Remembering Kodi Katha Kumaran [Tirupur Kumaran]

11^th Jan is certainly a day to remember…. heard of Chennimalai, popularly known as the 'Handloom Town'  in Erode district ~ very famous for bedsheets and other hand woven clothes.  A Flag is not merely a cloth………. it is a concept, a symbol representing the Nation itself.  Born in Chennimalai was the man, who was later to become famous as  Tirupur Kumaran,  more famously known by the epithet ‘Kodi kaththa Kumaran,’ in 1904.

Sad that this man wedded to the cause of Nation’s freedom lived for only 28 years ~ he died with honour proudly holding the flag; but  died of injuries in the police assault while defending the Congress flag during a protest march against British on January 11, 1932.

Like other legendary revolutionaries, Vanchinathan, Bharathiyar, Subrahmanya Siva, VO Chidambaranar, Va Ve Subramaniya Iyer, Kumaran was also imbibed with the spirit and deeply drawn in the Nationalistic freedom movement.  He founded Desa Bandhu Youth Association.

He led the protest from the front at Tirupur against the British Colonial Government on 11^th Jan 1932, was fatally wounded by baton wielding policemen.  He bled to death of the injuries sustained in the head in the police assault on the procession, still held the flag dear to his heart ~ died defending the flag, a la Nation, itself.  

The government has erected his statue in a park by the railway station in Tirupur. Kumaran is revered as a martyr in Tamil Nadu and is known by the epithet Kodi Kaththa Kumaran(Kumaran who saved the Flag). His memorial is situated on Kumaran salai, near Tiruppur railway station. His life history and photographs are displayed here for the public.  In 2004 a postal stamp commemorating his heroic deed was released

Long live the memory of Kumaran and all other martyrs who sowed the seeds of freedom, which we all are enjoying now..

                          

with profound regards to the martyr – S. Sampathkumar