K. Anbazhagan

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In this Indian name, the name Kalyanasundaram is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Anbazhagan.

K. Anbazhagan
Anbazhagan in 2006
3rd General Secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
In office
17 May 1977 – 7 March 2020
Inaugural HolderC. N. Annadurai
Preceded byV. R. Nedunchezhiyan
Succeeded byDurai Murugan
Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
24 May 2001 – 14 April 2006
DeputyArcot N. Veeraswami
(2001-2005)
Preceded byS. Balakrishnan
Succeeded byO. Panneerselvam
Minister of Finance in the Government of Tamil Nadu
In office
17 May 2006 – 15 May 2011
Preceded byC. Ponnaiyan
Succeeded byO. Panneerselvam
Minister of Education
In office
16 May 1996 – 15 May 2001
In office
27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991
Member of Tamil Nadu legislative assembly
In office
14 May 2001 – 12 May 2006
ConstituencyHarbour
In office
16 November 1984 – 26 January 1989
ConstituencyPark Town
In office
30 June 1977 – 15 November 1984
ConstituencyPurasawalkam
Minister for Health and Social Welfare
In office
15 March 1971 – 31 January 1976
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
4 March 1967 – 15 March 1971
ConstituencyTiruchengode
Member of Legislative Council
In office
1 April 1957 – 25 February 1967
Leader of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly House
In office
17 May 2006 – 14 June 2011
CMM. Karunanidhi
Preceded byC. Ponnaiyan
Succeeded byO. Panneerselvam
In office
27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991
Personal details
BornRamaiah
(1922-12-19)19 December 1922[1]
Kattoor, Madras Presidency, British India
(now in Tamil Nadu, India)
Died7 March 2020(2020-03-07) (aged 97)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Other political
affiliations		Justice Party
Residence(s)Anna Nagar, Chennai
Signature
Source: [1]

Kalyanasundaram Anbazhagan (19 December 1922 – 7 March 2020) was an Indian politician. He was a long-standing leader of the Dravidian movement[2] and was the General Secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party (DMK) for nine terms. He has held several cabinet ministerial portfolios in the Tamil Nadu government under M. Karunanidhi including Finance, Education and Health and Social Welfare. He was elected as a member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly on nine occasions. He was earlier elected to the Lok Sabha the lower house of India's Parliament from Tiruchengode and was also a member of the Madras Legislative Council. He served as the opposition leader of Tamil Nadu assembly from 2001 to 2006.[3] He was popularly referred to as Perasiriyar (Professor) as he was a lecturer in Tamil in Pachaiyappa's College before resigning to contest elections in 1957.[4]

Early life

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Anbazhagan was born in Kattoor near Thiruvarur in Tanjore district (now Thiruvarur District) of Madras Presidency, British India on 19 December 1922 to M. Kalyanasundaranar and Swarnambal as Ramaiah.[citation needed] He changed his name to Anbazhagan and being influenced by the Pure Tamil Movement led by Tamil scholar Maraimalai Adigal. In 1942, he addressed a Justice Party meeting in Thiruvarur as a student after being requested by C. N. Annadurai and came into contact with M. Karunanidhi for the first time.[5] He received his Master of Arts in Tamil from Annamalai University and joined Pachaiyappa's College as a lecturer in Tamil in 1944.[6]

Political career

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Anbazhagan as Tamil Minister Finance Minister in 2008

Anbazhagan resigned as a Lecturer at Pachaiyappa's College to contest elections and was elected from Egmore to the Madras Legislative Assembly in 1957.[citation needed] He was a member of the Madras legislative council between 1962–1967 and a close confidant of the DMK founder C. N. Annadurai. He was a member of Lok Sabha between 1967 and 1971.[7] In 1971, he served as Social Welfare minister of Tamil Nadu. He had given up his M.L.A. position, representing Park Town constituency, in 1984 putting forward the Tamil Eelam issue.[8] He was elected from Harbour constituency in 1996, 2001 and 2006.[9] He served as the opposition leader of Tamil Nadu assembly from 2001 to 2006.[10]

Beyond his prominent public roles, Anbazhagan was widely regarded as a principal strategist within the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[11] Scholars and party observers have noted that he frequently served as the chief architect behind the party’s election campaigns and policy formulations. Anbazhagan played a significant advisory role in several key areas,[12] including candidate selection—ensuring caste and regional balance within the party’s electoral tickets—and in drafting speeches and framing messages, drawing upon his background in literature and rhetoric to shape the DMK’s communication style. He was also influential in policy planning, particularly in aligning welfare measures with Dravidian ideological precepts. Although his influence was less visible to the public compared to the party’s frontline leaders, party insiders have often described Anbazhagan as the “backroom strategist,”[13] whose counsel guided the DMK’s electoral tactics and political alliances.

During his tenure as General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), K. Anbazhagan was involved in the disproportionate assets case concerning AIADMK leader J. Jayalalithaa. He filed a petition in the Supreme Court requesting the transfer of the case's trial from Tamil Nadu to Karnataka, citing concerns about ensuring a fair judicial process.[14] Anbazhagan subsequently participated as a petitioner and observer in the legal proceedings, which received extensive media coverage and concluded with a landmark judgment.

