Proud but not Exclusive

It is a well-known historical fact that Tamilians played an important role throughout Mahatma Gandhiji’s life, beginning from his time in South Africa. It’s worth recalling that during his visit to Tamil Nadu, Mahatmaji chose to abandon his usual dress and adopted a simple loincloth (kovanam, or kaupeenam in Sanskrit), along with a large towel or occasionally a dhoti to cover his body. He maintained this minimalist attire for the rest of his life.

During the Second Round Table Conference in London (1931), Mahatma Gandhi attended a royal reception at Buckingham Palace dressed in his usual loincloth and shawl. Importantly, he had informed the British authorities well in advance about his decision to attend in his simple attire, symbolizing his solidarity with India’s impoverished masses. It was not a sudden imposition of his ideals but a continuation of the life he had already committed to.

When asked by a reporter whether he felt properly dressed to meet the King, Gandhi calmly replied:
“Do not worry about my clothes. The King has enough clothes on for both of us.”

This response reflected not only his humility and wit but also his inner strength as a leader whose authenticity and moral authority gave him the space to defy convention without offending dignity.

This stands in contrast to recent instances like Ukrainian President Zelensky’s informal attire at high-level meetings, which drew sharp criticism from leaders like President Donald Trump and Vice President J. D. Vance, who felt such simplicity was an affront to diplomatic protocol. In Gandhi’s case, however, his simplicity did not hurt pride—it commanded respect.

So when I read the following account, I feel a deep sense of pride in being a Tamilian. This pride, however, doesn’t make me any less Indian. I share this not from a place of ethnic superiority, but in appreciation of the Tamil spirit that has often taken the first step in matters of social justice—even today, though the rest of India is not far behind.

We first invited the sisters who had lived on Tolstoy Farm. I found that they were only too glad to enter the struggle. I gave them an idea of the risks incidental to such participation. I explained to them that they would have to put up with restraints in the matter of food, dress and personal movements. I warned them that they might be given hard work in jail, made to wash clothes and even subjected to insult by the warders. But these sisters were all brave and feared none of these things. One of them was pregnant while six of them had young babies in arms. But one and all were eager to join and I simply could not come in their way. These sisters were with one exception all Tamilians. Here are their names:

1. Mrs. Thambi Naidoo
2. Mrs. N. Pillay
3. Mrs. K. Murugasa Pillay
4. Mrs. A. Perumal Naidoo
5. Mrs. P.K. Naidoo
6. Mrs. K. Chinnaswami Pillay
7. Mrs. N. S. Pillay
8. Mrs. R. A. Mudalingam
9. Mrs. Bhavani Dayal
10. Miss Minachi Pillay
11. Miss Baikum Murugasa Pillay
    —Satyagraha in South Africa, www.mkgandhi.org, p. 256

This anecdote shows how Mahatma Gandhiji had a special place in his heart for the Tamilians, who were among the pioneers in the launching and early experiments of Satyagraha in South Africa.

One of the most moving examples is the story of Valliamma R. Munuswami Mudaliar, a sixteen-year-old Tamil girl from Johannesburg. Though she belonged to the Phoenix party and not the Tolstoy Farm group, her sacrifice left an indelible mark on Gandhiji’s heart.

After she was released from prison with a fatal illness, Gandhiji visited her:

“Valliamma, do you not regret having gone to jail?” I asked.
“Regret? I am even now ready to go to jail again if I am arrested,” she replied.
“But what if it results in your death?”
“I do not mind it. Who would not love to die for one’s motherland?”

A few days later, Valliamma passed away. Gandhiji wrote of her with deep emotion, calling her sacrifice “absolutely pure” and her name “immortal.” Though plans to build a hall in her memory never materialized, he concluded, “Valliamma’s service is imperishable… and her glorious image has a niche in many a heart.”

Her story remains a testament to the devotion and courage shown by the Tamil community in the early Satyagraha movement—and to the deep affection and respect Gandhiji held for them.

However, a memorial hall has now been established at her birthplace in Thillaiyadi, Tamil Nadu. I sincerely hope her story will be included in school textbooks so that future generations can learn about the courage of such brave women.

Source: M. K. Gandhi , Satyagraha in South Africa, THE SELECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI, VOLUME TWO, TRANSLATED FROM THE GUJARATI BY VALJI GOVINDJI DESAI.  From www.mkgandhi.org, pp. 261-262

Ashram, August 2, 2025

…Another returned from jail with a fatal fever to which she succumbed within a few days of her release (February 22, 1914). How can I forget her? Valliamma R. Munuswami Mudaliar was a young girl of Johannesburg only sixteen years of age. She was confined to bed when I saw her. As she was a tall girl, her emaciated body was a terrible thing to behold. “Valliamma you do not repent of your having gone to jail?” I asked. “Repent? I am even now ready to go to jail again if I am arrested,” said Valliamma. “But what if it results in your death?” I pursued. “I do not mind it. Who would not love to die for one’s motherland?” was the reply. (p.261) Within a few days after this conversation, Valliamma was no more with us in the flesh, but she left us the heritage of an immortal name. Condolence meetings were held at various places, and the Indians resolved to erect ‘Valliamma Hall’, to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of this daughter of India. Unfortunately the resolution has not still been translated into action. There were many difficulties. The community was torn by internal dissensions; the principal workers left one after another. But whether or not a hall is built in stone and mortar, Valliamma’s service is imperishable. She built her temple of service with her own hands, and her glorious image has a niche even now reserved from it in many a heart. And the name of Valliamma will live in the history of South African Satyagraha as long as India lives. It was an absolutely pure sacrifice that was offered by these sisters, who were innocent of legal technicalities, and many of whom had no idea of country, their patriotism being based only upon faith. Some of them were illiterate and could not read the papers. But they knew that a mortal blow was being aimed at the Indians’ honour, and their going to jail was a cry of agony and prayer offered from the bottom of their hearts, was in fact the purest of all sacrifices. —pp. 261-262—Satyagraha in South Africa, M. K. Gandhi , Satyagraha in South Africa, THE SELECTED WORKS OF MAHATMA GANDHI, VOLUME TWO, TRANSLATED FROM THE GUJARATI BY VALJI GOVINDJI DESAI.  From

www.mkgandhi.org