

16. About The Writer

17. Bibliography
1. Pre-historic period of Tamil Independence

BC 14 billion years : The universe appeared in a Big Bang

BC 6 billion years : The birth of the Earth.

BC 2,5 million years : Genus Homo originates at the cradle of mankind.

BC 300 000 years : Homo sapiens migrate from Africa to Asia.

BC 250 000 - 70 000 : Homo sapiens settle in India and Eelam.

BC 70 000 - 50 000 : Tamil Language, Culture and Religion develops.

BC 30 000 3000 : Paleolithic industries developed in north Tamil Nadu. Pre-pottery

microlithic industries develops. Neolithic and fine microlithic industries
develop in Tamil Nadu

BC 10 527 : The first Tamil Sangam was founded by Pandya King Kaisina
Vazhudhi. 4449 poets assembled in this Sangam. The works such as
Mudhunarai, Mudukuru, Kalariyavilai were created in this period.

BC 10527 6100 : Reign of Pandya Kings Kaisina Vazhudhi, Vidivambalamba Ninra

Nediyan, Munner Vizhavim Nediyon, Nilantharu Thiruvirpandiyan
Chengon and Pandyan Kadungon. Tamil population is 100 000.

BC 6087 : Kumari City Island submerged in a big deluge.

BC 6000 3000 : Pandya King Venther Chezhian, who ruled the Pandyan Kingdom with
Kapaadapuram as the capital founded the second Tamil Sangam, where
3700 poets were seated. Grammatical treatises such as Agathiam and
Tholkaappiam were made. The reigning Pandya kings were Chembiyan
Mandhadhan, Manu Chozhan, Thoongeyil Erindha Thodithotchembian,
Adhyan Cheral, Chozhan Valithodilanda Uravon Thenpali Nadan Nagan,
Pandyan Varanan Odakkon and Muthu Thirumaran.

BC 5000 : Beginning of Indus Valley civilizations of Harappa and Mohenjo-daro.

Rice is cultivated in Eastern Indus Valley. There are earliest signs of
Virtues being practiced in a collective society.

BC 4000 : Indus valley population is 1 million.

BC 3300 to1700 : The Indus Valley cities flourishes on the Indus River. The Tamils build
Mohenjo-daro and Harappan civilizations with a vibrant Tamil culture.
Chera, Cholas, Pandya and Eelam were kingdoms that produced food and
brought other resources to the Indus Valley cities. The Tamil land and
Eelam had a natural lifestyle, with farming, fishing and hunting being its
main industry. The principles of the Thirukkural were already practiced by
the Indus Valley civilization.

BC 3102 : Tamil civilization was highly eminent in Indus valley.

BC 3000 : Evidence of horses in Tamil Nadu

BC 3000 : Agamas are recorded in the time of the earliest Tamil Sangam. Saint Siva
spoke the Tamil Agamas to Saint Umai at Uththara Kosa Manggai. The
Tamil Agamas is the virtues of the Thirukural in ceremonial form.

BC 2387 : Kapaadapuram was destroyed in the second big deluge. Eelam drifted
away from the main land.

BC 2000 1000 : Tamil kings of Tamil Nadu and the Tamils of Indus valley waged wars
with the Sanskrit Aryans of Kandhram. Chera Princes embarked on sea
voyages and they ruled the Tamils of Eelam.

BC 1915 : Third Tamil Sangam is held at Tiruparankundram.

BC 1700 - 1300 : The Aryan Sanskrit invasion of North India brings an end to the Indus
Valley cities. The Tamil religion and culture ceases to exist in North India.

BC 1500 : Use of iron. Cinnamon is exported from Tamil Chera Nadu to Middle
East.

BC 1300 - 200 : Tamil Country has four kingdoms Chera, Cholas, Pandya and Eelam.

BC 950 : Jewish people arrives in Tamil country in King Solomons merchant

fleet.
2. Sangam period of Tamil Independence (600 BC 300 AD)

BC 600 : Tamil Brahmi became prevalent as the Tamil script

BC 500 : The age of Karikar Cholan.

BC 478 : Prince Vijaya, exiled by his father, King Sinhabahu, sails with 700
followers. Establishes Sinhala Kingdom in the present day Sri Lanka.

BC 350 -328 : The age of Udhayan Cheralathan (Kuttuvan Neduncheiralathan).

BC 328 270 : Son Imayavaramban Neduncheralathan (The victor of Aryan and who
subdued the Yavanas).

BC 300 : Mention about the Kingdoms of Chera, Chola, Pandya and Sathyaputhra
in inscriptions. Tamil and Pragratham were the written and spoken
languages till 2nd century BC. The coins contained Tamil on one side and
Pragratham on the other side.

BC 300 400 : Thiranathumakni compiled the Thol kapiyam. He was the son of
Jamathakni and student of the grammarian Agathiyar. Agathiyar compiled
a similar work known as the Agathiyam which is now lost. Thol
Kapiyam is made up of three books, namely: Book One on Tamil
Alphabet, Book Two on Tamil Vocabulary and Book Three on Subject
Matter dealing with the Life and Times of that period.

BC 270 245 : The age of Cheran Palyanai Selkezhu Kuttuvan, Cholan Perumpoon
Chenni and Pandyan Ollaiyar Bhoodhappandyan.

BC 251 : Emperor Asoka sends his son Mahendra (BC 270 -204) to spread
Buddhism in present day Sri Lanka, where he is revered to this day as the
national faiths founding missionary.

BC 250 : Asokas inscription recording the four kingdoms (Chera, Cholas, Pandya
and Satyaputra) of the Tamil country.

BC 245 -220 : The reign of Cheran Kalankaikkanni Narmudichiral.

BC 220 200 : War between Karikar Cholan and Perum Cheralathan.

BC 220 180 : The reign of Kudakko Neduncheralathan. The age of Uraiyur Cholan
Thithan and the love pair Attanathi and Aadhimandhi.

BC 200 300 : This is the Sungam age where books of Sungam Literature are written.
BC 150 : Kharavela of Kalinga records his conquest of a federation of Tamil kings
in his Hathigumpha inscription.

BC 145 101 : Elara Chola is the King of Tamil Eelam and contemporary of Dutte
Gamini.

BC 125 87 : The reign of Aadu Kotpattu Cheralathan.

BC 101 : First Tamil Genocide. The Aryan King Dutte Gamini of Sinhala
Buddhism kills King Elara Chola takes possession of Eelam and commits
genocide on millions of Tamils. It is the first genocide in human history
and is documented in the Sinhala Buddhist scripture the Mahavamsa.

BC 87 62 : The reign of Selvakkadungo Vazhiathan. The reign of cheiftains like

Pari, Ori, Kari, Killi, Engi etc.

BC 62 42 : The reign of Yanaikatchei Mandharan Cheral Itrumporai. The rule of

Cheraman Maari Venko in Thondi. Important leaders during this period:
Thalayalankanathu Chervenra Nedunchezhian, Mangudi Marudhanar and
Kalladanar (Kalladam).

BC 42 25 : The reign of Peruncheral Irumporai. Tamil kings Cheraman Maarivenko,

Rajasooyan Vetta Peru Narkilli, and Kanapereil Kadandha Ukkirap
Peruvazhudhi were united. Avvaiyar applauded their unity by cheering
Let your unity live long as ever as today. Important leaders of this period
were Mosi keeranar, Pon Mudiyar, Konkanangkizhan Nannan,
Karumbanoor Kizhan and Nanjil Valluvan.

BC 31 : Thiruvalluvar, the Tamil Prophet is born on 15 January during Pongol.

Tamil Marai (Thirukural) is written by Thiruvalluvar. Tamil Humanism
flourishes. Thiruvalluvar made Tamil Marai as the greatest contribution of
Tamils to the world.

BC 25 9 : The reign of Zlancheral Irumporai. The age of Pandyan Pazhayan Maran,

Koperuncholan, Pisirandhaiyar, Pothiar, Pulvatrur Eyirriyanar.

BC 20 : A mission or ambassador was sent to Augustus Caesar by the Pandiyan

King as recorded by Strabo, the Greek geographer. Tamils took the lead in
developing sea trade.

BC 9 1 : The age of Karuvur Eriya Olval Kopperuncheral Irumporai and Pandyan

Keeran Sathan.

BC 5 : Avvaiyar 1, the saint, wrote the Aathisoodi. Avvaiyar is a Tamil word

meaning a learned woman of old wisdom.
AD 1 20 : The reign of Cholan Kulamutrathu Thunjiya Killivalavan. The age of
Kovur Kizhar, Thamappal Kannanar, Iyur Mudavanar, Avur Muzhan
Kizhar, Alathur Kizhar, Matrokkathu Nappasalaiyar, Idaikadanar,
Aduthurai Masathanar and Vellaikudi Naganar.

AD 10 : Ellalan Chola (grandson of Elara) becomes a disciple of Thiruvallvur. He

makes a Gold brick inscription of Thiruvalluvar name on it.

AD 21 42 : The reign of Kuraappalli Thunjiya Perunthirumalavan. The age of

Cheran Kuttuvan Kodhai, Karikilar and Velliambalathu Thunjiya
Peruvazhudhi.

AD 42 100 : The reign of Cholan Chenganen and Cholan Nalluruthiran. Pandyan

Nanmaran compiled Kalithogai.

AD 52 : Saint Thomas the Apostle of Jesus arrives in the Chera Kingdom of the
Tamil country. His followers came as Roman merchants bringing horses
to trade with the Tamil country. He preached the Gospel. The Pandyan
kingdom bought horses from him. His followers were called Saint Thomas
Christians. He meets Saint Maanikkavaasagar.

AD 53 : Legend records Saint Thomas death in present day Chennai, one of the
twelve Apostles of Christ and founder of the church of the Syrian Malabar
Christians in Goa.

AD 53 : The lifetime of Manikkavasagar, the saint, born at Thiruvadavur, near

Madurai. He wrote the Thiruvasagam, 51 poems of 656 verses. Scholars
claim that he accepted Saint Thomas as his teacher. Buddhist and Jains
were minority communities and developing their power bases in Tamil
lands. Eelam king was converted into Buddhism and marched to Chola
kingdom to convert the Chola king. A debate was held between the
Buddhists and the Tamil Religious leader Maanikkavaasagar. The
Buddhists were defeated in argument and the Eelam King converted back
to Tamil Religion.

