Professor K. Anbazhagan Award 

Prof Anbazhagan

"Among the many ideological pearls discovered by Arignar Anna at Annamalai University, Professor K. Anbazhagan stood out. Those of us who have witnessed his eloquence and mastery of Tamil oratory on stage will never forget him,” said Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar in praise of this towering figure. 

Professor Anbazhagan, known for his unwavering commitment, once urged cadres, “Every night before you sleep, ask yourself — what did I do today for the upliftment of the Tamil race?” 

A man of unshakable conviction who never compromised on principles, he served Thanthai Periyar as a devoted disciple, stood by Arignar Anna as a loving brother, and marched alongside Kalaignar as a comrade-in-ideology.  

One of the Pillars of the Dravidian Movement

Professor Anbazhagan made it his life’s mission to uphold the five founding ideals of the DMK. From the Anti-Hindi agitations to major political campaigns, he was always at the front lines. He viewed Hindi not just as a language imposition but as a cultural hegemony and insisted that only Tamil and English should have a place in education.  

Prof Anbazhagan with C N Annadurai

Serving as DMK’s General Secretary from 1977 to 2020 — a remarkable 43 years — he was not only a strategist and thinker but also a transformative educationist. Reforms such as free uniforms, bus passes, and the Samacheer Kalvi (Uniform Education) Scheme were all advanced under his guidance, turning Kalaignar’s seeds of change into systemic action. His contributions went far beyond party growth — they touched the lives of Tamil Nadu’s people at large. 

Early Life and Political Journey

Born in Kattur village in Tiruvarur district to Kalyanasundaram and Suvarnambal, he was named Ramaiya. After earning his BA Honours in Tamil from Annamalai University, he began his career in 1944 as an Assistant Professor at Pachaiyappa’s College in Chennai. His deep literary grounding and passion for the Tamil race led him toward the Dravidian movement. 

To understand him in his own transformation: “From Ramaiya to Anbazhagan was a journey of self-respect; from Anbazhagan to Dravidian ideologue Professor Anbazhagan was a journey of racial pride.” 

He championed social justice, rationalism, and equality, becoming an effective political communicator of these ideals. He served nine terms as an MLA and once as an MLC, contributing in key portfolios such as Finance, Agriculture, and Education. As Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly (2001–2006), he played a crucial role in holding the ruling party accountable. 

கலைஞரின் அத்தனை ஏற்ற இறக்கங்களிலும் அவருக்கு உற்ற துணையாகவும், கொள்கை வழிகாட்டியாகவும் திகழ்ந்தார் பேராசிரியர் அன்பழகன் 2001-2006 காலகட்டத்தில், தமிழ்நாடு சட்டமன்ற எதிர்க்கட்சித் தலைவராகவும் செயல்பட்டு, ஆளுங்கட்சியின் செயல்பாடுகளைக் கண்காணித்து, மக்கள் நலன் சார்ந்த விவாதங்களை முன்னெடுத்தார். 

Starting his political journey as a student, Professor Anbazhagan later became a mentor to countless students who were inspired by him and went on to become leaders across various fields. Over the decades, he held important ministerial portfolios in Tamil Nadu — including Finance, Agriculture, and Education — leaving a lasting imprint on each. Most notably, he served as the General Secretary of the DMK for an unmatched 43 years, from 1977 to 2020, playing a pivotal role in shaping the party’s growth and direction. His contributions to education, in particular, deserve to be highlighted and studied in their own right — for their vision, inclusivity, and transformative impact on Tamil Nadu’s educational landscape. 

Perarignar Anna Leadership Award!

 Landmark Reforms in Education 

Under his leadership, the following reforms were institutionalised:

  • • Free bus passes for school students
  • • Educational scholarships for girl children
  • • Free uniforms for students
  • • EVR Nagammaiyar Memorial Free Education Scheme for poor women
  • • The foundation for Samacheer Kalvi, ensuring equal learning opportunities for all

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, mentored by Professor Anbazhagan, has implemented several schemes to honour him and carry forward his vision:

தற்போதைய தமிழ்நாடு முதல்வர் மு.க. ஸ்டாலின், தனது அரசியல் வழிகாட்டியும், திமுகவின் மூத்த தலைவருமான பேராசிரியர் க.அன்பழகன் அவர்களின் நினைவைப் போற்றும் வகையில் பல்வேறு திட்டங்களைச் செயல்படுத்தி வருகிறார். இத்திட்டங்கள், தமிழ்நாட்டின் கல்வி வளர்ச்சிக்கு அன்பழகன் ஆற்றிய பணிகளைப் போற்றுவதோடு, எதிர்காலத் தலைமுறையினருக்குச் சிறந்த கல்வி வாய்ப்புகளை உருவாக்குவதையும் நோக்கமாகக் கொண்டவை.

"Professor K. Anbazhagan Educational Complex" 

Prof Anbazhagan Education Campus

The DPI campus of the School Education Department was renamed in his honour. A statue and a commemorative arch were installed at a cost of ₹85 lakh to mark his centenary. 

"Professor Anbazhagan School Development Scheme"

A massive ₹7,500 crore project over five years was launched to uplift school infrastructure, modernise teaching methods, enhance teacher training, and foster holistic student development. With ₹1,400 crore allocated annually, it ensures rural and underprivileged students receive quality education.

"Professor Anbazhagan Award"

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin announced that the “Professor Anbazhagan Award” would be presented annually to schools that demonstrate excellence in learning, teaching, teacher competency, leadership, student development, and holistic growth. As per this initiative, two outstanding schools from each district — a total of 76 schools — are selected each year. The award, valued at ₹7.28 lakh, is granted to these institutions in recognition of their comprehensive performance. 

The evaluation process for this award considers multiple factors: Student performance in public and proficiency examinations Innovations in daily teaching and learning practices Use of technology in classrooms Quality of co-curricular and extracurricular activities Number of students entering higher education Participation in sports, cultural festivals, and School infrastructure and learning environment By recognising excellence across these domains, the award promotes healthy competition among schools and serves as a powerful incentive to further raise the standard of education across Tamil Nadu.

Toward an Educated, Empowered Tamil Nadu

The initiatives bearing Professor Anbazhagan’s name are set to transform Tamil Nadu’s education landscape: • Better infrastructure • Innovative pedagogy • Stronger teacher training • Holistic student growth

Students in government schools are now guided by well-trained educators, leading to improved learning outcomes, reduced dropout rates, and increased higher education enrolment. These schemes ensure equal opportunities for students from all social backgrounds to develop their potential. 

There is no doubt that Tamil Nadu will evolve into a knowledge-driven society, producing capable human capital and becoming a leading contributor to national growth. These initiatives carry forward Professor K. Anbazhagan’s dreams and mark a new era of educational revolution in Tamil Nadu — a true tribute to his unparalleled legacy. 

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