The 221st death anniversary of freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai was observed as a State function at Odanilai village in Arachalur Town Panchayat in Erode district on Monday.

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan and Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji garlanded a statue of the freedom fighter. Minister for Milk and Dairy Development C. Vijayalakshmi, Minister for Animal Husbandry S. Kamali, Minister for Commercial Taxes and Registration D. Logesh Tamilselvan, and Collector S. Kandasamy were present.

Born as Theerthagiri in 1756 at Melapalayam near Kangayam, Dheeran Chinnamalai emerged as one of the foremost leaders of the Kongu region in the resistance against British rule. Trained in traditional martial arts, including silambam and swordsmanship, he earned the title “Dheeran” for his valour. Alongside Tipu Sultan, he fought in the Second, Third and Fourth Anglo-Mysore Wars, including the battles of Sathyamangalam, Malavalli and Srirangapatnam.

After Tipu Sultan’s death in 1799, he returned to Odanilai, built a fort and continued his resistance against the British East India Company. He led campaigns on the banks of the Cauvery in 1801, at Odanilai in 1802 and at Arachalur in 1804. Betrayed and captured in April 1805, he was imprisoned at Sankari Fort and executed there on Aadi 18 (July 31, 1805).

The Tamil Nadu government observes his birth anniversary on April 17 and his death anniversary on Aadi 18 as State functions at Odanilai.

Naam Tamilar Katchi leader Seeman, Former Minister and Thondamuthur AIADMK MLA S.P. Velumani and leaders of various political parties and organisations, too, paid floral tributes to the freedom fighter. Security arrangements were overseen by Superintendent of Police D.V. Kiran Shruthi. Descendants of Dheeran Chinnamalai were honoured on the occasion.

Published - August 03, 2026 09:01 pm IST