V. R. Nedunchezhiyan: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Indian politician}}
{{Short description|Indian politician (1920–2000)}}
{{BLP sources|date=March 2020}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{more citations needed|date=March 2020}}
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{{Expand language|langcode=ta|date=April 2019}}
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{{Use Indian English|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name               = V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
| name = V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
| image              = V.R. Nedunchezhiyan.jpg
| office = Acting [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
| caption            = Statue of V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
| term_start = 24 December 1987
| office             = Acting [[Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu]]
| term_end = 7 January 1988
| term_start         = 24 December 1987
| governor = [[Sundar Lal Khurana]]
| term_end           = 7 January 1988
| 1blankname = Political Party
| governor           = [[Sundar Lal Khurana]]
| 1namedata = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| 1blankname         = Political Party
| predecessor = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| 1namedata           = [[Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| successor = [[V. N. Janaki|V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]]
| predecessor         = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| constituency = [[Athoor (state assembly constituency)|Athoor]]
| successor           = [[V. N. Janaki|V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]]
| term_start2 = 3 February 1969
| constituency       = [[Athoor (state assembly constituency)|Athoor]]
| term_end2 = 10 February 1969
| term_start1        = 3 February 1969
| governor2 = [[Sardar Ujjal Singh]]
| term_end1          = 10 February 1969
| 1blankname2 = Political Party
| governor1          = [[Sardar Ujjal Singh]]
| 1namedata2 = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| 1blankname1        = Political Party
| predecessor2 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| 1namedata1          = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| successor2 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| predecessor1        = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| constituency2 = [[Triplicane (state assembly constituency)|Triplicane]]
| successor1          = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| office3 = [[Finance minister|Minister of Finance]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| constituency1      = [[Triplicane (state assembly constituency)|Triplicane]]
| term_start3 = 24 June 1991
| office2            = [[Finance minister|Minister of Finance]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| term_end3 = 12 May 1996
| term_start2        = 24 June 1991
| 1blankname3 = Chief Minister
| term_end2          = 12 May 1996
| 1namedata3 = [[J. Jayalalithaa]]
| 1blankname2        = Chief Minister
| predecessor3 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| 1namedata2          = [[J. Jayalalithaa]]
| successor3 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| term_start3        = 9 June 1980
| term_start4 = 9 June 1980
| term_end3          = 24 December 1987
| term_end4 = 24 December 1987
| 1blankname3        = Chief Minister
| 1blankname4 = Chief Minister
| 1namedata3          = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| 1namedata4 = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| term_start4        = 6 March 1967
| predecessor4 = [[Nanjil K. Manoharan]]
| term_end4          = 31 January 1976
| successor4 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| 1blankname4        = Chief Minister
| office5 = [[Government of Tamil Nadu|Minister of Education]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| 1namedata4          = [[C. N. Annadurai]],<br /> [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| term_start5 = 13 August 1969
| office5            = General Secretary of the [[Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_end5 = 31 January 1976
| term_start5        = 25 December 1987
| 1blankname5 = Chief Minister
| term_end5          = 8 February 1989
| 1namedata5 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| predecessor5        = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| predecessor5 = [[S. Madhavan]]
| successor5          = [[J. Jayalalithaa]]
| successor5 = [[C. Aranganayagam]]
| term_start6        = 23 June 1978
| term_start6 = 6 March 1967
| term_end6          = 10 June 1980
| term_end6 = 10 February 1969
| predecessor6        = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| 1blankname6 = Chief Minister
| successor6          = [[P. U. Shanmugam]]
| 1namedata6 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]<br/>''himself (acting)''
| office7            = General Secretary of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| predecessor6 = [[M. Bhaktavatsalam]]
| term_start7        = 4 February 1969
| successor6 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| term_end7          = 1977
| office7 = 4th [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition in the Madras Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor7        = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| term_start7 = 29 March 1962
| successor7          = [[K. Anbazhagan]]
| term_end7 = 28 February 1967
|term_start8        = 1956
| 1blankname7 = Chief Minister
|term_end8 = 1962                  | predecessor8        = [[C. N. Annadurai]]            
| 1namedata7 = {{ubl|[[K. Kamaraj]]|[[M. Bhakthavatsalam]]}}
