Vallinayagam Olaganathan Chidambaram Pillai (5 September 1872 - 18 November 1936) was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, businessman and politician.

[1][2][3] He launched the first indigenous Indian shipping service between Tuticorin in British India and Colombo in Ceylon.

Once a member of the Indian National Congress, he was later charged with sedition by the British government and sentenced to life imprisonment, and his barrister license was revoked.

In his childhood, he learned horse riding, silambattam, archery, sword fighting and played kabaddi, swimming, stilt walking, wrestling and chess.

Chidambaram Pillai worked as Taluk office clerk for some time before his father sent him to Tiruchirappalli to study law.

Following the partition of Bengal in 1905, Chidambaram entered politics, joining the Indian National Congress and taking a hardliner stance.

Chidambaram Pillai established many institutions like Yuvanesh Prachar Sabha, Dharmasanga Nesavu Salai, National Godown, Madras Agro-Industrial Society ltd and Desabimana Sangam.

The director of the company was Pandi Thurai Thevar, Zamindar of Palavanatham and the founder of "Madurai Tamil Sangam".

Haji Pakkir Mohammed Rowther Sait paid ₹ 200,000 and purchased 8000 shares of the company, becoming its secretary.

He managed to secure sufficient funds to purchase the company's first ship, the S.S. Gallia;[11] shortly afterwards, they were able to acquire the S.S. Lavo from France.

The ships commenced regular service between Tuticorin and Colombo (Sri Lanka) against opposition from British traders and the Imperial Government.

On 23 February 1908 Chidambaram Pillai gave a speech at Thoothukudi, encouraging the workers at Coral Mill (now part of Madura Coats) to protest against their low wages and harsh working conditions.

Four days later, the workers of the Coral Mill went on strike led by Subramanya Siva and Chidambaram himself.

Chidambaram ensured the strike was widely publicised, and it quickly gained popular support.

On 6 March the head clerk Subramanya Pillai met Chidambaram and said that the management was ready to concede their demands.

Chidambaram went with 50 workers and met the managers, who agreed to increase the wages, to reduce the working hours and to give leave on Sundays.

The outcome of the strike encouraged the workers of other European companies, who also gained increased wages and better treatment.

Sri Aurobindo appreciated Chidambaram and Siva for the unequalled skill and courage with which the fight was conducted in his Vande Mataram daily on 13 March 1908.

Hearing of his intention to speak at a rally celebrating the release of Bengali leader Bipin Chandra Pal, Winch, a British official invited Chidambaram to meet him in Thirunelveli with his political comrade Subramanya Siva.

At the meeting, Winch expressed concern about Chidambaram's activities and asked him to give assurances that he would not participate in any political revolt.

Although his supporters were able to raise sufficient funds for bail, Chidambaram refused to leave the jail without the release of Siva and his other comrades.

He was charged under sections 123-A and 153-A of the Indian Penal Code for speaking against the British and giving shelter to Siva.

The judgement was widely condemned in the popular press, with even the British Statesmen magazine claiming that it was unjust.

[4] From prison Chidambaram continued correspondence, maintaining a steady stream of legal petitions.

Some people in South Africa of Indian origin had collected money to help Chidambaram and transmitted the amount through Gandhi.

"[13] In 1920, Chidambaram quit the Indian National Congress, citing ideological differences with Mahatma Gandhi.

[12][14] Posthumously, Chidambaram is known by the titles Kappalottiya Thamizhan ("the Tamizhan who drove the ship") and "Chekkiluththa Chemmal" ("a great man who pulled the oil press in jail for the sake of his people").

The Indian Posts & Telegraphs department of India issued a special postage stamp on 5 September 1972, on the occasion of his birth centenary.