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Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924, in the village of Thirukuvalai, near Thiruvarur in Tanjore district, the granary of Tamil Nadu. His father Muthuvel was a scholar and a pandit, and his mother Anjugam, a devoted and loving housewife. "I was not the pet child of an affluent home. I was born of ordinary peasant stock, in a little village," said Karunanidhi.
As a student, he did not envince much inclination for routine studies. But he had a keen taste for drama, poetry, and Tamil literature. As a lad of 13, he plunged into a cultural and social movement, attracted by the great orator Alagiriswami, a pillar of the then Justice Party, who came to Thiruvarur to address a meeting in 1932. The seeds of public spirit and service were sown in him by Alagiriswami.
As a teenager, he gathered all the students of the locality, and formed them into a reformist association of youth. The Sangam as it was termed, provided a form for the boys to train themselves in the arts of speaking and writing. He soon extended the Sangam's sphere of activities to make it a statewide organization styled "All Students' Unity Kazhagam" A single-sheet bulletin, named Manavar Nesan was circulated among its members. The writings of Karunanidhi, usually marked by a lofty style and literary flourish, became very popular among the Tamil youth. His eloquent speeches, along with his writing ability, made him a natural leader of the students.
At a student's convention in Tanjore, Karunanidhi was enlisted as an important participant. But when he understood that the organising body had ulterior political objectives, he withdrew from the convention. As a counter move he started a new organisation called 'Tamil Manavar Manram', where he brought together all young people with a love for the Tamil tongue and culture. It was under the auspices of the manram that the now popular newspaper 'Murasoli' was born.
Besides these cultural activities, Karunanidhi involved himself and the student community in social work. Along with his comrades, he would visit the nearby hutments to do all that was possible within his limits. This was indeed a fitting apprenticeship for his later years as a Chief Minister.
It was on the first anniversary celebrations of 'Murasoli' and 'Manavar Mandram' that Karunanidhi came into contact with student leaders like Anbazhagan, Nedunchezhiyan & Mathiazhagan, who were his ministerial colleagues later.
Karunanidhi who was a gifted stage artiste, put up a play titled Shanti, under the banner Davida Nataka Manram in Pondicherry. In this play he rendered the role of Sivaguru, which received much applause. This aroused the wrath of Congressmen, and there was resistance to the Dravidan movement. But the impact of this play made both Periyar & Annadurai visit Pondicherry and address a public meeting. Chaos followed the meeting, which was disturbed by miscreants. Karunanidhi was assaulted on the way back to his Manavar Manram. He was unconscious, when a kind neighbour nursed him back to consciousness in his house.
"Art without an ideal is like a house without roofing", he often said. True to his words he revolutionised the Tamil stage with the controversial play 'Thooku Medai', for which he wrote the script. It roused the political and social sentiments of the people, and the then Government banned the play.
When the Justice party was transformed to Dravida Kazhagam, Karunanidhi designed the party flag. A black flag with a red circle was decided tentatively. It is said that Karunanidhi drew the red circle with his blood as a beginning for all the blood he shed for the honour of the party and the Tamils. The black was a reminder to the backwardness of the people who the party were keen on liberating, and the red circle represented the progressive aspirations of the Dravida Kazhagam.
At the age of 20, Karunanidhi married Padmavathy Ammayyar, and went to work for Jupiter Pictures as a script writer. His first film 'Rajakumari', gained him much popularity. It was here that his skills as a script writer were honed. He wrote more than 70 screenplays including Rajakumari, Abhimanyu, Mandiri Kumari, Marutha Naattu Ilavarasi, Manamagan, Devaki, Parasakthi, Panam, Thirumbipaar, Naam, Manohara, Ammaiappan, Malai Kallan, Rangoon Radha, Raja Rani, Puthaiyal, Pudhumai Pithan, Ellorum Innattu Mannar, Kuravanchi, Thayillapillai, Kanchi Thalaivan, Poompuhar, Poomalai, Mani Makudam, Marakka Mudiyuma? Avan Pithana? Pookkari, Needhikku Thandanai, Paalaivana Rojakkal, Pasa Paravaikal, Padadha Theneekkal, Niyaya Tharasu.
