Call him Dakshinamurthy (his original name) or Karunanidhi. Both names fit him to a T. He was one of the most popular leaders in the south and among the South (North-South divide in terms of economic disparity.) He was compassionate towards the downtrodden and the marginalised.
He did not have parental support, unlike his children or grandchildren , to lend him a hand either in politics or in filmdom. He did not have a godfather to proffer preferential treatment to him in cinematic or literary or political world.
His determination to succeed was phenomenal. After Annadorai's untimely demise, he rode roughshod over Nedunchezhian and Anbazhagan to seize control of the party and ministry. Neither Navalar nor Perasiriar was any match to him in scheming or steely determination to capture power. Kalaignar was totally result-oriented. He proved to be a capable administrator and a convincing speaker. His letters to his 'udanpirappu' in Murasoli were a delight to anyone interested in Tamil. His interpretation of Thiruvalluvar's masterpiece written as 'Kuraloviyam' was creative though many would disagree with his views.
He was self-centred to the hilt. When the Congress leaders wanted to bury Kamaraj at the Marina, he denied permission as Chief Minister. He would have thought, "If I permit Kamaraj, where would I go and rest?" He would scarcely have thought that two other equally popular leaders - MGR and Kalaignar's bete-noire, Jayalalitha - would precede him in occupying the Marina.
The TamilNadu government was against his burial at the Marina. The Madras High Court in a hasty judgement that has less to do with law and more to do with the anxiety to ensure law and order vetoed the government decision.
There was no doubt about his popularity and his ability to nurture the DMK. However, his self-centredness arrested the continued growth of his party. He did not mind losing Vaiko when he was at his best from the party because Vaiko was a threat to Stalin. He wanted his family members to lead the party.
Politics will be less colourful with his demise. Tamil enthusiasts have lost a mesmerising orator.
He did not have parental support, unlike his children or grandchildren , to lend him a hand either in politics or in filmdom. He did not have a godfather to proffer preferential treatment to him in cinematic or literary or political world.
His determination to succeed was phenomenal. After Annadorai's untimely demise, he rode roughshod over Nedunchezhian and Anbazhagan to seize control of the party and ministry. Neither Navalar nor Perasiriar was any match to him in scheming or steely determination to capture power. Kalaignar was totally result-oriented. He proved to be a capable administrator and a convincing speaker. His letters to his 'udanpirappu' in Murasoli were a delight to anyone interested in Tamil. His interpretation of Thiruvalluvar's masterpiece written as 'Kuraloviyam' was creative though many would disagree with his views.
He was self-centred to the hilt. When the Congress leaders wanted to bury Kamaraj at the Marina, he denied permission as Chief Minister. He would have thought, "If I permit Kamaraj, where would I go and rest?" He would scarcely have thought that two other equally popular leaders - MGR and Kalaignar's bete-noire, Jayalalitha - would precede him in occupying the Marina.
The TamilNadu government was against his burial at the Marina. The Madras High Court in a hasty judgement that has less to do with law and more to do with the anxiety to ensure law and order vetoed the government decision.
There was no doubt about his popularity and his ability to nurture the DMK. However, his self-centredness arrested the continued growth of his party. He did not mind losing Vaiko when he was at his best from the party because Vaiko was a threat to Stalin. He wanted his family members to lead the party.
Politics will be less colourful with his demise. Tamil enthusiasts have lost a mesmerising orator.
