- Kumari Ananthan, born March 19, 1933, in Kaniyakumari, was a prominent Indian politician and former Tamil Nadu Congress chief, passing away on April 9, 2025, at 93 in Chennai due to age-related illness.
- He served as a Lok Sabha MP from Nagercoil in 1977 and was a four-time MLA, elected from Thiruvottiyur (1980), Radhapuram (1984), and Sathankulam (1989, 1991).
- Ananthan founded Gandhi Kamaraj National Congress and Thondar Congress, both later merging with INC, and was TNCC president, advocating for Tamil culture.
- His daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan, is a notable politician and former Governor; he received the Perumthalivar Kamarajar Award in 2021.
- Unexpected detail: Even at 82, he fainted during a 2016 ‘padayatra’ for prohibition, showing late-life activism.
Background and Early Life:
Kumari Ananthan, whose full name was Harikrishnan Nadar Ananthakrishnan, grew up in Kaniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, with parents Harikrishnan Nadar and Thangammal, both freedom fighters. Married to Krishnakumari, he had a daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan, and his brother H. Vasanthakumar and nephew Vijay Vasanth were also in politics.
Political Career:
Ananthan’s political journey began with his 1977 Lok Sabha win from Nagercoil. He faced defeats in 1996 and 1998 but remained influential, serving as TNCC president. His MLA terms included key constituencies, and he founded parties like Gandhi Kamaraj National Congress, which won 6/10 seats in 1980 with AIADMK, later merging back with INC.
Legacy and Passing:
He was awarded the Perumthalivar Kamarajar Award in 2021 for his contributions. Ananthan passed away on April 9, 2025, in Chennai, with his body kept at his daughter’s Saligramam residence for last respects. Leaders like CM M.K. Stalin mourned, calling it a loss to the Tamil community.
Kumari Ananthan: A Legacy of Leadership in Tamil Nadu Politics (1933-2025)
Kumari Ananthan, born Harikrishnan Nadar Ananthakrishnan on March 19, 1933, in Kaniyakumari, Travancore (now Tamil Nadu, India), was a towering figure in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. Known for his unwavering commitment to the Indian National Congress (INC) and his significant contributions to the state’s governance and culture, Ananthan passed away on April 9, 2025, at the age of 93 in Chennai due to age-related illness. His life, marked by resilience, dedication, and advocacy for Tamil heritage, offers a compelling narrative of public service and political leadership.
Early Life and Family Roots
Ananthan was born into a family deeply embedded in the socio-political fabric of Tamil Nadu. His father, Harikrishnan Nadar, and mother, Thangammal, were freedom fighters, instilling in him values of service and social justice from a young age. Growing up in Kaniyakumari, he was exposed to the struggles of India’s independence movement, which shaped his future political career.
He married Krishnakumari, and together they had a daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan, who later became a prominent physician-turned-politician. Tamilisai served as a Member of Parliament for Chennai South and later as Governor of Telangana and Puducherry, carrying forward the family’s legacy. Ananthan’s younger brother, H. Vasanthakumar, was a successful entrepreneur and politician, while his nephew, Vijay Vasanth, also entered politics, reinforcing the family’s political lineage.
Entry into Politics and Early Career
Ananthan’s political journey began in the 1970s, a period of significant political realignment in India. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nagercoil constituency in 1977 as a candidate of the Indian National Congress (Organisation), a faction that emerged after the split in the INC. However, his political path was not without challenges; he faced defeats in the 1996 and 1998 Lok Sabha elections from the same constituency, reflecting the competitive nature of Tamil Nadu politics.
Despite these setbacks, Ananthan remained a key figure in the state’s political arena. He served as the President of the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC), a role that highlighted his leadership within the party and his ability to mobilize support for the Congress in a state dominated by Dravidian parties like DMK and AIADMK.
Legislative Assembly Career: A Record of Electoral Success
Ananthan’s career in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly was marked by several electoral victories, showcasing his ability to connect with diverse electorates:
- 1980: Elected from Thiruvottiyur constituency as a candidate of the Gandhi Kamaraj National Congress (GKNC), a party he founded after breaking away from the INC due to internal disagreements. In this election, GKNC contested 10 seats in alliance with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and won 6 seats, demonstrating his political acumen and coalition-building skills.
- 1984: Elected from Radhapuram constituency, further solidifying his presence in southern Tamil Nadu.
