https://indianpedia.org/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=K._M._Annal_ThangoK. M. Annal Thango - Revision history2026-08-01T00:53:55ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.45.4https://indianpedia.org/index.php?title=K._M._Annal_Thango&diff=506923&oldid=prevKraigYee56 at 13:35, 5 October 20252025-10-05T13:35:38Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Indian Tamil scholar and freedom fighter (1904–1974)}}<br />
{{Infobox writer<br />
| birth_name = Swaminathan<br />
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1904|4|12|df=yes}}<br />
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1974|1|4|1904|4|12|df=yes}}<br />
| death_place = [[Christian Medical College Vellore|CMC Hospital, Vellore]], [[Tamil Nadu]]<br />
| birth_place = [[Gudiyatham]], [[Madras Presidency]]<br />
}}<br />
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'''K. M. Annal Thango''' (12 April 1904 – 4 January 1974) was an Indian Tamil scholar, freedom fighter, writer, and lyricist. He contributed significantly to Tamil culture and literature and advocated for the adoption of the ''[[Thirukkural]]'' tradition in Tamil weddings.<br />
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== Life ==<br />
K. M. Annal Thango was born as Swaminathan on 12 April 1904 in [[Gudiyatham]], [[Madras Presidency]], to Murugappa Mudaliar and Manickammal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-12 |title=தூய தமிழைக் காத்த விடுதலைப் போராட்ட வீரர் அண்ணல்தங்கோ |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/opinion/columns/1229693-tamil-freedom-fighter-annal-thango.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}</ref> Later, he adopted the name Annal Thango to align with the ''Thani Tamil Iyakkam'' (Tamil Purist Movement).<br />
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He joined the [[Indian National Congress]] in 1918 and participated in numerous protests for India's independence.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=History of Tamilnadu Freedom Fighter K M Annal Thango - 127 |url=https://www.tamilaruvi.in/2022/02/history-of-tamilnadu-freedom-fighter-k-m-annal-thango-127-download-pdf.html |access-date=2025-01-10 |language=ta}}</ref> In 1923, he was imprisoned twice, each time for three months, for picketing a lawyer's shop in [[Madurai]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In 1927, he was arrested during the [[Neil Statue Satyagraha]] for attempting to damage the statue and was sentenced to one year of rigorous imprisonment.<ref name=":0" /> He also took part in the Nagpur Civil Lines protest, where he hoisted the national flag and shouted anti-British slogans, defying a government ban, resulting in seven months of rigorous imprisonment.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Over the years, he was imprisoned five times for his involvement in the freedom movement. He briefly contributed to [[E. V. Ramasamy]]'s ''[[Kudi Arasu|Kudiarasu]]'' magazine during this period.<ref name=":1" /><br />
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In 1934, Annal Thango organized [[Mahatma Gandhi]]’s visit to Gudiyatham. However, Gandhi’s decision to skip the public meeting arranged by Annal Thango caused a disagreement, leading him to resign from the Congress.<ref name=":0" /><br />
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In 1936, he joined the [[Justice Party (India)|Justice Party]] (then South Indian Liberal Federation).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=காலத்தை வென்றவர்கள் : அண்ணல் தங்கோ நினைவு நாள்.... |url=https://theekkathir.in/News/tamilnadu/chennai/winners-of-the-season-annal-tango-memorial-day |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=theekkathir.in |language=ta}}</ref> When the Justice Party merged with the [[Self-Respect Movement]] in 1944 to form the [[Dravidar Kazhagam]], Annal Thango proposed renaming it "Tamil Kazhagam".<ref name=":2" /><br />
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Annal Thango also made literary and cultural contributions. In 1927, he presided over his own wedding, introducing the ''Thirukkural'' tradition [[Tamil language|Tamil]] wedding, which replaced [[Sanskrit]] rituals with recitations from the ''Thirukkural''.<ref name=":0" /> In 1942, he launched the magazine ''Tamil Nilam''.<ref name=":2" /> He also wrote songs for Tamil films, including ''[[Parasakthi (1952 film)|Parasakthi]]'', ''[[Petra Manam]]'', ''Pasiyin Kodumai'', and ''[[Gomathiyin Kaadhalan]]''.<ref name=":2" /><br />
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Annal Thango died on 4 January 1974 at [[Christian Medical College Vellore|CMC Hospital, Vellore]].<ref name=":0" /> In 2008, his works were declared national treasures by then [[Tamil Nadu Chief Minister]] [[M. Karunanidhi]], recognizing his contributions to Tamil culture and literature.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nationalisation of Tamil Literary Works |url=https://tamilnation.org/literature/nationalisation |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=tamilnation.org}}</ref> In 2024, a statue in his honor was erected in Kudiyatham, Vellore District at a cost of Rupees Fifty Lakh.<ref>{{Cite web |last=DIN |date=2024-02-27 |title=குடியாத்தத்தில் தியாகி அண்ணல் தங்கோ சிலை திறப்பு |url=https://www.dinamani.com/all-editions/edition-vellore/2024/Feb/27/%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%85%E0%AE%A3%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A3%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%99%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B-%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B1%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%81 |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Dinamani |language=ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Tamil Development & Information Department Policy Note 2024-2025 |url=https://cms.tn.gov.in/cms_migrated/document/docfiles/ip_e_pn_2024_25.pdf}}</ref><br />
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== References ==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Annal Thango, K. M.}}<br />
[[Category:1904 births]]<br />
[[Category:1974 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:Indian independence activists from Tamil Nadu]]</div>KraigYee56