Tenure as Minister for Education

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During his tenure as Minister for Education in Tamil Nadu, Anbazhagan implemented reforms that had long-term effects on the state’s academic landscape.

  • Curriculum reforms: He oversaw changes aimed at modernizing school curricula, integrating science and social justice themes with Tamil cultural and literary heritage.[15]
  • Promotion of Tamil as medium of instruction: A strong proponent of mother tongue education, he expanded opportunities for students to study in Tamil, while simultaneously safeguarding access to English and other languages.[16]
  • Higher education policies: He emphasized the need for expanding government colleges and making higher education accessible to marginalized communities, consistent with the Dravidian movement’s social justice agenda.[17]

Tenure as Minister for Finance (2006-2011)

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During his tenure as Finance Minister from 2006 to 2011, Anbazhagan presented several annual budget proposals that included agricultural policy reforms. His administration implemented a cooperative loan waiver program valued at ₹7,000 crore, which reportedly provided debt relief to approximately 2.2 million farmers.[18]

In the 2007–2008 state budget, the government reduced interest rates on crop loans from 7% to 5% for borrowers who repaid loans within the stipulated timeframe.[17] The same budget allocation included ₹2,547 crore for the "Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management" project, aimed at agricultural infrastructure development.

Personal life and death

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Anbazhagan lived with his wife Santhakumari in Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar, Chennai.[citation needed]

In his later years, Anbazhagan was in poor health, which minimized his political activities and public appearances, with the last one being on his 97th birthday on 19 December 2019.[19][20]

On 24 February 2020, his health deteriorated and became "extremely critical and unstable", and he was admitted at Apollo Hospital in Chennai for treatment.[21] He died there at 1:05 IST on 7 March 2020 due to complications of diabetes mellitus. The DMK declared a seven-day mourning after his death.[22][23]

His grandson A. Vetriazhagan is the current MLA from Villivakkam constituency.[24]

Posthumous recognition

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In 2022, during Anbazhagan's birth centenary commemorations, the Tamil Nadu government established the "Perasiriyar K. Anbazhagan Award for Best Schools".[25] The award program recognizes 76 schools annually—two from each district—based on criteria including academic performance, teaching methods, infrastructure, and student welfare provisions. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced the award during the centenary observances.[26]

The state government also announced the "Perasiriyar Anbazhagan School Development Scheme", allocated ₹7,000 crore over a five-year period for government school modernization and the construction of 18,000 new classrooms.[26]

Memorialization

The Integrated Finance Complex at Nandanam, Chennai, was renamed the "Professor K. Anbazhagan Complex".The complex includes a statue commemorating Anbazhagan.[27]

Literary works

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Anbazhagan has sound knowledge of Tamil poetry.[28][29] He contributed to Tamil literature through a variety of works. His published writings include books on the Dravidian movement,[30] its leaders, contemporary social and political issues, as well as fictional novels. Some of his published works include:

  • Urimai vaazhvu
  • Viduthalaik kavignar
  • Pesum kalai valarpom
  • Thamizh kadal
  • Alai osai
  • Thamizhar thirumanamum inamaanamum
  • Azhagurani
  • Dravida Iyakkam
  • Dravida Iyakkathin Thotramaum Thevaiyum
  • Inamozhi Vaazhvurimai Por
  • Ivarthaam Periyar
  • Maamanithar Anna
  • Neengalum Pechalar Aagalam
  • Perasiriyargal
  • Singa Ilainjyaney Silirthu Ezhuthu
  • Thamizh Kadalin Alai Osai
  • Thamizh Vaanin Vidivelli Thandhai Periyar
  • Thamizhinakkaavalar Kalaignar
  • The Dravidian Movement (in English)
  • Thonda? Dhuveshama?
  • Valarum Kilarchi
  • Vakkupurimai Porattam
  • Vazhga Dravidam (வாழ்க திராவிடம்)
  • Vivekanandar - Vizhantha Manithakula Thondu

In recognition of his literary contributions, the Tamil Nadu government announced in December 2021 that all of Anbazhagan's works would be nationalized,[31] with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presenting compensation to his family during his birth centenary celebrations.

Elections Contested

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Tamil Nadu Legislative Council Elections Contested

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Year Election Party PC Name Result
1957 Tamil Nadu Legislative Council DMK  Tamil Nadu Won
1962 Tamil Nadu Legislative Council DMK  Tamil Nadu Won

Lok Sabha Elections Contested

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Elections Constituency Party Result Vote percentage Opposition Candidate Opposition Party Opposition vote percentage
1967 Tiruchengode DMK Won 55.29 T. M. Kaliannan INC 43.81

