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Karunanidhi: A Life
Writer-turned-politician Muthuvel Karunanidhi is amongst the most important political figures India has ever seen. He was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for five terms and leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for over five decades.
Still remembered for his controversial but fruitful career as a regional leader, his contribution to Tamil history and culture has been invaluable. Meticulously researched and deeply engrossing, Karunanidhi: A Life delves into the life and times of this unforgettable man.
Still remembered for his controversial but fruitful career as a regional leader, his contribution to Tamil history and culture has been invaluable. Meticulously researched and deeply engrossing, Karunanidhi: A Life delves into the life and times of this unforgettable man.
420 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2021
19 people are currently reading
193 people want to read
About the author
A.S. Panneerselvan
2 books3 followersA.S. Panneerselvan is fellow at Roja Muthiah Research Library, Chennai and head of its Centre for Study in Public Sphere. Earlier, he was the Readers’ Editor (an independent internal news ombudsman) of The Hindu, for nearly a decade. Apart from being a regular columnist, he is also an adjunct faculty member of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism, Chennai.
Panneerselvan is the author of Karunanidhi: A Life, published in 2021 by Penguin Random House. He was conferred the G.U. Pope award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for his literary and journalistic contributions. He was the head of the jury for the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature.
Panneerselvan is the author of Karunanidhi: A Life, published in 2021 by Penguin Random House. He was conferred the G.U. Pope award by the Government of Tamil Nadu for his literary and journalistic contributions. He was the head of the jury for the 2022 JCB Prize for Literature.
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July 7, 2022
This is a phenomenal book. Extremely well researched and eloquently written.
I am a Telugu-mother-tongued Tamil person living in Chennai. I am a non-Brahmin but have always been fed on a Brahmin-centric media diet in Tamilnadu (Vikatan, Kalki, The Hindu, and Thuglak) in my formative years. I have not heard any praise about DMK, DK, or Karunanidhi from the media or the people around me.
It took a lot of time for me to realize the works of Periyar in Tamilnadu. But even in Dravidian circles and Left-centric media, Annadurai and Karunanidhi are not recognized at all. I have heard people abusing them because they are corrupt, indecent, violent, and blah blah. But the narrative about MGR and JJ was different. I was told MGR and JJ are heroes, but DMK and Karunanidhi are the villains. I am sure the popular narrative is built around this even now. JJ is a strong lady with great conviction; MGR is a good-hearted man with great compassion for the poor and social upliftment. But Karunanidhi is corrupt, sly, nepotistic.
For the economic revolution that has happened in Tamilnadu, the story goes like this. Kamaraj was the kalvi-thanthai, MGR brought in the mid-day meal scheme, JJ ably administered the state which bought so many industries and set up the economic revolution in TN. All Karunanidhi did was squander the wealth, built Sun TV media empire, 2G scam, and did "scientific corruption."
But the story didn't add up for me because of this. The Congress party led by Kamaraj went out of power in 1967. MGR was in power from 1977 to 1987. How did magically the TN transform in these decades? None of the popular narratives gave a good answer for this. I could see more stories spun out on MGR and JJ but not one credible story of Kalaignar.
This book is a great window to understand the history of Tamilnadu, the uprising of the Dravidian movement through the life of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. I learned the following:
1. Why was it necessary to be part of electoral politics to realize Dravidian principles' ideals? How momentous is the task to face the machinery of government to implement the principles?
2. How masterfully Kalaignar captured his audience through the mass media of cinema? How thoughtfully he rode and the wave of cinema but transformed it for disseminating his views and principles? He did the impossible task of growing an audience when Brahmins and Congress sympathizers controlled the popular media.
3. What is the difference between "compromise and conciliation"? Kalaignar never compromised his principles but reconciled with the broader institutions to move forward. To a reporter who questions, "Are you left leaning or right leaning?", Kalaignar, who rarely speaks in English, quips: "We are always in the front."
4. What I learned from this book is his statesman-like view of things. While Periyar demanded Dravida Nadu, Anna and KK used Dravida Nadu as leverage and bargained for more power to the states. He envisioned the same for Srilankan Tamils, but things went beyond his control. I truly appreciated the chapter on his nuanced approach to Srilankan Tamils, but almost everyone in India and the media failed to understand it. I was very impressed by the emphasis on E-minus-D-plus-plus strategy with the Srilankan Tamil parties (no Eelaam but move Devolution of power).
5. I came out of this book with immense respect to Murasoli Maran, who rightly was the conscience of DMK from the 80s. Of course, Kalaignar has made mistakes and miscalculations in electoral politics. His downfall in his last decade, dispute with the Marans, and the Brahmin dominated media's effort to build a narrative against him. The author correctly points out his follies and doesn't paint with any rose-tinted glass. But we all overlook the massive impact he has had in the life of Tamils and always downplay it.
6. Many leaders are Teflon in nature. Trump or Modi are not always held responsible for any mistakes. (DeMo was a good try, COVID is a problem at the state, etc) But Kalaignar is actually a non-Teflon leader. People always malign him and never want to appreciate him. But MGR and JJ are Teflon in nature. People ignore their atrocities or incompetency and see a way to valorize them. (See the popular movie Iruvar or the Tamil TV series "The Queen" or the upcoming movies like Thalaivi, which will be villainizing him.). I felt a bit ashamed to view him always in a bad light and thinking highly of JJ and MGR and their impact. Now I understand Brahmin-dominated media's power (with the likes of Cho Ramasamy and SS Vasan) shaping the narrative of Tamilnadu but consciously editing DMK and KK out of it.
7. How the seeds for affirmative action and social justice were planted early in the political minds of Tamilnadu by the Justice Party? How KK was a true flag bearer for the Dravidian principles but shunned away from the radical methods of Periyar or Communists. He shrewdly understood the leverage he had, and like a true Stoic, he changed only what he could change. He did a damn great job with it by working within the constitutional framework and demanding devolution of power.
8. How does the economic liberalization of 1992 impact the Dravidian principles? He really thought hard on this and reworked based on reality. He took a unique route of combining "social welfare" and "embracing the market/technology by industrializing." The Left denounced him for his pro-market moves. He was denounced by the Right for his social welfare moves. But he was steadfast in his views and marched forward.
If you want to understand why Tamilnadu is different, why we have strong opinions about Hindi imposition or NEET or reservation, you need to read the book. Or if you simply want to know why we don't have assholes like Arnab Goswami in Tamil news media, this book has an answer for this.
If you are someone like me: Who respects Periyar but had viewed DMK and Kalaignar with skepticism, this book is for you.
If you are someone who believes the answer for social welfare is in the Left and the principles of Marx, this is a story of an intellectual who has done a great experiment in the Indian context and succeeded in it. You should read it too.
I am a Telugu-mother-tongued Tamil person living in Chennai. I am a non-Brahmin but have always been fed on a Brahmin-centric media diet in Tamilnadu (Vikatan, Kalki, The Hindu, and Thuglak) in my formative years. I have not heard any praise about DMK, DK, or Karunanidhi from the media or the people around me.
It took a lot of time for me to realize the works of Periyar in Tamilnadu. But even in Dravidian circles and Left-centric media, Annadurai and Karunanidhi are not recognized at all. I have heard people abusing them because they are corrupt, indecent, violent, and blah blah. But the narrative about MGR and JJ was different. I was told MGR and JJ are heroes, but DMK and Karunanidhi are the villains. I am sure the popular narrative is built around this even now. JJ is a strong lady with great conviction; MGR is a good-hearted man with great compassion for the poor and social upliftment. But Karunanidhi is corrupt, sly, nepotistic.
For the economic revolution that has happened in Tamilnadu, the story goes like this. Kamaraj was the kalvi-thanthai, MGR brought in the mid-day meal scheme, JJ ably administered the state which bought so many industries and set up the economic revolution in TN. All Karunanidhi did was squander the wealth, built Sun TV media empire, 2G scam, and did "scientific corruption."
