V. R. Nedunchezhiyan

Vadakkalathur Rajagopal Nedunchezhiyan (11 July 1920 – 12 January 2000) was an Indian politician and writer. He served twice as the acting Chief Minister of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He served as a senior cabinet minister under the governments of C. N. Annadurai, M. Karunanidhi, M. G. Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa. For his literary contributions, he was also known as "Navalar" or the eloquent.

Life and career

Nedunchezhiyan was born at Thirukannapuram on 11 July 1920. He graduated with a master's degree and a doctorate in Tamil literature from Annamalai University. He became involved in politics while at the university and joined the Dravidar Kazhagam party in 1944. In 1949, C. N. Annadurai formed the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), and Nedunchezhiyen joined the party, acting as deputy general secretary until 1955. He was general secretary between 1955 and 1960 and then chairman of the party's general council until 1969.

Indian tennis player Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan is his grandson.

Death He died of heart failure at Apollo Hospital on 12 January 2000. Nedunchezhiyan's body was cremated at Besant Nagar cemetery.

In popular culture The character Madhivanan, played by Rajesh, in the 1997 film Iruvar is loosely based on Nedunchezhiyan.

Books published Nedunchezhiyan was a prolific writer in Tamil literature, authoring numerous books and booklets on politics, culture, and social issues. His notable works include:

Political and Social Commentary Mozhi Poraattam (Language Struggle) (1948) - A book on the anti-Hindi agitation History of the Dravidian Movement (Part I) (1996) War of Social Justice (1996)

Literary and Cultural Works Ezhuchi Murasu (Rising Drum) Puthiya Paathai (New Path) Purananooru Katchikal (Scenes from Purananooru) Kalithohai Kanda Kathal Kaatchigal (Love scenes from Kalithohai) Thirukkural - Novel Clarification (1991) - A commentary on the classic Tamil text Thirukkural

Historical and Philosophical Works Pandaiya Greykkam (Ancient Greece) (1953) - Inspired by the social and political conditions of ancient Greece Religion and Superstition (1955)

Biographies Biography of Revolutionary Bharatidasan (1994) Vadakkalathur Raja Gopalanar Biography (1991)

Autobiography Vaazhvil Naan Kandathum Kettathum (What I Saw and Heard in Life) (2000) - His autobiography

Nedunchezhiyan also ran a Tamil journal called Mandram with his younger sibling Chezhiyan during his early career. His works contributed significantly to Tamil literature and the intellectual discourse of the Dravidian movement.

Electoral career Legislative Assembly Elections Contested