AD 100 : Pathumanar, the saint, wrote Naladiyar.

AD 101 120 : The reign of Pandyan Chithiramadathu Thunjiya Nanmaran.

AD 120 144 : The reign of Aryappadai Kadantha, Nedunchezhian. The three northern
Kings opposed. Athikkumba inscription confirms this.

AD 130 : Chera king Udayanjeral rules in the Chera country

AD 145 175 : The reign of Vetriver Chezhian. Cheran Sanguttavan built temple for
Kanagi. The period of Kayavahu, the King of Eelam and Cholan
Mavankilli.

AD 175 200 : Gajabahu I is the King of Tamil Eelam and is a contemporary of Chera
Senguttuvan and Karikala Chola.

AD 190 : Chera Kadukko Ilanjeral Irumporai rules in the Chera country

AD 195 : Writing becomes widespread and vattezhuttu evolved from the Tamil
Brahmi. It becomes a mature script for writing Tamil

AD 200 : Avvaiyar 2, the saint, wrote Konrai Vendhan.

AD 200 : Karikal Chola becomes King of Chola. He makes Eelam a province of

the Chola kingdom. He builds irrigation works and beautified cities of
Uraiyar, Kanchipuram and Keveri Poom Paddinam with good town
planning, buildings, parks and gardens. He promoted foreign trade with
the Roman Empire and was fond of the wine brought by Graeco-Roman
merchants. Hindus, Jains and Buddhists were minority religions enjoying
the right to freedom of religion. The majority followed the Tamil Religion
or Tamil Humanism. The fishermen used boats to catch fish and prawns
and they kept herds of goats and other animals. The Tamil religions
musicians held street processions in glory of Namasivaya, a scene similar
to a poem in Thiruvasagam. At the end of Karikal 45 year reign, he
established Tamil unity with the Pandiyan King Peru Valuthi and Chera
King Chelvak-Kadunko-Vali Athan II. The Chera King married Karikals
daughter named Sonai and they had two sons. The youngest son named
Ilangko Adigal was the author of the epic Silappathikaram. This need
for unity of Tamil Kings was necessary in the face of threats to their
security posed by the expansionism of the Aryan Sanskrit enemies from
North India. He also established a Hall of Arts known as Sithira
Mandapam in Kaveri Paddinam. Carpenters from Greece worked at the
Palace of Karikal Chola. His city exported pepper, gold and precious
stones from the northern mountains, pearls from the southern seas and
coral from the eastern seas, and articles of food from Eelam.

AD 200 : Tamil Kingdoms established in Cambodia and Malaysia.

AD 210 : Pandya Neduncheliyan rules in Madurai and defeats his enemies at the
battle of Talaiyalanganam

AD 210 : Kannagi, the saint, fights for the Human Right principle of The right to
life. She protests against the death penalty and causes a civil disobedience
in the capital city of Madurai. She is a freedom fighter for justice and
 Womens Rights. Illango Adigal, the saint, wrote Sippatikaram which is
Kannagis struggle.

AD 250 : Ilango Adigal, the saint, is born. He is the author of the Silappatikaram.

AD 250 275 : The reign of Varaguna Pandyan

AD 265 : Jaffna Penninsula or Mani-Pallavam was a prominent port for seafarers.

Killi-Valavan the son of Karikal Chola visited this port. He married Peeli-
Valai, the daughter of the Naga King Valai-vanan who ruled the Jaffna
Peninusula from his capital Nagadipa in what is now the Vanni land on the
mainland. He had a son by her. The city Kaveri-Paddinam became
submerged in the ocean. The capital of the Chola Kingdom was
transferred to Kancheepuram. Here King Killivalavan died. All the three
Tamil Kings, Peru-Nar-Killi the Chola, Ukkira-Peru-Valuthi, the Pandiyan
and Ma-Ven-Ko the Chera were present together at his funeral ceremony,
when the funeral oration was delivered by the poetess Avvaiyar 2, a saint.
She warns the three Tamil Kings of the dangers of disunity. She said:
You Monarchs! Lords of the bannered chariots and yellow umbrellas of
your sovereignty! May you forever remain assembled in unity as you have
done now. I only know this. This Tamil country is as beautiful and as well
endowed as the Naga Land, Eelam. Although all this belongs to you,
you cannot take it with you when it is time for you to depart this world at
the end of your allotted span of life. It will pass away into the hands of
foreigners who may prove to be more worthy of it if you are disunited and
seek to dominate each other. When it is time for you to sink there is no
other guarantor for you but your good deeds. May you flourish in unity
and in good deeds for as many days countless as the stars in the sky and as
the rain drops in heavy showers.

AD 290 : Christians settle in the Tamil Country. Many Tamils embrace

Christianity.
3. Kalabhras Kingdom period of Tamil Independence over the Southern part of Tamil
Nadu (300 AD 600 AD )

AD 300 : Tamil Humanism influences the philosophy of Buddhism and Jainism.

However the latter still clinged to Vedic Sanskrit beliefs. Kanagis
humanist revolution gave impetus to the rise of the Kalabhras Buddhist
and Jain leaders.

AD 300 700 : Dominance of Kalappirar over the Southern part of Tamil Nadu and the
reign of Pallava over the Northern Tamil Nadu.

AD 300 : Avvaiyar 3, the saint, wrote Aranericharam.

AD 300 590 : Kalabhras rule the Tamil country and displace the traditional rulers.
Kalabhras bring unity of four kingdoms. The four kingdoms of Chera,
Cholas, Pandya and Eelam are ruled by the Kalabhras. The Tamil lands
were ruled by Jains and Buddhist Kalabhras. Jain and Buddhist ideological
hegemony dominated.

AD 400 : Avvaiyar 4, the saint, wrote Nithi-Neri-Vilakkam.

AD 500 : Avvaiyar 5, the saint, wrote Nanneri.

AD 560 590 : Pandya Kadungon rules from Madurai and displaces the Kalabhras from
the south

AD 570 : Cultural Resistance Period against Foreign Religious Persecution begins.

AD 573 654 : The lifetime of Thirunavukarasu. Thirunavukarasu (Appar), the saint, is

born. He was born in a farmer family at Amur, now in South Arcot, Tamil
Nadu. He is the author of the Thevarams. He wrote 3066 Thirumurai
verses. He resisted against the Jain religious domination.

AD 590 620 : Pandyan Kadungon established Pandyan Kingdom defeating Kalappirars.

AD 600 : Avvaiyar 6, the saint, wrote Muthurai.

AD 638 654 : Lifetime of Thirunyaanasambandhar. Tamil Thirunyaanasambandhar, the

saint, is born in Tanjavur. He wrote 4158 verses that make up the first
three books of Thirumurai. He is the author of the Thiruk-Kadai-Kaapu.
He resisted against the Jain religious domination. He introduced Tamil as
a national surname.
4. Pallava Colonization of Tamils in the Northern part of Tamil Nadu 550 AD 668 AD

AD 550 to 600 : Pallava Hindu kingdoms rise to power. Pallava Simha Vishnu
overthrows the Kalabhras in Tondaimandalam

AD 600 to 630 : Pallava Mahendra Varma I rules in Kanchipuram. The paintings of

Sithannavayil were painted during this period. He converted to Saivism
from Jainism on the advice of Saint Thirunavukarasu.

AD 630 668 : The reign of Narasimha Varma. He conquered the Chalukkiya King,
Pulikesi II. He brought the idol of Vinayaka from Vadhabhi and converted
Tamils to worship Ganesha.

5. Pandya, Chola and Jaffna Kingdom period of Tamil Independence (700 AD 1621 AD)

5.1. Pandya period

BC 800 : Sangam Pandya kingdom begins.

AD 590 -620 : The age of Pandiyan King Kadungon, who defeated the Kalappirars, and
restored the rule of Pandyan dynasty.

AD 620 645 : The age of Maravarman Avani Choolamaani. His Queen was
Mangayarkarasi and his Chief Minister was Kulachirayar.

AD 645 670 : The period of the King Chendhan. The cave temple Malaiadi Kurichi
was built during his reign.

AD 670 700 : The reign of Arikesari Maar Varman. Pandikovai was written about him.

AD 700 : Ulagnathan, the saint, wrote Ulaga neethi.

AD 700 : Moors, who are Arab Muslim traders, settle in Eelam. They contributed
to the prosperity and enriched the Tamil nation and culture. They married
Tamil women and left behind a legacy.

AD 700 : Second Tamil Genocide. The Aryan King Rama of Ayodha kills King
Ravana, takes possession of Eelam and commits genocide on millions of
Tamils. It is the second genocide in human history and is documented in
 the Hindu scripture the Ramayana. The Ramayana is written in Sanskrit
by the sage Valmiki. Rama is worshiped as a God in Hinduism.

AD 700 730 : Kochadiyan Ranadheeran won the navy at Maruthur. He conquered

Kongu Nadu.

AD 730 765 : Maravarman Rajasimhan, who defeated Nandivarma Pallava at many

places. He defeated Pallava king at Kuzhumboor. He had the title of Ther
Maran. Rajasimhan builds the Kailasanatha temple in Kanchipuram and
many of the shore temples in Mamallapuram.

AD 750 : A necklace timepiece, Kadikaram in Tamil is worn by an Emperor.

AD 765 815 : Parandhaga Nedunchadiyan is known also as Varagunan I. He defeated

Nandhivarma Pallavan at Pennadagam. He had the title of Vathsalan. He
is the author of Veilvikkudi Seevara Mangalam and Chinnamanur Copper
plates.

AD 800 : Avvaiyar 7, the saint, wrote Neethi Venba.

AD 800 : Lifetime of Karaikal Ammaiyar, a woman saint of Tamil Nadu. Her life
highlights how husbands neglect and abuse their wives.

AD 800 : Lifetime of Andal, girl child saint of Tamil Nadu. She sung devotional
poems to Thirumal. Her life shows the abuse of girl children by the
Brahmins. Her poems which were preserved in oral tradition were
recorded in the 16th century by Brahmins. They modified her poems and
included Krishnas pastimes of the Mahabharata into it.

AD 807 825 : Sundharamoorththi, the saint, is born in Thirunavalur in present day

South Arcot. He is the author of the Thirupattu. His 100 poems in praise of
Siva make up Thirumurai book 7. Thiru Tondattohai poem, naming the
saints, is the basis for Saint Sekkilars Periyapuranam. The Tamil lands
were free from all foreign religious domination. Political independence
followed from this religious freedom.

