A bust of freedom fighter Parali Su. Nellaiyapper, a close associate of Subramania Bharathi and V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, remains wrapped and awaiting installation at a memorial-cum-library premises in Chromepet, even as activists continue to seek official recognition for his contributions.

The premises, located in Tambaram Corporation’s Ward 25, now functions as a Knowledge and Study Centre. Residents and activists have urged the civic body to attach the freedom fighter’s name to the renovated facility and formally unveil his bust, which has been ready for installation since March this year.

Donated land

Parali Su. Nellaiyapper, a poet, philanthropist and freedom fighter, lived in Chromepet during the 1950s. In recognition of his services to the nation, the State government allotted him more than three acres of land in 1954. In 1968, he donated over two grounds of land for establishing a primary school for children from economically weaker sections.

The Parali Su. Nellaiyapper Municipal Primary School functioned for several years before becoming defunct by the late 1990s owing to a shortage of teachers and staff.

Over the years, the premises fell into disrepair, with the abandoned campus turning into a hub for anti-social activities. Residents and activists later initiated efforts to restore the property for public use.

Campaign for restoration

According to activist S. Meenakshisundaram, efforts to revive the school began in 1996 and gathered momentum after the formation of the Senior Citizen Welfare Association, Chromepet East, in 2015.

Association members conducted Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations at the premises and campaigned for its restoration. “Cases were filed against us claiming trespassing when we tried to maintain the premises and conduct public events,” Meenakshisundaram said.

A major breakthrough came in 2022 when the then Pallavaram Municipality sanctioned ₹1 crore for redevelopment of the site. However, activists opposed proposals to convert the premises into a waste segregation facility or a veterinary clinic, insisting that the land should continue to serve educational purposes in keeping with the freedom fighter’s vision.

Following sustained campaigns, including poster protests in 2023 over non-utilisation of funds, the Tambaram Corporation Knowledge and Study Centre was opened in January 2024.

Demand for recognition

Activists say the civic body is yet to accept their demand to rename the facility after Parali Su. Nellaiyapper.

“The Knowledge Centre was established on land donated by the freedom fighter. It is only appropriate that the centre bears his name,” Meenakshisundaram said.

Efforts were also taken to install a bust of the freedom fighter at the premises. Former MLA E. Karunanidhi contributed around ₹1 lakh towards the initiative, and the bust was sculpted in Mahabalipuram.

However, the installation has reportedly been delayed following disagreements over accommodating another leader’s statue at the site. Though the pedestal was widened to house two busts, the second statue is yet to be completed, leaving Parali Su. Nellaiyapper’s bust and portrait inside the centre.

Meenakshisundaram recently met Tambaram Corporation Commissioner S. Balachandran and appealed for early clearance to unveil the bust.

Role in freedom movement

Parali Su. Nellaiyapper worked as an accountant in the Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company founded by V.O. Chidambaram Pillai. Activists say he also played a key role in helping Subramania Bharathi relocate to Puducherry, then under French rule, to escape British persecution.

He is further remembered for assisting Bharathi’s family in conducting the poet’s last rites in Triplicane.

At present, nearly 100 students and youth use the Knowledge and Study Centre daily, including for NEET coaching classes. Activists are also planning to seek support from IIT-Madras for donating books to the centre.

Despite years of struggle to restore the premises, activists say their demand remains simple — that the centre be named after Parali Su. Nellaiyapper and that his bust be formally unveiled in honour of his contribution to society and the freedom movement.