For years, it was the practice of Sanjay Subrahmanyan to perform in December for Kalarasana, a Sabha that held its programmes at Rani Seethai Hall in Raja Annamalai Buildings on Mount Road. Being a regular attendee, I would often gaze at the portrait of the lady Annamalai after whom the hall was named. indeed, it was a striking image.. She wore a saree in a stylish manner for the period. The pallu was brought around both shoulders and secured with brooches. On her feet were shoes rather than slippers. Most unusually, she wore elbow-length white gloves.
Naturally, intrigued, I asked around and was told that this was the attire she wore when she was presented at Buckingham Palace to King George V and Queen Mary. Court etiquette apparently demanded that one did not show bare arms to royalty.
Lady Annamalai’s Visit to England
In 2010, while writing Championing Enterprise: 175 Years of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, I came across another photograph. It showed Rani Seethai and Raja Annamalai seated on a bench somewhere in England. Their second son, Ramanathan, stood beside them. Seated nearby was Sir James Simpson, former Chairman of Gordon Woodroffe, while Lady Simpson stood behind.
However, this time, Rani Seethai wore no gloves. The smile on her face was radiant. Clearly, she was enjoying herself immensely.
Who Was Lady Annamalai?
Rani Seethai was the wife of Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar, business baron, philanthropist, and later a champion of Tamil Isai.
His services to the country included the establishment of what was probably India’s first private university. These contributions brought him several honours, including the titles Dewan Bahadur, Raja, and eventually a knighthood.His wife therefore became known as Rani Lady Seethai Achi of Chettinad.
Lady Annamalai Breaks a Nagarathar Tradition
It was only around 2020 that I learnt more about Lady Annamalai’s visit to London. The journey was a first in Nagarathar history. A line from the ancient Tolkappiyam forbade women of the community from crossing the seas. Yet in 1935, Rani Seethai broke that long-standing taboo.
That year, Raja Annamalai was invited to join a high-powered delegation travelling to England. The group was to meet the Secretary of State and present Indian views before the finalisation of the Government of Burma Act.
Most unusually, he chose to take his wife with him. That the Rani was eager to accompany him becomes clear from an account by K. Nagarajan, advocate and associate of the Raja. “The Raja and the Rani toured all over Europe and extended their journey to the United States of America. A new world opened before the eyes of Rani Lady Annamalai Chettiar. There were old friends everywhere which made her feel very much at home.”
Lady Annamalai at Westminster Abbey
The late Kumararani Meena Muthiah, granddaughter and granddaughter-in-law of Seethai Achi, shared another fascinating story from this visit. The couple attended the Silver Jubilee celebration service of King George V at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 1935.
At the end of the ceremony, Raja Annamalai became deeply engaged in conversation with British associates. In the process, he completely forgot about his wife. He simply got into a car with his friends and left.
A lesser woman might have panicked. Rani Seethai, however, rose to the occasion. Although she knew no English, she remembered the name of her hotel. Walking to the entrance, she confidently said “Dorchester” to one of the ushers. A car was immediately arranged. Before long, she was reunited with her husband.
Lady Annamalai’s Influence on Nagarathar Women
Back in Madras and Chettinad, women of the community followed the Rani’s travels through letters. When she finally returned home, Nagarajan records that “her lady friends and relations heaved an audible sigh of relief, such was their distrust of foreign travel those days.”
Yet her example had an immediate impact. Soon afterwards, Nagarathar women began travelling overseas themselves.
The Legacy of Lady Annamalai
The Raja and Rani enjoyed a happy married life. They divided their time between Somerford, also known as Chettinad Palace in Madras, and their palace at Kanadukathan. Raja Annamalai passed away in 1948. Having remained an invalid for four years thereafter, Rani Seethai was reunited with him in 1952.
Raja Annamalai left many markers across the city. These include Annamalai Manram on the Esplanade, Annamalai Buildings on Mount Road, and Raja Annamalai Puram. His first residence in Madras stood at Purasawalkam. Raja Annamalai Road also commemorates him.
Rani Seethai’s most visible memorial remains the hall that bears her name.
Lady Annamalai and Her Remarkable Family
What is less widely known is that she held a unique distinction. She was the mother of three mayors of the city. All three sons—Raja Sir M. A. Muthiah Chettiar, Ramanathan Chettiar, of MRC Nagar fame, and M. A. Chidambaram—served as mayors.
Her grandchildren included industrialists, turf barons, a cricket administrator, educationists, and a finance minister. Surely, they all carried something of her spirit within them.
This article appeared in The Hindu-https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/when-lady-annamalai-rani-seethai-chettiar-went-to-london/article71051546.ece
My book, Chennai, A Biography can be ordered–http://My book, Chennai, A Biography can be ordered-https://sriramv.com/2021/12/27/how-to-buy-autographed-copies-of-chennai-a-biography-from-outstation/20.ece