AD 815 862 : Pandya King Srimara Srivallaban rules in Madurai. Srimara Srivallaban
captured some parts of Pallava country. His queen was Akkala Nimmadi.
He assumed the title Parakkara Kolagalan.

AD 840 : Srimara defeats Sinhala Lanka and liberates the Tamils in the northern
provinces of Eelam which was occupied by the Sinhala Lanka King Sena I

AD 862 : Sinhala Lanka army under Sena II invades the Pandya country and sack
Madurai. Tamil King Srimara is killed in battle.
AD 862 885 : Varaguna II captured the place Idaivai in Chola country.

AD 885 905 : Parandhaga Veera Narayanan is king.

AD 905 920 : Maravaman Rajasimhan. During his period, Parandhaya Cholan captured
Madhurai. He went to Eelam and left his crown and other valuables things
there. From Eelam he went to Chera country.

AD 1010 : Thirumurai, the Tamil devotional hymns of Saiva saints was collected as
an anthology by Saint Nambiandar Nambi.

AD 1190 : The rise of Pandya Empire. Maravarman Sundarapandiyan removed the

Chola domination.

AD 1216 1238 : Maravarman Sundarapandiyan I, younger brother of Sadayavarman

Kulasekaran, was mainly responsible for the rise of Second Pandiyan
Empire.

AD 1232 : Bosala Veera Narasihan defeated Pandyas at Mahendramangalam on the

banks of Kaveri. He defeated Kadava Koperunchingan, released Raja Raja
III from captivity and restored the Chola country to the Cholas.

AD 1238 1251 : Maravaraman Sundara Pandyan II is king.

AD 1250 : Lifetime of Meikandar, a Saiva saint who establishes the Meikandar

school of Saiva Siddhanta philosophy. His 12 Sutra Siva Jnana Bodham
becomes its core scripture.

AD 1251 1268 : Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan I subdued Rajendra Chola III and put an
end to the Chola Empire. He expanded the Pandyan Kingdom and made it
an Empire. He invaded Eelam. He assumed the titles of Emmandalamum
Kondaruliyavar, Ellam Thalaiyana Perumal and Ponveyntha Permal.
He also issued a coin in the name of Ellam Thalaiyana Perumal.

AD 1268 1310 : Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan rules in Madurai and the country
prospers. Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan got the title of
Emmandalamum Konderuliya Kollam Kondan. He conquered Sinhala
country and brought the tooth the symbol of Buddha to Madhurai. Sinhala
King Parakramabahi III came to Madhurai, expressed his submission and
got back the Buddhas holy symbol. The event occurred before AD 1284.
Italian traveller Marco Polo toured Pandyan country during this period.
Kayalpattinam was the best part during his administration. He ruled for
more than 40 years. He had the Arab merchants in his royal court. He had
heaps of gold, gems and pearls. Malik Gafoor, the general of Alludeen
Kilji invaded and occupied the country.
AD 1272 : Marco Polo visits present day India enroute to China.

AD 1311 : Ravivarman Kulasekaran, nephew of Vikrama Pandyan pushed the

Muslim forces up to Vegavathi river banks and crowned himself as the
sovereign king of all the three territories. He assumed the tittles of
Kallam Adipan and Saint of Koobakanadu according to Poonamalle
inscription. Pandya dynasty ends after the death of Kulasekara.

Marco Polo had mentioned that the treasury of Maravaman Kulesekaran

had 12000 million gold coins. The industries were agriculture, weaving,
production of oil by oil press, the production of jaggery from sugar cane
juice and palmyra juice. It also had salt production, fishing and pearl
fishing.

It had commercial products such as cotton textiles, silk cloths, precious

stones (nine gems), jewels, perfumes like sandal and civet (Javvadhu),
ginger roots, cardamom, cinnamon, pepper, spices, medicinal products,
trained elephants and horses.

Wasaf a Muslim traveller had written the biography of Sundara Pandyan.

AD 1400 : Life of Namma Alvar, greatest of Alvar Saints.

5.2. Chola period

BC 800 : Sangam Chola kingdom begins.

AD 846 : Vijay Balan Chola rises to power in Tanjavur.

AD 850 875 : Vijay Balan Chola defeated Mutharaiyars and captured Thanjavur. Built
a fort at Thanjai and made it the capital. He got the title of Thajai Konda
Parakesari. He consolidated the Chola Empire.

AD 875 907 : Adythyan Chola expanded Chola Empire up to Kalathi in the north. He
built many temples on both the banks of Kaviri. He covered the
Thillaiyambalam Ragasiyam with golden roof. He passed away at Kalathi.

AD 900 : Vaishnavas, Shaktas and other Aryan religious settlers arrive to convert
Tamils.

AD 900 : Athi vira Raman , the saint, wrote Verti-Verkai.

AD 903 : Adythyan Chola killed Aparajitha seated on an elephant and defeats the
Pallava king

AD 905 : Nampi Antar Nampi, the saint, was asked by Adythyan Chola to recover
the hymns from Citamparam, edit them and set them to music. He
completed this task and the books are called the Thirumurai. Hymn
singing was a separate form of worship in Tamil Saivism.

AD 906 -952 : Parandagan I defeated Pandyan Rajasimhan and captured Madhurai. He

invaded Eelam. The famous Uthirameerur inscription on Panchayat
system belongs to his period. He built the temples Adhythyeswaram and
Kothanda Rameswaram in memory of his father. He assumed the title of
Madhurai and Eelem Kanda Kopparakesari

AD 952 956 : Kandaradhythya invaded Madhurai and captured it. A Saivite composed
the work Thiruvisaippa. Sambian Madhevi was his Queen. She is a loyal
patron of Tamil Saivism, built ten temples and inspires and molds her
grandnephew prince, son of Sundara Chola into the great temple builder,
Emperor Rajaraja I.

AD 956 957 : Arinjayan is a great hero. Since he died at Atrur, he was called as Atrur
Thunjiya Devar. Raja Raja I erected temple (Pallippadai) for him.

AD 956 973 : Sundara Chola, the Parandhaga II defeated Veera Pandiyan at Chevur
battle. He was called Madhurai Konda Rajakesari.

AD 970 985 : Uthama Cholan, son of King Kandaradhythyan (952 956).

AD 985 -1014 : Raja Rajan Chola I is the greatest Chola King. He defeated the naval
force at Kandhaloor Chalai. He had the titles of Sivapadha Sekaran and
Mummudi Cholan. He conquered Pandyan and Lankan Kingdoms,
conquered the overseas country Munneer Pazhandheevu Panneerayiram.
He built the great temple of Thanjavur. He made copper statues. He
recovered Thevaram hymns from obscurity. He inscribed several
inscriptions.

AD 990 : Raja Rajan Chola I liberates Eelam from the reign of King Mahinda.
Mahinda took refuge in the hill country of Rohana in the south of the
island which is the traditional sovereign homeland of the Sinhala people.
Raja Rajan Chola I moved the capital city of Anuradhapura to a central
location in Polonnaruwa. He built in Polonnaruwa a stone temple for Siva.

AD 1000 : The Jaffna Kingdom was part of the Chola Empire.

AD 1000 : Avvaiyar 8, the saint, wrote Nalvazhi.

AD 1010 : Raja Rajan Chola I completes the Brihadisvara Temple.

AD 1012 -1044 : Rajendra Chola I, son of Raja Rajan Chola I becomes king. He won the
Pandyan kingdom and enthroned his son giving him the title Chola
Pandyan.

During the reigns of Raja Rajan and Rajendra the Pandya kingdom was
under the Chola Empire as a Governors territory. In gangai Kanda
Cholapuram there is a temple, a replica of the Great Thanjai Temple in
memory of Rajendras victories. These temples were Memorial Centers.

AD 1023 : Rajendra I goes on an expedition to the Ganges.

AD 1024 : Rajendra I send victorious naval expeditions to present day Mayanar,

Malaysia and Indonesia, initiating decline of Mahayana Buddhist Empire
of Srivijaya.

AD 1024 : Rajendra I led a successful naval expedition and defeated Sri Vijaya
Empire of the Bay of Bengal. The campaign ended with the restoration of
the kingdom to its ruler subject to his acknowledging Chola suzerainty.
The success of this expedition was due to the island chain of Ma-
Nakkavaram now called Nicobars. A Tanjore rock cut inscription dated
1030 AD left by Rajendra Chola records its capture. He called this chain
of islands the ottiyanam.

AD 1041 : Rajendra defeats Sinhala Lankas aggression.

AD 1044 1054 : Rajendra Chola I, die in the battle of Koppam against Western
Chalukyas.

AD 1050 : Thirukadavur Uyya Vantha, the saint, wrote Thiruvuntiyar.

AD 1054 1070 : After Rajendra Chola II, his younger brother Veera Rajendra Chola came
to the throne. He defeated Chalukyas at Koppam and crowned himself
there. He marched up to Dungabhadra defeated Chalukyas and erected a
victory column there. Buddhmithran made his grammatical treatise in
Rajendras name. It was called the Veera Choliam He died in AD 1070.

AD 1068 : Prince Anabayan left on a mission to China on behalf of Veera Rajendra

Chola.

AD 1070 1129 : Kulothunga Chola becomes King. The grandson of Rajendra II rushed to
Chola country and crowned himself as the Chola king with the title
Kulothunga . Kulothunga withdrew the taxes which the people detested
and so he was called as Sungam Thavirtha Cholan In AD 1112, the
Kalinga war was held under the leadership of Kulothunga. Cholas won the
 war at Kalingam. In Kalingathu Parani written by Jayankondar speaks of
this war.

Kulotunga Chola begins a war against Sanskrit religions, idol worship and
rituals. He dumps all idols into the sea. The Vishnu idol from
Chidambaram was removed by him and dumped into the ocean. Tamils
assert their Tamil Religious sovereignty.

AD 1130 1133 : Vikrama Chola ruled the kingdom.

AD 1133 1150 : Kuluthunga II becomes King. Anapayan, Apayan, Thiru Neerru Cholan
are his other names. Ottakoother created Pillaith Thamil. He renovated and
installed the golden roof of the Ragasiyam for Chidaparam Nataraja
Temple.

Sekkilar was the Tamil Chief Minister under Chola Emporor Kulothunga
II (reign 1133 1150).

