Anbil P. Dharmalingam

Anbil P. Dharmalingam
Anbil P. Dharmalingam
Born	1919
Died	1993
Title	founder member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Political party	Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Children	Anbil Poyyamozhi, Anbil Rajendran, Anbil Periyasamy, Rani

Anbil P. Dharmalingam was a politician from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and founder member of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. The Anbil Dharmalingam Agricultural College and Research Institute is named after him.

Politics

Anbil Dharmalingam was one of the founder-members of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).^[1]

When the DMK was elected to power in 1967, Dharmalingam served as the Minister for Local Administration^[2] and Agriculture a various times.^[3]

At a rally held in North Arcot district on 7 and 8 April 1973 in which Dharmalingam and five other Ministers presided, he declared that formation of an independent Tamil Nadu was the aim of the DMK.^[4]^[5]

Electoral records

He was elected to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate from Lalgudi constituency in 1962 and 1980 elections and from Tiruchirappalli - II constituency in 1971 election.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Family & Legacy

Anbil Dharmalingam died in 1993,His sons Anbil Periyasamy and Anbil Poyyamozhi have been members of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and have served in Tamil Nadu legislative assembly.^[9]His grandson, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, is currently serving as the Minister for School Education of Tamil Nadu.^[10] He is also the District Secretary of Trichy (South) for the DMK. Previously, he held key positions as the Deputy State Secretary of the DMK Youth Wing (2014–2019) and was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 2016 to 2021.

Honors and Commemoration

In recognition of Anbil Dharmalingam’s contributions to the Dravidian movement, DMK founder and former Chief Minister C. N. Annadurai personally addressed a letter to all party members titled "Anbil Azhaikkiraar" (அன்பில் அழைக்கிறார்),^[11] emphasizing his significance within the party. His influence was further acknowledged when a statue in his honor was inaugurated by then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, commemorating his lifelong dedication to the party and Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.^[12]

Generational Political Alliances with DMK Leadership

Anbil P. Dharmalingam was known to be one of the top 10 close associates of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leader M. Karunanidhi. His son, Anbil Poyyamozhi, shared a close friendship with M. K. Stalin, the current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Continuing this legacy, his grandson, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi, has a strong association with Udhayanidhi Stalin, the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

This rare generational continuity of personal and political friendships between the families of Anbil Dharmalingam and M. Karunanidhi spans over three generations, marking a unique political relationship in Tamil Nadu’s history.^[13]

References

^ Ramanujan, K. S. (1971). Challenge and Response: An Intimate Report of Tamil Nadu Politics, 1967-1971. Sundara Prachuralayam. p. 216.
^ All India Council of Mayors (1973). Proceedings. p. 72.
^ The Indian Journal of Social Work. Tata Institute of Social Sciences. 1956. p. 183.
^ Ralhan, O. P. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 238. ISBN 8174888659, ISBN 978-81-7488-865-5.
^ Indian Institute of Applied Political Research (1974). The Annual Register of Indian Political Parties. Orientalia. p. 695.
^ 1962 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India
^ 1971 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
^ 1980 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India
^ "CM announces candidates for two seats". The Hindu. 29 January 2000. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 31 August 2009.
^ "Tamilnadu Government - Council Of Ministers".
^ "Anbil Azhaikiraar". Annavin Padaippugal. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
^ "'அன்பில் தர்மலிங்கம்'-பழைய நினைவுகளில் மூழ்கிய முதல்வர்!". One India Tamil. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
^ "From Trichy, a story of two families, best friends forever".

[dharmalingam_dmk1-1] Ramanujan, K. S. (1971). Challenge and Response: An Intimate Report of Tamil Nadu Politics, 1967-1971. Sundara Prachuralayam. p. 216.

[local_administration-2] All India Council of Mayors (1973). Proceedings. p. 72.

[minister_of_agriculture-3] The Indian Journal of Social Work. Tata Institute of Social Sciences. 1956. p. 183.

[parties_encyclopedia-4] Ralhan, O. P. (2002). Encyclopaedia of Political Parties. Anmol Publications PVT. LTD. p. 238. ISBN 8174888659, ISBN 978-81-7488-865-5.

[parties_annualregister-5] Indian Institute of Applied Political Research (1974). The Annual Register of Indian Political Parties. Orientalia. p. 695.

[6] 1962 Madras State Election Results, Election Commission of India

[7] 1971 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India

[8] 1980 Tamil Nadu Election Results, Election Commission of India

[9] "CM announces candidates for two seats". The Hindu. 29 January 2000. Archived from the original on 29 November 2004. Retrieved 31 August 2009.

[10] "Tamilnadu Government - Council Of Ministers".

[11] "Anbil Azhaikiraar". Annavin Padaippugal. Retrieved 7 March 2025.

[12] "'அன்பில் தர்மலிங்கம்'-பழைய நினைவுகளில் மூழ்கிய முதல்வர்!". One India Tamil. Retrieved 7 March 2025.

[13] "From Trichy, a story of two families, best friends forever".

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