CM inaugurates equestrian statue of Dheeran Chinnamalai in Erode

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Friday inaugurated, through video conferencing, a newly installed bronze equestrian statue of freedom fighter Dheeran Chinnamalai at the memorial hall in Odanilai, near Arachalur, in the district.

The statue has been installed in a newly constructed hall built at a cost of ₹1 crore within the Manimandapam premises. The Chief Minister had laid the foundation stone for the project on November 26, 2025, during his visit to the district.

Dheeran Chinnamalai, born as Theerthagiri in 1756 at Melapalayam, was a prominent leader from the Kongu region who resisted British rule. Trained in traditional martial arts such as silambam and sword fighting, he earned the title “Dheeran” for his bravery in confronting the British. He was arrested in April 1805 following betrayal and imprisoned at Sankari Fort. On Aadi 18 (August 1805), he was executed at the fort. The State government has been commemorating his birth anniversary on April 17 and observing Aadi 18 every year as a State function in his memory at Odanilai.

Following the inauguration, floral tributes were paid to the statue on behalf of the State government at the memorial complex.

Minister for Housing, Prohibition and Excise S. Muthusamy, Rajya Sabha MP Anthiyur P. Selvaraj, MLAs V.C. Chandrakumar, A.G. Venkatachalam, C. Saraswathi and E.R. Eswaran, Mayor S. Nagarathinam, senior officials, descendants of Dheeran Chinnamalai, and representatives of various organisations participated in the event.