புரவலர் அன்பில் தர்மலிங்கம்

Anbil Dharmalingam was born into a farming family in a small village named “Anbil” near Lalgudi in Trichy district. Through his tireless hard work, he rose to prominence, earning the friendship of Leader Kalaignar and the affection of Thanthai Periyar, Perarignar Anna, Mutharignar Rajaji, Perunthalaivar Kamarajar, and the esteemed Quaid-e-Millath — a distinguished political architect who commanded the respect and admiration of all.

Anbil Dharmalingam and Karunanidhi garlanding each other at a DMK event.

A DMK party worker adorning a towel to Anbil Dharmalingam during a party event.

Anbil Dharmalingam and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi posing for a photograph at a party event.

Anbil Dharmalingam holding his grandson, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, the current Tamil Nadu School Education Minister (2021-26), at their residence.

Anbil Dharmalingam, DMK founder and Agriculture Minister, at an opening ceremony with DMK cadres.

Anbil Dharmalingam and Karunanidhi interacting on stage during a DMK event.

Anbil Dharmalingam and Perasiriyar K. Anbazhagan, DMK’s nine-term general secretary, engaging in a playful discussion at the party office.

Anbil Dharmalingam delivering a speech at a DMK party function.

Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi garlanding the portrait of his grandfather, Anbil Dharmalingam, on his birth anniversary.

Portrait of Anbil Dharmalingam, founder member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and close associate of C. N. Annadurai and Karunanidhi.

Anbil Dharmalingam, Karunanidhi, and M. G. Ramachandran (M.G.R) at a film shooting spot.

Anbil Dharmalingam, Tamil Nadu Assembly member, overseeing events with C. N. Annadurai.

Statue of Anbil Dharmalingam erected at Kalaignar Arivalayam, Trichy.

M.K Stalin , Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Leader of DMK along with Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi ( Grandson of Anbil Dharmalingam), Tiruchi Siva and K N Nehru garlanded the statue of Ex DMK Minister Anbil Dharmalingam at Trichy kalaignar Arivalayam in 2014.

Thiru Anbil Dharmalingam, former Tamil Nadu Minister for Agriculture, declared open an exhibition organised in connection with the Conference of the Rationalist Forum held at Periyar Thidal, Madras, on May 27, 1972. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr. M. Karunanidhi is also seen.

Anbil Dharmalingam at a DMK public meeting with leader Karunanidhi.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture A.P. Shinde and Tamil Nadu Minister Anbil Dharmalingam.

Anbil Dharmalingam garlanding former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi at a party event.

Anbil Dharmaligam's Political Journey

Anbil Dharmalingam began his political work in the Justice Party, dedicating himself tirelessly to platforms such as the Self-Respect Movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam. He played an indispensable role in the formation of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).

He took part in the first Anti-Hindi Agitation in 1938 and in the Three-point Agitation, for which he was imprisoned. As a frontline leader, he gave unparalleled support to upholding the core objectives of the Dravidian movement.

He began his administrative journey as a Panchayat Union Chairman and went on to serve for 22 years as the Trichy District DMK Secretary. He was also an MLA and, under the leadership of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar, served in the Cabinet as Minister for Agriculture, Revenue, Local Administration, and Information.

Anbil Dharmalingam delivering a speech at a DMK party meeting.

Navalar Nedunchezhiyan, Kalignar Karunanidhi, Perasiriyar Anbazhagan, and Kalignar Karunanidhi interacting at an event after receiving documents.

Ministers of Kalignar Karunanidhi’s government posing for a group photograph with Governor Sardar Ujjal Singh. The group includes Navalar Nedunchezhiyan, Sathiyavani Muthu, N. V. Natarajan, Pa. Vu. Shanmugam, S. Ma

Former Agriculture Minister Anbil Dharmalingam and Kalignar Karunanidhi inspecting maize crops in a farmland.

Anbil Dharmalingam, Anbil Poyyamozhi, and M. K. Stalin engaged in a friendly discussion.

Anbil Dharmalingam sitting beside Periyar E. V. Ramasamy on stage during a party event.

Anbil Dharmalingam sitting beside Kalignar Karunanidhi and Nagoor Hanifa on the stage of a DMK party event.

Anbil Dharmalingam receiving a framed photograph as a gift from a party worker after delivering his speech at a party conference.

Anbil Dharmalingam garlanding Kalignar Karunanidhi during a political event.

Anbil Dharmalingam and former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and DMK Leader Karunanidhi meeting people at an event.

Anbil Dharmalingam and Kalignar Karunanidhi attending a marriage event.

Anbil Dharmalingam addressing a gathering at a DMK party meeting.

He also served as Director of the Co-operative Society, Chairman of the Trichy District Central Co-operative Bank, and Director of the Chennai Co-operative Bank, making a significant contribution to the growth of the co-operative movement.

Thanthai Periyar affectionately called him “My dear child, Anbil Dharmalingam.” In 1956, when Perarignar Anna invited his comrades at the Trichy conference to enter electoral politics, the Dravida Nadu magazine honoured him with the headline “Anbil Calls,” celebrating his stature and leadership.

In 1986, under the leadership of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar, he was honoured with the ‘Periyar Award’ in recognition of his lifelong dedication to the party.

To the question “Can it be done?”, he always answered “It can,” and went on to turn those words into reality.“Dravidam is my voice” With this motto, Anbil Dharmalingam was an unparalleled Dravidian warrior who dedicated his entire life to the party.

Anbil Poyyamozhi