Chinna Annamalai, originally named Nagappan, was born on 18 June 1920, in O. Siruvayal Village near Karaikudi to Nachiyappa Chettiar and Meenakshi.
[1][2] Chinna Annamalai was expelled from Devakottai NSMVPS school for organising a strike to mourn the death of Kamala Nehru, which prevented him from taking his final exams.
[1][2] News of his arrest spread quickly, inciting anger among the nationalists and young people of Devakottai who marched to Thiruvadanai Jail.
[1][2] Following his release, Annamalai moved to Chennai on Rajaji's advice and pursued his interests in Tamil literature and music.
[2] He founded Vetrivel Films, producing movies like "President Panchatcharam", "Aayiram Roobai", "General Chakravarthi", "Dharmaraja" and "Kadavulin Kuzhandhai".