But the story didn't add up for me because of this. The Congress party led by Kamaraj went out of power in 1967. MGR was in power from 1977 to 1987. How did magically the TN transform in these decades? None of the popular narratives gave a good answer for this. I could see more stories spun out on MGR and JJ but not one credible story of Kalaignar.
This book is a great window to understand the history of Tamilnadu, the uprising of the Dravidian movement through the life of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. I learned the following:
1. Why was it necessary to be part of electoral politics to realize Dravidian principles' ideals? How momentous is the task to face the machinery of government to implement the principles?
2. How masterfully Kalaignar captured his audience through the mass media of cinema? How thoughtfully he rode and the wave of cinema but transformed it for disseminating his views and principles? He did the impossible task of growing an audience when Brahmins and Congress sympathizers controlled the popular media.
3. What is the difference between "compromise and conciliation"? Kalaignar never compromised his principles but reconciled with the broader institutions to move forward. To a reporter who questions, "Are you left leaning or right leaning?", Kalaignar, who rarely speaks in English, quips: "We are always in the front."
4. What I learned from this book is his statesman-like view of things. While Periyar demanded Dravida Nadu, Anna and KK used Dravida Nadu as leverage and bargained for more power to the states. He envisioned the same for Srilankan Tamils, but things went beyond his control. I truly appreciated the chapter on his nuanced approach to Srilankan Tamils, but almost everyone in India and the media failed to understand it. I was very impressed by the emphasis on E-minus-D-plus-plus strategy with the Srilankan Tamil parties (no Eelaam but move Devolution of power).
5. I came out of this book with immense respect to Murasoli Maran, who rightly was the conscience of DMK from the 80s. Of course, Kalaignar has made mistakes and miscalculations in electoral politics. His downfall in his last decade, dispute with the Marans, and the Brahmin dominated media's effort to build a narrative against him. The author correctly points out his follies and doesn't paint with any rose-tinted glass. But we all overlook the massive impact he has had in the life of Tamils and always downplay it.
6. Many leaders are Teflon in nature. Trump or Modi are not always held responsible for any mistakes. (DeMo was a good try, COVID is a problem at the state, etc) But Kalaignar is actually a non-Teflon leader. People always malign him and never want to appreciate him. But MGR and JJ are Teflon in nature. People ignore their atrocities or incompetency and see a way to valorize them. (See the popular movie Iruvar or the Tamil TV series "The Queen" or the upcoming movies like Thalaivi, which will be villainizing him.). I felt a bit ashamed to view him always in a bad light and thinking highly of JJ and MGR and their impact. Now I understand Brahmin-dominated media's power (with the likes of Cho Ramasamy and SS Vasan) shaping the narrative of Tamilnadu but consciously editing DMK and KK out of it.
7. How the seeds for affirmative action and social justice were planted early in the political minds of Tamilnadu by the Justice Party? How KK was a true flag bearer for the Dravidian principles but shunned away from the radical methods of Periyar or Communists. He shrewdly understood the leverage he had, and like a true Stoic, he changed only what he could change. He did a damn great job with it by working within the constitutional framework and demanding devolution of power.
8. How does the economic liberalization of 1992 impact the Dravidian principles? He really thought hard on this and reworked based on reality. He took a unique route of combining "social welfare" and "embracing the market/technology by industrializing." The Left denounced him for his pro-market moves. He was denounced by the Right for his social welfare moves. But he was steadfast in his views and marched forward.
If you want to understand why Tamilnadu is different, why we have strong opinions about Hindi imposition or NEET or reservation, you need to read the book. Or if you simply want to know why we don't have assholes like Arnab Goswami in Tamil news media, this book has an answer for this.
If you are someone like me: Who respects Periyar but had viewed DMK and Kalaignar with skepticism, this book is for you.
If you are someone who believes the answer for social welfare is in the Left and the principles of Marx, this is a story of an intellectual who has done a great experiment in the Indian context and succeeded in it. You should read it too.
June 10, 2021
In his seminal "India After Gandhi", Ramachandra Guha underlines the need for good biographies of great regional leaders. A.S.Paneerselvan's deeply researched of M.Karunanidhi is one such work. Karunanidhi's previous English biographies failed to capture his multi-faceted personality. Vaasanthi is too besotted with Jayalalitha to do justice in her book while Sandhya Ravishankar's work is a light one skimming the surface except for allegations of corruption.A.S.Paneerselvan is sympathetic to the causes espoused by Karunanidhi and the book is a must read for non-Tamil readers who have thus far understood Tamil Nadu only through the Brahmin-Savarna lenses of "experts". Karunanidhi's epitaph reads : " He who toiled without taking rest is resting in peace here". The hard work involved in this book is a just tribute to the leader named Muthuvel Karunanidhi.
March 29, 2021
The first few pages invoke fears that the book could be a hagiography, mainly because the author was quoting extensively from Nenjukku Needhi, Kalaignar's autobiography. But soon enough, I realized that the book was an attempt to contextualise events and decisions which have over time been derided consistently by the largely Brahmin English media. It is by no means a hagiography, and it's not a perfect book either. But it is definitely a fitting tribute to the man who defined Tamil poltics. Let me state in no uncertain terms that the book is a must read, especially if you have been forcefed Brahminical perspectives by North Indian journalists or vile casteists like Cho Ramaswamy all your life. Now for a critical, nuanced look at the book:
1. Very few competing voices in the story - I can understand not representing the voices of the Congress, which was the BJP of those times, but the criticism of the Left parties is hardly there.
2. The author redeems himself with his criticism of the man and his last government. But he doesn't touch upon the editing of the soundtrack episode concerning MuKa's arrest in 2001, even though he was the managing editor of the Sun group at that time.
3. The author elaborately represents the views of the leader and the DMK's defence on controversial issues such as the Eelam war, the alliance with BJP, the 89 budget session etc. Given how much opposition he has faced from Brahmins and how Brahmin spin doctors have made it their life's cause to destroy his legacy, I didn't mind this at all. Especially now, in the post truth social media world replete with fake news and dangerous propaganda, where historical events are being taken out of context to misguide people.
4. He very rightfully criticises the media for crediting Jayalalithaa without context, and points out that JJ could unleash investments because of what was done by Kalaignar before her. But he ignores the contributions of MGR and attributes the popularity of MGR solely to some sympathy waves and his machiavellian political moves. It might have been true, but the author provides very little quantitative evidence for the same.
5. The author needn't have included unsubstantiated claims about intelligence services allegedly saying MGR and Jaya were being operated by Central Government.
6. The Keezhvenmani massacre is reduced to a passing reference, and there is no mention at all of the Thamirabarani police brutality. Criticism by Dalit scholars such as Stalin Rajangam, Ravikumar et al have not been addressed.
7. I'm in awe of the number of hats Karunanidhi needed to wear, and how he had to do everything by himself. I've all the respect in the world for his talent and his achievements as a politician. But for a person with extraordinary foresight, I fail to see how he didn't manage to look within and observe the vulnerabilities in a future without him. It makes you wonder if there was a self-indulgent streak to the man. It's this streak that probably proved to be his downfall.
8. The last few chapters are on how nepotism proved to be a blot on his legacy. They were painful to read as they also showed how these last days gave Brahminical forces ammunition to target a tiring warrior. These dark days also unfortunately chiseled the views of a new generation which grew up on Brahminical lies that the DMK was just a corrupt, nepotistic party, with nothing more to it. It is important that this very generation educates itself and understands important historical context.
1. Very few competing voices in the story - I can understand not representing the voices of the Congress, which was the BJP of those times, but the criticism of the Left parties is hardly there.
2. The author redeems himself with his criticism of the man and his last government. But he doesn't touch upon the editing of the soundtrack episode concerning MuKa's arrest in 2001, even though he was the managing editor of the Sun group at that time.
3. The author elaborately represents the views of the leader and the DMK's defence on controversial issues such as the Eelam war, the alliance with BJP, the 89 budget session etc. Given how much opposition he has faced from Brahmins and how Brahmin spin doctors have made it their life's cause to destroy his legacy, I didn't mind this at all. Especially now, in the post truth social media world replete with fake news and dangerous propaganda, where historical events are being taken out of context to misguide people.
