Karunanidhi M

Biography:  M. Karunanidhi , (respectfully called as "Kalaignar" Karunanidhi) is an Indian politician. He is the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam,  a Dravidian political party in the state of Tamil Nadu. He has been the leader of the DMK since the death of its founder C.N. Annadurai in 1969.   He has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times (1969-71, 1971-76, 1989-91, 1996-2001 and 2006-2011). He holds the record of winning his seat in every election that he has contested in his political career spanning over 60 years. Early life Karunanidhi was born as Dakshinamurthy in Thirukuvalai in Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu on 3 June 1924 to Muthuvel and Anjugam. Script writer Karunanidhi began his career as a scriptwriter in the Tamil film industry. Through his wit and oratorical skills he rapidly 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. He started using Tamil cinema for propagating his political ideas first through the movie Parasakthi.  Parasakthi was a turning point in Tamil cinema as it espoused ideologies of the Dravidian movement and also introduced two prominent actors of Tamil filmdom, Sivaji Ganesan and S. S. Rajendran. The movie was initially banned but was finally released in 1952. It was a huge box office hit, but yet it was marred with controversies. The movie was opposed by orthodox Hindus since it contained elements that criticized Brahmanism. Entry into politics Karunanidhi entered politics at the age of 14 inspired listening to a speech by Alagiriswamii 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.  The first major protest that aided Karunanidhi in gaining ground in Tamil politics was his involvement in an anti-Hindi protest in Kallakudi. This industrial town was then called as Dalmiapuram after a cement mogul from North India. In the protest Karunanidhi and his companions erased the Hindi name from the railway station and lay down on the tracks blocking the course of trains. Two people died in the protest and Karunanidhi was arrested. Rise to Power Karunanidhi was first elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly in 1957 from the Kulithalai assembly of Thiruchirapalli district. He became the DMK treasurer in 1961 and deputy leader of opposition in the state assembly in the year 1962 and when the DMK came to power in 1967, he became the minister for public works. When Annadurai expired in 1969, Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu. He has held various positions in the party and government during his long career in Tamil Nadu political arena. He has been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu five times (1969-71, 1971-76, 1989-91, 1996-2001 and 2006-2011). 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 crafted Kuraloviam for Thirukural, Tholkaappiya Poonga, Poombukar as well as many poems, essays and books. Screenplays At the age of 20, Karunanidhi went to work for Jupiter Pictures as a script writer. His first film Rajakumaari, gained him much popularity. It was here that his skills as a script writer were honed.  Editor and Publisher He started Murasoli on 10.8.1942. He was the Founder-Editor, Publisher of " Murasoli" during his boyhood as a monthly, then a weekly, and now a daily. He used his talents as a journalist and cartoonist to bring issues relevant to his political ideology before the public. He writes daily letters addressed to his party workers by name; he has been writing these for over 50 years. In addition he has served as Editor for "Kudiyarasu" and gave life to journal - ' Mutharam'. He is the founder of State Governments News Reel, Arasu Studio and also the Government Journal "Tamil Arasu " published in Tamil and English. Personal life He has married three times his wives are Mrs. Padmavathy, Mrs. Dayalu Ammal and Mrs. Rajathiammal. His sons are M.K Muthu, M.K. Azhagiri, M.K. Stalin, M.K Tamilarasu and daughters are Selvi and Kanimozhi. Kanimozhi is a Rajya Sabha MP. Padmavathy, who died early bore him M.K. Muthu, his eldest son. Azhagiri, Stalin, Selvi and Tamilarasu are born to Dayaluammal, while Kanimozhi is the only daughter from his third wife Rajathiammal. Death Karunanidhi was in poor health from October 2016 and minimized his political activities and public appearances, with the last one being on his 94th birthday on June 3, 2018. On 28 July 2018 Karunanidhi was admitted at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai for treatment. He died there at 6:10 p.m. on August 7, 2018 due to age-related illness.