Ministers Pay Tribute to Dravidamani Rettamalai Srinivasan on His 167th Birth Anniversary

On the birth anniversary of Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan, Hon'ble Ministers garlanded and paid floral tributes at his statue On behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan, Hon'ble Ministers garlanded and paid floral tributes this morning (7.7.2026) at his statue located at the Gandhi Mandapam complex in Guindy, Chennai. Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan was born on 7.7.1859 to the couple Rettamalai and Athi Ammal in the village of Kolipalayam, Maduranthakam taluk, Kanchipuram district. During his school days, he witnessed the cruelties of caste discrimination and became firmly resolved to eradicate caste distinctions altogether. To this end, he travelled extensively across South India and personally studied the everyday living conditions of the Adi Dravida people. He emphasised to the people the importance of education for the poor and downtrodden, and urged them to maintain hygiene, wear clean clothes, and speak courteously with everyone. He dedicated his entire life to uplifting the people educationally and economically. In 1893, at Wesley School, Royapettah, he convened, for the first time in India, a conference of tribal and depressed communities, creating awareness among the people. At the Round Table Conferences held in London during 1930-1932, he participated alongside Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a representative of the depressed classes, and firmly asserted that untouchability could be eradicated only if political power was extended to the oppressed communities. In recognition of his service to the people, the British Government honoured Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan with the title of "Rao Sahib" in 1926, "Rao Bahadur" in 1930, and "Diwan Bahadur" in 1936. On his 80th birthday, in recognition of his outstanding service to humanity and to the community he belonged to, he was conferred the title "Dravida Mani" in 1939, under the chairmanship of the veteran statesman Rajaji, in the presence of "Thamizh Thendral" Thiru V.K. (Thiru V. Kalyanasundaram). It would not be an exaggeration to say that, without seeking position or fame, Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan tirelessly served the Adi Dravida and tribal communities throughout his life and earned great respect as a guiding light for the community he belonged to. In his honour, a commemorative postage stamp was released on 15.08.2000. Further, a memorial hall with his statue was built at Achharapakkam Town Panchayat, Chengalpattu district, and inaugurated on 27.02.2024. On behalf of the Government of Tamil Nadu, July 7, the birth anniversary of Diwan Bahadur Dravida Mani Rettamalai Srinivasan, is celebrated every year as a State function. The event was attended by Hon'ble Minister for Public Works and Sports Development, Thiru Udhay Arjuna; Hon'ble Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Thiru P. Venkataramanan; Hon'ble Minister for Social Justice, Thiru Sunny Arasu; Hon'ble Minister for Finance, Planning and Development, Thiru Sa. Mari Wilson; Hon'ble Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Information Technology and Digital Services, Dr. Ra. Kumar; President of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and Member of Parliament, Dr. Thol. Thirumavalavan; MLA Thiru M. Arulprakasam; Secretary, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare/Tamil Development and Information Department, Thiru Va. Dakshinamurthy, IAS; Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr. A. Arun Thamburaj, IAS; family members of Rettamalai Srinivasan; and senior government officials. *************** Issued By: - DIPR, Secretariat, Chennai – 9