Contributions of Perarignar Anna and Socio-Political Movements in Tamil Nadu

Flashcards covering the life, political contributions, literary works, and achievements of Perarignar Anna alongside the historical emergence of the Dravidian Movement, the Justice Party, and social reform leaders in Tamil Nadu.

Perarignar Anna

Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (1909–1969), an Indian politician who served as the fourth and last Chief Minister of Madras State and the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, acclaimed as a Dravidian orator, writer, and the founder of the DMK.

Ondre Kulam Oruvanae Devan

A philosophical phrase meaning 'Only one race, Only one God' from Thirumoolar's Tamil work Thirumanthiram, adopted by C. N. Annadurai to unify the people of Tamil Nadu while maintaining a secular and rationalist outlook.

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)

A political party founded on 17 September 1949 by C. N. Annadurai and his associates, formed after parting ways with the Dravidar Kazhagam headed by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy.

Sixteenth Amendment

A constitutional amendment, popularly known as the Anti-Secessionist Amendment, enacted in the wake of the Sino-Indian War in 1962 that banned parties with secessionist agendas from participating in elections, leading the DMK to drop its demand for Dravida Nadu.

Kula Kalvi Thittam

A modified educational scheme introduced in Madras State by Chief Minister C. Rajagopalachari that indirectly encouraged students to pursue their traditional caste occupations, triggering intense opposition and protests by the DMK in 1953.

Kallakkudi Agitation

A 1953 protest led by DMK activists against renaming the town of Kallakkudi to Dalmiyapuram, which was viewed as a symbol of North Indian dominance, resulting in a three-month prison sentence for Annadurai.

Self-Respect Marriages

Marriages conducted without religious rituals, dowry, or Brahmin priests, conceived by Periyar to encourage inter-caste unions and later granted legal validity by Annadurai's government in Madras State.

Two-Language Policy

A state educational and administrative language policy enacted under Annadurai that mandated the teaching of Tamil and English while rejecting the central government's three-language formula.

Nallathambi

Annadurai's first scripted film, released in 1948 and starring N. S. Krishnan, which advocated for cooperative farming and the abolition of the zamindari system.

Velaikaari

A prominent 1949 novel and screenplay by Annadurai that conveyed socialist ideals, condemned the greed of the wealthy, and openly critiqued oppressive landlords aligned with Congress leaders.

Arya Mayai

A socio-political book written by C. N. Annadurai challenging caste dominance and highlighting social equality, for which he was fined INR 700 and imprisoned on charges of sedition.

Chubb Fellowship

An esteemed fellowship conferred by Yale University awarded to C. N. Annadurai in 1968, making him the first non-American to receive this distinction.

Madras United League

An association formed in 1912 by medical doctor C. Natesanar to support non-Brahmin graduates and students with education and lodging, later renamed the Madras Dravidian Association.

Dravidian Home

A hostel established at Triplicane, Madras, in July 1916 by Dr. C. Natesanar to address the lack of housing facilities and provide a literary society for non-Brahmin students.

South Indian Liberal Federation (SILF)

A political party established on 20 November 1916 by Dr. C. Natesanar, Sir Pitti Theagarayar, and Dr. T. M. Nair to safeguard non-Brahmin interests, popularly recognized as the Justice Party.

Non-Brahmin Manifesto

A historic declaration released in December 1916 at the Victoria Public Hall articulating the social, educational, and political grievances of non-Brahmin communities in Madras Presidency.

Communal Government Orders

Orders issued by the Justice Party government on 16 September 1921 and 15 August 1922 to establish reservations and fair distribution of public appointments among different castes and communities.

Staff Selection Board

A governmental agency established by the Justice Party in 1924 to recruit state officials equitably across communities, serving as the blueprint for the Public Service Commission formed in 1929.

Hindu Religious Endowment (HRE) Act

A 1926 legislative act introduced by the Justice Party government permitting individuals regardless of caste to serve on temple committees and oversee religious institution resources.

Adi Dravidar

An official designation approved by the Madras Legislative Council in 1922 to replace derogatory labels such as 'Panchamar' and 'Paraiyar' for the Scheduled Castes of Madras Presidency.

Ramalinga Swamigal (Vallalar)

A nineteenth-century Tamil saint and reformer (1823–1874) who championed compassion towards all living entities, opened a free feeding hall in Vadalur in 1867, and composed the hymns collected in Thiruvarutpa.

Jeevakarunya

The core spiritual principle articulated by Ramalinga Swamigal representing unconditional compassion and mercy toward all living beings, including animals and plants.

Samarasa Suddha Sanmarga Satya Sanga

A spiritual society established by Ramalinga Swamigal in 1865 (originally named Samarasa Vedha Sanmarga Sangam) translating to 'Society for Pure Truth in Universal self-hood'.

Iyothee Thassar Pandithar

A pioneering anti-caste activist, Tamil scholar, Siddha physician, and writer (1845–1914) who campaigned for the emancipation of untouchables and spearheaded the revival of rational Buddhism in Tamil Nadu.

Advaidananda Sabha

An organization founded by Pandithar Iyothee Thassar to raise collective demands for allowing temple entry to marginalized and untouchable communities.

Dravida Mahajana Sabha

An association established in 1891 by Iyothee Thassar Pandithar, which conducted its inaugural conference in Nilgiris to campaign for the welfare and civil rights of depressed classes.

Sakya Buddhist Society

A Buddhist philosophical society founded in Madras in 1898 by Iyothee Thassar following his conversion to Buddhism in Sri Lanka under the influence of Colonel H. S. Olcott.

Oru Paisa Tamilan

A weekly Tamil periodical launched by Iyothee Thassar in 1907 that ran until 1914, advocating social justice, education, and rational thinking among marginalized communities.

Self-Respect Movement

A radical social movement initiated in 1925 by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy to dismantle caste hierarchies, eliminate irrational religious rituals, abandon hereditary priesthood, and secure gender equality.

Singaravelar

A prominent freedom fighter and early communist leader (1860–1946) who organized India's first May Day celebration in Chennai in 1923 and integrated workers' and farmers' struggles into the nationalist movement.

Thambiran Vanakkam

A Christian catechism text published in 1578 in Goa, recorded as the first book printed in an Indian and non-European language.