|successor8 = [[C. N. Annadurai]] | office9            = 3rd [[List of leaders of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Leader of the Opposition in the Madras Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor7 = [[V. K. Ramaswami Mudaliar|V. K. Ramaswami]]
| term_start9        = 29 March 1962
| deputy7 = [[M. Karunanidhi]]
| term_end9          = 28 February 1967
| successor7 = [[P. G. Karuthiruman]]
| 1blankname9        = Chief Minister
| constituency7 = [[Triplicane (state assembly constituency)|Triplicane]]
| 1namedata9          = {{ubl|[[K. Kamaraj]]|[[M. Bhakthavatsalam]]}}
| office8 = [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly|Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
| predecessor9        = [[V. K. Ramaswami Mudaliar|V. K. Ramaswami]]
| term_start8 = 1991
| successor9          = P. G. Karuthiruman
| term_end8 = 1996
| constituency9      = [[Triplicane (state assembly constituency)|Triplicane]]
| 1blankname8 = Leader of the House
| birth_date         = 11 July 1920
| 1namedata8 = ''Himself''
| birth_place         = [[Thirukannapuram]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />{{smaller|(present-day [[Tamil Nadu]], India)}}
| predecessor8 = G. Ponnu Pillai
| residence           = Seethamma Colony, [[Teynampet]], [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| successor8 = [[N. R. Alagaraja]]
| death_date         = {{death date and age|df=yes|2000|1|12|1920|7|11}}
| constituency8 = [[Theni Assembly constituency|Theni]]
| death_place         = [[Chennai, Tamil Nadu]], India
| term_start9 = 1984
| death_cause         = [[Heart failure]]
| term_end9 = 1989
| party               = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1977-2000)
| 1blankname9 = Leader of the House
| otherparty         = [[Dravidar Kazhagam]] (1944-1949)<br />[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (1949-1979) [[Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (own party;1977)
| 1namedata9 = ''Himself''
| spouse             = Visalakshi<br> (m. 1950; d. 2016)
| predecessor9 = [[A. Vellaisamy]]
| children           = 1 son
| successor9 = [[I. Periasamy]]
| signature           = Signature of Nedunchezhiyan.jpg
| constituency9 = [[Athoor Assembly constituency|Athoor]]
| footnotes           =  
| term_start10 = 1980
| birth_name         = Ra. Go. Narayanasamy{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
| term_end10 = 1984
| parents             =  
| 1blankname10 = Leader of the House
| 1namedata10 = ''Himself''
| predecessor10 = [[G. R. Edmund]]
| successor10 = [[S. Narayanan]]
| constituency10 = [[Tirunelveli Assembly constituency|Thirunelveli]]
| term_start11 = 1962
| term_end11 = 1977
| 1blankname11 = Leader of the House
| 1namedata11 = {{bulletlist|B. Bakshatvalasam|''Himself''|[[M. Karunanidhi]]}}
| predecessor11 = [[K. S. G. Haja Shareef]]
| successor11 = M. Aranganathan
| constituency11 = [[Triplicane Assembly constituency|Triplicane]]
| office12 = 2nd [[General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|General Secretary]] of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start12 = 23 June 1978
| term_end12 = 10 June 1980
| predecessor12 = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| successor12 = [[P. U. Shanmugam]]
| term13 = September 1977 - 23 June 1978<br/> ''Interim''
| 1blankname13 = General Secretary.
| 1namedata13 = [[M. G. Ramachandran]]
| office14 = 2nd [[Secretary (title)|General Secretary]] of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start14 = 4 February 1969
| president14 = M. Karunanidhi
| term_end14 = 16 May 1977
| predecessor14 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| successor14 = [[K. Anbazhagan]]
| term_start15 = 24 April 1955
| term_end15 = 24 September 1960
| president15 = Vacant
| predecessor15 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| successor15 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| office16 = 2nd [[Chairperson|Presidium Chairperson]] of [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
| term_start16 = 1963
| term_end16 = 1969
| 1blankname16 = General Secretary
| 1namedata16 = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| predecessor16 = E. V. K. Sampath
| successor16 = Karunanidhi as party president
| office17 = 2nd Deputy General Secretary of the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| term_start17 = 1949
| term_end17 = 1963
| 1blankname17 = General Secretary
| 1namedata17 = C N Annaduari
| office18 = Leader of [[Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]] House
| term_start18 = 6 March 1967
| term_end18 = 10 February 1969
| term_start19 = 14 August 1969
| term_end19 = 5 January 1971
| term_start20 = 1 June 1980
| term_end20 = 15 November 1984
| term_start21 = 16 February 1985
| term_end21 = 6 January 1988
| term_start22 = 25 June 1991
| term_end22 = 13 May 1996
| birth_date = 11 July 1920
| birth_place = [[Thirukannapuram]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />{{smaller|(present-day [[Tamil Nadu]], India)}}
| residence = Seethamma Colony, [[Teynampet]], [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2000|1|12|1920|7|11}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_cause = [[Heart failure]]
| party = [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]<br />{{small|(1977-2000)}}
| otherparty = [[Dravidar Kazhagam]]<br />{{small|(1944-1949)}}<br />[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]<br /> {{small|(1949-1977)}}<br/>Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam<br /> {{small|(own party;1977)}}
| spouse = Visalakshi<br/> (m. 1950; d. 2016)
| children = 1 son
| relatives = [[Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan]] (grandson)
| signature = Signature of Nedunchezhiyan.jpg
| footnotes =  
| birth_name = Ra. Go. Narayanasamy{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}
| parents =
| image =
| caption =  
}}
}}


