The life and times of V O Chidambaram

The life and times of V. O. Chidambaram Pillai (Vaa Vu Ce) Slide Presentation to accompany a talk by VTS. 2007 IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas, Saturday, August 28, 2007, Heritage Hall, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 1

Vaa Vu Ce’s childhood • Born September 5, 1872 • Ottapidaram, Tamilnadu • Eldest son of an attorney • Became an attorney • Defended poor • Involved in freedom struggle Photo Courtesy of Vaa Vu Ce’s grandson Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 2

Personal Life • Married Valli Ammai (deceased) • Married Meenaskhi Ammal • Four sons and four daughters Photo Courtesy of Vaa Vu Ce’s grandson Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 3

Freedom Struggle • Defied British Raj • Started a indigenous shipping company • Bought ships with help of Tilak & Rai • Ran shipping line between Tuticorin and Colombo Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 4

Harsh sentence • Convicted of sedition • Sent to life in prison • Endures torture and harsh treatments • Pulls yoke of a oil press under hot sun (instead of bull) • Loses wealth and health Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 5

Help • Bharathiyar and S. Siva help • Sir Aurobindo help • People raise money Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 6

Great Human Being Aug 18, 2007 VTS | IATLH Utsav/Azadi Diwas | Tallahassee, FL 7