Beri Thimappa

Beri Thimappa / Thimmanna was an Indian interpreter and chief negotiator for Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, the agents of the British East India Company, and was instrumental in the purchase of Madras from the Nayak brothers. Beri Thimmappa migrated in the early 17th century to Chennai from palakollu, near Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh.

Beri Thimappa, the dubash of Francis Day who negotiated with local Nayaks to grant the East India Company the land that became Madras, is often forgotten by the city, alongside Francis Day and Andrew Cogan. Contrary to the belief that Thimappa’s lineage had disappeared, Dr. Praveen, a direct descendant of Beri Thimappa from Palacole (near Machilipatnam), clarified that the family remains very much a part of Madras. In fact, if any family deserves the title of 'The First Family of Madras,' it is Thimappa’s.

The head of the family is Ketty Alavandar Naidu, whose extended Ketty family numbers nearly 100. This year, the family gathers on August 14 to celebrate Alavandar Naidu’s birth centenary. Though he passed away five years before his 100th birthday, his wife, Seetharathnam, survives as the family matriarch. Alavandar Naidu was the great-great-great-grandson of Beri Thimappa, with a lineage that includes Ketty Narayanan, Ketty Narayanappah Naidu, Ketty Thimappa Naidu, and Ketty Venkataswami Naidu, who fathered Ketty Thimappa Bashyam Naidu and Ketty Narayanappah Naidu.

Alavandar Naidu, the third son of Bashyam Naidu, is commemorated by a small park and statue on Taylor’s Road, near the former family mansion, Appah Gardens. Bashyam Naidu’s eldest son, K. Venkataswami Naidu, served as Mayor of Madras, President of the Tirupati Devasthanam, and a member of Rajaji’s Cabinet from 1952-54. His brother, K. Venkataramanujulu Naidu, managed the family’s religious and charitable activities, including involvement in festivals at the Chenna Mallikeswarar and Chenna Kesavaperumal Temple, the first temple founded by Beri Thimappa. The youngest brother was K. Parthasarathy Naidu. In 1894, Bashyam Naidu and Narayanappah Naidu founded Appah & Co. in Black Town, later expanding into pharmaceuticals in 1928 through Alavandar Naidu and his cousin Venkatapathy Naidu. This business continues today as Narayanappah Pharmacy in Anna Nagar.

Alavandar Naidu and Seetharatnam had seven sons and four daughters, and their descendants, now professionals and artists, will gather to remember Alavandar Naidu. They all agree on the need for the city to honor Beri Thimappa, one of its founders, and pay more attention to Bashyam Naidu Park. It’s high time Madras remembered the ancestor of its 'First Family,' as well as Francis Day and Andrew Cogan, the city’s other founders. Currently, there’s not even a lane named after any of them. He established a Black Town outside the walls of the newly built Fort of Madras which later became Fort St George.

His families were chief merchants of East India Company for several decades. Thimmappa's brother Beri Venkatadri owned Guindy Lodge, which is present Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan.He is one of the founder of Madras state.In the early seventeenth century, the East India Company sought to establish a factory in Madras. Berry Timmapa, a resident of Palacole and influential with local princes, was enlisted to help. He secured permission from Damerla Venkatapa Naick and the ruling prince Sreeranga Rayalu, receiving a grant for three villages: Egmore, Tondavadoo, and Poodupauk. Venkatapa Naick insisted the new town be named Chennapatnam, in honor of his father, Chennapa Naick.

Berry Timmapa facilitated the construction of Chennapatnam on the northern side of the factory and invited settlers. He allocated lands for different castes and built two temples, Vishnu's Chenna Kesava Perumal and Shiva's Chenna Mallesvara. This took place around 1639, according to historical records.

Mr. Day, the Company's Agent, established the factory in a fishermen's village, overcoming initial resistance from the headman, Madarasen. Timmapa's influence led to the area being named Madarasenpatam, later commonly called Madraspatam.

Timmapa also secured a customs exemption for his family from the Sultan of Golconda. His prominence was recognized by the Company, with honors such as a salute of five guns and special gifts on Pongal days. Notably, a letter from Mr. Thomas Pitt in 1698 highlights the family's esteemed position.

Timmapa's descendants continued to play a significant role in Madras, enjoying privileges and holding important positions. They maintained the right of packing the Company's bales and were involved in the annual festivals of the town's temples. The family's legacy included building a tank and holding a copper plate grant for land, which benefited their descendants for generations.

In the 18th century, Timmapa's family remained prominent, contributing to the growth of Chintadripet. Members like Chinna Venkatadry, who succeeded his brother as chief merchant, were among the first Aldermen of Madras Corporation, gifting properties to the Company and maintaining their influential status in Madras society.