{{Dravidian politics-col}}
{{Dravidian politics-col}}


'''V. R. Nedunchezhiyan''' (11 July 1920&nbsp;– 12 January 2000) was an Indian politician and writer. He served thrice as the acting [[Chief Minister]] of the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], India. He was also finance 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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kannan |first1=R |title=‘Navalar’ Nedunchezhiyan: The Dravidian leader who remained a follower till the end|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/navalar-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-leader-who-remained-follower-till-end-128939 |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=The News Minute |date=18 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>
'''V. R. Nedunchezhiyan''' (11 July 1920&nbsp;– 12 January 2000) was an Indian politician and writer. He served twice as the interim [[Chief Minister]] of the [[Indian state|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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kannan |first1=R |title='Navalar' Nedunchezhiyan: The Dravidian leader who remained a follower till the end|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/navalar-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-leader-who-remained-follower-till-end-128939 |access-date=10 February 2021 |work=The News Minute |date=18 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref>


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Nedunchezhiyan was born at [[Thirukannapuram]] on 11 July 1920. He was 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, he and [[C. N. Annadurai]] formed the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK), with the latter as leader and Nedunchezhiyan acting as deputy general secretary until 1955. He was general secretary between 1955 and 1961 and then chairman of the party's general council until 1969.<ref name="hindu2000"/>
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.<ref name="hindu2000"/>
 
Nedunchezhiyan was elected to the [[Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu]] in 1962. In 1967, he became the Minister of Education when the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] took power. He was briefly acting Chief Minister for the state following [[C. N. Annadurai]]'s death in 1969, taking the role until [[M. Karunanidhi]] was appointed.He then continued as a cabinet minister in the Karunanidhi cabinet until the DMK government was dissolved in 1976.<ref name="hindu2000"/>
 
