Mariyappa Mudaliyar was born in 1917 to Arumuga Mudaliyar and Muthayi Ammal at Chennakiri, Irsusanampati near Salem. During his school days, he was deeply interested in the policies and ideology of Mahatma Gandhi. In 1930, he took part in the Salt satyagraha and pelted stones at the police station. On account of putting up posters with slogans about the tyranny of the British, Mariyappa Mudaliyar was imprisoned for six months in Coimbatore prison. He refused to receive a martyr's pension. He died on 28 April 1983.
Source:
Interview with his son M. Shanmuga Sundaram. Interview with his Granddaughter S. Revathi.