C. N. Annadurai

Annadurai split from the Dravidar Kazhagam and founded the DMK in 1949. The party advocated for Dravidian identity, social justice, and Tamil nationalism, becoming a major political force in Tamil Nadu.

Annadurai led the DMK's strong opposition to the central government's attempt to make Hindi the sole official language of India. His protests and advocacy contributed to the passage of the Official Languages Act of 1967, retaining English as an associate official language.

Annadurai's government enacted the Self-Respect Marriages Act, legalizing marriages without Brahmin priests or religious rituals. This law promoted social reform by allowing inter-caste marriages and reducing Brahminical influence in Tamil society.

Annadurai led the DMK to victory in the 1967 Madras state elections, defeating the Indian National Congress. He became the first non-Congress Chief Minister of Madras State, ending Congress's long dominance in the region.

Annadurai's government officially renamed Madras State to Tamil Nadu, meaning 'Land of the Tamils,' in January 1969. This fulfilled a key DMK demand for linguistic and cultural recognition of the Tamil people.