Mediyaan YuvaThe title ‘Theeran’ denotes the ‘Daring’ character. Freedom fighter and an Artist Mayanndi Servai was fearless and giving tough time to then British Administration during the year 1940.
Mayandi Servai wanted to do something big and unforgettable damage to the British raj.
He does not want to lose his life, but wanted to do something worthwhile, which will be etched permanently in the History of Freedom Fight of India, which will bring big disrespect to the Administration.
A member of All India Hindu Mahasabha and also latter became its President of that Organisation, Mayandi Servai decided to hoist Indian National Flag atop the Sri. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple, that too on an appointed day, daring British Police to arrest him if they could.
Accordingly he announced a particular day as a ‘ D-day the flag hoisting day’ and dared the British Admin to prevent him from doing so. People around Madurai strongly believed that Mayandi Servai would some or other hoist the flag, since they knew Mayandi Servai would do the impossible, such was his reputation in and around Madurai Town.
This has become a big prestige issue for the British. If Indian Flag is allowed to be hoisted at a Temple that too challenging it on a particular day, it would be a big face loss for British. Hence, they issued warrant to arrest Mayandi Servai.
Did Mayandi Servai managed to hoist the Flag atop the Temple Gopuram?
Read on further.
Mayandi Servai knew he would be arrested, and hence he planned his move very secretly.
10 days to go for the date of flag hoisting, British administration positioned police patrol in and around the Meenakshi Amman Temple and strictly watched and checked people movement. Every single person who went to the Temple was personally checked whether Mayandi Servai is entering the temple in disguise.
One week has passed no sign of Servai.
One day before ‘D’ day. Still no sign of Mayandi Servai. People started seeing the Temple Gopuram everyday to check whether flag has been hoisted.
One day prior to the ‘Flag Hoisting day’ British openly ridiculed Mayandi Servai as clown,baffoon, comedian etc. They laughed out loud and teased people who come and see the temple top regularly for the Indian flag. People of Madurai Town also thought that Mayandi Servai has just could not keep up his promise.
The ‘D day arrived. Morning was bright and sun shining gloriously. Suddenly there was a cry “ Vande Matharam, Jaihind” and the Indian flag was hoisted at the Northern side Gopuram of Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple and there stood courageous “Mayandi Thevar” who became “ Theeran Mayandi Servai” People who saw this scene charged up and started shouting “Vanda Matharam” and “Jaihind” continuously. The British police intelligence had totally failed to check Mayandi Servai.
How did he manage to do this?
Sensing he would be arrested close the date of flay hoisting. Mayandi Servai ascended the North side Temple Gopuram 10 days prior to the D-day.
To survive for 10 days, he took a bag of peanut and a vessel of water and settled at the top pier of the Gopuram surviving only with peanut and water. The stock dwindled within short span of time and he was left with no food or water to survive. He still persisted with his goal of hoisting the Nation flag.
One can survive without food for some time, but not without water. Servai did something no human being would imagine to do. To quell his thirst, he drank his urine and survived. On the D-day as planned he hoisted the flag.
Though he was tired and thirsty he managed escape from the Gopuram and went into hiding. This may be a small act of defiance but it galvanized the people around Madurai to come into the fold of ‘Freedom Struggle’ Born in the year 1904 3rd March Mayandi Servai , later got a title ‘Theeran Mayandi Servai’ dedicated his life to the Freedom struggle of this country. After independence he started ‘Agamudaiyar Mahasaba’ in Thirumamgalam , Madurai and did lot of Social work
He passed way on this day of 12th August 1992.
- P.K. Sowmynarayanan