Together with [[K. Rajaram]], Nedunchezhiyan left the DMK to form a new political party called the ''Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam,'' but it did not last long. The party merged with the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), which was in power by then, in 1978 and from 1980 Nedunchezhiyan served as a Minister of Finance under the leadership of AIADMK's [[M. G. Ramachandran]], until 1987. Nedunchezhiyan was a deputy general secretary of the AIADMK from 1977 and 1989, and became a general secretary in 1989. He  became acting Chief Minister in 1988 when Ramachandran died.
[[File:DJayakumar-EarlyDays2.jpg|thumb|right|Nedunchezhiyan at a book release event|250px]]
Nedunchezhiyan briefly aligned himself with the [[J. Jayalalithaa]]-led faction within the AIADMK but was expelled from the party in 1988 after disputes with its leaders. He contested the 1989 state elections and later that year rejoined the party fold after Jayalalithaa had successfully reunified it. He then served as Minister of Finance again between 1991 and 1996.<ref name="hindu2000"/> Later, he served as General Council Leader Of the AIADMK from 1996 until his death.
 
==Personal life==
He married his wife, Visalakshi (died 2016) (AIADMK Spokesperson), in 1950, and they had one son.<ref name="hindu2000">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/13/stories/04132231.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504064440/http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/13/stories/04132231.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 May 2012 |title=Nedunchezhiyan dies of heart failure |date=13 January 2000 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref>
 
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 (Tamil actor)|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.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederal.com/features/vr-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-movements-fervid-hero-who-was-forgotten-too-soon |title=Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon |publisher=The Federal |date=July 12, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref> His notable works include:


Nedunchezhiyan was elected to the [[Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu]] in 1962. In 1967, he became the Minister of Education when the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] took power. He was briefly acting Chief Minister for the state following [[C. N. Annadurai]]'s death in 1969, taking the role until [[M. Karunanidhi]] was appointed. He then continued as a cabinet minister in the Karunanidhi cabinet until the DMK lost power in 1976.<ref name="hindu2000"/>
===Political and Social Commentary===
* ''Mozhi Poraattam'' (Language Struggle) (1948) - A book on the anti-Hindi agitation<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederal.com/features/vr-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-movements-fervid-hero-who-was-forgotten-too-soon |title=Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon |publisher=The Federal |date=July 12, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''DMK'' (1961) - About the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] party
* ''Samuthaya Viduthalai'' (Societal Liberation)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''History of the Dravidian Movement (Part I)'' (1996)
* ''War of Social Justice'' (1996)


Together with [[K. Rajaram]], Nedunchezhiyan left the DMK to form a new political party called the ''[[Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]'' but this did not last long. The party merged with the [[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (AIADMK), which was by then in government, in 1978 and from 1980 Nedunchezhiyan was again a cabinet minister, this time as a Minister of Finance under the leadership of AIADMK's [[M. G. Ramachandran]], until 1987. He  became acting Chief Minister in 1988 when Ramachandran died. He was a candidate in the subsequent leadership election but lost to Ramachandran's wife, [[V. N. Janaki]] name="hindu2000"/>
===Literary and Cultural Works===
* ''Ezhuchi Murasu'' (Rising Drum)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Puthiya Paathai'' (New Path)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Purananooru Katchikal'' (Scenes from Purananooru)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Kalithohai Kanda Kathal Kaatchigal'' (Love scenes from Kalithohai)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Thirukkural - Novel Clarification'' (1991) - A commentary on the classic Tamil text [[Thirukkural]]


Nedunchezhiyan briefly aligned himself with the [[J. Jayalalithaa]]-led group within the AIADMK but was expelled from the party in 1988 after disputes with its leaders. He stood in the 1989 state elections and later that year returned to the party fold after Jayalalithaa had successfully reunified it. He served as Minister of Finance again between 1991 and 1996.<ref name="hindu2000"/>
===Historical and Philosophical Works===
* ''Pandaiya Greykkam'' (Ancient Greece) (1953) - Inspired by the social and political conditions of ancient Greece<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederal.com/features/vr-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-movements-fervid-hero-who-was-forgotten-too-soon |title=Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon |publisher=The Federal |date=July 12, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Mooda Nambikkai'' (False Beliefs)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
* ''Religion and Superstition'' (1955)