4. He very rightfully criticises the media for crediting Jayalalithaa without context, and points out that JJ could unleash investments because of what was done by Kalaignar before her. But he ignores the contributions of MGR and attributes the popularity of MGR solely to some sympathy waves and his machiavellian political moves. It might have been true, but the author provides very little quantitative evidence for the same.
5. The author needn't have included unsubstantiated claims about intelligence services allegedly saying MGR and Jaya were being operated by Central Government.
6. The Keezhvenmani massacre is reduced to a passing reference, and there is no mention at all of the Thamirabarani police brutality. Criticism by Dalit scholars such as Stalin Rajangam, Ravikumar et al have not been addressed.
7. I'm in awe of the number of hats Karunanidhi needed to wear, and how he had to do everything by himself. I've all the respect in the world for his talent and his achievements as a politician. But for a person with extraordinary foresight, I fail to see how he didn't manage to look within and observe the vulnerabilities in a future without him. It makes you wonder if there was a self-indulgent streak to the man. It's this streak that probably proved to be his downfall.
8. The last few chapters are on how nepotism proved to be a blot on his legacy. They were painful to read as they also showed how these last days gave Brahminical forces ammunition to target a tiring warrior. These dark days also unfortunately chiseled the views of a new generation which grew up on Brahminical lies that the DMK was just a corrupt, nepotistic party, with nothing more to it. It is important that this very generation educates itself and understands important historical context.
March 31, 2021
BOOK REVIEW
1967 -சட்டமன்ற தேர்தலில் திமுக வென்றதில் இருந்தே இந்திய தேசிய அரசியல் தமிழகத்தை குறிவைக்க தொடங்கி விட்டது, அதற்கு முன்பே திமுகவின் வளர்ச்சி பல ஆதிக்க சக்திகளின் வயிற்றில் புளியை கரைத்தது என்பதை EVK.சம்பத்தின் திடீர் பிரிவை வைத்து புரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்[அவர் அப்போது நாடளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்] . கிட்டத்தட்ட 50 ஆண்டுகள் கலைஞரை சுற்றி தான் இந்திய அரசியல் நிகழ்ந்தது என்றால் அது மிகையாகாது . இந்திய ஒன்றிய அரசியலில் எந்த பிரச்னைகளானாலும் சரி அதை சுமூகமாக தீர்ப்பதில் கலைஞரின் பங்கு மிகப்பெரியது.
கலைஞரை பற்றி இதுவரை வெளிவந்த புத்தகங்களில் மிக சிறந்த புத்தகமாகவும் ஒரு வரலாற்று ஆவணமாகவும் ஊடகவியலாளர்திரு AS Paneerselvan அவர்கள் எழுதிய “KARUNANIDHI- A LIFE” இருக்கும் என்பதை என்னால் உறுதியாக சொல்ல முடியும். கிட்ட தட்ட 30 ஆண்டு உழைப்பின் வெளிப்பாடு தான் இப்புத்தகம். கலைஞரின் பல மேற்கோள்கள், சிக்கலான முடிவுகளுக்கு பின்னால் இருந்த புரிதல்கள் என தெளிவான பதில்களை படிக்கையில் நமது முன்முடிவுகள் சுக்குநூறாக நொறுங்குகிறது. தேர்தல் சமயத்தில் இந்நூலை வெளியிட்ட அவருக்கு நன்றி.
ஈழம், தேசிய ஜனநாயக கூட்டணில்(NDA) அங்கம் , சர்க்காரியா கமிஷன், ஜெயின் கமிஷன், 2G என பல்வேறு சிக்கலான நிகழ்வுகளில் அவர் கொண்டிருந்த நிலைப்பாடு மற்றும் அதை அவர் கையாண்ட விதம் என தெளிவான பார்வையை இந்நூல் வாசகனுக்கு விட்டு செல்கிறது.
ஒரு தலைவனின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை இதை விட சிறப்பாக பதிவு செய்திருக்க முடியாது. "அகம்-புறம்" என்ற சங்க இலக்கிய தொனியில் நூல் அமைந்துள்ளது. அகம் சார்ந்து தனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட பிரச்சனைகளை உணர்ந்து அதற்கான தீர்வை கண்டெடுத்து அதை புற சூழலுக்கு ஏற்ப நல திட்டங்களாகவும் தீர்வுகளாக���ும் செயல்படுத்தியர் கலைஞர் ஒருவர் தான்.
அடித்து சாக்கடையில் வீசப்பட்ட போதும், மனைவியின் இறுதி நாட்களில் உடனிருக்க முடியாமல் போனபோதும், ஒரு கண்ணில் அடிபட்டு வலியில் துடித்த போதும் அவர் இயக்கத்துக்காக உழைத்தார். பேச்சாலும் எழுத்தாலும் ஒரு மாபெரும் படையை தயார் செய்தார்.
இதை தாண்டி திரைத்துறையிலும் இலக்கிய துறையிலும் தொடர்ந்து இயங்கி கொண்டிருந்தவர்,அந்தந்த துறையின் பரிணாமவளர்ச்சிக்கேற்பு தன்னை தகவமைத்துக்கொண்டவர். எந்த துறையானாலும் அதை சவாலாக எடுத்துக்கொண்டு பணியாற்றியவர். அவரின் திரை துறை செயல்பாடுகளும் அந்தந்த காலகட்டத்துக்கேற்ப எப்படி உருமாறியது என்பதையும் தெளிவாக விளக்குகிறது இந்நூல்.
"கொள்கையில் உறுதியாக இருந்தால் யாரோடு சேர்ந்தாலும் அழிந்துபோக மாட்டோம்" என்று பேரறிஞர் அண்ணாவின் பொன்மொழி ஒன்றுள்ளது. கலைஞர் அமைத்த அத்துணை கூட்டணிகளும் அப்படிப்பட்டவை தான், குறைந்தபட்ச பொது செயல்திட்டம்(Common minimum program) என்பது அணைத்து கூட்டணியிலும் அவர் கடைபிடித்தார் அதற்கு அண்ணா வகுத்துத்தந்த பாதை தான் முதன்மை காரணம்.
ஜனாதிபதி பதவி பிரதமர் பதவி என பல பதவிகள் தன்னை தேடி வந்த போதும் "என் உயரம் எனக்கு தெரியும்" என்று கூறி நிராகரித்தவர். 7 பிரதமர்களை உண்டாக்கிய “king maker” என்றால் அது கலைஞர் தான்.
அவரை புகழாத தலைவர்கள் இல்லை கண்டு வியக்காத பகைவர்கள் இல்லை. அவரின் நண்பரான எம்ஜிஆர் கூட கட்சியை உடைத்தபிறகும் கலைஞரை "ஆண்டவனே" என்று தான் அழைத்துள்ளார். ஆளுமைக்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டு கலைஞர்.
சர்க்காரியா கமிஷன் பற்றி பின்னாட்களில் இந்திரா காந்தி இவ்வாறு கூறுகிறார் "அதிமுக மற்றும் இடதுசாரிகளின் நெருக்கடி காரணமாக தான் அந்த கமிஷனை அமைத்தேன்". திமுகவில் நடந்த நான்கு முக்கிய பிரிவுகளுக்கும்(சம்பத், எம்ஜிஆர்,நெடுஞ்செழியன், வைகோ) பின்னனியில் மத்தியில் ஆளும் அரசு இருந்துள்ளது என்பது நிதர்சனம்.
