S. Srinivasa Iyengar - Legacy

Legacy

Besides law, Srinivasa Iyengar's other interest were education, social reform, and politics. Iyengar's 1939 book Mayne's Hindu Law is considered to be a masterpiece. Among his early influences were Sir Sankaran Nair and C. Vijayaraghavachariar, two former Congress leaders. He was also an admirer of Gopal Krishna Gokhale (in whose name he endowed a prize) and later of Mahatma Gandhi. Iyengar was the personal lawyer and a family friend of Muthuramalingam Thevar whom he encouraged to participate in the 1927 Congress session that was held in Madras. Thevar was eventually drawn to the Congress and participated in agitations against the British rule. Iyengar was also close to Swami Suddhananda Bharathi.

One British CID officer described Iyengar as a "political ideas factory". He was described as frank and generous and having brought a fresh and young look to his political ideas. He was known for making brave and outspoken comments on the Governor or Government officials. A contemporary remarks that Iyengar's opinions were as clear cut as his legal arguments. His proficiency in the legal profession was supposedly noticeable right from his early days. In politics, Iyengar was considered to be a champion of the Mylapore clique in Madras politics. Iyengar tried to bring reforms in Indian society. He worked for the elevation of depressed sections of society and educated underprivileged children on his own expense. He also a fine writer and frequently wrote columns for The Hindu, Swadesamitran and Indian Patriot.

Iyengar is credited with having popularized the Congress at the village level in South India. He was a staunch believer in the concept of "linked leadership". He was responsible for the induction of K. Kamaraj and Muthuramalinga Thevar in the Indian National Congress. Iyengar's followers and colleagues called him "Lion of the South".