V. Chakkarai Chettiar

Vengal Chakkarai Chettiar (17 January 1880 - 14 June 1958) was a Christian missionary, Indian independence activist, politician and trade unionist who served as mayor of Madras from 1941 to 1942.

Early life

Chakkarai Chettiar was born in a Hindu Chettiar family of Madras city on 17 January 1880. He had his education at the Scottish Mission School, Madras Christian College and the Madras Law College. While studying at the Madras Christian College, Chettiar converted to Christianity and was baptized at the age of twenty-three.

Career

Chakkarai Chettiar graduated in law from the Madras Law College and practised as a lawyer for some time. In 1913, he joined the Danish Mission Room as a Christian preacher and worked as a missionary for twenty years. During these years, he also became a disciple of Mahatma Gandhi and participated in the Indian independence movement.

Death

Chettiar died on 14 June 1958 at the age of 78.

References

• Schouten, Jan Peter (2008). Jesus as Guru: The image of Christ among the Hindus and Christians in India. Rodopi. pp. 117–119.