ஈழம் பற்றிய கலைஞரின் பார்வையை, அண்ணா பெரியாரின் அரசியல் பார்வையோடு ஒப்பிடலாம், பெரியாருக்கு இருந்தது பெருங்கனவு அதாவது maximalist approach. ஆனால் அண்ணாவின் நிலைப்பாடு நடைமுறைக்கு உகந்தது, செயல்படுத்த கூடிய சாத்தியங்கள் அதிகம் பெற்றது. கலைஞரின் ஈழம் பற்றிய பார்வை அண்ணாவின் அரசியல் பார்வை போன்றது. நடைமுறை சாத்தியங்களுக்கு உட்பட்ட தீர்வுகளை அவர் தனது கருத்தாக கொண்டிருந்தார். மேலும் விடுதலை புலிகள்(LTTE), தாங்கள் மட்டும் தான் ஈழ தமிழர்களின் ஒற்றை பிரதிநிதி என்ற போதும் அவர் அதை ஏற்கவில்லை, சக ஈழ விடுதலை போராட்ட குழுக்களுடன் சண்டை போட்ட விடுதலை புலிகளை "சகோதர யுத்தம்" வேண்டாம் என்று கண்டித்தார். ஒற்றத்துவம் என்பது ஜனநாயகத்துக்கு விரோதமானது என்பது கலைஞரின் நிலைப்பாடு.
ஈழ மக்களின் ஆதங்கங்களை அவர் நன்கு உணர்ந்திருந்தார், அவர்களுக்கான தீர்வுகளை அவர் அடைய முனைந்தார் அவரால் முடிந்த முயற்சிகளை அவர் எடுக்க தான் செய்தார். ஒரு பக்கம் இந்திய அரசியல் கட்சிகள் அவரை விடுதலை புலிகள் சார்பு கொண்டவர் என்று முத்திரை குத்தினார்கள். அதற்கு விலையாக ஆட்சியை இழந்தார், மறுபக்கம் தமிழ் தேசியர்கள் அவருக்கு துரோகி முத்திரை குத்தினர். ஆனால் அவர் எடுத்தது சரியான நிலைப்பாடு, வேறு எவராலும் அத்தகைய சிக்கலை கையாண்டிருக்க முடியாது. கடைசி வரை ஈழ மக்களின் அடிப்படை உரிமைகளை அமைதியான முறையில் பெற்றுத்தர வேண்டும் என்ற நோக்கம் மட்டும் அவரிடம் இருந்திவரை இருந்தது. ஈழம் பற்றிய தெளிவான பார்வையை இந்நூல் விளக்குகிறது.
தமிழக அரசியலை நாசப்படுத்தியதற்கு ஜெயலலிதாவின் கொடுங்கோல் ஆட்சி ஒரு முக்கிய காரணம். அதிமுக என்ற கட்சியே தமிழக அரசியலுக்கு ஒரு சாபம் தான், அந்த பயனற்ற ஆட்சியால் தமிழகம் 20 ஆண்டுக்கான வளர்ச்சியை இழந்துள்ளது. இந்துத்துவாவை தமிழக அரசியல் நிராகரித்ததற்கு காரணமாக வேண்டுமானால் அதிமுகவை சொல்லி ஆறுதல் பட்டு கொள்ளலாம். ஒருவர் தொடங்கிய திட்டத்தை முடக்குவது என்ற கேடுகெட்ட அரசியலை தொடங்கியவர் அம்மையார் ஜெயலலிதா தான். தனிமனித காழ்ப்பின் காரணமாக பார்ப்பவரை எல்லாம் கைது செய்து காட்டாட்சி நடத்தியவர். அவர் இறுதி காலங்களில் அதற்கான பலனை அவர் அனுபவித்தார்.
கலைஞரின் பொது வாழ்க்கையில் முரசொலி மாறனின் இழப்பு பெரிய தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியது என்றே சொல்லலாம். அதன் பின் ஒரு திடநிலையை(stability) அவரால் அடையமுடியவில்லை. உட்கட்சி அரசியல் முரண்கள், குடும்ப சிக்கல்கள், இதனிடையே மத்திய-மாநில அரசின் நெருக்கடிகள் என தனியாக தவித்த காலகட்டம். அவர் எடுத்த பல முடிவுகள் தோல்வியில் முடிந்தாலும் இயக்கம் தொடர்ந்து இயங்கியது. தொண்டர்கள் அவரை ஒரு நாளும் கைவிட்டதில்லை என்பதற்கு அவரின் தொடர் தேர்தல் வெற்றிகள் சாட்சி.
நூலின் இறுதி பகுதி வாசிக்கும் அனைவர்க்கும் ஒரு துக்க உணர்வை தரும், உணர்ச்சி கடலில் முழுகடிக்கும்,கண்ணீர் சிந்த வைக்கும் . தனது கடைசி ஆசையான, அண்ணா அருகில் இடம் வேண்டும், என்பதை கூட அவரால் போராடி தான் பெற முடிந்தது. கலைஞரின் வாழ்க்கை நம்மை போன்றவர்களுக்கெல்லாம் ஒரு உந்து சக்தி.
இந்த இனத்துக்கான தலைவரை அவர் வாழ்ந்த காலகட்டத்தில் கொண்டாட தவறிய பல அறிவிலிகளில் நானும் ஒருவன். அந்த குற்றவுணர்வு என்னை துரத்தி கொண்டே இருக்கும். அது துரத்தும் வரை நான் இந்த இயக்கத்துக்காகவும் அதன் கொள்கைக்காகவும் உழைத்து கொண்டே இருப்பேன். அவர் விட்டு சென்ற பணிகளை நாம் அனைவரும் தொடர்ந்து செய்ய வேண்டும்.
இந்த தேர்தல் அதற்கான தொடக்கமாக அமையட்டும். தேர்தல் சமயத்தில் பொய் செய்திகளுக்கு எதிர்வினை ஆற்றவும் கலைஞர் மீது சுமத்தப்பட்ட பழிகளுக்கு எதிர்வினை ஆற்றும் விதத்திலும் பல்வேறு செய்திகள் இந்நூலில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது. உடன்பிறப்புகள் மற்றும் தோழர்கள் அவசியம் வாங்கி படித்து உங்கள் கருத்துக்களை பகிருங்கள். தமிழர் அனைவரது வீட்டிலும் இருக்கவேண்டுய புத்தகம் இது.
இந்நூலை எழுதிய திரு AS Paneerselvan அவர்களுக்கு எனது நன்றிகலந்த வாழ்த்தும் அன்பும்.
வாழ்க திராவிடம்
வளர்க பகுத்தறிவு
வெல்க தமிழ்
என்றும் நன்றியுடன்
அ. கெளதம்.
🖤❤️
1967 -சட்டமன்ற தேர்தலில் திமுக வென்றதில் இருந்தே இந்திய தேசிய அரசியல் தமிழகத்தை குறிவைக்க தொடங்கி விட்டது, அதற்கு முன்பே திமுகவின் வளர்ச்சி பல ஆதிக்க சக்திகளின் வயிற்றில் புளியை கரைத்தது என்பதை EVK.சம்பத்தின் திடீர் பிரிவை வைத்து புரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்[அவர் அப்போது நாடளுமன்ற உறுப்பினர்] . கிட்டத்தட்ட 50 ஆண்டுகள் கலைஞரை சுற்றி தான் இந்திய அரசியல் நிகழ்ந்தது என்றால் அது மிகையாகாது . இந்திய ஒன்றிய அரசியலில் எந்த பிரச்னைகளானாலும் சரி அதை சுமூகமாக தீர்ப்பதில் கலைஞரின் பங்கு மிகப்பெரியது.
கலைஞரை பற்றி இதுவரை வெளிவந்த புத்தகங்களில் மிக சிறந்த புத்தகமாகவும் ஒரு வரலாற்று ஆவணமாகவும் ஊடகவியலாளர்திரு AS Paneerselvan அவர்கள் எழுதிய “KARUNANIDHI- A LIFE” இருக்கும் என்பதை என்னால் உறுதியாக சொல்ல முடியும். கிட்ட தட்ட 30 ஆண்டு உழைப்பின் வெளிப்பாடு தான் இப்புத்தகம். கலைஞரின் பல மேற்கோள்கள், சிக்கலான முடிவுகளுக்கு பின்னால் இருந்த புரிதல்கள் என தெளிவான பதில்களை படிக்கையில் நமது முன்முடிவுகள் சுக்குநூறாக நொறுங்குகிறது. தேர்தல் சமயத்தில் இந்நூலை வெளியிட்ட அவருக்கு நன்றி.