Tamilnadu State Legislative Assembly Elections Contested

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Elections Constituency Party Result Vote percentage Opposition Candidate Opposition Party Opposition vote percentage
1971 Purasawalkam DMK Won 56.13 Bashyam Reddy INC 41.65
1977 Purasawalkam DMK Won 45.09 T. S. Govindaswamy JP 24.16
1980 Purasawalkam DMK Won 52.35 Valampuri John AIADMK 46.68
1984 Park Town DMK Won 50.89 M. Jothi Independent 46.92
1989 Anna Nagar DMK Won 49.94 V. Sukumar Babu AIADMK(J) 27.28
1991 Chepauk DMK Lost 43.00 Zeenath Sheriffdeen INC 50.62
1996 Harbour DMK Won 70.57 Earnest Paul INC 16.19
2001 Harbour DMK Won 46.98 D. Pandian CPI 46.33
2006 Harbour DMK Won 44.24 H. Seema Basheer MDMK 43.55
2011 Villivakkam DMK Lost 44.20 J. C. D. Prabhakar AIADMK 52.44

2011 electoral defeat

In the 2011 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, Anbazhagan contested from Villivakkam constituency instead of his traditional Harbour constituency, where he had previously served as the representative. He was defeated by a margin of approximately 8,000 votes.[32]

In the previous election in 2006, Anbazhagan had won the Harbour constituency by a margin of 400 votes.The 2011 defeat marked the end of his electoral career, which had spanned 54 years.

References

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  1. ^ "DMK stalwart Kalyanasundaram Anbazhagan passes away in Chennai". D Govardan. The Times of India. 6 March 2020. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
  2. ^ "End of an era: K Anbazhagan's demise leaves vacuum in Dravidian politics". New Indian Express. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. ^ "12th Assembly - Overview". www.assembly.tn.gov.in. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  4. ^ "DMK General Secretary K Anbazhagan Dies At 97 In Chennai". NDTV. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  5. ^ "From Tiruvarur to Marina: The platinum jubilee friendship of Karunanidhi and Anbazhagan". New Indian Express. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  6. ^ "DMK general secretary Anbazhagan no more". B Kolappan. The Hindu. 7 March 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  7. ^ eci.nic.in https://web.archive.org/web/20140718185108/http://eci.nic.in/eci_main/StatisticalReports/LS_1967/Vol_I_LS_67.pdf. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 July 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2025. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  8. ^ "'Perasiriyar' K Anbazhagan passes away at 97, end of an era for DMK politics". The News Minute. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Harbour (Tamil Nadu) Election Results 2016". Elections. Retrieved 8 March 2020.
  10. ^ "12th Assembly - Overview". www.assembly.tn.gov.in. Retrieved 28 February 2022.
  11. ^ Thirumurthy, Priyanka (6 March 2020). "'Perasiriyar' K Anbazhagan passes away at 97, end of an era for DMK politics". The News Minute.
  12. ^ "K Anbazhagan: Remembering Anna's brother, and a friend of Kalaignar". The Indian Express. 7 March 2020.
  13. ^ Pandian, M.S.S. (2007). Brahmin and Non-Brahmin: Genealogies of the Tamil Political Present. Permanent Black.
  14. ^ "Supreme Court Judgment – K. Anbazhagan vs State of Karnataka & Others". www.indianbarassociation.org. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  15. ^ Govindarasu, p (1989). Educational Reforms in Tamil Nadu (1967–1987). Chennai: Madras University Press.
  16. ^ Nambi Arooran, K (1994). Tamil Renaissance and Dravidian Nationalism. Koodal Publishers.
  17. ^ a b "Speech of Prof. K. Anbazhagan, Minister for Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu, presenting the Budget for 2007-2008 to the Legislative Assembly on 23rd March, 2007" (PDF).
  18. ^ "Speech of Prof. K. Anbazhagan, Minister for Finance, Government of Tamil Nadu, presenting the Budget for 2007-2008 to the Legislative Assembly on 23rd March, 2007" (PDF).
  19. ^ "DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan passes away at 97". India Today. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  20. ^ "Leaders greet DMK's Anbazhagan on 97th birthday". B Sivakumar. The Times of India. 20 December 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  21. ^ "DMK general secretary Anbazhagan no more". The Hindu. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  22. ^ "DMK general secretary K Anbazhagan passes away at 97 in Chennai". Daily News and Analysis. 7 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  23. ^ "Veteran DMK Leader K. Anbazhagan Passes Away at 97". The Wire. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  24. ^ "DMK's Vetriazhagan to face his grandpa's rival". The New Indian Express. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Two schools in district receive Perasiriyar Anbazhagan Award". The Times of India. 5 March 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  26. ^ a b Kumar, N. Vinoth (18 March 2022). "TN budget schemes: Remembering Vallalar, Periyar and K Anbazhagan". thefederal.com. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  27. ^ "Finance Department complex renamed after Anbazhagan". The Hindu. 19 December 2021. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  28. ^ "Anbazhagan struck a balance between literature and politics". B Kolappan. The Hindu. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  29. ^ "DMK veteran leader K Anbazhagan passes away". Daily Thanthi. 7 March 2020. Archived from the original on 30 November 2021. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  30. ^ "பேரா.க. அன்பழகன்". PeriyarBooks.Com. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  31. ^ Service, Express News (19 December 2021). "Anbazhagan's works to be nationalised: TN government". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
  32. ^ "Shift spells disaster for DMK's oldest member". The Times of India. 14 May 2011. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
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