Kanchi Manimozhiar

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Kanchi Manimozhiyar (9 May 1900 – 7 June 1972) was a Tamil scholar, publisher, politician, and social reformer. He published and edited the Tamil magazine Porvaal, which supported the Dravidian movement. He was honored with titles such as Suyamariyathai Semmal.

Early life
He was born in Kancheepuram, Tamil Nadu, the son of Perunagar Chengalvaraya Mudaliar. He studied at Pachaiyappan School in Kancheepuram. His wife was Abhirami Ammaiyar. He belonged to the Senguntha Kaikola Mudaliar community.

Publishing and social work
Manimozhiyar loved publishing from a young age. He started the weekly Porvaal in August 1947 and served as associate editor, helping shape Dravidian ideas. Porvaal played a key role in promoting the anti-Hindi movement and in supporting the Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) and later the DMK (founded in 1949). The magazine published many special issues and became popular across Tamil Nadu.

He also ran a book publishing venture, Pakutharivu Pasarai, which brought out many important Tamil works. He started and edited a diary, Dravidar Natkurippu, (1950–1958), a record of the DMK’s ideas, speeches, and quotes from leaders.

Community service and education
Manimozhiyar cared about the Sengunthar community’s education and welfare. He helped establish the Senguntha Education Fund to support students, visited villages to promote schooling, and helped build a hostel for Senguntha students. He also contributed to Senguntha Mithran, a Tamil magazine for the community, serving as its editor (1934–1941).

Anti-Hindi protests and arrests
He organized the first anti-Hindi procession in Chennai and led many anti-Hindi meetings, printing materials at his own press when others wouldn’t risk it. He spoke at major anti-Hindi events and was jailed several times for his demonstrations (including arrests in 1948 and other protests).

Political career
Manimozhiyar began with the Justice Party and later joined the Dravidian movement, helping to found the DMK. He served as the DMK’s finance committee secretary for three years from 1949 and supported Arignar Anna (E. V. Ramasamy) and the party’s growth. He personally campaigned for DMK candidates, including door-to-door work in 1957.

In 1962, he won a Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly seat from T. Nagar as a DMK candidate, winning by about 9,000 votes. He regularly spoke in the assembly on issues such as education for primary teachers, the conditions of handloom weavers, Chennai’s water supply, and the living conditions of slum dwellers. In 1967, he voluntarily gave up his seat so Kalaignar Karunanidhi could contest another constituency. In 1969, he became Deputy General Secretary of the DMK Central Committee and served in that role until his death.

Legacy
Manimozhiyar’s work spanned publishing, education, social reform, and politics. He helped amplify Tamil rights and anti-imperialist principles, supported the self-respect movement, and promoted education for all. He died in 1972 in Madras (now Chennai), leaving behind a legacy of publishing, public service, and commitment to Tamil language and social justice.