AD 1150 : Sekkilar, the saint, wrote Periya Puranam. He consolidates the 12 books
of Thirumurai. Periya Puranam has 4286 verses. It is an epic biography
(hagiography) of 63 Saiva saints.

AD 1150 1163 : Raja Rajan II diverted river Kaviri through Maliya hill for agriculture.
He built Raja Rajeswaram temple Tharasuram near present day
Kumbakonam. Muththamizh Thalaivan is his title.

AD 1163 1178 : Rajathirajan rules the kingdom.

AD 1178 1218 : Kolothunga III became the Chola King. He defeated Kulasekara
Pandiyan. Madhurai became a Chola territory. The Chola king was known
as Chola Pandya Thambiran.

AD 1180 : Meikandar, the saint, wrote Sivagnana Bodham.

AD 1185 : Arul Nandi Sivachariyar, the saint, wrote Sivagnana Siddiyar.

AD 1190 : Thirumular, the saint, wrote Thirumanthiram.

AD 1218 1246 : Raja Rajan III is defeated by Maraverman Sundara Pandian.

AD 1244 : Marai Gnana Sambandhar, the saint, orally says to Umapati Dead
Wood.

AD 1244 1320 : Umapati, the saint, wrote Thiruvarutpayan.

AD 1246 1279 : Rajendra Chola III becomes king of the Chola dynasty. During this
period Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan conquered the Cholas and
absorbed their territory into the Pandya Kingdom. He put an end to the
Chola kingdom and revived the Pandya Empire. The Chola dynasty ends
with the death of Rajendra Chola III.

6. The Great Tamil Divide

AD 1311 : The Tamils from the Indian subcontinent become separated from the
Eelam Tamils.

The 3 Tamil Kingdoms Chera, Cholas and Pandya ends. Their political
independence on the Indian subcontinent ends.

The political independence of Eelam Tamils continues until colonized by

Europeans.

Tamil Humanism ceases to exist in the Tamil country. Tamils follow

Hinduism, Christianity and Islam.

Eelam Tamils - Only 3 million Tamils are left claiming its Tamil Nation
identity in Eelam.

7. Urdu Islamic Military Rule of Tamils 1311 - 1377

AD 1311 : Malik Gafoor, the general of the Delhi Sultan invades the Tamil country
and establishes Urdu Islamic military rule. The Pandya and Chola Tamils
are governed by Muslim foreigners. Urdu Islamic hegemony dominated.

AD 1377 : Urdu Islamic military rule ends.

8. Telugu Nayak Hindu Military Colonization of Tamils 1377 1736

AD 1377 : Kumara Kampana the general of the Telugu Vijaya Nagar Empire
invades the Tamil country and defeated the Muslim Generals of the Delhi
Sultan. The Telugu Vijaya Nagar empire generals took control of the
Tamil country which eventually gave rise to the Telugu Nayak Military
colonization. Many Tamil freedom fighters challenged Telugu Nayak rule
 but the revolts were brutally crushed. The Nayak made Maduraiveeran a
God who crushed every revolt of the Tamils. Tamils are colonized by
Nayak Hindu foreigners. Tamil Nadu came under the administration of
Nayaks after the advent of Vijayanagar Empire.

AD 1377 : Nayak Hindu hegemony dominated. Nayak Hindu genocide of Tamils

begins.

AD 1377 : The Nayak Brahmin settlers of the 1600s were of the most ferocious
type. They took control of the temples, modified the meaning of Tamil
words so that the Tamil scriptures are denigrated and the saints activities
made bizarre. The Nayak Hindus used Telegu and the Brahmins used
Sanskrit to change the pronunciation and meaning of Tamil words, created
new idols like Maduraiveerean and converted statues of saints into idols
for Tamils to worship. This ensured that for generations to come the
Tamils became primitive and backward.

AD 1377 : Nayak Hindu colonization forced the majority of the Tamils to follow
rituals, superstition and mythology. The people gave up their Tamil
philosophy, culture and religion. Between 1377 to 1947, within a few
generations the Tamil population lost their religion and culture. Their
language used borrowed Sanskrit words and the Tamil nation was reduced
to a primitive state because education was denied to the majority of the
people. The Hindu caste system made them a backward nation.

AD 1377 1500 : Alvar saints of Tamil Nadu flourish, singing 4000 poems for saint
Thirumal. (In the 16th century it was written in their book called Nalayira
Divya Prabandham). The Sanskrit gods of Narayana, Rama and Krishna
was integrated into the stories of Thirumal by Nayak Hindu Brahmins.
Thirumal was considered as another name for Vishnu.

AD 1382 : Nayak Brahmin priests introduce Temple prostitution. The Temples were
converted into brothels. Tamil girls who performed arts and dances were
made Temple prostitutes. The Temples became centers where prostitutes
lived and the Nayak military visited them. Tamil arts and dance could not
receive funding as the Chola kingdom did not exist. The women could
only earn a living by becoming a Temple prostitute. A Temple prostitute
was called Devadasi. Tamil girls were forced to become Temple
prostitutes to raise money for idol worship and to feed and support the
Brahmins. Many illegitimate children were born to these girls and their
fathers were either Nayak Hindu priests or Nayak soldiers. In 1947, the
Tamil Nadu state banned Temple prostitution.
AD 1390 : Siva Purana and the Agamams was written in Sanskrit. It promoted
Sanskrit Saivism and was imposed on Tamils. It prescribes the Hindu
rituals to be done.

AD 1400 : The names of Tamil places and institutions were changed to Sanskrit.
The Tamil Cirrampalam was changed to Chidambaram. Brahmins in the
Vijayanagar Empire propagated Shankaras Vedanta rituals. Chidambaram
adopted Vedantic ideas of worship.

AD 1500 : Lifetime of Arunagirinathar, the saint, who wrote Thiruppugal.

AD 1546- 1575 : During this period Soorappa Nayak and Kritinappa Nayak ruled Tamil
Nadu.

AD 1595 : Construction is begun on Chidambaram Temples Hall of a Thousand

Pillars in Tamil Nadu, completed in 1685.

AD 1600 : Nayak Hindu Brahmins reintroduces Hindu rituals to Tamils which was
stopped in the year 210 AD by Saint Kanagi. During Nayak Hindu
colonization, most of the Tamils were converted to Nayak Hinduism and
corrupt Hindu practices which were not practiced for over 2000 years
were brought back.

AD 1601 : East India Company was founded. The East India Company established
headquarters at Chennai, at the beginning of 17th century.

AD 1619 : Jaffna Tamil Kingdom is annexed and present day Eelam ruling dynasty
deposed by Portuguese.

AD 1623 1659 : Thirumalai Nayak ruled Tamil Nadu. Adhireerarama Pandyan wrote the
story of Nalan in the name of Nydatham. He also authored Linga
Puranam, Mahapuranam, Koormapuram, Pathiruppathu and Andhathi in
praise of Siva in Karivalamvanthanallur and Kokkogam by
Adhiveerarama Pandyan, younger brother of Varathunga Rama Pandyan.
They belong to Pandya Royal family.

This is the period when Thirumal poems were written and modified to
assimilate Sanskrit scriptures.

AD 1650 : Dharmapuram Aadheenam, Saiva monastry, founded near Mayuram

South India, by Guru Jnanasambandar.

AD 1650 : Mariamman, the woman saint, wrote Mariamman Thalaatu. She

protested against the Brahmin Priests who were called Shiva, Vishnu and
Brahma, who were regarded as Gods and lived in wealth, while Tamils
 suffered diseases, famine and poverty. She did service to humanity by
helping to cure diseases.

AD 1682 : Christian missionary John de Britts carried out religious work in Madurai
area. He visited Thillai and witnessed the genocide of Tamil saints.

AD 1690 : Genocide and massacre of Tamils at the Thillai temple of Chidambaram

by the Nayak Hindus. Many Tamil saints were killed. Thousands of
Tamils were forced to convert at gun point.

The Three Thousand were Tamil Saints who resided in Thillai with
Cirrampalam being its main institution of worship since time immemorial.
After their conquest they were replaced by 2999 Bengali Brahmins who
arrived with their Bengali Prince. A Saint Siva or Nadaraja was included
giving a new Three Thousand priests for the Temple. Tamil Saints were
pushed to live in forests or as low caste living in the outskirts of the city.

AD 1706 : The regime of Vijayaranga Chockanathan, grandson of Queen

Mangammal. After his rule, his Queen Meenakshi reigned. Chandra Sahib
imprisoned Queen Meenakshi. He captured Trichy in 1786 and put an end
to the Nayak dynasty.

AD 1712 : Maradhu Pandian. Hailing from an ordinary family, Maradhu Pandian

became an inevitable leader of Sivaganga. He organized and campaigned
against the British, revolted against the foreign ruler and recovered
Sivaganga from the hands of the British and handed it over to the Royal
family. Melappan of Ramanathapuram, Singamchetty, Muthu Karuppan
and Thanjai Gnanamuthu accepted Maradhu Pandians leadership. With
the support of the Palayakars of Tirunelveli, he formed the coalition of the
rebels against the British. No tax payment campaign started in
Ramanathapuram. Melappan turned into a revolutionary, was imprisoned
and escaped from the prison. He began the no tax campaign in
Ramanathapuram.

AD 1736 : Telugu Nayak military rule ends.

9. British Colonial Rule of Tamils 1781 1947

AD 1751 : Robert Clive, age 26 seizes Arcot in present day Tamil Nadu as French
and British fight for control of South India.

AD 1760 : 4 April, the English captured all the forts. The French surrendered to the
English.
AD 1761 : Pulithevan who ruled Nerkattuseval Palayam in the Western part of
Tiruneveli strongly opposed the English and set on the revolt of
Palayakars against the British. In 1761, Pulithevan was defeated.

AD 1761 : Veerpandi Kattaboman, son of Jegaveer Pandian, came to the throne at

the age of 30. He had friendly relations with Marudhu Pandias.

AD 1781 : Christian missionaries arrive strengthening the 1900 years of Saint

Thomas Christian heritage among Tamils.

AD 1781 : Sivaganga and Panchalankurichi heros, Udayana Thevar, Velu Nachiar,

Marudu brothers, Kattabommu and Umayan revolted and resisted British
colonization.

AD 1799 : 5 September, Kattabomman battled with the English and won the
encounter. In the second battle at Kolarpatti, Kattabomman was defeated
by Major Banerman. He went into hiding in the Pudhukottai forest.