ஈழம், தேசிய ஜனநாயக கூட்டணில்(NDA) அங்கம் , சர்க்காரியா கமிஷன், ஜெயின் கமிஷன், 2G என பல்வேறு சிக்கலான நிகழ்வுகளில் அவர் கொண்டிருந்த நிலைப்பாடு மற்றும் அதை அவர் கையாண்ட விதம் என தெளிவான பார்வையை இந்நூல் வாசகனுக்கு விட்டு செல்கிறது.
ஒரு தலைவனின் வாழ்க்கை வரலாற்றை இதை விட சிறப்பாக பதிவு செய்திருக்க முடியாது. "அகம்-புறம்" என்ற சங்க இலக்கிய தொனியில் நூல் அமைந்துள்ளது. அகம் சார்ந்து தனக்கு ஏற்பட்ட பிரச்சனைகளை உணர்ந்து அதற்கான தீர்வை கண்டெடுத்து அதை புற சூழலுக்கு ஏற்ப நல திட்டங்களாகவும் தீர்வுகளாக���ும் செயல்படுத்தியர் கலைஞர் ஒருவர் தான்.
அடித்து சாக்கடையில் வீசப்பட்ட போதும், மனைவியின் இறுதி நாட்களில் உடனிருக்க முடியாமல் போனபோதும், ஒரு கண்ணில் அடிபட்டு வலியில் துடித்த போதும் அவர் இயக்கத்துக்காக உழைத்தார். பேச்சாலும் எழுத்தாலும் ஒரு மாபெரும் படையை தயார் செய்தார்.
இதை தாண்டி திரைத்துறையிலும் இலக்கிய துறையிலும் தொடர்ந்து இயங்கி கொண்டிருந்தவர்,அந்தந்த துறையின் பரிணாமவளர்ச்சிக்கேற்பு தன்னை தகவமைத்துக்கொண்டவர். எந்த துறையானாலும் அதை சவாலாக எடுத்துக்கொண்டு பணியாற்றியவர். அவரின் திரை துறை செயல்பாடுகளும் அந்தந்த காலகட்டத்துக்கேற்ப எப்படி உருமாறியது என்பதையும் தெளிவாக விளக்குகிறது இந்நூல்.
"கொள்கையில் உறுதியாக இருந்தால் யாரோடு சேர்ந்தாலும் அழிந்துபோக மாட்டோம்" என்று பேரறிஞர் அண்ணாவின் பொன்மொழி ஒன்றுள்ளது. கலைஞர் அமைத்த அத்துணை கூட்டணிகளும் அப்படிப்பட்டவை தான், குறைந்தபட்ச பொது செயல்திட்டம்(Common minimum program) என்பது அணைத்து கூட்டணியிலும் அவர் கடைபிடித்தார் அதற்கு அண்ணா வகுத்துத்தந்த பாதை தான் முதன்மை காரணம்.
ஜனாதிபதி பதவி பிரதமர் பதவி என பல பதவிகள் தன்னை தேடி வந்த போதும் "என் உயரம் எனக்கு தெரியும்" என்று கூறி நிராகரித்தவர். 7 பிரதமர்களை உண்டாக்கிய “king maker” என்றால் அது கலைஞர் தான்.
அவரை புகழாத தலைவர்கள் இல்லை கண்டு வியக்காத பகைவர்கள் இல்லை. அவரின் நண்பரான எம்ஜிஆர் கூட கட்சியை உடைத்தபிறகும் கலைஞரை "ஆண்டவனே" என்று தான் அழைத்துள்ளார். ஆளுமைக்கு எடுத்துக்காட்டு கலைஞர்.
சர்க்காரியா கமிஷன் பற்றி பின்னாட்களில் இந்திரா காந்தி இவ்வாறு கூறுகிறார் "அதிமுக மற்றும் இடதுசாரிகளின் நெருக்கடி காரணமாக தான் அந்த கமிஷனை அமைத்தேன்". திமுகவில் நடந்த நான்கு முக்கிய பிரிவுகளுக்கும்(சம்பத், எம்ஜிஆர்,நெடுஞ்செழியன், வைகோ) பின்னனியில் மத்தியில் ஆளும் அரசு இருந்துள்ளது என்பது நிதர்சனம்.
ஈழம் பற்றிய கலைஞரின் பார்வையை, அண்ணா பெரியாரின் அரசியல் பார்வையோடு ஒப்பிடலாம், பெரியாருக்கு இருந்தது பெருங்கனவு அதாவது maximalist approach. ஆனால் அண்ணாவின் நிலைப்பாடு நடைமுறைக்கு உகந்தது, செயல்படுத்த கூடிய சாத்தியங்கள் அதிகம் பெற்றது. கலைஞரின் ஈழம் பற்றிய பார்வை அண்ணாவின் அரசியல் பார்வை போன்றது. நடைமுறை சாத்தியங்களுக்கு உட்பட்ட தீர்வுகளை அவர் தனது கருத்தாக கொண்டிருந்தார். மேலும் விடுதலை புலிகள்(LTTE), தாங்கள் மட்டும் தான் ஈழ தமிழர்களின் ஒற்றை பிரதிநிதி என்ற போதும் அவர் அதை ஏற்கவில்லை, சக ஈழ விடுதலை போராட்ட குழுக்களுடன் சண்டை போட்ட விடுதலை புலிகளை "சகோதர யுத்தம்" வேண்டாம் என்று கண்டித்தார். ஒற்றத்துவம் என்பது ஜனநாயகத்துக்கு விரோதமானது என்பது கலைஞரின் நிலைப்பாடு.
ஈழ மக்களின் ஆதங்கங்களை அவர் நன்கு உணர்ந்திருந்தார், அவர்களுக்கான தீர்வுகளை அவர் அடைய முனைந்தார் அவரால் முடிந்த முயற்சிகளை அவர் எடுக்க தான் செய்தார். ஒரு பக்கம் இந்திய அரசியல் கட்சிகள் அவரை விடுதலை புலிகள் சார்பு கொண்டவர் என்று முத்திரை குத்தினார்கள். அதற்கு விலையாக ஆட்சியை இழந்தார், மறுபக்கம் தமிழ் தேசியர்கள் அவருக்கு துரோகி முத்திரை குத்தினர். ஆனால் அவர் எடுத்தது சரியான நிலைப்பாடு, வேறு எவராலும் அத்தகைய சிக்கலை கையாண்டிருக்க முடியாது. கடைசி வரை ஈழ மக்களின் அடிப்படை உரிமைகளை அமைதியான முறையில் பெற்றுத்தர வேண்டும் என்ற நோக்கம் மட்டும் அவரிடம் இருந்திவரை இருந்தது. ஈழம் பற்றிய தெளிவான பார்வையை இந்நூல் விளக்குகிறது.
தமிழக அரசியலை நாசப்படுத்தியதற்கு ஜெயலலிதாவின் கொடுங்கோல் ஆட்சி ஒரு முக்கிய காரணம். அதிமுக என்ற கட்சியே தமிழக அரசியலுக்கு ஒரு சாபம் தான், அந்த பயனற்ற ஆட்சியால் தமிழகம் 20 ஆண்டுக்கான வளர்ச்சியை இழந்துள்ளது. இந்துத்துவாவை தமிழக அரசியல் நிராகரித்ததற்கு காரணமாக வேண்டுமானால் அதிமுகவை சொல்லி ஆறுதல் பட்டு கொள்ளலாம். ஒருவர் தொடங்கிய திட்டத்தை முடக்குவது என்ற கேடுகெட்ட அரசியலை தொடங்கியவர் அம்மையார் ஜெயலலிதா தான். தனிமனித காழ்ப்பின் காரணமாக பார்ப்பவரை எல்லாம் கைது செய்து காட்டாட்சி நடத்தியவர். அவர் இறுதி காலங்களில் அதற்கான பலனை அவர் அனுபவித்தார்.
