Valliappan Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, businessman, Tamil scholar, and politician. He founded the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company in 1906 to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company (BISNC). He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin in British India and Colombo in Ceylon. Once a member of the Indian National Congress, he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment, and his barrister license was revoked. He is known by the epithet Kappalottiya Tamizhan. Tuticorin Port Trust, one of India's thirteen major ports, is named after him.
V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Indian lawyer and politician (died 1936)
On September 5, in the year 1872, V. O. Chidambaram Pillai, Indian lawyer and politician (died 1936). This event is recorded as a Notable Births event in the history of September 5, one of 493 recorded events on this date across all of history.
1 notable person is associated with this event, including V. O. Chidambaram Pillai. Learn more below.
Key Facts
- This event took place on September 5, 1872 (AD era).
- It is categorised as a Notable Births event in recorded history.
- Referenced in 1 Wikipedia article.
- 1 notable person is recorded as involved in or associated with this event.
- Wikipedia source last updated on 19 August 2026.
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