Trinity Mirror
29.09.2025
Monday
Page No. 6
Heights of greatness:
Celebrating centenary of K. Diraviam
By
Dr Avvai Arul,
Director Tamil Development
A Tamil saying goes
: “The seedlings reveal the future growth of plants”
These words perfectly capture the life of Mr. K. Diraviam, a man deeply admired by my father, Dr. Avvai Natarajan.
Revered for his intellect, integrity, and patriotism, Diraviam’s centenary is celebrated in 2025.
Born on July 7, 1925, in Tuticorin to Mr. Kanthimathinathan and Mrs. Seethalakshmi, he moved to Chennai and studied at Madras Christian College High School. Even as a schoolboy,he displayed
a love for Tamil literature and excelled in Bible studies.
Responding to Mahatma Gandhi’s Quit India call, Diraviam left school to join the freedom movement, enduring imprisonment in Alipuram, Vellore, and Tanjore. These years forged connections
with prominent Congress leaders in South India.
After his release in 1945, he joined Dinamani as sub-editor and later became associate editor of the English daily New Times, inspired by K. Kamaraj.
His eloquence drew many to the freedom struggle and eamed him friendships with luminaries such as Dr. Malcolm S. Adiseshiah, Dr. K. N. Raj, Dr. Raja Ramanna, Justice M. M. Ismail, and others.
Post-Independence, Diraviam was allowed to complete his BA privately and joined the Tamil Nadu Information Department on K. Kamaraj’s advice. On 15 August 1947, he was the youngest gazetted officer to speak
on the dais during the hoisting of the national flag a remarkable recognition of his promise.
He rose swiftly in government service, holding posts including Deputy Director and Director of Information, and later joining the IAS in 1958.
As Collector of Chengelpet and Madras, and later as Director of Rural Development and Local Administration, he modernized administrative procedures and promoted merit-based service rules.
He went on to serve as Secretary of Agriculture, Education, Food, Chairman of the State Civil Supplies Corporation, and eventually as Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu in 1981.
Diraviam was also a trusted translator for Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during her visits to Tamil Nadu and worked closely with my father at the Fifth World Tamil Conference.
Beyond administration, he contributed to public welfare, including the Nutritious Noon Meal Scheme and land allotment for Dr. K. M. Cherian’s Cardio Vascular Centre.
A prolific writer, orator, poet, and essayist, he wrote under the pen names Zakeera and Chanakya.
Diraviam’s guiding philosophy was: ”
To he a true Indian you must first be a true Tamilian; to be a true Tamilian, you must be a true Indian.”
He lived simply, wearing khadi and dhoti, and was a devoted vegetarian.
He and his wife Leela were blessed with two daughters, Vijayalakshmi and Arutselvi.
His passing on June 13, 1983, was a profound loss, but his legacy endures-an exemplar of patriotism, intellect, and service.
As the Tamil proverb says:
“Murthi siridhalanum, keerthi peridhu”-though small in stature, his greatness was immense.
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