Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi
Encyclopedia
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi (b. November 9, 1909 - d. March 4, 1967) or Naganatha Sethupathi was an Indian politician of the Justice Party
and later, the Indian National Congress
and head of the zamindari of Ramnad
from 1929 to 1967. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1951 to 1967 and served as a minister in C. Rajagopalachari
and K. Kamaraj
's cabinets. He was popular as the main political opponent of U. Muthuramalingam Thevar
.
Sethupathi had a passionate liking for horses and was a fine sportsman. He represented the Madras cricket team in four first class matches.
or Muthuramalinga Sethupathi who ruled the estate of Ramnad on November 9, 1909. Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had an English education and graduated in law. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father in 1929.
As soon as Shanmugha took over the administration of the estate, the land became embroiled in a number of disputes and lengthy court cases. Between 1935 and 1945, the estate was administered by the Court of Wards.
. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress
candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency
in 1952 and 1962 elections and as an Independent candidate in 1957 election.
as a candidate of the Justice Party
and served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council until 1937 when he lost to Pasumpon Muthuramalingam Thevar of the Indian National Congress. During his period of service with the Justice Party, he served in the Economic Depression Enquiry Committee which enquired into the causes and impact of the Great Depression in Madras Presidency
.
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi was also a fine cricketer. He played four first class matches during the 1941/42 and 1943/44 seasons for the Madras cricket team scoring 129 runs at an average of 21.50. He also played for the Indians against the Europeans. The Shanmugha Sethupathi Cup for horse racing has been instituted in his memory.
.
Justice Party (India)
The Justice Party , officially known as South Indian Liberal Federation, was a political party in the Madras Presidency of British India. The party was established in 1917 by T. M. Nair and Theagaroya Chetty as a result of a series of non-Brahmin conferences and meetings in the presidency...
and later, the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
and head of the zamindari of Ramnad
Ramnad estate
The Ramnad Estate is a permanently settled Zamindari estate in the Ramnad subdivision of the Madura district of the erstwhile Madras Presidency in British India. It comprises the southern and eastern parts of Madura district.The estate was ruled by a Zamindar who bore the title "Raja"...
from 1929 to 1967. He was a member of the Madras Legislative Assembly from 1951 to 1967 and served as a minister in C. Rajagopalachari
C. Rajagopalachari
Chakravarti Rajagopalachari , informally called Rajaji or C.R., was an Indian lawyer, independence activist, politician, writer and statesman. Rajagopalachari was the last Governor-General of India...
and K. Kamaraj
K. Kamaraj
Kumarasami Kamaraj better known as K. Kamaraj was an Indian politician from Tamil Nadu widely acknowledged as the "Kingmaker" in Indian politics during the 1960s. He was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu during 1954-1963 and a Member of Parliament during 1952-1954 and 1969-1975...
's cabinets. He was popular as the main political opponent of U. Muthuramalingam Thevar
U. Muthuramalingam Thevar
Ukkirapandi MuthuramalingaThevar , also known as Pasumpon Muthuramalingam Thevar, was an Indian politician. He hailed from the Maravar community, the dominant warrior caste group in his home district in southern Tamil Nadu...
.
Sethupathi had a passionate liking for horses and was a fine sportsman. He represented the Madras cricket team in four first class matches.
Early life
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi was born to Raja Rajeswara SethupathiRaja Rajeswara Sethupathi
Raja Rajeswara Sethupathi was the Raja of Ramnad from 1903 to 1929. He was the son of the legendary philanthropist Bhaskara Sethupathy and father of politician Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi....
or Muthuramalinga Sethupathi who ruled the estate of Ramnad on November 9, 1909. Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had an English education and graduated in law. He succeeded to the throne on the death of his father in 1929.
As soon as Shanmugha took over the administration of the estate, the land became embroiled in a number of disputes and lengthy court cases. Between 1935 and 1945, the estate was administered by the Court of Wards.
Electoral records
He served as the Member of the Legislative Assembly of Tamil NaduTamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
. He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as an Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
candidate from Ramanathapuram constituency
Ramanathapuram (State Assembly Constituency)
Ramanathapuram is a state assembly constituency in Tamil Nadu. It is a component of Ramanathapuram Lok sabha constituency.Elections and winners in the constituency are listed below.- Madras State :- Tamil Nadu :- References :...
in 1952 and 1962 elections and as an Independent candidate in 1957 election.
Justice Party
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi joined politics at an early age. He was elected to the Madras Legislative CouncilMadras Legislative Council
Tamil Nadu Legislative Council is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It began its existence as Madras Legislative Council, the first provincial legislature for Madras Presidency. It was initially created as an advisory body in 1861, by the British...
as a candidate of the Justice Party
Justice Party (India)
The Justice Party , officially known as South Indian Liberal Federation, was a political party in the Madras Presidency of British India. The party was established in 1917 by T. M. Nair and Theagaroya Chetty as a result of a series of non-Brahmin conferences and meetings in the presidency...
and served as a member of the Madras Legislative Council until 1937 when he lost to Pasumpon Muthuramalingam Thevar of the Indian National Congress. During his period of service with the Justice Party, he served in the Economic Depression Enquiry Committee which enquired into the causes and impact of the Great Depression in Madras Presidency
Great Depression in India
The Great Depression of 1929 had a very severe impact on India, which was then under the rule of the British Raj. The Government of British India adopted a protective trade policy which, though beneficial to the United Kingdom, caused great damage to the Indian economy. During the period...
.
Indian National Congress
Shanmugha Rajeswara joined the Indian National Congress in 1946 and was elected again to the Madras Legislative Council as an Indian National Congress candidate. He stood in the 1951 elections from Ramanathapuram assembly constituency and was elected to the Madras Legislative Assembly. He served as the Minister of House Rent Control from April 10, 1952 to September 13, 1953 and as the Minister of Public Works from September 13, 1953 to March 31, 1957.Other interests
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had a passionate liking for horses. He owned a stable of over 50 horses in Calcutta. He also owned an extensive car collection including Rolls Royces and Bentleys. The Raja owned extensive land in different parts of Madras city. Hotel Woodlands is located on the exact spot where the Raja's official residence in the city had earlier stood.Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi was also a fine cricketer. He played four first class matches during the 1941/42 and 1943/44 seasons for the Madras cricket team scoring 129 runs at an average of 21.50. He also played for the Indians against the Europeans. The Shanmugha Sethupathi Cup for horse racing has been instituted in his memory.
Death
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi died on March 4, 1967 and was succeeded as the titular Raja of Ramnad by his son.Family
Shanmugha Rajeswara Sethupathi had a number of offsprings. His daughter Latha is a famous film actress and a close associate of M. G. RamachandranM. G. Ramachandran
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran , popularly known by his initials , was an Indian film actor, director, producer and politician....
.