Life Sketch

Sir Pitty Theagaraya Chetty was born on April 27, 1852. Senior Theagaraya Chetty was born exactly one year before his younger brother. Their father, Aiyappa Chetty, a prosperous merchant of Old Washermenpet dreamt of his son was to grow into one of the greatest political leaders of South India.

The little Theagaraya was so precocious that his father gave him the best possible education. He passed his matriculation examination with honours and entered the portals of the Presidency College. In 1866, he passed his B.A. Degree Examination creditably with Mathematics as the optional subject. Soon after the graduation, Theagaraya joined in the ancestral business of tannery, and by dint of his hard work and acumen he paved the way to retain a high standard of perfection in tanning. Indeed, the Pitty stamp was the hallmark for the highest quality in tanned skins in those days.

Theagaraya Chetty sincerely believed that people must wear the clothes manufactured from weavers and for that he set up a large weaving mill equipped with fly-shuttle looms near his palatial residence in Tondiarpet. The products of his textile mill were of the finest quality and Theagaraya won many prizes for his exhibits in the All India Waving Exhibition held in March, 1909.

Towards the end of the 19^th century, he was elected as a member of the Corporation Council. So popular in those days, he continued to be the Councilor till the end of his life.

Sir Theagaraya firmly believed that education is the panacea for all social evils. His elder brother and he founded an educational institution in Washermenpet in 1897 to cater to the needs of the people of North Madras. After passing through many vicissitudes, the institution has now become a First Grade College as a result of the support given by the Public and the active co-operation of philanthropists. Theagaraya served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Pachaiyappa’s Charities for nearly half a century and in loving memory of his services to the cause of higher education in the province, his portrait was unveiled in the Pachaiyappa’s College Hall by the then Governor of Madras and the Grand Old Man had the unique privilege of being honoured in his own land.

Sir Theagaraya lived ahead of his times and the solutions that he offered to some pressing problems in those days such as untouchability, prohibition, labour organization are worth studying today, God endowed him not only with an outstanding intellect but also with a robust constitution. He put his powers to the fullest use for the benefit of humanity till April 28, 1925, when God chose to call him back to his bosom.

Sir Pitty Theagaraya Chetty and his elder brother Theagaraya Chetty Senior, were twin souls discharging complimentary functions. While the elder brother with meticulous care looked after the family estates and filled the family coffers, the younger was given free rein to his adventurous spirit and took part in multifarious social and political activities. They resembled with each other to such a great extent of same height that all but those who knew them intimately could nearly distinguish between them. The elder brother played a vital role in bringing up the brilliant career of his younger brother; for that he gave him the much needed moral support and guidance and provided him with the wherewithal for carrying on his public activities.

The Pitty brothers have become immortal in the imperishable Institution they have founded and it must be gratifying to their souls to see that it is flourishing under the able guidance of their descendants.

A word must be a worthy note to mention here about Sri Pammy Ramaswamy Chetty and illustrious scion of the Founder’s Family, who has accomplished his life’s mission, the creation of Sir Theagaraya College.