A Legacy Through Time
Early 1900s: A New Dawn
In the shadow of the British Empire, a quiet revolution began. Southern Tamil Nadu, a land yearning for opportunity, saw its sons venture across the sea to Sri Lanka—a land of promise known then as Serendib. Among these dreamers was a young man named Haji Syed Casseem Maraikayar. Sent by his mother, he arrived on the shores of Colombo with little more than hope and determination. In the bustling streets of Puthu Kadai, he opened a modest shop, trading iron scraps. Each day was a struggle; each sale, a small victory. But with every piece of scrap, he built something more—an unshakeable foundation for the future.
1909: The Turning Point
A single partnership can change everything. Around this time, Haji Syed Casseem joined forces with K.N. Abdul Cader Rawther. Together, they founded K.N. Abdul Cader Rawther & Company, a rarity in those days—a limited company born from ambition and foresight. From the sprawling British tea and rubber estates came machinery scrap, destined for the far reaches of Japan and the Far East. The small shop on Puthu Kadai was left behind; the business now echoed in the grand avenues of Prince Street, Colombo. Growth was no longer a dream—it was a reality.
1947: A Journey of Faith
Faith and legacy intertwined on a path to the Holy Land. In 1947, Haji Syed Casseem embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage with his beloved wife, Ummu Kuldhum Asma Beevi. It wasn’t just a journey for two souls—it was a caravan of hope. Friends, family, and loyal companions, all sponsored by his generosity, joined him. The sands of Mecca bore witness to a man whose wealth was measured not just in rupees, but in kindness and devotion. This pilgrimage was more than a ritual; it was a testament to his unwavering commitment to faith and family.
1950-1955: Building Dreams, Brick by Brick
Legacy is not just what you leave behind; it’s what you build. Between 1950 and 1955, in the quiet town of Udangudi, houses rose from the earth—homes for his sons and daughters, a sanctuary for future generations. But his vision extended beyond family. He funded the construction of a maternity block at the Udangudi Government Hospital, transforming healthcare for countless mothers and children. His legacy was etched not only in buildings but in the lives he touched.
1953: Loss and Legacy
March 17, 1953—a day of silence. Asma Beevi, his beloved wife, lost her battle with cancer. She was laid to rest in Royapettai, Chennai, leaving behind a void that words couldn’t fill. But even in grief, his mission continued. That same year, he undertook the renovation of the Thirunelveli Junction Mosque. It wasn’t just bricks and mortar; it was a beacon of faith, a place where community and spirituality converged—a testament to endurance and devotion.
1956-1958: The Winds of Change
Change is often a storm. In 1956, the political tides in Sri Lanka shifted. Nationalist policies under the Sri Lanka Freedom Party cast shadows over Indian-origin communities. Haji Syed Casseem’s sons, save one—Haji S.C.A. Razack—returned to India, carrying the weight of their father’s dreams. This migration marked not an end, but a beginning. New ventures awaited them, seeds sown in foreign soil that would soon bloom.
1963: The Legacy Continues
Haji Syed Casseem passed away in 1962, but the story didn’t end. In 1963, his sons expanded the mosque he had renovated a decade earlier. Each stone laid was a tribute, a promise to continue what he had begun. Faith, family, and service—his principles lived on, guiding the next generation toward a future he had envisioned.
Even after his passing, the legacy of Haji Syed Casseem Maraikayar continues to shine through the efforts of his descendants, who remain committed to carrying forward his mission of community service and business excellence.