Chinnayya

  General Notes:

Reputed to be a very generous person. The story about him is that when the Raja of Kashi came to South India, Chinnayya family played host to the royal party.
NOTE: PRIN MH:I242

From Deepak Iyer:
During the period of Thanjavur Serfoji Maharaj, there lived in Pattukottai a prosperous land owner philanthropist, following dharma, named Chinnaiya Iyer. In those days the pilgrims from Kashi ( Benaras) who wanted to visit Rameswaram & Kanyakumari used to travel on foot and had to pass through Pattukottai. Chinnaiya Iyer built Chattrams ( Free guest houses ) for these pilgrims all along the twenty to thirty mile road passing through Pattukottai on both sides of the road. These chattrams had all the basic facilities needed by the pilgrims and were manned by efficient workforce. The pilgrims while returning to Kashi, informed Raja Sarfoji about these chattrams built by Chinnaiya Iyer. When Rajah Serfoji went to Kashi, Kashi Raja enquired with Serfoji Raja as to who was this Pattukottai Raja.The Raja felt sad that he did not know about the eminent philanthropist Chinnaiya Iyer until he was informed by the pilgrims. He then invited Chinnaiya to his court and honoured him by extolling his good work and by offering him an important post in his kingdom. Chinnaiya felt honoured by the Raja's gesture but politely told him that as he was extremely busy with his present work, he may not be able to find time for any assignment that the Raja had to offer him. He asked the king to forgive him but if he wished to recognize his good work, he may name the particular street in Pattukottai after him. Raja Serfoji acceded to his request and passed a decree naming the street after Chinnaiya. Even today, the particular street in Pattukottai is named after Chinnaiya.<https://goo.gl/maps/kz2dckHSK5D2>

Chinnayya married.