Padmashri N.D.Sundaravadivelu, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Madras, the veteran Educationist by laying the foundation stone for the starting of Erode Arts College, on 24.11.1971,turned the day to be an important day in the annals of Erode. Erode, basically a city of trade in those days has later on become a hub of international market of turmeric and other agrarian products besides being a textile city and most popularly known the texcity. Besides being a trade centre, this land is well known for the citizens of India, as a land of veteran freedom fighters, a land which produced the Great Mathematician, G.Ramanujan, of all times and in the days to come as well. In early 1970s Educational Institutions in Erode were only few and sporadic and students from other parts did not have much opportunities to take up their higher studies in Erode and had to go far away places, which they could not afford to. Education was available then, for the privileged few. This has made the mind of Thiru. R.A.N.Muthusamy Mudaliar who was deprived of the opportunity of pursuing Education even at the school level because of lack of transport and availability of schools nearby, that he would do something for the students who are hailing from socially and economically underprivileged sections, given an opportunity.
This was deep rooted in his heart and soul, just as Abraham Lincoln of United States who got realized of what he felt in his childhood that he would dispense with the system of slavery. Thiru R.A.N.Muthusamy Mudaliar was able to complete only his Second Standard, and took up to handloom weaving in the remote village, Rakkiapalayam. This has not, however, deterred him, and his thirst for Education and knowledge remained unquenched. Later when he turned out to be a dynamic business man and one of the few of the philanthropists who enjoyed the respect of the public in Erode, he started thinking of materializing his ambition.
It is the tireless effort of Thiru.R.A.N.Muthusamy Mudaliar along with various peoples The Mudaliar Educational Trust was found in 1971. The Trust has, as its main Agenda the Starting of Educational Institutions, Arts, Science and Commerce, and Technical and Research Institutions with the noble objective of providing educational opportunities to students hailing from socially, economically underprivileged sections The Institution has experienced a phenomenal growth during the tenure of Thiru. RANA K.V.Laxmanan in the capacity as the Secretary & Correspondent and more number of new courses have been introduced.
Erode Arts College, which had its humble starting as an aided First Grade College affiliated to The University of Madras, with Pre University Course and B.A.Economics. With the starting of the Bharathiar University, the College remains affiliated to Bharathiar University since 1982. In 1987 the college attained the autonomous status.