==Legislative election history==
===Biographies===
{| class="wikitable"
* ''Biography of Revolutionary Bharatidasan'' (1994)
|-  style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;"
* ''Vadakkalathur Raja Gopalanar Biography'' (1991)
! Year !! Result !! Seat !! Party
 
===Autobiography===
* ''Vaazhvil Naan Kandathum Kettathum'' (What I Saw and Heard in Life) (2000) - His autobiography<ref>{{cite web |url=https://thefederal.com/features/vr-nedunchezhiyan-dravidian-movements-fervid-hero-who-was-forgotten-too-soon |title=Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon |publisher=The Federal |date=July 12, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/honour-for-navalar-vr-nedunchezhiyan/article32047177.ece |title=Honour for 'Navalar' V.R. Nedunchezhiyan |publisher=The Hindu |date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref>
 
Nedunchezhiyan also ran a Tamil journal called ''Mandram'' with his younger sibling Chezhiyan during his early career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sangam.org/perennial-number-2-nedunchezhiyan-1920-2000/ |title='Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000) |publisher=Sangam.org |author=Sachi Sri Kantha |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=2025-09-03}}</ref> His works contributed significantly to Tamil literature and the intellectual discourse of the [[Dravidian movement]].
 
==Electoral career==
===Legislative Assembly Elections Contested===
{|class="sortable wikitable"style="font-size: 87%"
|-
!Elections
!Constituency
!Party
!Result
!Vote percentage
!Opposition Candidate
!Opposition Party
!Opposition vote percentage
|-
![[1957 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1957]]
|[[Salem – I Assembly constituency|Salem - I]]||[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|Independent]]||{{Lost}}||44.83||[[A. Mariappan Mudaliar]]|| rowspan="5" |[[Indian National Congress|INC]]||45.21
|-
|-
| [[1962 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1962]] || Won || Triplicane || DMK
![[1962 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1962]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Triplicane Assembly constituency|Triplicane]]
| rowspan="3" |[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|{{Won}}
|51.29
|Sivanesan
|35.31
|-
|-
| [[1967 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1967]] || Won || Triplicane || DMK
![[1967 Madras Legislative Assembly election|1967]]
|{{Won}}
|59.41
|M. S. Sammandappa
|39.93
|-
|-
| [[1971 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1971]] || Won || Triplicane|| DMK
![[1971 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1971]]
|{{Won}}
|50.40
|K. Vinayakam
|48.95
|-
|-
| [[1977 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1977]] || Won || Triplicane || AIADMK
![[1980 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1980]]
|[[Tirunelveli Assembly constituency|Tirunelveli]]
| rowspan="2" |[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]
|{{Won}}
|57.96
|[[Rajathi Kunchithapatham]]
|40.94
|-
|-
| [[1980 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1980]] || Won || Thirunelveli || AIADMK
![[1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1984]]
|[[Athoor Assembly constituency|Athoor]]
|{{Won}}
|63.16
|Rajambal K
| rowspan="3" |[[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|DMK]]
|35.35
|-
|-
| [[1984 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1984]] || Won || Athoor || AIADMK
![[1989 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1989]]
|[[Mylapore Assembly constituency|Mylapore]]
|[[Independent Candidate|Independent]]
|{{Lost}}
|0.5
|[[N. Ganapathy (Thanjavur)|N. Ganapathy]]
|40.88
|-
|-
| [[1989 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1989]] || Lost || Mylapore || Independent
![[1991 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1991]]
| rowspan="2" |[[Theni Assembly constituency|Theni]]
| rowspan="2" |[[All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam|AIADMK]]
|{{Won}}
|61.5
|L.S.R. Krishnan
|24.0
|-
|-
| [[1991 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1991]] || Won || Theni || AIADMK
![[1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election|1996]]
|{{Lost}}
|22.97
|Alagaraja.N.R
|[[Tamil Maanila Congress|TMC(M)]]
|62.76
|-
|-
| [[1996 Tamil Nadu state assembly election|1996]] || Lost{{citation needed|date=April 2021}} || Theni || AIADMK
|}
|}
==Personal life==
He married his wife, Visalakshi, in 1950, and they had one son.<ref name="hindu2000">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/13/stories/04132231.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504064440/http://www.hindu.com/2000/01/13/stories/04132231.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=4 May 2012 |title=Nedunchezhiyan dies of heart failure |date=13 January 2000 |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=7 March 2013}}</ref>
He died on [[heart failure]] at [[Apollo Hospital]] on 12 January 2000.
== In popular culture ==
The character Madhivanan, played by [[Rajesh (actor)|Rajesh]], in the 1997 film ''[[Iruvar]]'' is loosely based on Nedunchezhiyan.


