What will you learn from this book
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Early Life and Background: The book provides insights into Annadurai's early life, upbringing, and education, tracing his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a pivotal figure in Tamil Nadu politics.
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Dravidian Movement: Annadurai was a key figure in the Dravidian movement, which aimed to promote the rights and interests of the Dravidian people of South India. The book explores his role in shaping and leading this movement.
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Political Ideology: Kannan delves into Annadurai's political ideology, including his advocacy for social justice, linguistic rights, and regional autonomy, as well as his critique of Brahminical dominance in Tamil Nadu.
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Formation of DMK: Annadurai played a crucial role in the formation of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party in 1949. The book examines the founding principles and objectives of the DMK under his leadership.
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Election Victories: As the leader of the DMK, Annadurai achieved significant electoral success, leading the party to victory in state assembly elections and establishing a strong foothold in Tamil Nadu politics.
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Social Reforms: Annadurai was committed to implementing social reforms aimed at improving the lives of marginalized communities, including measures to promote education, healthcare, and economic development.
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Cultural Contributions: The book highlights Annadurai's contributions to Tamil literature, journalism, and cinema, emphasizing his role as a prolific writer and cultural icon.
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Contribution to Tamil Nadu: Kannan explores Annadurai's lasting impact on Tamil Nadu's political, social, and cultural landscape, examining his legacy as a champion of Dravidian identity and Tamil nationalism.
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Legacy and Influence: The biography reflects on Annadurai's enduring legacy, including his influence on subsequent generations of political leaders and activists in Tamil Nadu and beyond.
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Challenges and Criticisms: Finally, the book acknowledges the challenges and criticisms faced by Annadurai during his political career, including controversies surrounding his policies and decisions, as well as opposition from rival political factions.
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10 | 0670083283 |
| ISBN-13 | 9780670083282 |
| No of pages | 410 |
| Font Size | Medium |
| Book Publisher | Penguin Books |
| Published Date | 15 Feb 2010 |
About Author
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On 6 March 1967, fifty-eight-year-old Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai became chief minister of Madras state, when his party, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), swept to power for the first time. Marking the pinnacle of his public life, it reflected his popularity among ordinary people who revered him as Anna, or elder brother.
This rich biography illuminates his many lives—as a charismatic leader of modern India, as a stalwart of the Dravidian movement, as the founder of the DMK, as spokesman for the South—besides documenting his abilities as an acclaimed orator and littérateur in Tamil and English, and as a stage actor. Born into a weaving caste family in Kanchipuram, Anna was exposed to the non-Brahmin politics of the Justice Party during his college years and this interest led him to become a protégé of the radical thinker Periyar E.V. Ramasamy in 1935. Anna promoted his mentor’s ideas of Self-Respect and Tamil identity but not his atheism.
Like him, he attacked Brahminism and ‘Aryan’ values as the cause of Tamil political and cultural decadence and opposed the imposition of Hindi as the official language. In 1962 Anna took his independent Dravida Nadu demand to the Rajya Sabha, threatening the nation’s unity. Importantly, he used public speaking, journalism, theatre, cinema and agit-prop to broaden the base of the party, which drew renowned film actors into its fold, a bond that endures to this day.
The book does not shy away from the controversies that surrounded the Dravidian movement and candidly examines Anna’s complex relationship with Periyar. It records Anna’s move to form the DMK in 1949, his split with Sampath in 1961 over the party’s strategy and course, and his disillusionment with the corruption and power politics he witnessed as chief minister. Kannan draws on Anna’s considerable body of writing, the memoirs of other leaders and authors in Tamil, including crit