"ANNA" as he was endearingly called by millions of Tamilians, was born at Kancheepyram, in a lower middle calss family, on 15th September 1909. After completing his education in the Pachaiappa's High School, Kancheepuram, he joined the Pachiappa's College, Madras from which he graduated. Even as student, he had reputed action for oratory in Tamil and English, and a flair for journalism. He was the editor of the "Bala BHarati" and later the "Nava YUvan", Tamil weeklies published in Madras. He also served as Sub-Editor of the "Justice", an English daily and was on the editorial staff of the "Viduthalai", Tamil weekly of Erode, published by Periyar E.V.Ramaswami Naicker, leader of the Dravida Kazhagam. In 1942,Thiru C.N. Annadurai started his own weekly, the Dravida Nadu, and developed a distinct style of his own. He also edited the Tamil weekly "Kanchi", He was as fluent, scholarly and versatile in English as in Tamil. In 1957, he started an English weekly, the "Homeland" and in 1966 founded another weekly, the "Homerule". He wrote stories. He was considered to be the doyenamong dialogue-writer, renowned for his catchy and flowery descriptive passanges and conversational pieces. He also acted on the stage. As an orator, few could equal Thiru Annadurai. He could whip up the emotions of vast audiences, and could also pacify agitated crowds.

He made full use of this gift in the interests it was a mammoth crowd that thronged the sands of Madras beach to hear him in Tamil, or a select audience pressing to get seats in the front rows of a public hall bound for hours by his oratory which abounded in wit, sarcasm and humour. Thiru Annadurai had a genius for oraganisation. Along with Periyar, he was responsible for the consolidation of the Justice Party, later renamed as the Dravida Kazhagam split and the majority followed Thiru Annadurai who founded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. In 1957, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam contested the General Elections, Thiru Annadurai contested from the Kancheepuram constituency and won with a large majority. His speeches on the floor of the House as Leader of the D.M.K. Legislature Party had a great impact. In February 1967, he was elected to the Lok Sabha from the South Madras Parliamentary Constutuency and subsequently to the Madras Legislative Council from the Madras Local Authoritis Constituency in April 1967. In the Fourth General Elections held in February1967, the D.M.K. under the able leadership of Thiru Annadurai succeeded in capturingall the seats in Parliment for which it had fielded candidetes. Thiru Annadurai was elected leader of the D.M.K. Legislature Party and became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. During the two years of his Chief Ministership he earned universal respect, and his sobriety, simplicity and sincerity won the esteem and affection of all. He had the interests of the common man at heart and he was a friend of the poor and the working classes, and his 'rupee-a-measure of rice scheme' was one of the measures which bore testimony to this.

His interest in, and love for, Tamil and Tamil literature was high-lighted by the great success of the World Tamil Conference held in Madras in February 1968. He proceeded on a world tour as an invitee of the Yale University's Chubb Fellowship Programme and was also a guest of the State Department in the U.S.A. in April-May 1968. He was awarded the Chubb Fellowship at Yale University, being the first non-American to receive this honour. Thiru C.N. Annadurai passed away in the early hours of 3rd February 1969. With his passing, the country has lost a great patriot and leader.

On the First Anniversary of his passing, the Posts & Telegraphs Department feels privileged to bring out a special stamp as a tribute to his memory.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India