C. N. Annadurai

(1909 - 1969)

Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai (15 September 1909 – 3 February 1969), known as Perarignar Anna, was a Tamil writer, playwright, and politician who pioneered the use of cinema as a storytelling and social commentary medium in Tamil Nadu. He scripted many feature films, including Nallathambi and Velaikaari (both 1949) and Or Iravu (1951), with several more films later adapted from his novels and plays. Beyond his screen work, he founded the DMK political party and served as the first Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, dying in office in 1969.