Karunanidhi was instrumental in the Kallakudi struggle to rename Dalmiapuram railway Station. Karunanidhi was entrusted with the task of organizing the struggle. The cadres were divided into three batches, and Karunanidhi lead the batch which lay down on the railway station, blocking the train. They were promptly arrested, the second group also met the same fate. When the third group lead by Kannadasan took its turn chaos broke, the police resorted to firing leading to the death of two. Karunanidhi was lodged in Thiruchirapalli Central Jail.
Even in jail he set up a shadow government, and allocated responsibilities to everyone of his cadres. During his periods in jail (he was incarcerated more than seven times between 1953 and 1965), Karunanidhi read and wrote extensively in prison.
Many an emotional event was entangled with political ones. His wife was ailing and in her death bed, but Karunanidhi had to render a speech at a meeting. When the meeting was concluded and he rushed home, his car was stalled by an engine problem and was forced to take a lorry home, by the time he reached his wife had passed away.
Similarly when his father was on his death bed, Karunanidhi rushed to a meeting to bring the doctor, but Dr.Vadivelu on seeing him announced in the meeting that M.K. would address them next. Bereft of another alternative Karunanidhi rendered a speech, but half way through he received from his friend Thenan the news of his father's death. Even a few days before his second marriage, he participated in an 'anti-Hindi' agitation. Fortunately there was no arrest on that agitation.
Karunanidhi became the editor of 'Malai Mani', a Tamil paper. His editorials were effective and inspiring, he invested life and society with culture and dignity. He was able to rouse the desires, urges, hopes, successes and failures of the commoner. The most effective of his editorials, 'The Pandal is Shaking', on the subject of Congress' failure, turned the Congress to a minority in the next elections.
When a great cyclone hit Tanjore during 1952, the DMK arranged relief operations for the homeless, for which Karunanidhi himself collected funds. He wrote a play titled 'Parabrahmam' and collected Rs.27,000/- through its performance. It was the rationalist and Socialist ideals of DMK combined with their commitment to the upliftment of the poor, and their selfless service which enticed the then matinee idol MG Ramachandran to the DMK' fold.
When DMK contested the 1957 elections, taunted by the defection of Toiler's party and Commonweal Party, whom the DMK supported earlier, Kamaraj, the then Congress Chief Minister had said publicly "You will get the crowds and we will get the votes".
Karunanidhi contested the 1957 elections from Kulithalai constituency. This made the beginning for both Karunanidhi and the Dravida Munetra Kalagam. In 1967 they swept to power. Navalar Nedunchazhiyan was elected General Sectretary, and Karunanidhi became its Treasurer.
In 1957, the DMK convened, an anti-Hindi conference, to thwart the plans of the then Central Government to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. An anti-Hindi day was observed on October 13, 1957. They conducted a peaceful but massive agitation...
DMK led by Karunanidhi, pledged to protect Tamil from the imperialistic rule of the North. They vowed to fight against all the elements that threatened Tamil culture.
Kalignar Karunanidhi described the language agitation as thus:
"The language agitation is intended to protect our culture, the prestige of our people, and the Party's political rights"
On Hindi, he says:
"Hindi is like 'carrier food' from the hotel; English is the food made by cook according to one's instructions; and Tamil, food from the mother who knows the family's needs and preferences, and feeds them accordingly".
In October, 1963, an anti-Hindi conference was called in Madras. The Articles of the Constitution that dealt with the national language was set flames in order to protest the lack of understanding from the Centre. On November 16, Anna was arrested and taken custody, and Karunanidhi was taken custody on November 19th. On 25th, however he was released on orders from High Court.
He never misread the political situation in Tamil Nadu. His ability to foresee the turn of political events made him an able administrator. He had once won a gold ring from Anna, for his political prophecy.
