Innovator and Entrepreneur GD Naidu. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Why do peacocks have long -tailed wings? Why do dogs and cats eyes glow at night? What cars to run powers? These were some of the conversations that barely four -year -old Gopal, with his father GD Naidu at his home, with Gopal Bagh in Coimbatore, as he fed the animals, scanned newspapers, and in the initial time Had read about cars during his holiday the 1940s.

In later years, Mr. Naidu made scientific experiments for students in his institute run by GD Charity every week, and encouraged them to ask questions. He introduced Arthur Hope Polytechnic and Arthur Hope College of Technology, input for home science course curriculum at Avinashilingam University, and played an important role in the establishment of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in Coimbatore.

With his innovations and experiments, Mr. Naidu came to be known as ‘Edison of India’, and the legacy he left behind after his death on January 4, 1974 is on a large scale. Actor Madhavan played the role of famous inventor and engineer in the upcoming Tamil biopic, titled ‘GDN’, is a test of his influence. Shooting for the film began on Tuesday (February 18, 2025) in Coimbatore.

A science prose

The scientific curiosity of Shri Naidu was clear from his teenage age.

Born on 23 March 1893 in Kalanga in Coimbatore district, Gopalsamy Dorisamy Naidu was so mischievous and rebellious as a student that his father had to get him out of school and work in the field. Mr. Naidu will read books in the evening, taught himself many subjects.

One day, while walking in the field, Mr. Naidu, who was about 18 years old, chants an empty bottle with a label. He could not understand what it was because he was not well aware in English. He asked a revenue inspector who visited Kalangal the next day, and explained to him that the American company was a bottle of pain reliever made by Parke Davis. Mr. Naidu enlisted the help of the inspector to write the company, and eventually started importing the drug. He sold medicines to the villagers, and this was his first business.

An attraction with cars

In a village that had only bulls or horses operated by horses, motor vehicles were an unknown unit. One day, an English officer, Lancashire, rode from Kalanga on a bike, and it became a twist in the life of Shri Naidu. He was not only fascinated by the vehicle, but was also curious about its operation. He went all the way to Coimbatore, seeing factories and motorized vehicles in amazement. He worked as a waiter, earned money, and bought a bike from Mr. Lancashire. They demolished the vehicle, understood its functioning, and again assembled it with a side car.

He worked in the house of Sir Robert Staines in the evening, earned money, learned English and mechanics in his workshop, and with his savings, bought a bus. He operated it between Polachi and Palladam and soon started running the UMS transport company.

He traveled abroad, established commercial relations with the Germans, innovated the electric razor (Mejant) in 1935, and patented it in Europe. He invented the vote recording machine, radio clock and orange juice among others. He also had a keen interest in agriculture, technical education and Siddha.

His research, innovations and businesses attracted leaders and people from all areas of life from India and abroad to Coimbatore.

When he died, it marked the death of a talent, about which former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister CN Annadurai once said, “Our society did not use GD, Naidu’s intelligence. His invention is a very valuable resource for society. ,