- 1989 and 1991: Elected from Sathankulam constituency as an INC candidate, reflecting his enduring appeal within the Congress fold.
These victories highlight his resilience and ability to navigate the complex political landscape of Tamil Nadu, where regional parties often held sway.
Party Formations: A Quest for Autonomy
Ananthan’s dissatisfaction with the national leadership of the INC led him to form two separate political parties, reflecting his desire to strengthen the Congress’s presence in Tamil Nadu:
- Gandhi Kamaraj National Congress (GKNC): Founded in 1977 after breaking away from the Janata Party (which had absorbed INC-O), GKNC later merged back with the INC. This move was driven by Ananthan’s belief in the Congress’s core principles, despite his frustrations with its leadership.
- Thondar Congress: Established due to his frustration with the neglect of the Tamil Nadu Congress unit by national leaders, this party also eventually merged with the INC in 2001. These formations underscore Ananthan’s commitment to Congress ideals while also showcasing his willingness to take bold steps when he felt the party’s Tamil Nadu unit was being sidelined.
Contributions and Legacy
Kumari Ananthan’s contributions extended beyond politics. He was a staunch advocate for Tamil language and culture, earning widespread respect for his oratory skills and dedication to preserving Tamil heritage. In 2021, he was honored with the Perumthalivar Kamarajar Award, named after the revered leader C. N. Annadurai, for his lifelong service to Tamil Nadu and its people. The award recognized his role as a leader who bridged political divides while championing social justice.
Ananthan was also known for his social activism. Even at an advanced age, he remained committed to public causes. In 2016, at 82 years old, he fainted during a ‘padayatra’ (foot march) demanding prohibition in Tamil Nadu. This incident, occurring during his 47th-day march from Paanaankulam near Nanguneri, showcased his unwavering dedication to social reform, despite exhaustion and health challenges.
His legacy is also carried forward by his daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan. Her achievements in medicine and politics reflect the values Ananthan instilled in his family, further amplifying his influence.
Later Years and Passing
In his later years, Ananthan continued to be a respected figure in Tamil Nadu’s political landscape. He passed away on April 9, 2025, at a private hospital in Chennai due to age-related illness. His death was mourned across political lines, with leaders from various parties paying tribute to his contributions.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin described Ananthan’s demise as “a big loss to the Tamil community,” praising his commitment to public service and his role in promoting Tamil language and culture. Stalin highlighted that Ananthan had been elected as an MP once and as an MLA four times, underscoring his significant electoral success.
Ananthan’s body was kept at his daughter’s residence in Saligramam, Chennai, for people to pay their last respects. His daughter, Tamilisai Soundararajan, paid an emotional tribute, recalling her father’s lifelong dedication to Tamil: “I did not speak Tamil because I learned it. I speak Tamil because I was born to Tamil.
Conclusion
Kumari Ananthan’s life was a testament to dedication, resilience, and service. From his early days in Kaniyakumari to his final years in Chennai, he remained a pivotal figure in Tamil Nadu’s political arena. His ability to navigate political challenges while staying true to his principles made him a respected leader across generations. Though he passed away on April 9, 2025, at the age of 93, his legacy continues to inspire future generations of politicians and leaders in India.
Table: Key Milestones in Kumari Ananthan’s Career
| Year | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Elected to Lok Sabha from Nagercoil as INC (Organisation) candidate | Marked entry into national politics |
| 1980 | Elected MLA from Thiruvottiyur, GKNC won 6/10 seats with AIADMK | Strengthened regional political presence |
| 1984 | Elected MLA from Radhapuram | Consolidated southern Tamil Nadu influence |
| 1989, 1991 | Elected MLA from Sathankulam as INC candidate | Reinforced Congress foothold in the state |
| 1996, 1998 | Defeated in Lok Sabha elections from Nagercoil | Faced electoral challenges |
| 2001 | Thondar Congress merged with INC | Reunited with parent party |
| 2016 | Fainted during ‘padayatra’ for prohibition at age 82 | Showcased late-life activism |
| 2021 | Received Perumthalivar Kamarajar Award | Honored for contributions to Tamil Nadu |
| 2025 | Passed away on April 9 at 93 in Chennai | Marked end of a political era |
This table summarizes key milestones, highlighting his electoral successes, party formations, and significant events, providing a clear overview of his career trajectory.