Tamil Nadu in the 1950s
46 events, 1950 to 1959; 9 marked as turning points.
1950
Madras State established under the Constitution
With the Constitution of India in force, the Madras Province became Madras State, a Part A state of the Indian Republic.
Death of Ramana Maharshi at Tiruvannamalai
The sage Ramana Maharshi died at Sri Ramanasramam, Tiruvannamalai, where he had lived for over five decades.
1951
Standard Motor Products begins car production in Madras
Standard Motor Products of India completed its first locally built Standard Vanguard cars at Vandalur near Madras.
PSG College of Technology founded in Coimbatore
PSG and Sons Charities started an engineering college at Peelamedu, Coimbatore, on the campus of its 1926 industrial institute.
Supreme Court strikes down the Communal G.O. in Champakam Dorairajan case
Madras State's caste-based Communal Government Order on college admissions was struck down by the Supreme Court.
First Amendment enables reservation for backward classes
Parliament passed the First Amendment, allowing special provisions for socially and educationally backward classes.
1952
India's first Test cricket victory at Chepauk
At Chepauk in Madras, India defeated England by an innings and 8 runs, winning a Test for the first time in its 25th match.
First general election; Rajaji forms government
After the first general election left Congress short of a majority, C. Rajagopalachari was sworn in as Chief Minister of Madras State.
The film Parasakthi, written by M. Karunanidhi and marking Sivaji Ganesan's debut, was released and sparked controversy.
Potti Sriramulu dies fasting for Andhra State
Potti Sriramulu died in Madras after a long fast demanding a separate Telugu-speaking state, prompting the creation of Andhra State.
1953
Rajaji's Modified Scheme of Elementary Education
Rajaji's two-shift school scheme, criticised as Kula Kalvi Thittam (hereditary education), triggered protests and was later dropped.
Kallakudi agitation against the name Dalmiapuram
The DMK protested at Kallakudi against the renaming of the town as Dalmiapuram after an industrialist.
Andhra State carved out of Madras State
The Telugu-speaking northern districts were separated from Madras State to form Andhra State, with Madras city remaining in Madras State.
1954
Rajaji and C. V. Raman among first Bharat Ratna recipients
C. Rajagopalachari and the physicist C. V. Raman, both from Tamil Nadu, were among the three first recipients of the Bharat Ratna.
First passenger terminal built at Meenambakkam airport
Meenambakkam got the first passenger terminal of Madras airport, which then served as a customs airport handling a few international flights.
Cancer Institute (WIA) established at Adyar
The Women's Indian Association, led by Muthulakshmi Reddy, set up the Cancer Institute at Adyar in Madras.
K. Kamaraj becomes Chief Minister
After Rajaji's resignation, K. Kamaraj became Chief Minister of Madras State and served for over nine years.
Travancore Tamil agitation for merger with Madras
Tamils in southern Travancore-Cochin campaigned under Marshal Nesamony for the merger of Tamil-majority taluks with Madras State.
French India transferred de facto to India after the Kizhoor referendum
After the Kizhoor referendum, Pondicherry, Karaikal, Yanam and Mahe passed de facto from France to the Indian Union.
Death of writer Kalki Krishnamurthy
Kalki R. Krishnamurthy, journalist and author of popular Tamil historical novels, died in Madras.
1955
Lower Bhavani (Bhavanisagar) Dam completed
Work was completed on the Bhavanisagar Dam over the Bhavani river, the first major irrigation project of independent India.
First Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil
R. P. Sethu Pillai received the first Sahitya Akademi Award for Tamil for his essay collection Tamil Inbam.
Enfield India set up to build the Bullet in Madras
Enfield India was formed with Madras Motors to assemble the Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle in Madras.
Madras win their first Ranji Trophy
Madras beat Holkar by 46 runs in the final at Indore to win the Ranji Trophy for the first time.
Congress adopts 'socialistic pattern of society' at Avadi
Meeting at Avadi near Madras, the Indian National Congress adopted a socialistic pattern of society as its stated aim.
Integral Coach Factory founded at Perambur
The Integral Coach Factory, a railway coach manufacturing unit of Indian Railways, was established at Perambur in Madras.
1956
Neyveli Lignite Corporation established
A central public sector company was set up to mine lignite and generate power at Neyveli in South Arcot district.
Kamaraj expands free schooling and midday meals
The Kamaraj government opened thousands of schools, extended free education and expanded free midday meals for schoolchildren.
Gandhigram Rural Institute founded near Dindigul
Following Gandhian ideas of education, G. Ramachandran and T. S. Soundaram established the Gandhigram Rural Institute.
Sankaralinganar fasts to death for renaming the state Tamil Nadu
Gandhian Sankaralinganar began a fast in Virudhunagar demanding that Madras State be renamed Tamil Nadu and died after 76 days.
States Reorganisation redraws Madras State
Malabar and South Canara left Madras State while Kanyakumari district and Shenkottai taluk were added, leaving a Tamil-majority state.
A train fell into the Marudaiyaru river near Ariyalur after a bridge collapsed in heavy rain, killing over 150 passengers.
1957
The Amaravathi Dam was built across the Amaravathi river near Udumalpet for irrigation and flood control.
DMK contests its first election
Won by Kamaraj's Congress, the 1957 Assembly election was the first in which the DMK took part after its founding.
Violent caste clashes broke out in Ramanathapuram district between Thevar and Dalit communities after the 1957 elections.
Madras State Electricity Board formed
The Madras State Electricity Board, later the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board, took over power generation and distribution in the state.
Dalit leader Immanuel Sekaran murdered
Immanuel Sekaran, a Dalit activist and former soldier, was murdered amid caste tensions in Ramanathapuram district.
Krishnagiri Reservoir Project dam opened
Chief Minister K. Kamaraj inaugurated the Krishnagiri dam across the Thenpennai river.
1958
M. G. Ramachandran directed, produced and starred in Nadodi Mannan, a major hit that boosted his popularity and DMK symbolism.
The Sathanur Dam across the Thenpennai river near Tiruvannamalai became operational under the Second Five Year Plan.
Manimuthar Dam built in Tirunelveli
The Manimuthar Dam was built near Kallidaikurichi in Tirunelveli district to store monsoon water for irrigation.
1959
Chief Minister K. Kamaraj inaugurated the Vaigai Dam, which supplies irrigation and drinking water to Madurai and the southern districts.
Gandhi Memorial Museum opens in Madurai
Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Gandhi Memorial Museum in the Rani Mangammal palace at Madurai.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman released
Sivaji Ganesan's historical film opened in cinemas and went on to earn him Best Actor at Cairo's Afro-Asian Film Festival in 1960.
Rajaji founds the Swatantra Party
Leaving the Congress, C. Rajagopalachari launched the Swatantra Party, which went on to ally with the DMK against Congress.
Indian Institute of Technology Madras founded
Classes started at IIT Madras in Guindy, the third IIT, which was set up with West German help.
