Native Place

SDS was born on 25th February ‘1923 at Sendangadu village, Pattukkottai Taluk, Thanjavur District, to Mr.Duraimanickam Gopaalar and Ms.Sellamaal. He was the youngest child of the family.

Education

SDS started his educationat Sendangadu Elementary School, continued at Raja madam Middle School and finished school studies at Orathanaadu High School. After the school studies SDS joined “ANNAMALAI UNIVERSITY” at Chidambaram, and graduated as a CIVIL Engineer and was the first B.E degree holder from Pattukkottai taluk.

Sports

All through his schooling period SDS was involving himselfmuch in sports activities particularly in athletics. He was an undefeated “Mile” runner during all his school days.

The same quest for victory continued in college which brought him the championship in “ANNAMALAI University” for three consecutive years and was crowned with the highly honored “GREEK MEDAL” which still holds his name atop the role of Honor Board at the university campus.

Employment

Even though SDS hailed from a wealthy agricultural family and also had active participation in politics during his college days, as a professional degree holder, he took up government job as “Junior Engineer” in “Public Works Department (PWD)”. His selfless contribution in bringing a conducive atmosphere in the places he worked, won him many a heart in the medical and political arenas.

His first posting was at Poondi dam near Chennai and later got posted at GovernmentGeneral Hospital opposite to Central Railway station in Chennai, till he was called by the then founder leader of the DMK, “PERARIGNAR ANNA” to contest Parliament election from Thanjavur constituency in the year 1967.

Political Impetus and Participation

The rational thoughts of the legendary “THANTHAI PERIYAAR” and the reformative orationsof the Supreme leader “PERARIGNAR ANNA” inspired SDS, who joined their Self-respect Movement at an early age committed to follow them in their selfless efforts to eradicate untouchability, wellbeing of the downtrodden and to hold equality among the peopleof the various educational and economic groups of the societyfor the harmony of the Dravidian people.

When “THANTHAI PERIYAAR” under took the leadership of “Dravidar Kazhagam” in 1944, SDS as a high school student stood strong to form “Orathanaadu Maanavar Dravidar Kazhagam” and wore black shirt which brought in consciousness among other students to join the Self-respect Movement.     

In 1949 SDS followed “PERARIGNAR ANNA” and joined his DMK. With his truthful hard work this Engineering student won a place in the heart of its leader who made SDS as the first “General Secretary of“The Dravida Maanavar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMMK)”.

As General Secretary of DMMK and student of Annamalai University, SDS successfully conducted fourteen District DMMK conferences which sow the seed of Anti-Hindi agitation in the hearts of young student community.

SDS purposefully prolonged his Engineering course duration to thirteen long years at Annamalai University to propagate the ideologies of DMK to the students’ community of the university year after year. It’s no exaggeration to say SDS was the guiding star to almost all the prominent personalities of all the DRAVIDIAN parties of Tamilnadu.  During the DMMK conference held at Annamalai Nagar as General Secretary of DMMK, SDS contributed Rs.1111/- to “PERARIGNAR ANNA” towards legal expenses for Tuticorin case.

After INDIA’S independence the separate colonies of Zamindars and Kingdoms were merged with this country under the stubborn action of the “IRON MAN of INDIA” Mr. Sardar Vallabai Patel. When separate states were formed geographically and linguistically in1956 Mr. M.P.Sivangnanam (MAA. PO. SI) fought for the Provincial Autonomy of Tamil people and Tamilnadu but SDS as a student brought in great student support for the separate Dravida Naadu policy of “PERARIGNAR ANNA”.

“PERARIGNAR ANNA” was not only a mesmerizing orator and a voracious reader, but also was an exceptional writer. In addition to his weekly Tamil magazines “DIRAVIDA NAADU“ and “KAANCHI”, he founded an English weekly under the title “HOME LAND” in the year 1957. To bring out the weekly magazine successfully students of Annamalai University under the leadership of SDS contributed 10,000/- to “PERARIGNAR ANNA”.

In the year 1962 “PERARIGNAR ANNA” conducted the marriage of SDS with Sakunthala in Chennai, which was attended by almost every front – rank Dravidian party cadre. This was the time of INDO -CHINA war and to everyone’s astonishment SDS gave away all the marriage gifts and cash to “PERARIGNAR ANNA” to be given as war fund. Seeing her husband’s national outlook, Sakunthala also gave away all her wedding gifts and money for the war fund.

The Anti-Hindi Agitation took an aggressive step with the participation of the “Tamilnadu Students Anti-Hindi Federation” in 1965.When the federation was in need of financial support they approached SDS. As a Government servant he could not spare money hence he gave all the jewels of his wife Ms. Sakunthala for the success of that Language - War.

