Former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan’s Father Passes Away
A pall of grief has descended on the household of former Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan. Her father, Kumari Ananthan, passed away in the early hours of the morning at a private hospital in Chennai. He was 93 years old and had been suffering from age-related ailments and declining health.
Kumari Ananthan was an active leader in the Indian National Congress. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Nagercoil constituency in 1977 and served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly five times. Renowned both as a Tamil writer and an eloquent orator, Kumari Ananthan earned wide recognition in literary and political circles. He was born in 1933 in Kumarimangalam, located in Kanyakumari district. Tamilisai Soundararajan had previously stated that her political inclinations towards the Congress party were largely shaped by her father's influence.
In recognition of his contributions to the state, the Tamil Nadu government honored Kumari Ananthan with its highest civilian award, the Thagaisal Tamizhar award, in 2024. He was also presented with the Kamarajar Award in 2021 by the same government.
Leaders across the political spectrum have expressed their condolences over the passing of Kumari Ananthan.