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Perarignar Anna Memorial in Chennai, India
Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai, popularly known as "Perarignar (Elder Brother) Anna," was Chief Minister of Madras and Tamil Nadu for less than two years between 1967 and 1969, but arguably influenced the state's politics more than any other Tamil politician before or since. He first came to prominence in British Madras as a member of the Justice Party and the social movement Dravidar Kazhagam, which was led by "Periyar" E.V. Ramaswamy. Periyar strove for caste equity through self-respect and the independence of southern India as Dravida Nadu. After Indian independence, Annadurai split with Periyar because of differing opinions on separatism. Annadurai then formed his own party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which focused on representing lower castes and opposing the use of Hindi over the southern Tamil language. His party defeated the dominant Indian National Congress in the 1967 Madras State election. As chief minister of Madras, he removed Hindi's official status in the state, encouraged inter-caste and non-arranged marriages, and renamed the state to Tamil Nadu ("land of Tamils"). When Annadurai died in 1969 from cancer, his funeral procession was attended by 15 million people, a world record that remains unbroken today. Annadurai was a charismatic leader who built a strong political following, and many mourners were very emotional during the funeral. The Tamil government buried him on Chennai's Marina Beach with full military honors. What was formerly a concrete structure with benches was modified to house his coffin. The Indian National Congress objected to the decision to bury rather than cremate him. However, Annadurai's successor, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, claimed the government followed Tamil customs and that Annadurai's family had approved of it. Karunanidhi also developed his own strong following and was buried near Annadurai in 2018. Several years after Annadurai's death a split in DMK occurred, with actor M.G. Ramachandran ("M.G.R.") forming the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), partially named after the late leader. DMK and AIADMK have dominated Tamil politics ever since, often alternating periods in power. MGR and AIADMK's Jayaram Jayalalithaa ("Amma"), a successful actress and party leader, were both buried adjacent to Annadurai and Karunanidhi at the M.G.R. and Amma Memorial. The Tamil Nadu government owns both memorials and whichever party is in power often renovates the memorial of their choice. Currently, a black obelisk stands above Annadurai's tomb with an eternal flame on the side. Behind him, a portrait of Karunanidhi hangs above his tomb. At the front of the memorial, just inside the gateway, are statues of Annadurai and Ilango Adigal, the writer of the first Tamil epic poem. A small museum also showcases photographs and documents from Annadurai's life.
Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai, popularly known as "Perarignar (Elder Brother) Anna," was Chief Minister of Madras and Tamil Nadu for less than two years between 1967 and 1969, but arguably influenced the state's politics more than any other Tamil politician before or since.
He first came to prominence in British Madras as a member of the Justice Party and the social movement Dravidar Kazhagam, which was led by "Periyar" E.V. Ramaswamy. Periyar strove for caste equity through self-respect and the independence of southern India as Dravida Nadu.
After Indian independence, Annadurai split with Periyar because of differing opinions on separatism. Annadurai then formed his own party, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), which focused on representing lower castes and opposing the use of Hindi over the southern Tamil language.
His party defeated the dominant Indian National Congress in the 1967 Madras State election. As chief minister of Madras, he removed Hindi's official status in the state, encouraged inter-caste and non-arranged marriages, and renamed the state to Tamil Nadu ("land of Tamils").
When Annadurai died in 1969 from cancer, his funeral procession was attended by 15 million people, a world record that remains unbroken today. Annadurai was a charismatic leader who built a strong political following, and many mourners were very emotional during the funeral.
The Tamil government buried him on Chennai's Marina Beach with full military honors. What was formerly a concrete structure with benches was modified to house his coffin.
The Indian National Congress objected to the decision to bury rather than cremate him. However, Annadurai's successor, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, claimed the government followed Tamil customs and that Annadurai's family had approved of it.
Karunanidhi also developed his own strong following and was buried near Annadurai in 2018.
Several years after Annadurai's death a split in DMK occurred, with actor M.G. Ramachandran ("M.G.R.") forming the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), partially named after the late leader.
DMK and AIADMK have dominated Tamil politics ever since, often alternating periods in power. MGR and AIADMK's Jayaram Jayalalithaa ("Amma"), a successful actress and party leader, were both buried adjacent to Annadurai and Karunanidhi at the M.G.R. and Amma Memorial.
The Tamil Nadu government owns both memorials and whichever party is in power often renovates the memorial of their choice.
Currently, a black obelisk stands above Annadurai's tomb with an eternal flame on the side. Behind him, a portrait of Karunanidhi hangs above his tomb.
At the front of the memorial, just inside the gateway, are statues of Annadurai and Ilango Adigal, the writer of the first Tamil epic poem. A small museum also showcases photographs and documents from Annadurai's life.