Name Dr.Kalaignar Karunanidhi Nick names Kalaignar Pen names Mu.ka., Muukaji, Muuna Kaana, Maravan, Cheran, Karikalan Date of Birth June 3, 1924 Birth Place Thirukkuvalai near Tiruvarur Profession Politician, Orator, Administrator, Play-Wright, Editor, Publisher, Author Parents Father: Muthuvelar
Mother: AnjugamSisters Wives Children Sons: Mu. ka Muthu, Mu.Ka.Azhagiri, Mu.Ka.Stalin, Mu.Ka. Tamilarasu
Daughters: Tamilselvi, KanimozhiFamous members of his family Nephew: Late Murasoli Maran
Grand Nephews: Dayanidhi maran, Kalanidhi MaranFirst inspiration The great orator Alagiriswami, a pillar of the then Justice Party, who came to Thiruvarur to address a meeting in 1932. He was only 14 years at that time. Interest in ‘dravida philosophy’ In 5th form when he read a book called ‘ Panagal arasar’ Teen years Murasoli It was under the auspices of the “Tamil Nadu Thamizh Maanavar mandram’. that the now popular newspaper ‘Murasoli’ was born. First Book: “Kizhavan kanavu”
Speech: “Natpu” spoken for his school competition.
Pen name: “Cheran”
Editor: Magazine “Murasoli”
Play: “Santha allathu Palaniappan”
Stage appearance: the role of Sivaguru in the play titled Shanti, under the banner Dravida Nataka Manram in Pondicherry.
Screen play: for the film ‘ Rajakumari’
Maiden speech in the assembly: May 4 1957Meetings Arignar Anna: Anna wanted to meet him after reading his article in “Dravida Nadu”. The first meeting impressed Annadurai very much.
Periyar: During a political meeting in Pondicherry.
MGR: During the filming of the film Rajakumari.Turning points in his life and career The film ‘Parasakthi” and in the political protest to change the name of Dalmiapuram to Kallakudi. Period in Jail He used to read and write extensively during his prison time About languages “Hindi is like ‘carrier food’ from the hotel; English is the food made by cook according to one’s instructions; and Tamil, food from the mother who knows the family’s needs and preferences, and feeds them accordingly” Gift Arignar Anna presented him a gold ring for his political prophecy. Never lost An election in his long political career spanning over 60 years. Resigned His post of Member of Legislative Assembly during 1983 for the sake of Sri Lankan Tamils. Autobiography “Nenjukku Needhi” Foreign Travels European Countries, Britain, France, West Germany, Rome, U.S.A., Malaysia and Singapore. “Nenjukku Needhi,” His autobiography Movie production Owns Poompuhar Productions, Mekala pictures Favourite Sports Cricket and Badminton Hobbies Reading , Writing and literary discussions Address 8, IV street, Gopalapuram, Chennai- 600 086 Quotes “Art without an ideal is like a house without roofing”
Politics
He took over as the Chief Minister on 13 May 2006 after his coalition defeated his main opponent J. Jayalalithaa in the May 2006 elections. He currently represents the constituency of Chepauk in Central Chennai in the Tamil Nadu state Legislative Assembly. He has been elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for 11 times and once to the now abolished Tamil Nadu Legislative Council.
Karunanidhi began his career as a scriptwriter in the Tamil film industry. He is known for his wit and oratorical skills, qualities which helped his rapid rise as a popular politician. He was famous for writing historical and social (reformist) stories which propagated the socialist and rationalist ideals of the Dravidian movement to which he belonged.
Karunanidhi entered politics at the age of 14 inspired listening to a speech by Alagiriswami of the Justice Party by whom he was greatly influenced in 1932 and participated in Anti-Hindi agitations. He founded an organisation for the local youth of his locality. He circulated a hand written newspaper called Manavar Nesan to its members. Later he founded a student organisation called Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Manram which was the first student wing of the Dravidan Movement. Karunanidhi involved himself and the student community in social work with other members he would visit the nearby hutments to do all that was possible within his limit. Here he started a newspaper for its members which grew into Murasoli newspaper which is the DMK party’s official newspaper.
Literature
Karunanidhi is known for his knowledge in and contribution for Tamil literature. His contributions cover a wide area like poem, letters, screenplays, novels, biographies, historic novels, stageplays, dialogues, songs etc. He has skillfully crafted ‘Kuraloviam’ for Thirukural, Tholkaappiya Poonga, Poombukar as well as many poems, essays and books.
Some have noted interestingly Eric Miller, The Hindu Online, June 16, 2006: “In world history, there have been very few writers who have also been successful politicians. Beyond Tamil Nadu, the only individual who comes to mind is Vaclav Havel, the last President of Czechoslovakia and the first President of the Czech Republic. In fact, the Dravidian Movement has involved a unique mix of politics and culture — classical, folk, and popular (including stage and cinema) — and a number of its central figures have been both writers and political leaders. Long live this wonderful south Indian tradition of writers as leaders!”
