Plot

Biography of Kappalottiya Tamizhan, "The Tamil Helmsman", an Indian freedom fighter and founder of Swadeshi Steam Navigation Company, to compete against the monopoly of the British India Steam Navigation Company.

V. O. Chidambaram Pillai has devoted himself to the cause of India's freedom from the British. Chidambaram, appearing for a poor peasant Madasami, wins a case filed by an agent of a British proprietor. Chidambaram's father who appeared for the agent, sends his son to Tuticorin lest the British proprietor should give him any trouble. Madasami who accompanies Chidambaram, looks after the latter's salt -pan. At Tuticorin, Chidambaram meets Subramaniya Siva, a freedom fighter and works for the Swadeshi movement. Chidambaram receives a complaint from some of the local merchants that the British Shipping Company had refused to load their goods. Against great odds, Chidambaram starts the National Shipping Company with Indian Capital to free Indian trade from dependence on foreign liners. The company prospers despite attempts by the British Company to sabotage the ship of the Indian firm. Chidambaram incurs the displeasure of the Government by organizing a strike for getting the grievances of the local coral mill workers redressed and by organizing public celebrations to mark the release of Bipin Chandra Pal in contravention of a prohibitory order. Chidambaram, along with Subramaniya Sivam, is invited to Tirunelveli by the District Collector, Mr. Winch. The collector directs them not to engage in political activity and also orders them out of the District. They defy the orders and are arrested. In the trial which ensues, Chidambaram is sentenced to 20 years life imprisonment and Sivam to 10 years. Chidambaram's sentence is reduced to six years on appeal. The imprisonment of these two leaders sparks off mass unrest which is put down ruthlessly. Some time later, the new District Collector Ash is shot dead by a young patriotic Vanchinathan, who commits suicide before the police could reach him. The news of the unrelented struggle outside gives much consolation to Chidambaram and Sivam who are treated barbarously in the prison. Chidambaram emerges from the prison a broken man only to witness a series of disappointments - Sivam is a victim of leprosy contracted during his term in prison, Chidambaram's brother has turned insane, the National Shipping Company is bought by its British rival and cherished leaders like Bal Gangadhar Tilak and Bharathiar pass away one after another. Chidambaram devotes the last years of his life to the study of literature and dies still dreaming of the day when India would be free.