AD 1799 : Veerpandia Kattabomman was hanged on 16 October 1799 at Kayathar.

Even at the threshold of death he put up his spirit of independence and
heroism. Banerman in his report had commended that the Veerapandia
Kattabomman was a hero of valour, bravery and culture, which even his
enemies appreciated highly.

AD 1799 : The rebels attacked the police station and captured the arms. Looted and
issued the granaries, food stuffs to the people suffering from hunger.
Singam Chetty was killed in the battle at Palamaneri. The rebels, under
supervision of Gopala Naicker sprang upon the British camps and
plundered the weapons and commodities. Gopala Naicker was the
Palayakar of Viruppatchi. Gopala Naicker had contact with Marudhu
Pandian and organized an extensive Southern alliance against the
foreigners. Under Maradhu Pandians leadership Ramanathapuram
became an independent country. Dindigal joined the alliance under the
leadership of Gopala Naicker and strengthened it.

AD 1800 1801 : The first struggle of independence in South India. The kings became
ineffective. The Palayakars took care of the peoples welfare and
safeguarded their rights. They had strong forts and armies and had won the
good will of the public. They never accepted foreign hegemony.

AD 1800 1801 : First war of independence in Tamil Nadu. Srirangam Declaration of

Marudhu Pandian. It was the beginning of the history of Indian
Independent Struggle.
AD 1800 : Brahmins learn the English language and dominate the education, civil
service and temples of Tamil Nadu. The existence of the Tamil Religion
was denied by the Brahmins.

AD 1801 : 22 May, Battle at Panchalankurichi. Rain, thunder and storm marred the
battle. Panchalankurichi fell. Umaithurai sustained injuries and escaped to
Kamudhi, where Maradhu Pandian welcomed him.

AD 1801 : 24 October, Vellai Marudhu , Chinna Maradhu, Sevathumbi and Muthu

Karuppan were hanged at Thiruppathur.

AD 1801 : 16 November, Umaithurai was killed at Panchalakurichi.

AD 1802 1857 : The English East India Company created and ruled over Madras
Province.

AD 1804 : a Freedom movement was launched in Coimbatore under the leadership

of Ramaswamy alias Dasan.

AD 1806 : 10 July, Sepoy mutiny at Cuddalore.

AD 1817 -1947 : British took control over the management of Temples. The Brahmin
rituals, myths and superstition were the only form of worship that was
allowed. The ritual dance of the Thillai Temple was stopped by the British
colonial authority and it is now very difficult to reconstruct that great art.

AD 1820 1808 : Rev. G.U. Pope was born in Prince Edward Island. He came to South
India in 1839. He made a compilation of selective poems from Thirukural,
Naladiyar, Pazhamozhi and Iniyavai Narpathu in the name of Thani
Cheyyut Kalambagam. He translated Thirukural into English.

AD 1822 - 1879 : Lifetime of Arumuga Navalar, born at Nallur in Jaffna, Eelam. He wrote
books on Tamil revival in Eelam. On the request of Father Peter Percival a
Christian missionary, he translated the Bible into Tamil.

AD 1823 1874 : Lifetime of Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallar), a saint born at Manidhur, near
Chidambaram. He was the founder of Vadalur Hall of wisdom for
universal worship. He founded the Samarasa Sanmarga Sangam in 1865.
He started the Sathya Dharuma Salai at Vadalur in 1867. Vallalar, the
saint, wrote the Thiruvarutpa, Agaval and other books. Vallalar built a
temple similar to the Ragasiyam in Vadalur, and reintroduced a form of
worship without images. He began the revival of pure Tamil Religion.

AD 1825 : First massive immigration of Indian Tamil workers from Tamil Nadu to
Reunion and Mauritius.
AD 1832 1900 : C.V. Damodaram Pillai, born in Jaffna, Eelam. He was a pioneer in
publishing Thirukural, Thirukkovaiyar, Kandhapuram and Periyapuranam.

AD 1837 : Britain formalizes emigration of Indian indentured laborers to supply

cheap labor under a system more morally acceptable to British society
than slavery, which was illegal in the British Empire since 1833. Tamils
migrate to British colonies around the world establishing the Tamil
diaspora. The indentured laborers added value to the British economy.

AD 1838 : British Guyana receives its first 250 Indian laborers.

AD 1841 : Farmers in South Arcot had an uprising against the English.

AD 1841 : Ramanuja Kavirayar for the first time edited and published Thirukural.

AD 1845 : Trinidad receives its first 197 Indian immigrant laborers.

AD 1855 1906 : U.V. Swaminatha Iyer, born at Uthamathanapuram in Thanjavur. He

revived several Sangam Literature such as Pathuppattu, Silappadhikaram,
Purananuru, Purapporul, Vemba malai, Manimekalai, Iynkurunuru,
Pathitruppathu, Kurunthogai, Ahanahuru and Perungathai by discovering
palm leaf writings, editing and publishing them in printed form.

AD 1860 : Tamils arrive in South Africa as indentured labourers. SS Truro and SS

Belvedere dock in Durban, South Africa, carrying first indentured servant
labourers (from Madras and Calcutta) to work sugar plantations. With
contracts of five years, a total of about 100 000 thousand emigrate over the
next 51 years.

AD 1876 1950 : Marai Malai Adigal, the saint, was born on 15 July 1876 at
Nagapattinam. He launched the Pure Tamil Movement. He is the author of
the works Thamizhar Madham, Kadavul Nilaikku Marana Kolgaigal
Saivam Aga, Pazhanthamizh Kolgaiye Saiva Samayam, Siva
gnanabodha Araichi, and Saiva Siddhantha Gnanabodham.

AD 1877 -1947 : Lifetime of Ananda Coomaraswamy, from Ceylon, was a foremost

interpreter of Tamil art and culture to the West.

AD 1879 : The Leanida first emigrant ship to Fiji adds 498 Indian indentured
labourers.

AD 1879 1973 : Lifetime of Periyar EVR. In 1905 he undertook pilgrimage to Benaras. In

1919, he was involved in the Indian Independent struggle. In 1920 he
participated in the picketing of arrack shops and was imprisoned. In 1925,
he started the magazine Kudiyarasu. He declared the day of launching
his magazine as the inaugural day of self-respect movement. From 1954
 onwards he extended support to Kamarajar Ministry. From 1967 to 1971
he supported the DMK.

Periyars books created a revolution in religious and social fields not only
in Tamil Nadu but the entire world. Popularly known as Thanthai
Periyar, EVR was a humanitarian and a humanist. He staunchly supported
womens rights, womens education, right of women to work, willing
marriage, inter caste marriage and widows remarriage. He lived for 95
years. His life has been a movement and an institution in Tamil Nadu.

AD 1882 -1921 : Subramani Baaradhiyaar, wrote poems on the liberation of Tamils.

AD 1887 1920 : Ramanujam was born in Erode present day Tamil Nadu. He was an
internationally known mathematician.

AD 1888 1970 : C.V. Raman was a scientist and was the first Tamil to get the Nobel Prize
for physics.

AD 1889 : Seenivasa Padayachi arrives in South Africa and built a Ragasiyam and
established a Tamil Sangum in Tinley Manor. He propagated the Tamil
Religion.

AD 1893 1974 : G.D. Naidu was an industrialist and inventor in Coimbatore.

AD 1894 1977 : Selvanayagam, father of Tamil Eelam. His selfless work and ambition
grouped the Tamils to march towards freedom from the Sinhala
oppression in Sri Lanka.

AD 1898 1914 : Valliamma Munuswami Mudliar led the Passive Resistance movement
with Gandhi in South Africa. She fought against colonization and
apartheid and died after release from prison on 22 February 1914 as a
martyr.

AD 1900 : The revolutionary voice of Bharathiar and the movements of V.O.

Chidambaram Pillai attracted the people towards the freedom struggle.

AD 1902 1981 : Devaneyar Pavanar was a Tamil scholar. He is also called Shining Sun of
Tamil Language.

AD 1905 1912 : In Tamil Nadu the freedom struggle was progressing in the revolutionary
path under the leadership of V.O. Chidambaram from 1905 to 1912 and
under the leadership of various leaders from 1913 to 1919.

AD 1905 : Bharathiar roused nationalism through his orations in public meetings

and his writings.
AD 1907 2008 : Lifetime of R.M. Moodali. He was an anti-apartheid activist in South
Africa and a leader of Tamil Humanism.

AD 1908 : In Thoothukudi the people opposed the dominance of foreign shipping

companies under the leadership of V.O.C.

AD 1908 1957 : N.S. Krishnan was a man who raised comedy to a thoughtful level to
reach the millions through the silver screen to make social change
palatable.

AD 1910 1998 : Chandrasekar was the second Tamil who won the Nobel Prize.

AD 1910 : V.V.S. Iyer, a freedom fighter and a great Tamil scholar, published
books entitled, Be prepared for sacrifice, Bharathamatha calls, and
1857 returns. He went to Russia and came back learning the technique of
manufacturing bombs.

AD 1910 - 1953 : Lifetime of Siva Subramonia, the saint, who wrote Subramonium in
South Africa.

AD 1911 : On 17 June, Vanchinathan shot dead Ash, a British officer at Maniachi

station and sacrificed his life.

AD 1912 1974 : M. Varatharajanar was a great Tamil writer with 85 books to his credit.
He was the first Tamil doctorate from Madras University.

AD 1913 : New law prohibits Indian immigration to South Africa, primarily in

answer to white colonist alarm at competition of Indian Merchants and
expired labor contracts.

AD 1918 : The first Trade Union was formed in Chennai by Thiru Vika, Kesava
Pillai and Wadia.

Dr T.M. Nair, Thiagaraja Chettiar, Kesava Pillai and Natesa Mudaliar

campaigned for the civil rights of common men and against the dominance
of orthodoxy.

AD 1921 : Devadasi system (Temple prostitution) was abolished by enacting a law.

An Act was also passed to give voting rights to women.

AD 1922 1988 : Akilan was born at Perungalur, Pudukkotti Mavattam. He continuously

wrote since 1938 for 40 years.

AD 1924 : Sir John Marshall (1876 1958) discovers relics of Indus Valley
civilization. He begins large scale excavations.
AD 1925 : Periyar E.V.R started Vaikom struggle.

AD 1927 1981 : Kavingar Kannadasan who simplified the Sungam literatures to the
present day Tamils in the form of silver screen songs.

