T. N. Sivagnanam Pillai

Diwan Bahadur Sir Tinnevely Nelliappa Sivagnanam Pillai (b. April 1, 1861- d. 1936) was an Indian lawyer, civil servant and politician from the Madras Presidency. He belonged to the Justice Party. He served as the Minister of Development in the government of the Raja of Panagal from 1923 to 1926.

Sivagnanam Pillai was born on April 1, 1861 to Nelliappa Pillai. He came from Tinnevely. He had his undergraduation in the Madurai Diraviyam Thayumanavar Hindu College, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu. He graduated in law from Madras Christian College in 1882 and practised as an advocate.

Sivagnanam Pillai was selected for the Provincial Civil Service and served as a Deputy Collector for sometime. On his retirement as deputy collector, he joined the Justice Party. In 1919, he was elected to the Madras Legislative Council from Tinnevely. He replaced Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu as Minister of Development on November 19, 1923.

Sivagnanam Pillai was appointed Minister of Development on 1923 replacing Kurma Venkata Reddy Naidu. Critics often opine that this was a move planned by the Raja of Panagal to appease the Tamil-speaking people of the Presidency. Sivagnanam Pillai thus has the distinction of becoming the First Tamil Minister.

During his tenure as the Minister of Development, Sivagnanam Pillai participated in the 9th All-India Non-Brahmin Conference held at Madras on December 19, 1925. He was knighted in the 1926 New Year Honours list, and formally invested with his knighthood by the Viceroy, Lord Irwin, on 18 February 1927 at Delhi.

Sivagnanam Pillai had three children: T.S.Avudaiappa Pillai, Sivakami Ammal and T.S.Ramalingam Pillai. Avudaiappa Pillai, born March 28, 1897, a career civil servant initially served in the provincial Civil Service and after Indian Independence in 1947, served in the Indian Administrative Service until 1952. He acted as the Revenue Officer and Commissioner, Corporation of Madras in 1947. It is noteworthy that the Corporation Councilors passed a resolution of special appreciation acknowledging his dedicated service to the Corporation. He was known for his probity and gentleness and was much respected. His wife, Mrs. Subbammal was a great sports enthusiast and was South India Table Tennis champion.

Sivagnanam Pillai was a prominent freemason and was a member of the Carnatic Lodge from 1905 to 1914 and 1925 to 1929.