C. N. Annadurai

பேரறிஞர் அண்ணா

Founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam; Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1967–1969)

C. N. Annadurai, known as Anna, was the founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from a Dravidian party. His oratory, writings and vision of social equality made him one of the most beloved political figures in modern Tamil history.

"A state may be carved out on the basis of language, but a nation cannot be built on the basis of religion."

மொழியின் அடிப்படையில் மாநிலம் அமையலாம்; ஆனால் மதத்தின் அடிப்படையில் தேசம் அமைக்க முடியாது.

Defining Principle

Detailed Biography

Born in 1909 in Kancheepuram, Annadurai was deeply influenced by Periyar's Self-Respect Movement before charting his own political path. He founded the DMK in 1949 after parting ways with Periyar's Dravidar Kazhagam, channelling Dravidian ideology into electoral politics. His mastery of Tamil prose, drama and oratory made political ideas accessible to the masses. Under his leadership the DMK won the 1967 election, ending Congress dominance in the state. As Chief Minister he pursued the two-language policy in opposition to Hindi imposition, legalised self-respect marriages, and oversaw the renaming of Madras State to Tamil Nadu in 1969. His death in 1969, barely two years into his term, was mourned across Tamil Nadu with an outpouring of public grief unprecedented in Indian political history.

Key Contributions & Impact

Founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1949

Led the DMK to its historic 1967 election victory

Pursued the two-language policy, opposing Hindi imposition

Legalised self-respect marriages conducted without priestly ritual

Oversaw the renaming of Madras State as Tamil Nadu in 1969

Championed social equality, rationalism and Tamil identity through literature and drama

Legacy Assets

Welfare Initiatives

Historic Milestones