AD 1932 : On 1 October the day of Civil disobedience, Kumaraswamy, popularly

known as Thirupur Kumaran, took out a procession with his party.
Workers holding the flag and raising the slogan Vande Mataram He was
brutally beaten to death by the police. He came to be known as Kodi
Katha Kumaran. Under the leadership of Rajaji, salt satyagraha was held
at Thirumaraikadu (Vedaranyam) in which 100 workers including
Omandur Ramaswamy Reddiar, O.V. Alagesan, Sardar Vedaratnam and
Bombay Tamil representative Subramanian participated chanting the lines
of the patriotic song specially composed by Namakkal Kavignar
Ramalingam Pillai for the occasion.

AD 1938 : Temple entry law gave religious freedom to common people. The
governments pro Hindi Policy led to anti-Hindi campaign. Periyar EVR
was sent to jail for opposing Hindi Imposition.

AD 1938 : Tamil movement was born in Rajakkamangalam. The pro-Hindi policy

led to Dravida Nadu demand.

AD 1939 : Thalamuthu gave his life to protect the Tamil language.

AD 1940 : The Dravida Nadu policy took a concrete shape.

AD 1942 : Quit India movement against the British rulers began.

AD 1944 : Dravidar Kazhagam was formed at the Salem conference.

AD 1945 : Travancore Tamil Nadu Congress was started under leadership of

Mathaneal at Nagercoil. The Campaign demanding merger of Tamil areas
into Tamil Nadu was going on in full swing.

AD 1947 : The police tried to systematically to put down the campaign for the
merger of Tamil areas into Tamil Nadu. The people were up in revolt. The
police unleashed unprecedented oppression. Mangattu Chelliah and
Devasahayam were killed.

AD 1947 : British colonial rule ends in the Tamil country.

10. Indian Independence 1947

AD 1947 : In the midnight of 14 August 1947, India gains independence from

Britain.

AD 1948 : Zamindari system was abolished.

AD 1949 : Dravida Munetra Kazhagam was started under the leadership of Arignar
C.N. Annadurai.

AD 1949 : Dravidar Kazhagam intensified social reformist work. They put forward
the fact the superstitions were the cause for the degeneration of the
Tamils. They vehemently fought for the abolition of untouchability. It
focused its attention on womens liberation, womens education, willing
marriage, widow marriage, orphanages and mercy homes.

Ad 1952 : M.P. Sivagnam leader of Thaamizharasu Kazhagam, raised voice for the
merger of Tamil areas of Chittore district (Andra) into Tamil Nadu.

AD 1955 : Albert Einstein (1879 1955), German physicist formula of the

Relativity theory dies. He declared Lord Siva (Nataraja) best metaphor for
the workings of the universe.

AD 1956 : Indian government reorganizes states according to linguistic principles.

AD 1961 : Tamil patriot Sankaralinga Nadar gave his life after 78 days hunger
strike against the then Tamil Nadu Congress government to change the
name of Madras State to Tamil Nadu without success. Later Aringar
Annaa during his term in office on 18 July 1967 fulfilled his wishes and
named the state as Tamil Nadu.

AD 1963 : Anti-Hindi agitation under the leadership of Arignar Anna. They burnt
the Constitution and the Sanskrit scriptures.

AD 1964 : Self-immolation of Tamil Magan Chinnaswamy in Trichy protesting

against Hindi imposition.

AD 1964 : 26 January self-immolation by another Tamil Magan Sivalingam in

Chennai.

AD 1965 : Major student demonstration against Hindi imposition in Tamil Nadu on

25 January. Dravida Mannetra Kazhagan observed 26 January as the Day
of Mourning in protest against Hindi imposition.
AD 1969 : Arignar Anna passes away on 3 February. Kalignar M. Karunanidhi was
formally elected by the ruling DMK party to Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu.

AD 1972 : Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam was started by M.G. Ramachandran,

who broke away from the DMK.

AD 1977 : M.G. Ramachandran became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

AD 1977 : 100 000 Tamil tea pickers expatriated from Sri Lanka are shipped to
Chennai, India.

AD 1981 : Fifth World Tamil Conference was held in Madurai. Universities were
established in Madurai, Trichy and Coimbatore. Tamil university in
Thanjavur, Annai Theresa University for woman in Kodaikanal,
Bharathidasan University in Trichy and Bharathiar University in
Coimbatore were instituted.

AD 1983 : Worlds first Womens Engineering College in Vallam, Thanjai. It was

named after Periyar EVR and Maniammai.

AD 2000 : Tamil Nadu population is 55 million. The world Tamil population was
75 million. Indian Tamils work towards assimilation as an Indian nation
and unifying their Indian identity. They are patriotic, loyal and proud
Indians. They accepted the Hindu religious identity and are Hindu Tamils.
Others are Christian Tamils, Muslim Tamils and Buddhist Tamils. They
are the Indian nation who linguistically speak Tamil and practice the
Hindu Religion. Most Tamils are fluent in the official languages of Hindi
and English.

11. The Jaffna Kingdom period of Tamil Independence in Eelam (1215 AD 1621 AD)

AD 1215 : Kalinga Segarajasekaran I

AD 1240 : Kulasekara Pararajasekaran I is King of Jaffna

AD 1256 : Kulatunga Segarajasekaran II is King of Jaffna

AD 1279 : Vikkrama Pararajasekaran III is King of Jaffna

AD 1302 : Varothaya Segarajasekaran IIII is King of Jaffna

AD 1325 : Marthanda Pararajasekaran IV is King of Jaffna

AD 1348 : Kunapushana Segarajasekaran IV is King of Jaffna

AD 1371 : Virothaya Pararajasekaran IV is King of Jaffna

AD 1380 : Seyaveera Segarajasekaran V is King of Jaffna

AD 1410 : Kunaveera Pararajasekaran V is King of Jaffna

AD 1440 : Kanagasuriya Segarajasekaran VI is King of Jaffna

AD 1561 : Puviraja Pandaram Pararajasekaran VII is King of Jaffna

AD 1570 : Periya Pillai Segarajasekaran VII is King of Jaffna

AD 1582 : Puviraja Pandaram II is King of Jaffna

AD 1591 : Ethirmanasingam Pararajasekaran VIII is King of Jaffna. He built the

Raasaakkal-Thampiraan Mutt at Chidambaram. Chidambaram was the
center of spiritual influence for the Jaffna Kingdom in all its history as
part of the Chola Kingdom.

AD 1615 : Arasakesari (as Regent for the infant Crown Prince). Tamil Eelam
survives as an independent Tamil country until Portuguese colonization.

12. Tamil-Portuguese War of 1560

The King of Portugal, Dom Joao III wanted the King of Jaffna removed from power. He
appointed Dom Constantino de Braganza who was a zealous supporter of the Church as the
Viceroy of Goa to invade Eelam. On 7 September 1560 he set sail with ninety two vessels to
invade Jaffna. The Tamils defended and from every roof and garden Tamil archers poured their
arrows. The Portuguese agreed to sign a treaty ending the war and restoring the King to his
throne under conditions that the island of Mannar would be retained by the Portuguese.

13. The Dark Ages of Tamil History

The Dark Ages of Tamil history consists of two periods. The first is the European Colonization
from 1621 1948. This is followed by the Modern Period of Sri Lankan Genocide from 1948 to
present.
13.1. Portuguese Colonization

13.1.1. Tamil Portuguese War of 1619

War broke out on 5 June 1619 between the Tamils and the Portuguese. Constantine de Saa
ordered his military commander General Philippe de Oliveira to capture Jaffna. His total army
was 230 Portuguese and more than 3000 Sinhala Buddhists.

The Portuguese governor of Colombo, General Constantine de Saa defeated the Jaffna King. He
was captured, sent to Goa in chains and executed there by hanging. The war against the
Portuguese continued from the Vanni territory on the mainland. Kailaya Vannian, Nalla
Mapanan and Pandara Vannian led at different times the movements of resistance first against
the Portuguese and later against the Dutch until 1780, a period of nearly one and a half century.

AD 1621 : The Portuguese invade the Kingdom of Jaffna. Tamils are defeated and
colonized by the Portuguese foreigners.

13.2. Dutch Colonization

AD 1658 : The Dutch took control of Tamil Eelam. The Tamils are colonized by the
Dutch foreigners.

13.3. British Colonization

AD 1796 : The British took control of Tamil Eelam. The Tamils are colonized by
the British foreigners.

AD 1802 : The Treaty of Amiens of 1802/3 which ended the First Napolenic War
allowed the British to retain the territories in Ceylon captured from the
Dutch. The Portuguese, the Dutch and the British administered the North
East of the island, Tamil Eelam, as a single unit. The Sinhala had its own
administration.

AD 1833 : The Colebrooke Commission Report of 1833 merged these territories

with the rest of the island for supervisory convenience thus reducing the
Tamil population to a minority status in the island. The Tamils were then
subjected to discrimination, poverty, economic loss and racism and
religious oppression from the majority Sinhala people.
AD 1853 -1924 : Sir Ponnabalam Arunachalam was the youngest son of Mudaliyar A.
Ponnambalam and was born on 14 September 1853. In 1913 he was
knighted at the hands of King George V at Buckingham Palace. He
founded the Ceylon Tamil League putting forward the demand for a
separate, sovereign state for the Tamils naming it Tamil Eelam. He died
on 9 January 1924.

13.4. Sri Lankan Colonization and Genocide of Tamils

AD 1948 : Third Tamil Genocide. The Sinhala nation takes possession of Eelam and
commits genocide on millions of Tamils. It is the worst form of structural
genocide in human history and is supported by Sinhala Buddhist scripture
and mindset. Sinhala Buddhist genocide of Tamils begins.

AD 1948 : The Soulbury Independence Constitution of 1948 gave Sri Lanka control
over the homeland of Tamil Eelam.

AD 1948 : Sinhala Sri Lanka gains its independence from Britain.

AD 1948 : The Sinhala Sri Lankan Military Colonized Tamil Eelam. The Sri
Lankan genocide of Tamils begins. Eelam Tamils faces colonisation,
oppression, poverty, death and constant persecution for being Tamil.

AD 1948 : Tamils migrate as refugees around the world. They created a vibrant,
activist international Tamil diaspora.

AD 1948 : Sinhala Buddhists ideological hegemony dominates in Sri Lanka.

AD 1948 : Sri Lanka engages in routine, of acts of interrogation, torture, sexual

violence, abduction, burning Tamil books, children murdered, woman
raped, mass graves, large massacres of entire villages, displacement of
people, desecration of cultural symbols, and tearing down of social fabric
of Tamils. The figure of the Sinhala is sought to be made omnipresent and
omnipotent in Tamil territories.

AD 1948 : The Sinhala implemented the Constitution of 1948 with genocidal intent
against the Tamils as follows:

AD 1948 - 1949 : One Million Tamil plantation workers were disenfranchised through the
Citizenship Act of 1948 and 1949. Sinhala settlers occupy the Tamil
Homeland through state aided Sinhala colonization schemes and the
process is continuing unabated.
AD 1956 : The Sinhala Only Act put an end to the equality of status of the Tamil
and Sinhala languages and closed avenues of employment for the Tamils.

AD 1970 : The Education System discriminated against Tamil students denying

them educational advancement and creating a huge mass of unemployed
Tamil youth.

AD 1970 : Tamil areas were isolated from all national development projects and
economically deprived.

AD 1974 : Pogroms were organized against the Tamil people by state sponsored
racial riots by the Sinhala in 1956, 1958, 1961, 1974, 1977, 1979, 1981
and 1983 threatening the very survival of the Tamils. In 1983, violence
between Tamil and Sinhala in Sri Lanka marks beginning of Tamil
rebellion, demanding an independent nation called Tamil Eelam. The
Sinhala murdered 37 Tamil Eelam political prisoners in jail.

AD 1976 : The Vaddukai Convention of May 1971 declared the restoration and
reconstitution of the sovereign state of Tamil Eelam. TULF fought the
General Elections of 1977 on this manifesto and won an overwhelming
majority of votes. This was the peoples mandate given in the last free
elections ever held in the North East of Sri Lanka.

AD 1976 current : Tamil struggle continues.

14. FOUNDER OF TAMIL HUMANISM

Thiruvalluvar

Thiruvalluvar is the founder of Tamil Humanism and is the author of the Tamil Marai. He is an
internationally celebrated Tamil humanist. Thiruvalluvars Path of Tamil Humanism is the Path
of Virtue.
Thiruvalluvar was born in Mayilapur in Tamil Nadu on 15 January 31 BC. It is the day after the
Tamil New Year.
Thiruvalluvar as a youth grew into a student, farmer and state advisor. He was a textile weaver
by profession. Thiruvalluvar fell in love with Vasuki and their marriage was solemnised. She
was a chaste, devoted and an ideal wife. Thiruvalluvar showed by example that a person can lead
the life of a householder and at the same time lead a life of righteousness and with respect. A
beautiful daughter was born. They named her Mullai and brought her up with loving care.
In 300 BC, Elala Chola, the King of the Tamil country ruled over Eelam. Elelasingan was his
descendent and ship merchant of Mayilapur. He accepted Thiruvalluvar as his teacher and was
his first disciple. One day in the evening, Elelasingan and Mullai met in a garden and they fell in
love with each other. Thiruvalluvar solemnized his marriage with Mullai.
In 21 BC, Uggiraperuvazhuthi, the Tamil King, decided to send a delegation to Augustus Caesar
and strengthen the trade link. He told the Romans visiting him that he is sending a delegation of
merchants to Rome with Elelasingan as leader. Elelasingan left for Rome taking leave from
Mullai. He left in the month of July and he promised Mullai he will return in December.
Thiruvalluvar saw that many people in this world are living without understanding humanist
principles. He stayed in his house in Mayilapur and began writing his book under a LLuppai tree.
He formulated the concepts based on the 70 000 year old oral tradition of humanism and the
5000 year old Indus valley civilization, and the civilization of the four Tamil kingdoms of
Pandya, Chola, Chera and Eelam. He wrote the philosophy of humanism into couplets in a book
which he called Tamil Marai (Tamil Humanist Scripture). Thiruvalluvar also called it Muppal.
Muppal means three kinds of subjects which are righteousness, wealth and love. Thereafter he
decided to travel propagating humanist principles to all people.
He travelled to Madurai to submit his work, Muppal, to the Pandya king. The Pandya kings
ensured that many Tamil poets flourished. The Tamil Sanggam of Madurai which is an assembly
of eminent poets, scholars and researchers called his work Thirukural. The Tamil Sanggam
introduced the Thirukural to the world. The Tamil Marai is considered as the Sacred Word of
God. Thiruvalluvar is regarded as a Tamil prophet by the Tamil community.
Thiruvalluvar said to the King: a small dew drop depicts even a Palmyra tree, so also the Kural.
Oh King, spread these spotless couplets. Preach to the world the humanist message of the Tamil
Marai.
The Tamil Calendar is dated from the birth of Thiruvalluvar and is called Thiruvalluvar Aandu.
The Tamil New Year begins on the 14 January which is the 1st day of the 1st month (Thai) of the
Tamil calendar. The next day is celebrated as Thiruvalluvar Day as the 15 January is the birthday
of Thiruvalluvar. This celebration of New Years Day and Thiruvalluvar Day is the Pongal
Festival.
15. LEADERS OF TAMIL HUMANISM

The two important leaders of Tamil Humanism are Mr. Seenivasa and Mr. R.M. Moodali. They
are the two main authors of the books on Tamil Humanism. Therefore the books on Tamil
Humanism are called the SEENIVASA - MOODALI VERSION. They are the revivalists of
Tamil Humanism.

Seenivasa

Seenivasa Padayachi was a great advocate of the Tamil Religion. He tirelessly propagated Tamil
Spirituality in Tamil Nadu and in South Africa.

The story of Seenivasa Padayachi is but a legend. The life of Seenivasa Padayachi and what we
know is largely derived from oral traditions. What remains of his existence is the Tinley Manor
Ragasiyam which he built in 1889 and the scriptures he recited with his last breathe in that
Sanggam.

Seenivasa Padayachi was born in 1861 in Chidambaram. His father was Sabapathi. He was 28
years old when he arrived in Durban. He was educated in Tamil and English. His wife was
Valliammal and she was born in 1867 in Chidambaram. Seenivasa and Valliammal had three
children.

Seenivasas father Sabapathi was a learned scholar and a Priest at Chidambaram. Some say he
was a great yogi in Chidambaram. Sabapathi was born around 1801. Sabapathi taught Seenivasa
the Tamil religion and culture in its purest form. He believed in Tamil Humanism and the
Ragasiyam is the highest form of worship. He wanted all Tamils to worship in the Ragasiyam.
Sabapathis vision is: A Ragasiyam in every town and village. However the Nayak Brahmins
resisted and did not want all people to have the Truth.

Legend says that Sabapathis grandfather who was born around 1681 was also a Priest at
Chidambaram. He promoted the Tamil religion and the freedom of all to worship the Ragasiyam
The Ragasiyam is a Meditation and Cultural Hall. He resisted and challenged the Nayak Miliary
rule.

However the Nayak Hindu Brahmins still dominated the villages and Tamil Religion was still
forbidden. This led to a conflict between the Nayak Hindu Brahmins and Seenivasa Padayachi
when he promoted the Path of Virtue, the Tamil Religion.
He condemned the village chief and Nayak Brahmins in Chidambaram for promoting South
Indian Hinduism. He encouraged the villagers to follow Tamil Humanism which is the Tamil
religion. The villagers protest was increasing against the Nayak Brahmin priests.

This conflict forced him into exile. If he continued living there his life and his familys safety
was in danger. The Nayak Brahmin persecution forced him into exile. His exile brought him to
the shores of South Africa, keeping the Tamil religion alive.

He took his only priceless possession the Tamil Marai and together with his family boarded the
ship headed for South Africa.

Sabapathi gave Seenivasa his blessings to go to South Africa to protect the faith. He encouraged
him to travel abroad to save the Tamil beliefs.

When Seenivasa arrived the first thing he did was to go and search for land to build the
Ragasiyam as per his fathers wishes. He found many Tamils living in the North Coast of Natal.

Seenivasa built the first Ragasiyam outside of India for the Tamils in Tinley Manor, Natal, South
Africa. It was built out of wood and iron around July 1889. Alagiri also helped Seenivasa with
the construction of the Ragasiyam.

The Ragasiyam is the Hall for the Praise of God. The congregation in Tinley Manor assembled
there and in front of them is a room of empty space. In this room hangs the golden leaves with
the Tamil alphabet on it. This Ragasiyam is the purist form of Tamil worship. Tamils worship
God in this way for thousands of years. They recited the Tamil Marai and other scriptures and
conducted their ceremonies in this Ragasiyam.

Seenivasa was involved in promoting the Tamil religion and culture in Tinley Manor. When his
indentured contract expired after 5 years he moved to Germiston in 1894, Transvaal now called
Gauteng. Seenivasa moved to Transvaal (Gauteng) because he knew there were many Tamils
living here. In 1895 he built another Ragasiyam in Germiston. His vision was that wherever there
is a Tamil community there should be a Ragasiyam.

During his stay in Germiston, he opened a cigar factory. He would travel from Germiston to
Ottawa, Tongaat then to Tinley Manor to buy the Tobacco leaves and bring them to Germiston.
It was a flourishing business as he supplied the mines and shops with cigars. He hired a factory
manager to manage the cigar manufacturing while he was away in Tinley Manor. He was a
highly spiritual person always in meditation and study of the Tamil religion. Around 1900, while
he was away in Tinley Manor, his wife Valliammal made a mistake and had an affair with the
factory manager.

On his arrival back to Germiston he came to know of it. He was disappointed but he forgave her.
So he divorced her and decided to move back to Tinley Manor in Natal, KZN.
He gave her the house and the cigar business which made her financially independent. The
children were well provided for and even their grandchildren still were financially well off.
Seenivasa moved to Tinley Manor permanently in 1900. He lived there in meditation and study
in the Tinley Manor Ragasiyam and established a Tamil Sanggam. He remarried to Alamalu and
they had four children.

Alamalu was born in 1872. Alamalu was an excellent caregiver and took care of Muniamma like
her own child. Alamalu together with Muniamma, Lutchmana and Subbu visited the Tinley
Manor Ragasiyam in 1901. Seenivasa met Alamalu and admired her caring and family qualities.
She lived with the Lutchmana Naiks family until she got married to Seenivasa Padayachi in
1901. When Seenivasa married Alamalu, she moved to Tinley Manor. She eventually lived in
Tinley Manor for the rest of her life.

He propagated Tamil Humanism amongst the indentured labourers. He spent the rest of his life
promoting the Tamil religion and culture in the Tinley Manor Ragasiyam.

His last day on earth was unforgettable. He took his wife and children to the Tinley Manor
Ragasiyam. He entered the Sanggam. Seenivasa Padayachi sat down in the Tinley Manor Tamil
Sanggam, facing the congregation, his friends, his family and children for the last time. He
smiled at his loving wife, Alamalu, and his children and began to speak about Tamil Humanism.
He praised God through words, recited all the Tamil scriptures in English and Tamil and while
chanting Namasivaya in the Sanggam he collapsed and died peacefully. And now the essence
of Seenivasa Padayachis recitation of Tamil Spirituality is presented to you.
 R.M. Moodali

R.M. Moodali is a political activist and an internationally renowned humanist. He made an

immense contribution to the transformation of South Africa.

Rajoo Munisami Moodali was born on 31 October 1907. He was the son of an indentured
labourer Thayi. Thayi came from a district called South Arcot in Tamil Nadu. In 1914, Thayi
died at the age of 41 years and R.M. Moodali was placed in an orphanage.

From 1918 to 1930, he worked on Apartheid farms for a Mr. G. Duncan. In 1931 he worked as a
waiter at Victoria hotel. In 1935, he worked for the Hulletts family as a chauffeur. In later years
he did part time bookkeeping for small companies as White businesses did not give him work
because of the Job Reservation Act.

He went to the Wesleyan Missionary School in 1912, and had to leave school at Standard Four to
work on the farm. In 1931 he completed a Bookkeeping course part time through
correspondence. In 1940s he join the Study Circles and learnt politics and economics. This was
the beginning of his political career.

In 1940, he joined the South African Communist Party. Latter he joined the ANC and the NIC.
In the 1980s he joined the UDF in the anti- Apartheid struggle. He continued to be involved in
politics until 1994, thats a total of 53 years struggling for Human Rights.
R.M. Moodali witnessed the rise and fall of Apartheid and participated actively in the Anti-
apartheid struggle. Throughout his life, he was a Human Rights activist. He attended the protest
meetings. He received pamphlets, posters, listened to Radio Freedom, the Voice of the ANC and
distributed the pamphlets and messages from door to door. He was a freedom fighter against
colonialism and Apartheid. His response is the way millions of people responded to the leaders,
until the disbanding of the Natal Indian Congress and UDF structures.

R.M. Moodali was also a cultural activist. He belonged to various cultural organisations such as
Stanger Youth Orchestra, Stanger Debating Society, The Rationalist Association of South Africa,
Pretoria Tamil Rationalism Society, The Humanist Association of South Africa, Natal Buddhist
Society, The Thirukural Society, International Movement for Tamil Culture: South Africa and
many others. In the 1980s he suggested to his family and Babs about forming a Tamil humanist
international society. He encouraged Mr Rowley Arenstein his old friend from the liberation
struggle to join. R.M. Moodali was a loving person who went about his daily life with the
universal principles of humanism. He was a humanist and a convinced atheist. He was talkative
and an eloquent speaker.

He was also a cultural activist who promoted the reformation of Tamils by rejecting the caste
system, superstition, rituals and fatalistic beliefs. The most important thing that had to change
was the Tamil belief system in order for them to become progressive. He was involved in
promoting the Tamil culture and language. His understanding of the Tamil Marai was from a
Tamil perspective which is the concept of the Moodali version.

He promoted the Tamil language and he advocated other cultural and linguistics groups to
promote theirs in unity and harmony as South Africans. He advocated South African
multiculturalism to enrich the cultural fabric. The various cultural and linguistic identities of the
world are the elements that make the worlds multicultural social fabric beautiful and joyful.

R.M. Moodali has personally helped many people by providing them with financial, emotional
support, advise and assisted them with legal issues. He helped people overcome their material
needs. He was always helping people.

R.M. Moodali married Kamatchi Moodali, the granddaughter of Seenivasa Padayachi on 22

January 1944. She was a dutiful wife to R.M. Moodali and a loving mother. She was an
exceptional cook and always generously took care of others. They lived mostly in Bull Bull
Drive and Desainagar. They had two daughters and a son Thiagesan (Babs) Moodali who was a
successful businessman and philanthropist. He read a lot of health books and how to prevent
diabetes. He did not drink alcohol nor did he smoke. He led a healthy lifestyle.

R.M. Moodali conducted much research into Seenivasa Padayachi and reunited the two families
from Gauteng and Natal, KZN. He retold the story of Seenivasa Padayachi to all who visited
him.
He had many major achievements. In 1931 he became a certified Bookkeeper. In the mid 1930s
he was expert at playing the Violin and the Banjo. From 1936 to 1941, The Safety First
Association awarded him 6 Diplomas, a Bronze medal, then finally a Gold Medal for Driving.
He always owned a vintage Borgward car. In 1960s he bought a 6 acre farm in Bull Bull
Drive. On 3 October 1998 at Technikon Natal, R.M. Moodali was honoured for his role in the
human rights struggle. In 1994, he was 53 years involved in political activity in the ANC, NIC
and SACP. On 23 September 2007, he celebrated 60 years of marriage to Kamatchi. On 1
January 2001, he was 71 years involved in cultural activity. On 31 October 2007, he celebrated
his 100 years birthday. He passed away on 9 April 2008 in Tongaat.
 Thiagesan Rajoo Moodali (Babs)

Thiagesan Rajoo Moodali, known to family and friends as Babs, was born on 26th April 1951.
He is the son of R.M. Moodali. Babs was an outstanding entrepreneur and a successful
businessman and a great philanthropist.

His philosophical religious outlook was similar to that of his father. He was a committed Tamil
Humanist. He never performed any rituals nor did he believe in any superstition. He tirelessly
kept the flame of humanism alive by advocating it among family members and the South African
community. He began writing the Biography of R.M. Moodali but did not see its publication.

He had a quiet personality who never complained about anything. His disposition was always
pleasing others and even making sacrifices at his own expenses. He was hardworking, honest,
generous and a charitable person. He valued punctuality. He always had a smiling face and a
unique laughter.

He completed his schooling at Chatsworth High School. He enjoyed drawing and sketching as a
hobby. His other interests were baking and he made the best Christmas cake and pudding. He
also specialised in making sweetmeats and his favourite was Chana Margan and Burfi. On
Sundays he also made scones for tea time and he helped his mother Kamatchi Moodali to make
queen cakes.
He started off his career when he was in school by repairing cars. He enjoyed fixing things at
home. He repaired the Borgward car engines and did welding and spray painting. He worked as a
manager of a Bus company in Durban. He thereafter took a career in the field of instrumentation.
He was a highly skilled person with great entrepreneurial skills. He became the CEO of Zimbali
Engineering and he negotiated many contracts with SAB.

He bought land at Desainagar, Tongaat and built a big family house and owned a luxury
Mercedes Benz. He loved his gardening and spent hours maintaining it. He took care of both his
parents giving them the best lifestyle and health care. He was always conscious of his health,
eating correctly and exercised. He also read a lot of health books and how to prevent diabetes.
He did not drink alcohol nor did he smoke and also led a healthy lifestyle. Although he had
excellent qualities as a father, he never married nor did he have any children.

He supported many charities and NGOs such as the Association of Mouth & Foot Painters. He
also supported the Charity Circle. He made donations to Childline, The Avril Elizabeth Homes
of South Africa, Age-in-Action, and St John. Childline offers counselling and support to
children. Age-in-Action makes a difference in the lives of the aged. The Avril Elizabeth Homes
allows the mentally handicapped to live their lives in a warm and nurturing environment. St John
provides medical assistance.

He was involved in community projects of Desainagar. He attended Civic meetings and strove to
keep high standards of maintaining the suburb. He was also a member of the ANC of the local
Tongaat branch. He helped organise feeding schemes in the informal settlement and held
meetings with their leaders.

In October 2013 he was diagnosed with leukaemia and was hospitalised for three weeks
undergoing chemotherapy. On 2 December 2013, he sadly passed away. His death at an early age
was a great loss for the Tamil Humanist community.
16. ABOUT THE WRITER

Thiru Moodali is an academic, a researcher, a Life Coach, and a social and cultural activist.

After high school he completed a B.Admin degree from the University of Durban-Westville
(UKZN). He successfully completed his post graduate qualifications at the University of South
Africa, graduating in a Honours Degree, Hons. B.Admin (Unisa), and a Masters Degree,
M.Admin (Unisa).

He belonged to the University SRC publications committee and SANSCO which was affiliated
to the UDF during the anti-apartheid campaign. He participated in many mass marches and
protest activities.

He took part in various social and cultural activities and assisted many community projects such
as creating awareness of Human Trafficking, feeding schemes, clothes distribution and book
distributions to promote the culture of reading. He assisted the aged, the orphans, and the
homeless in these drives as well as the HIV/Aids homes. He has been on many committees of
charity that supported feeding schemes.

Thiru Moodali spent the past 25 years in Marketing and as a Senior Manager involved in
coaching and mentoring employees to reach optimal performance. This experience meant that he
came face to face with the concerns and challenges facing employees at all levels up to top
management level.

After he read Tamil literature, and understood its true meaning, he discovered that his purpose in
life is working with people one on one or in groups to transform their lives so that they can
develop their full potential. He believes that every person should live a life of excellence and
quality.

As a qualified and certified life coach, Thiru Moodali holds the following certificates:

Life Coach
Negative Emotional Therapy Practitioner

Neuro-linguistic Programming Practitioner

Transformation Coach

He is actively conducting workshops that campaigns for a humanist lifestyle and creating support
groups that will sustain a humanist culture.

He has written and edited several books. As a spirit-writer (ghostwriter) for R.M. Moodali, he
recorded the oral tradition of humanism and wrote the following books:

1. Tamil Humanism

2. Tamil Spirituality

3. Tamil Humanist Scriptures

4. Writings of the Tamil Saints

5. Biographies: Tamil Prophet and Tamil Saints

6. Humanist Meanings in Tamil Religious Literature

7. Tamil Humanist Ceremonies

8. Tamil Humanist Readings

9. Tamil Calendar

10. Diacritic Tamil

11. Timeline of Tamil History

12. UNKNOWN CITIZEN: A Biography of R.M. Moodali

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