On August 7, the crowning figures in the politics of southern India and Dravidian luminary who held five terms as the CM of the state, M. Karunanidhi, died on Tuesday at the age of 94. An unequivocal godless man in a country where politicians often promulgate their zeal, Karunanidhi stacked his political contrivance as a demigod for social justice.
Karunanidhi fondly called as Kalaignar, who led his party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for about 50 years, was hospitalized since July 26 with intricate illness. Thousands of his supporters massed outside the hospital in Chennai to mourn his demise.
A State of nearly 70 million people where politics have been reigned by the DMK and Jayalalithaa’s AIADMK. Karunanidhi, who always appeared in public with dark glasses and a yellow shawl dangled on a shoulder, shaped his career confronting several snags. When Indira Gandhi announced the Emergency in 1975, among the few Chief Ministers of the country who opposed her was Tamil Nadu’s Muthuvel Karunanidhi. Before entering politics, he worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He is known for his sharp sagacity, command over the Tamil language and mainstream schemes for those at the bottom of society.
Kalaignar was one of the most teeming Tamil writers. An entire contemporary was influenced by his writings as they imparted social messages. He was the one to voice against inequality since he had experienced it firsthand. Kalaignar penned the song “Semmozhiyaana Tamil Mozhiyaam” the official theme song for the World Classical Tamil Conference 2010. He was proverbial for drafting foreign investors to India’s second largest state economy and led the state becoming an industrial powerhouse, imputed with opening many industrial and technology parks.
On Wednesday morning, Karunanidhi’s mortal remains will be taken to Rajaji hall, where the public will pay honor. Karunanidhi’s last rites will be fulfilled in the evening. Meanwhile, an altercation has flared to bury Karunanidhi next to the samadhi (grave) of his mentor and DMK founder, CN Annadurai at Chennai’s “Anna Square” memorial. The DMK has moved the Madras High Court against the state government’s decision. Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh is hearing the DMK’s petition.
Tamil Nadu declares state holiday on Wednesday. The govt announces seven day’s mourning in the state. PM Modi to travel to Chennai Wednesday morning, to pay his last reveres to the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The entire state is plunged with lament, since his last breath.
Tamil Nadu is a state where people are united and language is a strong thread that binds people. Kalaignar was a real thug in the political game, he was a pro, he powered TN, many of his ideologies cannot be described in words. An era of Dravidism comes to an end. A generation of Chief Minister is no more. The leaders of Dravidism left a huge mark in Tamil Political History. TN people will hold this pride forever and will walk with this pride in each and every soil that they step in. His legacy will continue to inspire others with his popular saying—”Tamil Vellum.”