கலைஞரின் பொது வாழ்க்கையில் முரசொலி மாறனின் இழப்பு பெரிய தாக்கத்தை ஏற்படுத்தியது என்றே சொல்லலாம். அதன் பின் ஒரு திடநிலையை(stability) அவரால் அடையமுடியவில்லை. உட்கட்சி அரசியல் முரண்கள், குடும்ப சிக்கல்கள், இதனிடையே மத்திய-மாநில அரசின் நெருக்கடிகள் என தனியாக தவித்த காலகட்டம். அவர் எடுத்த பல முடிவுகள் தோல்வியில் முடிந்தாலும் இயக்கம் தொடர்ந்து இயங்கியது. தொண்டர்கள் அவரை ஒரு நாளும் கைவிட்டதில்லை என்பதற்கு அவரின் தொடர் தேர்தல் வெற்றிகள் சாட்சி.
நூலின் இறுதி பகுதி வாசிக்கும் அனைவர்க்கும் ஒரு துக்க உணர்வை தரும், உணர்ச்சி கடலில் முழுகடிக்கும்,கண்ணீர் சிந்த வைக்கும் . தனது கடைசி ஆசையான, அண்ணா அருகில் இடம் வேண்டும், என்பதை கூட அவரால் போராடி தான் பெற முடிந்தது. கலைஞரின் வாழ்க்கை நம்மை போன்றவர்களுக்கெல்லாம் ஒரு உந்து சக்தி.
இந்த இனத்துக்கான தலைவரை அவர் வாழ்ந்த காலகட்டத்தில் கொண்டாட தவறிய பல அறிவிலிகளில் நானும் ஒருவன். அந்த குற்றவுணர்வு என்னை துரத்தி கொண்டே இருக்கும். அது துரத்தும் வரை நான் இந்த இயக்கத்துக்காகவும் அதன் கொள்கைக்காகவும் உழைத்து கொண்டே இருப்பேன். அவர் விட்டு சென்ற பணிகளை நாம் அனைவரும் தொடர்ந்து செய்ய வேண்டும்.
இந்த தேர்தல் அதற்கான தொடக்கமாக அமையட்டும். தேர்தல் சமயத்தில் பொய் செய்திகளுக்கு எதிர்வினை ஆற்றவும் கலைஞர் மீது சுமத்தப்பட்ட பழிகளுக்கு எதிர்வினை ஆற்றும் விதத்திலும் பல்வேறு செய்திகள் இந்நூலில் இடம்பெற்றுள்ளது. உடன்பிறப்புகள் மற்றும் தோழர்கள் அவசியம் வாங்கி படித்து உங்கள் கருத்துக்களை பகிருங்கள். தமிழர் அனைவரது வீட்டிலும் இருக்கவேண்டுய புத்தகம் இது.
இந்நூலை எழுதிய திரு AS Paneerselvan அவர்களுக்கு எனது நன்றிகலந்த வாழ்த்தும் அன்பும்.
வாழ்க திராவிடம்
வளர்க பகுத்தறிவு
வெல்க தமிழ்
என்றும் நன்றியுடன்
அ. கெளதம்.
🖤❤️
April 10, 2021
N. Ram, former editor-in-chief of The Hindu in his foreword notes, “Karunanidhi: A Life does justice to the ambitious twin tasks to tell the story of one born and raised in deprivation, who suffered hardships and stigma on the account of both his caste and class, but through sheer imagination, articulation, hard work and zest for life transformed himself into a statesman and renegotiated power for millions and secured self-respect for them.” But, to document the life of a man, a colossus who moulded Tamil Nadu politics and influenced the politics at national level for five decades in mere 450 pages would be a grave injustice. The significant portions of this book are borrowed from Karunanidhi’s original autobiography ‘நெஞ்சுக்கு நீதி’ which runs down to six volumes, and for the amount of information provided on the contributions from different regimes and election outcomes, this book can readily be considered as a starter for the zoomers or Generation Z interested in Tamil Nadu’s ‘Dravidian politics’ post-independence.
In twenty four chapters, the author had allocated substantial space in the first ten chapters for capturing the literary contributions of Kalaignar Karunanidhi and his impeccable role in honing Tamil cinema’s narrative on social justice through his valiant dialogue and story writing all through the fifties, sixties and seventies. Having watched few episodes of ‘Nenjukku Needhi’ where Kalaignar drew reflections on his childhood, it makes one extremely moved to read the stories of oppression and discrimination heaped on him during his childhood, which radicalised him and moved him towards Periyar’s Dravidian movement. If ‘Waiting for Visa’ had the reminiscences drawn by Ambedkar, related to his experiences with untouchability, the first two chapters of this book had documented the then-prevalent ostracism in Tamil Nadu, notably Thanjavoor being citadel of feudal and caste oppression.
Karunanidhi’s role as a legislator and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in enacting progressive laws, promoting welfare and social justice through legislation, advocating infrastructural and industrial developments were well documented in this book. People who are intransigent towards accepting the fact that Tamil Nadu is at least twenty years ahead of other states in all social, human development and economic indicators must read the chapter titled ‘The Eventful Years’ in order to understand how Tamil Nadu grew at a rapid pace through its inclusive policy and social justice polity, even after starting with much lower poverty rate than Uttar Pradesh in 1947. Unfortunately, all through the book, the biographer had relied heavily on single or ideologically relevant sources (as appendix would reveal) or from his personal interviews with Karunanidhi, spilling his bias often times, with bias metamorphosing into devotion few a times. In chapter dealing with MGR, Jayalalithaa and Sri Lanka, the author had really tried to white wash DMK’s role or even cloaked known political facts in favour to his eulogy.
This book also gives us a glimpse of Karunanidhi’s personal equation with regional leaders like NT Rama Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, Deve Gowda, Jyoti Basu and many others who rallied behind him whenever India was in dire need of a prime minister. Karunanidhi, who played a key role in choosing the Prime Minister of India not once or twice, but six times had politely declined when he was offered the post by saying, ‘I know my height’. Though such stories are often reiterated and documented in the regional media, books and political speeches, the availability of this book in English would reach much wider audience who are swayed away by Delhi-centric perspective on regional politics, who make ignorant acumen in dismissing regional leaders as corrupt, parochial, narrow minded and unpatriotic. Such an understanding of federalism in mainland India is not only ignominious, but in order to make them aware of constitutional provisions upholding the federal stricture of this country, reading Karunanidhi would be a tipping point, as he was first chief minister to set up the Rajamannar committee to explore the centre-state relationship and constitutional horizons on state powers.
But, who was Karunanidhi? When one of the member of Rajaji’s Swatantra Party called Karunanidhi’s government as third class government in the assembly, he politely replied back saying he is proud to be called ‘third class government’ and further added his government is truly a fourth class government, as fourth class in Varna is for shudras and that his government is for the shudras, by the shudras and of the shudras. As a champion of Social Justice, Karunanidhi’s role in ensuring women’s rights and empowerment through legal means, his ever evolving ideas on reservation policy, his intention of building hundred ‘equality villages’ across Tamil Nadu and every other such policy initiatives deserves worldly accolades. If India had forgotten VP Singh who went on to lose his prime minister seat after implementing Mandal Commission suggestions securing twenty seven per cent reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in 1991, the people of Tamil Nadu will forever venerate Karunanidhi for establishing first ever Backward Commission (Sattanathan Commission) in 1969 which actually acted as bed rock for Mandal Commission.
Rightly after three hundred pages, one could feel a sense of restlessness in author, who shows inconceivable haste in finishing the book. After twenty chapters, the political biography comes to a halt abruptly, with the biographer taking the role of attorney in defending various criticisms against Karunanidhi, especially in Sri Lankan Tamils issue, misadventures in governance and inter party conflicts, from there on. These shall be the valid criticisms against the book and the biographer who honestly admits that he was part of Sun TV network as managing director and was a product of Dravidian principles (and there is nothing wrong in it). As far as Karunanidhi – as a politician is concerned, there can be many valid criticisms on his politics, electoral alliances and flip flops. But, as far as the valid criticism against social justice is concerned, there can be none. And, for that very reason, Karunanidhi’s perspective on social justice which shaped his politics and policies should be studied carefully.
