The wisdom and wit of C.N.Annadurai - former CM of Tamilnadu

Annadurai was Called as South India’s George Bernard Shaw
C. N. Annadurai was the prominent Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu State of India, 
who was known for his proficiency in languages - particularly English and Tamil. 
Quiet lengthy yet interesting. Hailing from South India, I use this lot many times to connect 
with my audiences.


South India’s George Bernard Shaw
Annadurai was Called as South India’s George Bernard Shaw, Annadurai was a prolific writer 
and speaker both in English and Tamil – dramatist comparable with George Bernard Shaw – a 
fine conversationalist like Samuel Johnson. 


As a writer, he has produced about 50 short novels, more than 100 short stories and two dozen dramas. 
All his books were sold like hot cakes in the market. His “epistles” to “Thambi” in “Dravida Nadu” 
created history and people in thousands waited in the newspaper stalls for the arrival of his weekly. 
Such was the fancy he could create. 
Those epistles have been published in 20 volumes and they are relevant even today. 
His captivating captions, subtle satires, similes, metaphors, allegories – most of them at least – 
are green in the memories of thousands of his followers, even now. Such was the impact of his 
writings. Millions of people, particularly the youngsters, were attracted by the wonderful 
eloquence of Dr. Annadurai.
Statistical evidence shows that Dr. Annadurai stood first among the Indian leaders in attracting 
the largest audience. He was not only well versed in Tamil speeches but equally proficient and 
well versed in eloquence in English.
His speeches were very attractive, interesting, inspiring and, above all, thought-provoking. 
That is the reason he was also called as “South India’s George Bernard Shaw” 
by the people who enjoyed his speech and wits.

Once he proceeded on a world tour as an invitee of the Yale University’s Chubb Fellowship 

Programme and was also a guest of the State Department in the USA in April–May 1968.
There he was requested to speak to the students.
During an interactive session held with students, guys were allowed to ask some puzzle like 
questions that tests one's English proficiency. 
One of the guys in that hall stood up and asked him to say a hundred words in English which 
don't contain the letters A, B, C or D.
Annadurai immediately started with the words one by one: One, two, three, four ... up to
ninety-nine! Everyone present in the hall were surprised and waiting for his 100th word. 
If he had said 'hundred' ... he would have failed but after 'ninety nine' .... he said 'STOP'. 
The hall was filled with a minute of huge applause.

The second question that was asked to him and his response is even more famous. 
Let me see if anyone can answer it right. The question was: 
Construct a sentence with the word "because" repeating thrice .... 
(one after the other and not in different part of the sentence).
The instantaneous response from Dr. C. N.Annadurai was:
No sentence Starts in because, because, because is a conjunction.
He merely broke the backbone of English grammar.
The crowd again couldn't stop applauding. 

Similarly, he said about a person who bored him like 
"A saw I saw was such a saw I ever saw".

He was awarded the Chubb Fellowship at Yale University being the first non-American 
to receive this honour. In the same year 1968, he was awarded an honorary doctorate 
from Annamalai University.


Union is Anion
During his days in Dravida Kazhagam, Annadurai had supported Periyar's call for an 
independent Dravida Nadu. The claim for such an independent state stayed alive in the 
initial days of DMK. During Hindi agitation some students raised their voice for bifurcation 
of India and separate ‘Dravida nadu’. In a short period during the year 1967 Anna assumed 
as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu he was invited to the Pachaiyappa College as the
“Chief Guest” for a function arranged by the student union to deliver a speech on ‘union’. 
A press reporter wanted to corner Annadurai and questioned him “What is Union?” 
(The reporter thought Annadurai could not give proper answer for his question.)
Anna in his own style replied ‘Union is Anion’ with a rhyming word.
All the people kept mum after his quick reply. ‘Union’ is “Anion”


Magnanimity
Annadurai was magnanimous and never accused the opponents or degraded them. 
To prove that we can recollect one episode took place in Yale University while 
Annadurai was addressing a press-meet. One media person asked him, what was 
the reason for the Congress party’s defeat after a long period of ruling the country?


Annadurai replied that “Familiarity” breeds contempt. i.e. the people like a change 
when one party’s rule continued for a long time. They wanted a change that is all. 
His reply shows here that he doesn’t accuse the opponents. 
It shows his magnanimity and his politeness in the political career. 

A Sense of Humor in Tamil Nadu Assembly
C.N Annadurai had a sense of humor while he was on the chair of the chief minister 
of Tamil Nadu. Once one opposite party legislative leader Vinayagam made a complaint, 
“I have donated a Tiger’s female cub to Zoological Park of Vandalur. 
Cine actor M G Ramachandran donated a tiger’s male cub. 
The zoo caretakers pay more attention to the male cub and not equal care is paid to the 
female cub that I have donated”.  Annadurai immediately replied "brothers-in-law of cub 
can only solve this issue. It is not fair part for me, to intervene in this dispute.
"The whole assembly audience of the floor burst in – to laugh. 


A Brilliant Answer
When there was a debate, an opposition member Vinayagam sarcastically commented on 
Annadurai, remarking on his ailment and went to the extent of saying "Your days are counted" 
to which Annadurai immediately retorted "But my steps are measured". That is the wit of Anna.


Respect for Opponents
Annadurai praised the opponents. This is also one of the appreciable behaviours of Annadurai. 
Once a reporter asked him “What was the reason for the defeat of Mr. K. Kamaraj the popular 
C.M. of Tamil Nadu in the election?
Annadurai replied that “It was quite an unfortunate thing”; this happens in the politics. 
We have to wait to find out such a selfless leader without any faults for at least one thousand years.”
The internet is full of resources on him and his though proviking speech, please invest time and 
enjoy and learn the art of eloquence from an eminent legend.
More than 1.5cr turned out to pay homage and take part in his last rite.