V. S. Srinivasa Sastri: A Factual Profile on His Birth Anniversary

By Amit Kumar

V. S. Srinivasa Sastri was born on September 22, 1869, in Valangaiman village, then part of the Madras Presidency (now in Tamil Nadu), India. His father was a Hindu priest. Sastri completed his education at Pachaiyappa’s College, Chennai, graduating in 1887 in English and Sanskrit.

Sastri began his professional life as a school teacher and later served as headmaster of the Hindu High School, Triplicane, until 1902. He joined the Servants of India Society in 1907 and became its president in 1915. Entering politics, he was a member of the Indian National Congress from 1908 to 1922 but left due to disagreements over the non-cooperation movement.

Sastri served in legislative bodies including the Madras Legislative Council (1913–1916), the Imperial Legislative Council of India (1916–1919), and the Council of State (1920–1925). In 1927, he was appointed India’s first Agent to the Union of South Africa, where he stayed until 1929 to advocate on behalf of the Indian community there.

In academia, he was Vice-Chancellor of Annamalai University from 1935 to 1940. Recognized for his mastery of the English language and his oratory skills, Sastri received several honors.

Srinivasa Sastri passed away on April 17, 1946, in Madras at the age of 76.