A man known for his brilliant oration, Muthuvel Karunanidhi hasn’t spoken a word in over a year. His family stands beside him, and DMK cadre and followers stand in long queues one last time before their ‘Kalaignar’ takes his final journey.
Karunanidhi experienced his political baptism when he was barely 14 years old. That’s when journey into theatre, Tamil cinema, Murasoli, Periyar EV Ramasamy, MGR-Jayalalithaa and anti-Hindi agitations began.
With the demise of Jayalalithaa and Karunanidhi, political veterans, journalists and the people all concur that there is now no larger-than-life leader left in Tamil Nadu.
What made Karunanidhi the people’s leader, even though he’s been out of power for a decade? What made Karunanidhi, the leader, orator and artist, such a favourite of the masses?
We spoke to people in different sectors to get a cross-section of the memories around Karunanidhi.
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Say It Like Kalaignar
MG Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan are some of the biggest stars in the history of cinema, but their fame and success should definitely be attributed to the man who penned their most evocative scripts.
From a humble village activist to a firebrand scriptwriter, Karunanidhi was a ‘literary politician’.
Karunanidhi took his powerful writing and oratory with him even to politics.
Whether at election campaigns or in the Assembly, he never needed to read his speeches from a piece of paper.
“Karunanidhi had a literary flourish of his own. He was charming and every word he uttered was so powerful,” said senior journalist TS Sudhir.
Journalist JC Shekhar reiterated that the DMK supremo was a ‘self-made’ man and said,
You can’t compare him with anyone. He is totally self-made. Very well-read, intelligent. No! You cant find a leader like him in Tamil Nadu ever.J C Shekhar, Journalist
Family Over Everything
In Tamil Nadu, politics and cinema have always been joined at the hip.
With Karunanidhi, his entire family was seen as one entity. Whether it was the 2G scam, lewd comments passed about Kanimozhi’s parentage, or the Alagiri-Stalin spat, Karunanidhi always gave a firm answer.
Journalist JC Shekhar recalls how during press conferences on the 2G scam issue, Karunanidhi never dodged a question, however incriminating the answer may have been.
He would take the casteist angle and say it is all the conspiracy of the Brahmin media, but he still would give an answer.JC Shekhar, Journalist
“He definitely is the most media-friendly chief minister we have had so far,” he said.
The People’s Man
Across villages and towns even today, you can find generations of people who vote for the DMK just because of Karunanidhi.
It was his sense of humour, his charm, the interest he took in people’s lives, constantly taking care of his party members.
Some news analysts believe that while the MGR-Jayalalithaa government always had a welfare agenda, which is a populist style, Karunanidhi prioritised infrastructure. Of course, the flip side of that is the corruption charges against his family members who were involved in several projects under the DMK regime.
Ram took us back to the time when Karunanidhi ruled the land. His brother Pattabhi Sundar Raman was the Advocate-General of Tamil Nadu in 2006 and his father the Advocate-General from 1977-1979.
It goes back to 1950s. He was more of a neighbour and a family friend than a scholar, politician, writer or chief minister. My grandmother, would constantly tell me that ,’ Karunanidhi loved my adai with butter and jaggery. After political meetings, he would come home and say ‘Adai panni kudunga Amma!’Mohan Ram, Film Historian
Recalling all their dinner-table conversations, Ram talked of how distinctly different the governing styles of MGR and Karunanidhi were.
“Karunanidhi was always quick to take decisions and he never hesitated. If something is the right thing to do, he will will go ahead, clearly communicate to the administration and make sure it is implemented. However, MGR would think twice, get more opinions, before taking a call,” he said.
But I am sure, over the years, he regretted not using his charm and retaining MGR in the party. Yaanaikum adi sarukkum. (Even a scholar can make a mistake.)Mohan Ram, Film Historian
A Journalist’s Delight
Ask any journalist in Tamil Nadu, and they will tell you that the biggest qualm they have with Tamil politicians is they do not want to speak to media. But Karunanidhi was a man loved. He never minced words, had a great sense of humour and timing with jokes, and always had pun-filled quotes.
Senior Journalist Sam Daniel interviewed Karunanidhi in 2016, just before the state elections – the last interview he gave.
“I had asked him, ‘If you win elections, would you pave the way for Stalin after a year?You have always given importance to youth power and the rise of youngsters in politics, so can we expect that?’ He quickly responded with a firm voice, ‘No no, he can do that only after me,’” said Sam.
At the end of the interview, he gave me his trademark mischievous smile and asked, ‘Nalla pesinena?’ (Did I speak well?)Sam Daniel, Senior Journalist
Sam talked of how the Karunanidhi he knew would never shy away from any uncomfortable questions.
“Even when he was asked about Raja’s involvement in the 2G scam, he strongly said that if Raja is found guilty, he will be sent out of party,” he added.
JC Shekhar recalls an incident that he says he will never forget.
Once, when the Cauvery issue was in full swing, him and a senior journalist were questioning Karunanidhi, but the leader didn’t want to reveal any details. He had said, “If you were from the Tanjavur delta region, you would understand.”
When they responded saying they were both in fact from that region, Shekhar says Karunanidhi retorted, “Despite that you are asking questions? Shouldn’t you be aware of how sensitive it is?”
“We are reporters. Our job is to ask questions,” Shekhar had said. He said Karunanidhi’s response was a warm smile, saying, “I am the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and there is no need for me to answer all your questions.”
He always liked to joust with the media. He liked taking tough questions and gave the wittiest answers.JC Shekhar, Journalist
The demise of Karunanidhi marked the end of an era. Now, the focus is on whether his son MK Stalin will be able to match up – he has some big shoes to fill.
But Kalaignar’s kavidhai (poetry), speeches, charm and enigma will be missed. RIP.
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