ABOUT

W.P.A. Soundarapandian popularly known as the “Black Prince Pandianar” was born on 15th September 1893 in a Hindu Nadar family of the Pattiveeranpatti in Madurai district of South Tamilnadu. His father Thiru.Ayya Nadar who was the son of Arunachala Nadar and his mother was Tmt.Chinnammal. His parents were named him as Sarguna Soundarapandian. Later he added his first initial as W which denotes Woothampatti (a division of Nadar community), his grandfather’s name Punnaivana Nadar as second initial and his great grand father’s name and father’s name both begins as A had been kept as third initial before his name. Later this name only was known by all.

He had his schooling at Virudhunagar Nadar Kshatriya School, later moved to V.C.High School in Madurai and joined Madras Christian College for graduation. But he discontinued his studies and returned to Pattiveeranpatti to look after the family business due to the death of his father. He was a meritorious student, a man of good character. He belonged to a landlord family of Virudhunagar Nadars. In 1913, he got married to Balammal.

His bravery, knowledge, involvement in the progress of nation, kindhearted nature, his hospitality, and hard work were attracted by all people. He shone like a sun in the social service. He represented the interests of the Nadar community in the justice party as well the council.

He is known for his effort to associate the Nadar community with the self respect movement founded by periyar E.V.R. He was known as the uncrowned king of the Nadar Community.Pondy Bazaar, Chennai’s Principal shopping district is believed to have been named after Soundarpandian Nadar. He was a leading figure in Nadar Mahajana Sangam and became the first Nadar Member of the Legislative Council upon a recommendation by P.T.Rajan. He had been doing his service till 1937 for 18 years. For many years he played as a whip in the assembly cabinet.

He was said to be a district board leader, skilled person in agriculture, sports person, technologist and more and more. In all the way his only intention was to do good things to the people. He was proud to be an automated time controller in the self respect movement when he was in political service he made a great change for Tamilnadu. After facing many struggles, he came forward and brought great things like road facilities, built schools, arranged drinking water for the upliftment of Dalit people He was an Errant and fought against of women slave, untouchability for the poor people and also for the alienation. In 20.02.1953 he was passed away by heart attack. The kind hearted people shed their condolences fame of life last forever.