Late ShriS. Natarajan Udayar was an Indian politician and 3 time DMK MLA from Thanjavur Constituency. A close friend and supporter of Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy, he was an early member of Dravidar Kazhagam. His association with Aringar C N Annadurai made him part ways with E.V.R. politically and join Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) as one of the earliest and founding members of DMK.
He started as a basic member with no oratorical skills or influence in print or media, yet he played a pivotal role in dislodging Indian National Congress from its strong hold on Thanjavur.
A. Y. S. Parisutha Nadar had held the Thanjavur Constituency for three consecutive terms under Indian National Congress banner. A great philanthropist and reformer, A. Y. S. Parisutha Nadar seemed irreplaceable, until Natarajan representing DMK set to work for the welfare of the constituency.
He was a member of Tamil Nadu legislative assembly elected as a Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam candidate. He was elected from Thanjavur constituency three times in 1971, 1977 and 1980. He died on 23 February 1984 during his third term in office. Periyar E. V. Ramaswamy, Tamil Comedian N. S. Krishnan was a close friend and follower of Periyar.W. P. A. Soundarapandian Nadar was a close confidant of Periyar ; C. N. Annadurai; E. V. K. Sampath; V. R. Nedunchezhiyan; Mathialagan, Nanjil Manoharan; actor M.G Ramachandran (popularly known as MGR) who shared a special bond and respect for Thanjai SN or Thanjai Natarajan
Natarajan was MLA from Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for three times.
Professional career
S. Natarajan was on ethe earliest Income Tax payers in Tamilandu, running a very successful Construction company - taking up government project to lay Highways across Tamilnadu. He was also an avid traditional agriculturist, he owned 9000acres of agricultural lands in and around Thanjavur. When he entered politics in 1960, he gave away large parts of the land under land ceiling act and gave up ownership of construction company to his partners - as by law - MLC/ MLA candidates should not own businesses. He was a man of principle.
Political career
Entry into Politics
Self-Respect Movement, anti-Hindi agitations of 1937–40, Dravidar Kazhagam; Self-respect marriages
Split with Annadurai
Periyar assumed that independent India would bring South Indians, especially Tamils, under the dominance of Brahmins and North Indians. For these reasons Periyar called for 15 August 1947, the day of Indian independence, to be a day of mourning. Periyar's chief lieutenant, Conjeevaram Natarajan Annadurai opposed this move and the schism between his supporters and Periyar widened. He saw the gaining of independence as an overall achievement of India rather than solely that of Aryan North.
In 1949, Annadurai, established a separate association called the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), or Dravidian Advancement Association. This was due to the differences between the two, where Periyar advocated a separate independent Dravidian or Tamil state, while Annadurai compromised with the Delhi government combined with claims of increased state independence.
Periyar was convinced that individuals and movements that undertake the task of eradicating the social evils in the Indian sub-continent have to pursue the goal with devotion and dedication without deviating from the path and with uncompromising zeal. Thus, if they contest elections aiming to assume political power, they would lose vigour and sense of purpose. But among his followers, there were those who had a different view, wanting to enter into politics and have a share in running the government.
They were looking for an opportunity to part with Periyar. Thus, when Periyar married Maniammai on 9 July 1948, they quit the Dravidar Kazhagam, stating that Periyar set a bad example by marrying a young woman that too his foster child in his old age – he was 70 and she 30. Those who parted company with Periyar joined the DMK.
Though the DMK split from the Dravidar Kazhagam, the organisation made efforts to carry on Periyar's Self-Respect Movement to villagers and urban students.
The DMK advocated the thesis that the Tamil language was much richer than Sanskrit and Hindi in content, and thus was a key which opened the door to subjects to be learned. The Dravidar Kazhagam continued to counter Brahminism, Indo-Aryan propaganda, and uphold the Dravidians' right of self-determination.