Ma Rani Velunachiyar..
Ma Rani Velunachiyar is considered as the most important woman, since once she protected our country from enemy invasion, from terrorist’s movements and from illegal migrants. She also acts as the backbone of India, and brought pride for our country. Most of the present-day women in India must be like Ma Rani Velunachiyar with regard to her bravery, courage, wisdom and divinity.
Rani Velu Nachiyar (1730–1796) was a queen of Sivaganga estate from 1780–1790. She was the first Indian queen who had fought bravely with the East India Company (EIC) in India. She is proudly called by Tamils as Veeramangai (“brave woman”). Velu Nachiyar was born on 3 January 1730. She was the princess of Ramanathapuram and the only child of King Chellamuthu Vijayaragunatha Sethupathy and Queen Sakandhimuthathal of the Ramnad kingdom. Nachiyar was trained in many methods of combat, including war match weapons usage, martial arts like Valari, Silambam, Kalaripayattu, horse riding, and archery. She was a scholar in many languages and was proficient in languages like French, English and Urdu. In 1746, she entered into marriage with Muthu Vaduganatha Periyavudaya Thevar, serving as a close advisor, mentor, and confidant to the prince. But after some years, she has lost her husband in a war.
In 1780, Velu Nachiyar waged war against the British and successfully reclaimed her kingdom. She governed for ten years and died in 1796. In 1790, she was succeeded by her daughter Vellacci. She granted powers to her daughter with the Marudu brothers to help with the administration of the kingdom. Velu Nachiyar died a few years later, on 25 December 1796.
On 31 December 2008, a commemorative postage stamp in her name was released. OVM Dance Academy of Chennai presenting “VELU NACHIYAR” a Grand Dance Ballet on Sivaganga Queen. Though at present she is not alive, yet she is still remembered for her wonderful features like bravery, courage, wisdom and many more!
“OM MA VELURANI NACHI AMMAIYE NAMO NAMAHA”
COMPILED BY
R. HARISHANKAR