3 February 1969),

About the Author Dr. Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai ( September – February ), popularly called Arignar Anna was an Indian politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu ( – ). He was a great orator and an acclaimed writer in Tamil. Jawaharlal Nehru hailed him as one of the greatest parliamentarians. He has published several novels, short stories and plays which incorporate political and social themes. C.N. Annadurai was awarded the Chubb Fellowship at Yale University, the first non-American to receive this honour. The same year he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Annamalai University. Glossary: conferred – granted a title, degree, benefit, or right reiterate – say or do again enunciated –spoke clearly, proclaimed ruggedness – strength, toughness repositories – storehouses emissaries – ambassadors eschewed – have nothing to do with autocracy – government by one ruler feudal – having to do with the Middle Ages, old confronting – aggressively resisting secluded spheres – isolated areas cloistered – restricted perseverance – continued effort, steadfastness inherent – inborn perils – dangers and risks indebted – obliged to repay tillers – persons who produce crops/ raise animals, cultivators toilers – workers, people who perform hard physical labour replenish – refill despondent – depressed, frustrated sermons – preachings, moral teachings endowed – gifted crusade – campaign for a good cause inheritors – successors lustre – glow of reflected light The Purananuru song conveys the philosophy of Tamilians. It celebrates the selfless spirit and courage of people who served society by sharing everything with their fellowmen, even something as precious and unique as the nectar of immortality. They would never do a wrong deed even if they were offered the world as a reward. It is because of such men that the world continues to exist. -A-Prose-Dr. Arignar - - :