All through his life, Karunanidhi managed to maintain his secular credentials by making sure his atheism does not impact any policy decisions he undertook. Yet, his rationalism would take front seat in any of his endeavor. His time management and work ethic had inspired many, yet his physical discomfort when he was in wheelchair never stopped him from working. Whenever he was knocked down, he rose like a phoenix mocking his epitaph writers. While unravelling Karunanidhi from this book, one can learn all these things about him. Most importantly, from this book, one can learn the philosophy he manifested, the philosophy which continues to embody the courage for Tamils to pursue their long march towards self-respect.
In twenty four chapters, the author had allocated substantial space in the first ten chapters for capturing the literary contributions of Kalaignar Karunanidhi and his impeccable role in honing Tamil cinema’s narrative on social justice through his valiant dialogue and story writing all through the fifties, sixties and seventies. Having watched few episodes of ‘Nenjukku Needhi’ where Kalaignar drew reflections on his childhood, it makes one extremely moved to read the stories of oppression and discrimination heaped on him during his childhood, which radicalised him and moved him towards Periyar’s Dravidian movement. If ‘Waiting for Visa’ had the reminiscences drawn by Ambedkar, related to his experiences with untouchability, the first two chapters of this book had documented the then-prevalent ostracism in Tamil Nadu, notably Thanjavoor being citadel of feudal and caste oppression.
Karunanidhi’s role as a legislator and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in enacting progressive laws, promoting welfare and social justice through legislation, advocating infrastructural and industrial developments were well documented in this book. People who are intransigent towards accepting the fact that Tamil Nadu is at least twenty years ahead of other states in all social, human development and economic indicators must read the chapter titled ‘The Eventful Years’ in order to understand how Tamil Nadu grew at a rapid pace through its inclusive policy and social justice polity, even after starting with much lower poverty rate than Uttar Pradesh in 1947. Unfortunately, all through the book, the biographer had relied heavily on single or ideologically relevant sources (as appendix would reveal) or from his personal interviews with Karunanidhi, spilling his bias often times, with bias metamorphosing into devotion few a times. In chapter dealing with MGR, Jayalalithaa and Sri Lanka, the author had really tried to white wash DMK’s role or even cloaked known political facts in favour to his eulogy.
This book also gives us a glimpse of Karunanidhi’s personal equation with regional leaders like NT Rama Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, Deve Gowda, Jyoti Basu and many others who rallied behind him whenever India was in dire need of a prime minister. Karunanidhi, who played a key role in choosing the Prime Minister of India not once or twice, but six times had politely declined when he was offered the post by saying, ‘I know my height’. Though such stories are often reiterated and documented in the regional media, books and political speeches, the availability of this book in English would reach much wider audience who are swayed away by Delhi-centric perspective on regional politics, who make ignorant acumen in dismissing regional leaders as corrupt, parochial, narrow minded and unpatriotic. Such an understanding of federalism in mainland India is not only ignominious, but in order to make them aware of constitutional provisions upholding the federal stricture of this country, reading Karunanidhi would be a tipping point, as he was first chief minister to set up the Rajamannar committee to explore the centre-state relationship and constitutional horizons on state powers.
But, who was Karunanidhi? When one of the member of Rajaji’s Swatantra Party called Karunanidhi’s government as third class government in the assembly, he politely replied back saying he is proud to be called ‘third class government’ and further added his government is truly a fourth class government, as fourth class in Varna is for shudras and that his government is for the shudras, by the shudras and of the shudras. As a champion of Social Justice, Karunanidhi’s role in ensuring women’s rights and empowerment through legal means, his ever evolving ideas on reservation policy, his intention of building hundred ‘equality villages’ across Tamil Nadu and every other such policy initiatives deserves worldly accolades. If India had forgotten VP Singh who went on to lose his prime minister seat after implementing Mandal Commission suggestions securing twenty seven per cent reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in 1991, the people of Tamil Nadu will forever venerate Karunanidhi for establishing first ever Backward Commission (Sattanathan Commission) in 1969 which actually acted as bed rock for Mandal Commission.
Rightly after three hundred pages, one could feel a sense of restlessness in author, who shows inconceivable haste in finishing the book. After twenty chapters, the political biography comes to a halt abruptly, with the biographer taking the role of attorney in defending various criticisms against Karunanidhi, especially in Sri Lankan Tamils issue, misadventures in governance and inter party conflicts, from there on. These shall be the valid criticisms against the book and the biographer who honestly admits that he was part of Sun TV network as managing director and was a product of Dravidian principles (and there is nothing wrong in it). As far as Karunanidhi – as a politician is concerned, there can be many valid criticisms on his politics, electoral alliances and flip flops. But, as far as the valid criticism against social justice is concerned, there can be none. And, for that very reason, Karunanidhi’s perspective on social justice which shaped his politics and policies should be studied carefully.
All through his life, Karunanidhi managed to maintain his secular credentials by making sure his atheism does not impact any policy decisions he undertook. Yet, his rationalism would take front seat in any of his endeavor. His time management and work ethic had inspired many, yet his physical discomfort when he was in wheelchair never stopped him from working. Whenever he was knocked down, he rose like a phoenix mocking his epitaph writers. While unravelling Karunanidhi from this book, one can learn all these things about him. Most importantly, from this book, one can learn the philosophy he manifested, the philosophy which continues to embody the courage for Tamils to pursue their long march towards self-respect.
September 3, 2021
When I started becoming politically aware, Kalaignar had withdrawn from active politics due to his ill health. That I missed seeing his activities during his prime years has remained a constant longing in my heart. This biography of his by A.S. Paneerselvam has largely rectified this pain for me.
- What is Tamilnadu politics?
- What has been Tamilnadu's leading role in indian politics?
- How has the social justice journey of Tamils evolved over time?
- Where is this journey going next?
- What are the omnipresent forces that are ever ready to fight against any effort towards social justice? How to deal with them?
These questions have no straightforward answers and this book has answered them for me through Kalaignar's life.
I'm sure the way I see Indian history and Tamil history will never be the same again. I'm sure my approach to these histories will now be much closer to the truth.
One man's life standing as a testimony to the long and arduous journey and political evolution of a millennia old civilisation, is an honor only few could be bestowed with. Kalaignar is one such rare person in history.
A must read...!
When two ideologies or arguments meet, two kinds of solutions become possible.
1. A Conciliation
2. A Compromise
Kalaignar's life long battle was to find a conciliated solution that does justice to all involved parties, while preserving the core Dravidian ideology from a compromise.
This battle, I'm sure, will guide my journey through life henceforth.
Kalaignar's life holds much more such lessons for all of us.
Must learn more.
- What is Tamilnadu politics?
- What has been Tamilnadu's leading role in indian politics?
- How has the social justice journey of Tamils evolved over time?
- Where is this journey going next?
- What are the omnipresent forces that are ever ready to fight against any effort towards social justice? How to deal with them?
These questions have no straightforward answers and this book has answered them for me through Kalaignar's life.
I'm sure the way I see Indian history and Tamil history will never be the same again. I'm sure my approach to these histories will now be much closer to the truth.
One man's life standing as a testimony to the long and arduous journey and political evolution of a millennia old civilisation, is an honor only few could be bestowed with. Kalaignar is one such rare person in history.
A must read...!
When two ideologies or arguments meet, two kinds of solutions become possible.
1. A Conciliation
2. A Compromise
Kalaignar's life long battle was to find a conciliated solution that does justice to all involved parties, while preserving the core Dravidian ideology from a compromise.
This battle, I'm sure, will guide my journey through life henceforth.
Kalaignar's life holds much more such lessons for all of us.
Must learn more.
May 23, 2021
One of the best biographies about Tamil leaders. No, stalwarts. The dearth of English biographies of great Tamil leaders is acute, and this book finally answers some of the prayers for better books.