== See also ==
== See also ==
*[[First Nedunchezhiyan ministry]]
*[[First Nedunchezhiyan ministry]]
*[[Second Nedunchezhiyan ministry]]
*[[Second Nedunchezhiyan ministry]]
*[[Pleasant Stay hotel case]]


==Books published==
==Notes==
{{unreferenced section|date=September 2020}}
{{reflist|group=Note}}
Name of the book with year of publication.
Decimal Research (1943)
The Late Dravidian (1948)
Language Struggle (1948)
Repository (1948)
Tears and Red Water Development Corporation (1951)
Rise Murasu
New Path
Veera tamilgam
Ancient Greek (1953)
Giordano Bruno (1953)
Charles Bradley (1953)
Religion and Superstition (1955)
Purananooru Treasure (1961)
DMK (1961)
Brotherhood with Anna (1961)
Heart great pleasure (1982)
Thought Flowers (1982)
Learning love scenes
Narrinai katcigal (1982)
Telling Taste (Short Views) (1985)
Culture Honor (1985)
Novel Announcements to the Novel Country (1988)
Vadakkalathur Raja Gopalanar Biography (1991)
Thirukkural - Novel Clarification (1991)
Biography of #RevolutionaryBharatidasan (1994)
 
War of Social Justice (1996)
History of the Dravidian Movement (Part I) (1996)
Jain Commission Report - A Study (1997)
What I Saw and Heard in Life (2000)
After His- # Thirukkural Novel Text (Portable Edition) (2001)


==References==
==References==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Nedunchezhiyan, V R}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nedunchezhiyan, V. R}}
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:1920 births]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Leaders of the opposition in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
[[Category:Chief ministers from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
[[Category:People from Nagapattinam district]]
[[Category:People from Nagapattinam district]]
[[Category:Tirukkural commentators]]
[[Category:Tirukkural commentators]]
[[Category:Members of the 10th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Thiruvalluvar Award]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Thiruvalluvar Award]]
[[Category:Madras MLAs 1962–1967]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1967–1971]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1971–1976]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1977–1980]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1980–1984]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1985–1989]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1991–1996]]
[[Category:Indian politicians convicted of corruption]]