Family

“PERARIGNAR ANNA” conducted the marriage of SDS with Sakunthala on the 6th December ‘1962 in the presence of distinguished Dravidian party functionaries. During the speech of blessing the wedded Couple ANNA referred SDS as his fraternal brother and was proud to head the wedlock. The couple have only two sons. Theelder son  Mr.S.Duraimanickam, B.E., is working with Chennai Port Trust as “Executive Engineer “and the younger Mr. SDS .Selvam B.E., B.L., is self-employed, agriculturist and Correspondent of “Pattukkottai Polytechnic College”.

Architect of All INDIA Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)

In 1969 “PERARIGNAR ANNA” passed away leaving the whole of Tamilnadu in most extreme sorrow. After his death there began internal turmoil and confusions among the second line leaders of the DMK.As a result of this “PURATCHI THALAIVAR Mr.M.G.Ramachandran” (MGR) was expelled from DMK. With the overwhelming support of the people PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR launched his political outfit “Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK)” on the 17th October ‘1972 which party is now called as “All INDIA Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)”

SDS joined the ANNADMK as the first Parliament Loksabha Member. Along with him SDS streamed in to the new Dravidian party many of his political followers from various other parties. Since then SDS worked his heart out to fight against the DMK, which was in power at that time bearing bad name for corruption. SDS put forth his fullest effort to form and frame the fresh party from the grass root level. The committed hard work done by SDS in formation of party structure at the start holds such a huge cadre strength and staunch followers till today, which is known to every individual of the party AIADMK.

In 1973 By- election was called for “Dindugal” Loksabha Constituency. Since it was just a few months for the beginning of ADMK there were some hesitancy to contest the elections among the party frontline leaders, But ”PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”dared to contest the polls. He took confidence in the Propaganda Secretary of AIADMK SDS and made him the organizing head of the election campaign. ADMK won the elections and got political acceptance from the people of Tamilnadu.

This victory brought SDS close to the heart of “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” and they had great understanding thereon.“PURATCHI THALAVR MGR” had SDS as his loyal associate and an intimate family friend. Later “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”gave SDS a cabinet berth as Revenue Minister of Tamilnadu.

“PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” once referred SDS as the “Honest and Clean minster who add revenue only to the Government and not a penny for himself in the Tamilnadu assembly”. People still refer to him as a clean politician.

Namadhu Kazhagam (NK)

The dedicated loyal selfless efforts towards the betterment of AIADMK and the welfare of the people of Tamilnadu gave SDS good image among the people of this state and among the party.This made“PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” to have SDS always near him and his loyalty assuredSDS prominence in the party and Government.Such close affinity brought a hitch among other party men who wanted to break this friendship between “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”and SDS.As they planneda rift peeped out between “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” and SDS. “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” expelled SDS from AIADMK in 1984.

Aggrieved by this expulsion SDS started a new political party in the name “Namadhu Kazhagam” .The party took off with a huge rally at Trichy in the year 1984. The party contested the General Election for Parliament and Tamilnadu Assembly in 1984 but could not win a single seat. In 1985 SDS regrouped the party and took a massive demonstration and Rail roko at Madurai in support of “Tamil EELAM “ for which SDS was arrested and remanded along with his followers. In 1986 SDS took up a massive procession at “Anna Saalai “in Chennai and submitted a memorandum to “The Governor “of Tamil Nadu.  In 1987 when “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” returned from America after treatment,on invitation SDS met “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” and merged “Namadhu Kazhagam” with AIADMK.

Reforms as Government of Tamilnadu Revenue Minister

SDS held the post of Revenue Minister under the Chief Ministers namely “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”and Amma. Deeming his honesty and sincerity SDS was additionally given charge of Commercial taxes,Prohibition, Registration, and Government Press, Passportsand Refugee Welfare and additional charge of Law department for a brief period.

During his tenure as Minister SDS has done remarkable reforms which were even appreciated by the opposition party members of the Legislative house. Following are some of the revolutionary developments,

Even after INDIA Independence the said economically and socially forward upper class held the village administration by family succession governed by “The Revenue Board”. This brought inequality among the society as the oppressed were kept suppressed and were deprived of equal opportunity in administration. SDS abolished the “Revenue Board” in a day and broke open the shackles of suppression and paved the way which gave opportunity to everyone irrespective of their caste, creed, color and economic status to administer the revenue village. This was the dawn of the “Village Administrative Officer (VAO)”for which a bill was passed unanimously in the Tamilnadu Assembly. In the fight for freedom by the EELAM Tamil people in SriLanka the Tamil liberation organizations were forced to take up arms at a stage. During that time the INDIAN government took a stand to support the Tamil rebels. At this stage SDS with the consent of the government helped the rebels to get trained in Tamilnadu. To honor the eminent scholars of Tamil Literature SDS forwarded the names of Poet Suradha and Poet Maraimalaiyaan for State Government awards and cash prizes to them in addition to the State awards. SDS was instrumental to bring up the statue of the prominent Tamil poet Mr. ”Pattukkottai” Kalyanasumdarm at Pattukkottai. As a Minister SDS made remarkable contributions to make the “World Tamil Conference” held during 1980 at Madurai and in 1995 at Thanjavur a grand success. As a tribute the sacrifices of the great leader Thiru.Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, SDS fought hard to bring up his statue at Nandhanam in Chennai. To implement the 69% “Communal Reservation” SDS fought tooth and nail to bring it into force, during the course of action SDS was imprisoned for 130 days under a false criminal charge. SDS always had a novel vision for Health and Education. During his tenure as Minister of Tamilnadu was helpful in bringing in many renowned hospitals with research Centersand educational institutions. SDS as both the MLA and the M.P. had done tremendous services for the betterment of the constituencies particularly in infrastructure development.

