Govt to hold Velu Nachiyar dance drama in 3 places

The CM MK Stalin inaugurated the music and dance drama depicting the life history of Veeramangai Velunachiyar at Kalaivanar Arangam, Chennai on August 13 and ordered holding of the drama all over TN with the government support.

So, the government will arrange the Dance Drama in Madurai on August  21, Trichy on 22 and Coimbatore on 28.

The School Education Minister  Anbil Mahesh Poiyamozhi inaugurated it at the Erode Book Festival, arranged at the Erode CN College, in the presence of Collector H.Krishnanunni and Makkal Sindhanai Peravai president T Stalin Gunasekaran, industrialist SKM Mayilanandam and DRO Santhoshini Chandra on Monday. 

Velunachiyar born in 1730 to King Chelamuthu Sethupathi-Muthathal who ruled Ramanathapuram. She learned all the martial arts at an early age. 

Having lost her husband and kingdom due to the British invasion in 1772, she had a great responsibility to restore her rule. With the support of Hyder Ali, Gopal Nayakar and Marudu brothers she created a strong force, including a women army, and fought continuously for seven years against the British and won a great victory and recovered the Sivaganga. In the fight, her chieftain Kuyili sacrificed her life by jumping into the explosives and armoury yard of British with fire on her body. After this, she ruled Sivagangai till 1789.

 Velunachiar was the first heroic woman to fight against the British and won in the freedom struggle 75 years before Jhansi Rani fought against British in North India. 

There is no match for the heroic Veeramangai Velunachiyar in the history of Indian freedom struggle. She died on 25.12.1796. In order to honor her, a Memorial Hall has been set up in Sivagangai, by the Government.