Latest revision as of 16:41, 29 March 2026


V. R. Nedunchezhiyan
Acting Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
In office
24 December 1987 – 7 January 1988
GovernorSundar Lal Khurana
Political PartyAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Preceded byM. G. Ramachandran
Succeeded byV. N. Janaki Ramachandran
ConstituencyAthoor
In office
3 February 1969 – 10 February 1969
GovernorSardar Ujjal Singh
Political PartyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Preceded byC. N. Annadurai
Succeeded byM. Karunanidhi
ConstituencyTriplicane
Minister of Finance, Tamil Nadu
In office
24 June 1991 – 12 May 1996
Chief MinisterJ. Jayalalithaa
Preceded byM. Karunanidhi
Succeeded byM. Karunanidhi
In office
9 June 1980 – 24 December 1987
Chief MinisterM. G. Ramachandran
Preceded byNanjil K. Manoharan
Succeeded byM. Karunanidhi
Minister of Education, Tamil Nadu
In office
13 August 1969 – 31 January 1976
Chief MinisterM. Karunanidhi
Preceded byS. Madhavan
Succeeded byC. Aranganayagam
In office
6 March 1967 – 10 February 1969
Chief MinisterC. N. Annadurai
himself (acting)
Preceded byM. Bhaktavatsalam
Succeeded byM. Karunanidhi
4th Leader of the Opposition in the Madras Legislative Assembly
In office
29 March 1962 – 28 February 1967
DeputyM. Karunanidhi
Chief Minister
Preceded byV. K. Ramaswami
Succeeded byP. G. Karuthiruman
ConstituencyTriplicane
Member of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly
In office
1991–1996
Leader of the HouseHimself
Preceded byG. Ponnu Pillai
Succeeded byN. R. Alagaraja
ConstituencyTheni
In office
1984–1989
Leader of the HouseHimself
Preceded byA. Vellaisamy
Succeeded byI. Periasamy
ConstituencyAthoor
In office
1980–1984
Leader of the HouseHimself
Preceded byG. R. Edmund
Succeeded byS. Narayanan
ConstituencyThirunelveli
In office
1962–1977
Leader of the HouseTemplate:Bulletlist
Preceded byK. S. G. Haja Shareef
Succeeded byM. Aranganathan
ConstituencyTriplicane
2nd General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
In office
23 June 1978 – 10 June 1980
Preceded byM. G. Ramachandran
Succeeded byP. U. Shanmugam
In office
September 1977 - 23 June 1978
Interim
General Secretary.M. G. Ramachandran
2nd General Secretary of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
In office
4 February 1969 – 16 May 1977
PresidentM. Karunanidhi
Preceded byC. N. Annadurai
Succeeded byK. Anbazhagan
In office
24 April 1955 – 24 September 1960
PresidentVacant
Preceded byC. N. Annadurai
Succeeded byC. N. Annadurai
2nd Presidium Chairperson of DMK
In office
1963–1969
General SecretaryC. N. Annadurai
Preceded byE. V. K. Sampath
Succeeded byKarunanidhi as party president
Personal details
Born
Ra. Go. Narayanasamy[citation needed]

11 July 1920
Thirukannapuram, Madras Presidency, British India
(present-day Tamil Nadu, India)
Died12 January 2000(2000-01-12) (aged 79)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Cause of deathHeart failure
Political partyAll India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(1977-2000)
Other political
affiliations		Dravidar Kazhagam
(1944-1949)
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(1949-1977)
Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
(own party;1977)
Spouse(s)Visalakshi
(m. 1950; d. 2016)
Children1 son
RelativesJeevan Nedunchezhiyan (grandson)
ResidenceSeethamma Colony, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Signature
Articles related to
Dravidian politics
Varied topics
Forerunners
Dravidian parties
Chief Ministers

V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (11 July 1920 – 12 January 2000) was an Indian politician and writer. He served twice as the interim 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.[1]

Life and career[edit | edit source]

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.[2]

Nedunchezhiyan was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu in 1962. In 1967, he became the Minister of Education when the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam took power. He was briefly acting Chief Minister for the state following C. N. Annadurai's death in 1969, taking the role until M. Karunanidhi was appointed.He then continued as a cabinet minister in the Karunanidhi cabinet until the DMK government was dissolved in 1976.[2]

Together with K. Rajaram, Nedunchezhiyan left the DMK to form a new political party called the Makkal Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, but it did not last long. The party merged with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), which was in power by then, in 1978 and from 1980 Nedunchezhiyan served as a Minister of Finance under the leadership of AIADMK's M. G. Ramachandran, until 1987. Nedunchezhiyan was a deputy general secretary of the AIADMK from 1977 and 1989, and became a general secretary in 1989. He became acting Chief Minister in 1988 when Ramachandran died.

