Mar 07 2025 to Mar 07 2025 6:30 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

On September 17, 1949, C.N. Annadurai (Anna) founded the DMK after splitting with Periyar E.V. Ramaswamy. The party steadily gained mass appeal, shedding its separatist stance in 1962 and winning power in Tamil Nadu in 1967. Since then, it has remained a major force, first under M. Karunanidhi and now under M.K. Stalin.

Despite political upheavals—including M.G. Ramachandran’s 1972 split, its 1976 ousting during the Emergency, dismissal in 1991 over alleged LTTE ties, and a 1993 split—the DMK has endured, reclaiming power in 2021.

Known for its pioneering welfare policies, the DMK now promotes its ‘Dravidian Model’ as a national alternative, emphasizing Tamil cultural nationalism and cooperative federalism. Yet, 75 years on, it faces challenges from caste-based and nationalist forces, as well as accusations of corruption and dynastic rule.

At this crucial juncture, veteran political commentator R. Kannan examines the DMK’s journey and future, offering an objective and comprehensive account of its role in Tamil Nadu politics.

Author R. Kannan will be in conversation with Author & Editor Karthik Venkatesh. A Q&A session with the audience will follow.

Speakers

R Kannan
Author & Former UN Political Official
A native of Chennai, Kannan studied Chemistry at New College, Law at Madras Law College and pursued a Master’s in Law at the University of Georgia in Athens, followed by a PhD in International Relations at Tufts University in Medford, Mass. Kannan briefly taught at Madras Law College in 1988-89.

Over a career spanning nearly three decades, he held senior positions, including as Senior Political Affairs Officer with the United Nations Department of Political Affairs and Peacekeeping in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Kosovo—all breakaway countries from Yugoslavia—as well as in Cyprus, Afghanistan, Iraq, Sudan, and Somalia.

Currently, Kannan is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Georgia School of Law, where he teaches courses on international organizations and serves on the Dean Rusk International Law Center Council.

The DMK Years, follows his biographies of the Dravidian icons Anna (C.N. Annadurai) and MGR (M.G. Ramachandran).

Kannan writes and talks about Indian politics and international affairs. His articles have appeared in The Hindu, Times of India, Outlook and Dinamani.

Karthik Venkatesh
Author & Executive Editor, Penguin Random House India
Karthik Venkatesh grew up in Bangalore, speaking Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, English, Dakhani and Hindi. He tried to learn French but failed. He did learn Punjabi though. Once an MBA, he later studied education and taught English and History in a school. He now edits for a living and writes whenever the fancy strikes him.

Karthik lives in Bangalore with his wife Amarinder, children Geet and Neil, and dog Norah. He has plans to adopt another dog and have a mini aquarium. On weekday mornings, he often runs. On weekends, he naps.