Yanam - Famous People in The Colonial Yanam

Famous People in The Colonial Yanam

First Laurel Poet of Andhra, Chellapilla Venkata Kavi (1870–1950), One of the duo of the famous Tirupati Venkata Kavulu lived here. Many poets such as the late Villa Reddi Naidu, V.Venkataswami Naidu. Some important politicians include Kanakala Tatayya Naidou and Md. Abdul Razzaq.

Samatam Krouschnaya (Samatam Krishnayya) lived here in Yanam and wrote many books in Telugu. Monsieur Samatam was a pro-French activist. He was Acting Mayor of Yanaon during merger struggle and he was a person of great and unique qualities. He was killed at the age of 78 by Indian military while Yanam being seized during Coup d'État de Yanaon.

A prominent leader who was instrumental in the merger of Yanam into the Indian Union was Dadala Rafael Ramanayya. He was born in Farampeta and grew up from humble origins to become a key leader of the liberation of Yanam and the other French settlements. He was at the forefront of the strugge to liberate Yanam and facilitate its merger into the Indian union. He was leader who led Coup d'État de Yanaon on 13 June 1954 and subsequently functioned as head of its provisional government for some time.

Another prominent leader who was also key player in the merger of Yanam into the Indian Union was Monsieur Mayor Madimchetty Satianandam. He grown to prominence in Yanam politics during 1940s and after the election of 1948, he was elected as mayor of Yanam. Unfortunately, when he switched to pro-merger camp headed by Monsieur Dadala, his home got pillaged by people. Aftermath liberation, his involvement in Yanam politics reduced gradually.

In early 20th century, Bezawada Bapa Naidou was Mayor of Yanam. He was a humble and powerful politician in his times. Unfortunately, he was murdered in Pondicherry. After his death his faction became weak and even his siblings were also not able to continue in Yanam politics as he did.

One of Bapa Naidou's councillors in the "Conseil Local de Yanaon" was Monsieur Diwan Bouloussou Soubramaniam Sastroulou (Former Conseiller local de Yanaon). He was very prominent personality and loyal follower of Bapa Naidou. Monsieur Bouloussou had been one of "Les jurys de Yanaon" and even he worked as Diwan for "Manyam Zamindar" before being elected as Councilor. He was one of the very rare genuine and humble politicians of his time.

Bezawada Bapa Naidou's bitter opponent The Grand Old Man of Yanam, Kamichetty Venougopala Rao Naidou was also a famous leader and had been active in politics in French Yanaon. After death of Bapa Naidou, he became Mayor of Yanam (Maire de Yanaon) and even his family became very dominant in Yanam politics for at least 50 years thence.

Venugopala Rao Naidou's son, Kamichetty Sri Parassourama Varaprassada Rao Naidu (former MLA and Speaker, Pondicherry) dominated Yanam politics after its independence for almost four decades. He was elected as MLA more than five times and even had been speaker for Pondicherry. He was a very influential figure in Yanam politics until his death.

Shri .Malladi Krishna Rao, the most Famous & Current Politician of 20th century and Honorable Minister for Revenue(includes Mines), Excise, Tourism, Civil Aviation, Sports & Fisheries. He was continuously won twice as an Independent candidate and once as an Indian National Congress candidate in MLA elections and got the highest majority in Yanam for the first time. He is the first Yanam citizen to become the minister for Pondicherry in 2007 and awarded as the Best MLA Award twice from the governor of Pondicherry. In his term in politics from 1996 there has been a huge development took place and Yanam stood the best constituency of Pondicherry as compared to the development growth-rate. He is famously known, as Malladi in Pondicherry and Malladi is one of the key members to command the Pondicherry politics as well as some of the districts of Andhra Pradesh. He has been awarded as “The Father for the Development of Yanam” from the MP of Pondicherry Thiru Ramadas.