Nedunchezhiyan at a book release event

Nedunchezhiyan briefly aligned himself with the J. Jayalalithaa-led faction within the AIADMK but was expelled from the party in 1988 after disputes with its leaders. He contested the 1989 state elections and later that year rejoined the party fold after Jayalalithaa had successfully reunified it. He then served as Minister of Finance again between 1991 and 1996.[2] Later, he served as General Council Leader Of the AIADMK from 1996 until his death.

Personal life[edit | edit source]

He married his wife, Visalakshi (died 2016) (AIADMK Spokesperson), in 1950, and they had one son.[2]

Indian tennis player Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan is his grandson.

Death[edit | edit source]

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

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

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

Books published[edit | edit source]

Nedunchezhiyan was a prolific writer in Tamil literature, authoring numerous books and booklets on politics, culture, and social issues.[3][4] His notable works include:

Political and Social Commentary[edit | edit source]

  • Mozhi Poraattam (Language Struggle) (1948) - A book on the anti-Hindi agitation[5]
  • DMK (1961) - About the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party
  • Samuthaya Viduthalai (Societal Liberation)[6]
  • History of the Dravidian Movement (Part I) (1996)
  • War of Social Justice (1996)

Literary and Cultural Works[edit | edit source]

  • Ezhuchi Murasu (Rising Drum)[7]
  • Puthiya Paathai (New Path)[8]
  • Purananooru Katchikal (Scenes from Purananooru)[9]
  • Kalithohai Kanda Kathal Kaatchigal (Love scenes from Kalithohai)[10]
  • Thirukkural - Novel Clarification (1991) - A commentary on the classic Tamil text Thirukkural

Historical and Philosophical Works[edit | edit source]

  • Pandaiya Greykkam (Ancient Greece) (1953) - Inspired by the social and political conditions of ancient Greece[11]
  • Mooda Nambikkai (False Beliefs)[12]
  • Religion and Superstition (1955)

Biographies[edit | edit source]

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

Autobiography[edit | edit source]

  • Vaazhvil Naan Kandathum Kettathum (What I Saw and Heard in Life) (2000) - His autobiography[13][14]

Nedunchezhiyan also ran a Tamil journal called Mandram with his younger sibling Chezhiyan during his early career.[15] His works contributed significantly to Tamil literature and the intellectual discourse of the Dravidian movement.

Electoral career[edit | edit source]

Legislative Assembly Elections Contested[edit | edit source]

Elections Constituency Party Result Vote percentage Opposition Candidate Opposition Party Opposition vote percentage
1957 Salem - I Independent Lost 44.83 A. Mariappan Mudaliar INC 45.21
1962 Triplicane DMK Won 51.29 Sivanesan 35.31
1967 Won 59.41 M. S. Sammandappa 39.93
1971 Won 50.40 K. Vinayakam 48.95
1980 Tirunelveli AIADMK Won 57.96 Rajathi Kunchithapatham 40.94
1984 Athoor Won 63.16 Rajambal K DMK 35.35
1989 Mylapore Independent Lost 0.5 N. Ganapathy 40.88
1991 Theni AIADMK Won 61.5 L.S.R. Krishnan 24.0
1996 Lost 22.97 Alagaraja.N.R TMC(M) 62.76

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Kannan, R (18 July 2020). "'Navalar' Nedunchezhiyan: The Dravidian leader who remained a follower till the end". The News Minute. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Nedunchezhiyan dies of heart failure". The Hindu. 13 January 2000. Archived from the original on 4 May 2012. Retrieved 7 March 2013.
  3. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  4. ↑ "Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon". The Federal. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon". The Federal. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  6. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  7. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  8. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  9. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  10. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  11. ↑ "Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon". The Federal. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  12. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  13. ↑ "Nedunchezhiyan: Dravidian movement's fervid hero, but forgotten too soon". The Federal. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  14. ↑ "Honour for 'Navalar' V.R. Nedunchezhiyan". The Hindu. 10 July 2020. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
  15. ↑ Sachi Sri Kantha (8 July 2020). "'Perennial Number 2' Nedunchezhiyan (1920-2000)". Sangam.org. Retrieved 3 September 2025.
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