Jottings - Slice of life - 224 ( End of seasoned life in politics and literature - Kalaignar Karunanidhi)

Jottings - Slice of life - 224 ( End of seasoned life in politics and literature - Kalaignar Karunanidhi)

The phrase "end of an era" is used flippantly in modern times. It is easily applied to anyone who holds stage for a modest time, briefly basking in the glory of their talent or position, and fading away into history without much of an impact. However, It will be the unanimous opinion of pundits and common man alike that none deserves that honorable tribute of " end of an era" in thought, deed and action more than Dr Karunanidhi, or Kalaignar as he was affectionately called. At 94 years of age, in a private hospital in Chennai, this amazing life comes to an end, and with him ends a legacy unparalleled in the annals of political history anywhere in the world. For fifty long years, he was the undisputed leader of his party with not so much as whiff of challenge from anyone. In those fifty years, he served as the chief minister five times; in those fifty years, he has seen, worked and manipulated nationals governments and subtly dictated alliances; In those fifty years he kept the morale of the party high despite the factions forming within it; For fifty years he was only legitimate face of the party and its ideology. The DMK party may still live on, led by his proteges, but without the living spirit of Karunanidhi, it will miss that vitality and integrity his presence unmistakably imparted. And it will be a Herculean task to keep up to the stature and dignity of Karunanidhi.

For those of us born in the 60's and 70's , Karunanidhi is almost family. We grew up watching, reading and observing his political destiny and literary talent unfold and embrace Tamilnadu in print, television and cinema. His trade mark thick black frame, with black glasses, his short figure with thin mustache and thinning hair, a black shawl or towel draped over his shoulder, clad always in white dhoti and shirt, he strode the political landscape like a colossus. His massive rallies drew thousands of people. His electrifying oratory in baritone Tamil held people spellbound, and his articulation of the Dravida philosophy in pithy statements resonated and echoed in the hearts of millions of tamilians - in whose hearts he represented the pride of the Southern race. It didn't matter he was an atheist, or that he derided temple goers for their credulous superstition. To the people who venerated him, he was their living God, and his presence was the temple they sought.

Like winston Churchill and few others in history, Karunanidhi had a facile and prolific pen. He balanced his political life with art and literature. As a script writer, poet, novelist and historian , his works run into hundreds of volumes, and till the very end, his mind and language was sharp and succinct as it has always been. In movies, he used tight dialogues and story lines to highlight social causes, and actors who had the privilege of articulating his words on screen and stage often found themselves catapulted to status of heroes. Shivaji ganesan owes much of his initial success to the dramatic and powerful dialogues of Karunanidhi. The court scene in film "Parasakti" released in 1952, marks a watershed in film history. In a fifteen minute sequence, an falsely accused brother argues his case with pointed references to social ills, gender biases, and economic inequality. The clear flow of thought enveloped in majestic Tamil; voiced and dramatized on screen by Shivaji still sends a thrill through ones body after so many decades. From the sixties to late nineties, Karunanidhi penned many such works of social significance amidst his active political life. People who knew him closely speak of his personal discipline in daily life. A strict physical and mental regimen ensured he lived long enough productively.

One wonders , after the death of Jayalalitha and Karunanidhi within a span of two years, how the political equation in tamilnadu will balance itself. There will new players, new affiliations and new thrust in political goals; but it is doubtful it anyone can attain the stature of these deceased leaders. Speaking of DMK, I am certain with Karunanidhi's death, the party will find it very difficult to find someone to hold its various strands together as he did. If the party succeeds in doing that, it will be the greatest tribute to Kalaignar Karunanidhi and his legacy.

God bless...

yours in mortality,

Bala