C.N.Annadurai - காஞ்சீபுரம் நடராஜன் அண்ணாதுரை

C.N. Annadurai: worthy son of an ancient heritage

M. K. Eelaventhan, M.P

March 2005

C. N. Annadurai’s death anniversary fell on 3 February.

C. N. Annadurai has been variously described. He was an elder brother to his faithful followers. He was an inspiring leader to his foot soldiers that defended the self-respect and honour of the ancient heritage of the Tamils. He was a consistent critic, tireless opponent of all forms of meaningless orthodoxy, religious hypocrisy, political corruption and economic double standards. He was a nightmare for those who wished to establish Aryan supremacy, Hindi domination, and Delhi’s authoritarianism in the name of national unity and integration.

He was also the embodiment of humility and utter simplicity. He never mortgaged his intellectual calibre and mental brilliance for material gains. He never wished to elevate his social status and political influence by associating himself with men of power and the establishment who would have obliged him with anything he demanded.

Despite his humble family background and in spite of his poor economic circumstances, he preferred a life of poverty so as to be in constant company of men and women whose lives he wished to change for the better. He was a great democratic leader. He respected electoral verdicts with all their structural defects and systemic failures. In victory he maintained humility, as he maintained cheerfulness and confidence in defeat. He never underestimated his rivals and ill-wishers. He wished to see always the brighter side of his opponents, which he described as a ‘jasmine on his rival’s plot.’ He always counselled patience to the injured feelings and wounded pride of his followers.

The depth of his knowledge ranging on all subjects and is vision of the future was something special in him. In his command over the Tamil language (equally so in English) he stands incomparable, on a pedestal all of his own creation. A classic example of his command of English and his ideas of what should constitute a university can be seen in the following lines: “The role of the University today is not cloistered and confined as in the past. Its function has been enlarged not in its fundamentals but in its domain. It has to take into account the common man – not to perpetuate his commonness, but to trim and train, guide and lead him, for he is called up today to perform uncommon tasks.

“He is asked to do his duty as a citizen of a democracy, a task that kindles sweet hopes but which demands patience and perseverance, faith and confidence – faith in himself and in others, confidence in his inherent ability to shoulder responsibilities. The common man has become the ruler of the land – he holds his destiny in his own hands. Unlike in a bygone age when rulers were born either in palaces or mansions, today, every hamlet and every hut has become the birthplace of a potential ruler and the duty today, and responsibility today of the universities, is to fashion out of him, an individual, fitted and equipped for the task of making democracy fruitful and effective.” His commitment to the Tamils and their heritage transcends the physical borders of Tamilnadu. As a true son of Tamil heritage his emotional identity and sympathetic commitment to the suffering of Eelam Tamils was echoed on several occasions, in several forums including the parliament of India. His ideals, his concerns and commitments are found given in chosen journals like Thravida Nadu, Homeland and Home Rule.

In all the aspects mentioned above he reminds us of the description of Asoka by H. G. Wells: “Shines almost alone like a star.” Thus among socio-intellectual reformers with a political following, Annadurai stands as a unique example. When he died on February 3, 1969, the Indian Express of the next day paid the following tribute “if tears could bring back a life Mr. Annadurai would be living again.”