Publication of Periodicals and Books

As to prove the golden saying ‘Pen is mightier than sword’ “THANTHAI PERIYAAR” and “PERARIGNAR ANNA” had their own publications in the name of “Kudi Arasu”,”Viduthalai”,”Dravida Naadu”,” Kaanchi” and “Homeland”. Similarly in order to have a print media to propagate the ideologies SDS initially published a Tamil Daily “Samaneedhi”, and later he had his own publication in the name “Porwal Publications” with Mr.Maraimalaiyaan as the Chief Editor. Under the “Porwal Publications” SDS started a weekly in the name “Porwal” which was later transformed to be a Daily Newspaper.

“PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” as Leader

After the death of “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR in 1987 the political scenario in Tamilnadu took an uncertainty and AIADMK split into two factions as AIADMK (JA) under Ms. Janaki Ammal and AIADMK (J) under “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA”.SDS took the leadership of “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” and added strength to the split party and was instrumental to merge the two factions after the death of Ms. Janaki ammal.

SDS played a major part to regroup the followers after “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”, who were stranded after the death of “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”. This work of SDS to regain the popularity of split AIADMK impressed “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” and she gave second position at the party level.SDS toiled hard to fight and win the elections in 1991 under the Superlative leadership of “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA”. This brought him as the loyal lieutenant of “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” till his last days.

“PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” has praised SDS in her words during her speech at the eight “World Tamil Conference 1995” held at Thanjavur as “SDS is a person who never falls tired or sheds away from party work all round the clock. He is a person who always thinks about the AIADMK party and the people of Tamilnadu.Now I call only SDS as my Brother”. These were the words of “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” about SDS.The closeness between them irked the eyes of others who brought the difference of opinion among them during SDS last days.

 General Elections

1967 – First electionfor SDS and was elected from “Thanjavur” Parliament Constituency as DMK candidate for Loksabha defeating Mr.R.Venkatraman of Congress Party who was the then siting Industries Minister, Government of Madras Presidency. Mr. R .Venkatraman then rose to the Highest ruling status of being the President of INDIA.

1971 –Was elected to Loksabha from “Thanjavur”Constituency as DMK candidate defeating Mr.Krishnaswamy Gopalar of Congress.

1977 –Was elected to Loksabha from “Thanjavur” Constituency as AIADMK candidate defeating Mr.L.Ganesan of DMK.

1980 –Was elected to Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly from “Pattukkottai” Constituency as AIADMK candidate defeating Mr.A.R.Marimuthu of Congress

1984 –Lost in Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly election from “Pattukkottai” Constituency as “Namadhu Kazhagam” (NK) candidate to Mr.P.N.Ramachandran of AIADMK.

1989 –Lost in Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly election from “Tiruverambur” Constituency as “AIADMK” (J) candidate to Ms. Pappa Umanath of the Communist party.

1991-Was elected to Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly from “Thanjavur” Constituency as AIADMK candidate defeating Mr.S.N.M.Ubaiduallah of DMK.

1996 – Lost in Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly election from “Thanjavur” Constituency as AIADMK candidate to Mr.S.N.M.Ubaiduallah of DMK.

Remembrance of SDS

SDS Started his life from a small village and rose to live in the hearts of great personalities of Tamilnadu such as “THANTHAI PERIYAAR” “PERARIGNAR ANNA”, “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR”, “PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” and in the hearts of every Dravidian party cadres and the people of Tamilnadu.

“PERARIGNAR ANNA” affirmed SDS as his fraternal brother and held SDS within his family.

 “PURATCHI THALAIVAR MGR” lauded SDS of his close associate and kept him kept as his family friend.

“PURATCHI THALAIVI AMMA” acclaimed SDS as her Brother and kept SDS as her second in AIADMK party and Government

SDS passed away on the 6th December ‘2001, which happens to be his wedding day.

The venerable leader Mr. S.D.SOMASUNDARAM (SDS) was the cynosure in the eyes of the people of Tamilnadu all through his career and he is still remembered in many homes and lives in many hearts.