The events of the life of Karunanidhi, or Kalaignar as he's respectfully known, are chronologically traced. In the years up to the rise of AIADMK led by MGR and then by Jayalalithaa ("Amma"), the narration is not as affected by political leaning as it becomes after. Perhaps it's true that the present can never be written about fairly, by a historian (I just made that up, though it feels true).
The editing is tight, but could have spruced up the English - a case in point is the oft placed unnatural amount of responsibility on words like "put" ("put pressure").
The life and times of the litterateur and politician surely needed to be told, but in this book though the life he led is covered well, the "times" in which he won, lost, and lived, isn't as comprehensive as it could have been. For instance, the writer claims that the govts other than that led by Kalaignar were not only non-functional but also purely dysfunctional. A layperson can be forgiven to think such a narration of events is partisan.
Nevertheless, and ultimately, this book serves as a brief history of Tamil politics from the viewpoint of one of the most prominent political parties of TN. It also serves to remind one about the greatness that there was behind the self-respect movements and the subsequent definitive waves of impact it had on the Dravidian Movement and consequently, on the future of Tamil Nadu herself.
3.5/5.
The events of the life of Karunanidhi, or Kalaignar as he's respectfully known, are chronologically traced. In the years up to the rise of AIADMK led by MGR and then by Jayalalithaa ("Amma"), the narration is not as affected by political leaning as it becomes after. Perhaps it's true that the present can never be written about fairly, by a historian (I just made that up, though it feels true).
The editing is tight, but could have spruced up the English - a case in point is the oft placed unnatural amount of responsibility on words like "put" ("put pressure").
The life and times of the litterateur and politician surely needed to be told, but in this book though the life he led is covered well, the "times" in which he won, lost, and lived, isn't as comprehensive as it could have been. For instance, the writer claims that the govts other than that led by Kalaignar were not only non-functional but also purely dysfunctional. A layperson can be forgiven to think such a narration of events is partisan.
Nevertheless, and ultimately, this book serves as a brief history of Tamil politics from the viewpoint of one of the most prominent political parties of TN. It also serves to remind one about the greatness that there was behind the self-respect movements and the subsequent definitive waves of impact it had on the Dravidian Movement and consequently, on the future of Tamil Nadu herself.
3.5/5.
April 20, 2021
The name of the book felt like a cliche , Karunanidhi A Life ; But as the book progressed the name gathered weight and there could be no other fitting description than Life itself. The tale of a tireless student activist/writer/politician/legislator/ leader in whatever role he plays doesn't lose track of his objective of social justice and equality that isn't only limited to Tamil geography.
One may cast aspersions and Kalaignar obviously has his shortcomings but he's to be given the same platform of beloved Ramanujacharya of this blessed land. It is no surprise that he chose to write the life of Ramanujar in his final prime days of writing.
AS Panneerselvam masterfully captures his course with a fairly unbiased lens. A must have in your personal library.
One may cast aspersions and Kalaignar obviously has his shortcomings but he's to be given the same platform of beloved Ramanujacharya of this blessed land. It is no surprise that he chose to write the life of Ramanujar in his final prime days of writing.
AS Panneerselvam masterfully captures his course with a fairly unbiased lens. A must have in your personal library.
April 11, 2021
Excellent read. Well analyzed.
This is the fourth book on Kalignar's life I have read since his death. This by far is better than the shallow ones written by Vasanthi and Sandhya R.
The book addresses some of the core foundational achievements of Kalaignar and how his critical thought leadership shaped Tamilnadu socio political environment in the last 70 years and also his influence across the Indian Union. The author skillfully explains how some of his schemes on the social justice front was a forerunner even for the union when it implements certain things after a decade or two of its implementation in Tamilnadu. Many core questions on his position on Eelam and National Politics is well analyzed by the author. A dedicated chapter on Eelam clearly removes many misconceptions choreographed by Jayalalitha and other fringe groups either for financial gains (Seeman) or for electoral politics.
Only sore point was the title of Henry V and King Lear for one of the chapters and it's content. Not sure it objectively analyzes Kalaignar's challenges of his sunset years.
5 star nevertheless for giving a great perspective of a leader who stands tall among the many leaders India had. A must read for all haters and lovers of Kalaignar.
Also interested people should read the book on Kalignar by Su Samuthram as well.
This is the fourth book on Kalignar's life I have read since his death. This by far is better than the shallow ones written by Vasanthi and Sandhya R.
The book addresses some of the core foundational achievements of Kalaignar and how his critical thought leadership shaped Tamilnadu socio political environment in the last 70 years and also his influence across the Indian Union. The author skillfully explains how some of his schemes on the social justice front was a forerunner even for the union when it implements certain things after a decade or two of its implementation in Tamilnadu. Many core questions on his position on Eelam and National Politics is well analyzed by the author. A dedicated chapter on Eelam clearly removes many misconceptions choreographed by Jayalalitha and other fringe groups either for financial gains (Seeman) or for electoral politics.
Only sore point was the title of Henry V and King Lear for one of the chapters and it's content. Not sure it objectively analyzes Kalaignar's challenges of his sunset years.
5 star nevertheless for giving a great perspective of a leader who stands tall among the many leaders India had. A must read for all haters and lovers of Kalaignar.
Also interested people should read the book on Kalignar by Su Samuthram as well.
May 12, 2021
I have read the autobiography of Kalaignar- Nenjukku Needhi during my school days from the local library. If my memory serves right, after the first 2-3 volumes, it lost the character of an autobiography and transitioned into a political treatise.
The biography of Karunanidhi by provides a bird's eye view of Tamilnadu politics over a period of almost seven decades. Though the author strives not to write a hagiography, Karunanidhi is only criticised for his 2006-11 stint as Chief Minister (and part of central government till 2013) in Chapter 23: From Henry V to King Lear. The rest of the biography is completely uncritical.
Mr. Kannan, in his biography of Anna, (which is also woefully inadequate in some aspects) provides a parallel reading of criticism, mostly by Mr. Jayakanthan. Such a critical reading is absent in the book.
The biography is not exhaustive as over 40 years of life (1977-2018) is covered in 150 pages. I am more inclined to call this book a short introduction to the life and times of Karunanidhi.
I would also like to point out the need to write critical, exhaustive biographies of Tamil political, social personalities for both global and new generation of Tamil audience, as none of the Tamil personalities have such a comprehensive biography at present.
The biography of Karunanidhi by provides a bird's eye view of Tamilnadu politics over a period of almost seven decades. Though the author strives not to write a hagiography, Karunanidhi is only criticised for his 2006-11 stint as Chief Minister (and part of central government till 2013) in Chapter 23: From Henry V to King Lear. The rest of the biography is completely uncritical.
Mr. Kannan, in his biography of Anna, (which is also woefully inadequate in some aspects) provides a parallel reading of criticism, mostly by Mr. Jayakanthan. Such a critical reading is absent in the book.
The biography is not exhaustive as over 40 years of life (1977-2018) is covered in 150 pages. I am more inclined to call this book a short introduction to the life and times of Karunanidhi.
I would also like to point out the need to write critical, exhaustive biographies of Tamil political, social personalities for both global and new generation of Tamil audience, as none of the Tamil personalities have such a comprehensive biography at present.
June 4, 2024
The book provides a comprehensive look at the life and legacy of the former chief minister fondly called Kalaignar, his political journey, and his contributions to Tamil Nadu.
Key lessons learnt:
📚 Dedication and hard work can lead to transformative change.
📚 Effective communication is a powerful tool for leadership.
📚 Commitment to social justice and equality is vital for societal progress.
Remembering the great politician and scholar today and the profound impact he had on Tamil Nadu and beyond. 📚✨
Key lessons learnt:
📚 Dedication and hard work can lead to transformative change.
📚 Effective communication is a powerful tool for leadership.
📚 Commitment to social justice and equality is vital for societal progress.
Remembering the great politician and scholar today and the profound impact he had on Tamil Nadu and beyond. 📚✨
July 25, 2021
Well written Biography
It is a great writing by an eminent Journalist Mr A.S. