STELLA JESURAJ
THOOTHUKUDI, APRIL 9
The Rotary Club of Tuticorin, RI District (3212), one of the oldest clubs in the southern region of Tamil Nadu, enjoys the pride of legacy, with Raja of Ettayapuram Samasthanam, a historical icon, as the first President of the club.
The legendary icon was the ruler of Ettayapuram Samasthanam in the days of yore. Ettayapuram, presently a panchayat town in Thoothukudi district, came into existence as ‘Ettayapuram Estate’ in 1567.
Thoothukudi, a major Port located strategically on the southeastern tip of India, the gateway for international trade acquired Rotary spirit of fellowship and friendship with the launch of the club on November 27 in 1945, according to G. Gragadurai, a long time veteran of the club and former president.
There’s a roll of honour in the prestigious club with ‘Raja of Ettayapuram’ named above all as the first president during 1946-47.
Taking pride in the club’s historical significance, the seventy nine-year-old veteran, said in the early history of Rotary, the Raja of Ettayapuram was known as ‘Rtn. Raja Saheb Ettappa Naicker Aiyen’ as the first President and J.L.P Roche Victoria, who served as Minister for Food and Fisheries between 1949 and 1952, as the first Secretary in 1982-83, Gragadurai said.
While recalling, E. Ramkummar Raja, son of the Raja Saheb, whose family name was Raja Jagaveera Rama Kumara Venkateswara Ettappa Nayakkar Aiyan, he said Ettayapuram, where Zamindari system once ruled the roost, should relive its history.
He said his father was the last Zamindar of Ettayapuram as the 41st descendant in a reign from 1934 to 1954 before the Zamindari system was abolished. The age-old ‘Ettayapuram Palace’, which remains in existence on a sprawling eighteen acres, nearby the birth house of National Poet Subramania Bharathi, who also played a phenomenal role in the freedom movement, should be known to the younger generation.
The Zamin era palace, which features entrance archway, coronation hall with decorative wood carvings, durbar hall, inn, and an arsenal of weaponry, should not be left in ruins.
Recounting his days with the Raja Saheb, the 67-year old Ramkummar Raja said he wanted to deliver what his father thought for the welfare of the society, he told Navjeevan Express.
Referring to a book titled ‘Ruling Princes and Chiefs of India’ published in 1930, he said Ettayapuram was the first in Tamil Nadu to have acquired the status of ‘Samasthanam’ and Ramanathapuram stood next.
Ilasai Manian, an elderly resident of Ettayapuram, said Ettayapuram, which in those days called ‘Ilasanadu’ is a remarkable example of communal harmony since this town housed temple, church, and mosque built during the earlier part of the reign.
The Zamindars of Ettayapuram were descendants from the ancient family from Chandragiri, Andhra Pradesh and settlers after their migration.
As for U. Kaja Moideen, president, Umaru Pulavar Sangam, Ettayapuram, after the Pandya rule, the Ettayapuram Samasthanam was the next to have witnessed Iyal Isai Nataka Manram. He said Tamil poet Umar (Umaru Pulavar), known for his literary work ‘Seerapuranam’ and another ancient poet Mahakavi Bharathiyar were court poets in the Ettayapuram palace. After his role of commitment and excellence under the banner of ‘Madurai Boys Drama Company’, M.G. Ramachandran, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, received his first prize of ‘gold coin’ from the Ettayapuram Raja, he recalled.
(The Author is a Freelance Writer)