Articles
Muthuvel Karunanidhi, the current Tamil Nadu chief minister celebrated his 82nd birthday on June 3rd. He was born in 1924. Perhaps since 1990, in Tamil Nadu it has become a convention to add an year to one’s nominal age [especially if the individual has passed the Biblical span of three score and ten years; see for example, ‘The Hindu’ news item of June 3, 2006 on Karunanidhi’s birthday]. This astrological practice is derived from the prevalent traditional custom in some cultures of adding the period of 10 months of fetal age into one’s stated age. It is based on the assumption that one’s life begins not on the individual’s day of birth, but on from the day of conception. Thus in most write-ups, we could note that Karunanidhi is felicitated as the “83-year old elder statesman from Tamil Nadu.”
By any scale of literary and social success from a poverty-drenched family background in Tamil Nadu, poet Kannadasan (1927-1981) was an equal in standing to Karunanidhi. Both were founder members of DMK and parted their political paths in 1961. Since Kannadasan had enjoyed unrivalled success in literary, cinema and journalism arenas, his critique on Karunanidhi’s politics cannot be interpreted as jealousy of a haggler. Thus, it is worth to read some excerpts of Kannadasan’s autobiography, in which Karunanidhi’s skills receive an unflattering portrayal. In these passages, Kannadasan had referred himself in third person singular – He. To quote,
“[In 1963] When Pundit Nehru visited Chennai, he had grown senile. How Nehru had been affected by the untrustworthy deeds of China! He recited a poem to him. An English translation was offered and Jawaharlal had stuck it in his sherwani suit. He then touched his feet and greeted him. The next day, Karunanidhi had satirized this act. Those feet – He had only greeted those feet which had served and labored to free India. Were those feet engaged only in buying houses and collecting property wealth?
On September 15, 1981, Karunanidhi was arrested for protesting against the Sri Lankan government’s actions on Eelam Tamils. He was released two weeks later on September 29th.
On July 27, 1983, Karunanidhi led a protest demonstration in Chennai, to condemn the ‘Black July’ atrocities against Eelam Tamils and plantation Tamils. He resigned his Anna Nagar constituency seat in the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly to show his solidarity for the plight of Eelam Tamils.
On June 3, 1986, Karunanidhi’s 62nd birthday felicitation function was held in Chennai. To support the Eelam Tamil cause, funds were collected from his well wishers and pledged that such collected funds would be distributed to the Tamil militant movements.
You can say so.
Because nothing describes Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi’s position now better than the worrying trough cricketing genius Sachin Tendulkar has hit in recent times.
Look at the similarities:
Both are past masters and proven performers of their respective games - if the 74 international centuries tell the tale the Little Master, the fact that Karunanidhi hasn’t tasted failure in the 50 years he has been contesting elections speaks for the 83-year-old.
Both have contributed to cricket and politics more than what they have drawn from their respective fields.
An audio compact disc on Kalaignar Kaviyam (life history of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.) was released at a function in Chennai on 28 October.
Kalaignar Kaviyam is a poetic rendition on CD about the life and achievements of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi that were written as a book by lyricist Vaali a few years ago.
Addressing the gathering, Karunanidhi said such literary works gave him enthusiasm to work more for the Tamil language and society. Today’s youth have no interest in public life. They should strive to work for the betterment of the society in which they live. They should dedicate themselves for the land, where they were born, Karunanidhi said and added that youngsters should develop a passion for Tamil.
CHENNAI, JUNE 3. Leaders of several political parties today showered praise on the DMK president, M. Karunanidhi, for his contribution to Indian politics and society. Highlighting his multifarious achievements, they said he was a model worthy of emulation.
The former Prime Minister V.P. Singh; the Union Home Minister, Shivraj Patil; the Union Minister of State for Rural Development, A. Narendra; the All-India Congress Committee general secretary, Vayalar Ravi; the Pattali Makkal Katchi founder, S. Ramadoss; the Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president, G.K. Vasan; the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary, Vaiko; the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), N. Varadarajan, and the State Secretary of the Communist Party of India, R. Nallakannu, spoke at length on Mr. Karunanidhi’s role in public life during the last six decades.
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