M Karunanidhi- A Towering Torchbearer

An epoch has ended in Dravidian politics. Will the inheritors of Muthuvel Karunanidhi’s legacy find a way of carrying forward his brand of local-yet-national politics?

- Amarnath K. Menon

Even as life ebbed away, Muthuvel Karunanidhi served a reminder to the ranks of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)—fighting the good fight is what is vital. While the diehards gathered outside the hospital shouted slogans asking him to rise one more time (‘Thalaiva ezunthu vaa!’’), the cadre across Tamil Nadu were waving the party’s red and black flag furiously—protests were still on against the ruling All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s (AIADMK) decision to double property taxes. Meanwhile, in another twist, the DMK had to approach the Madras High Court after the state government denied permission for the body to be interred close to the mausoleum of party founder C.N. Annadurai on Chennai’s Marina Beach.

As a political activist, Karunanidhi stamped his charisma early on. His initiation into politics began early; he was a public speaker at barely 14, and soon formed the Tamil Manavar Mandram— the first student wing of the Dravidian movement. His tireless travelling and work at the grassroots level helped build the DMK as a mass organisation, capitalising on his persuasive oratory and writing skills. As his mentor, the legendary Anna, put it: “One has to probe his mind while asleep as to how he gained such multi-dimensional capabilities. But without hard work, talent will not bloom. Without hard work, no talent can accrue and be lasting.”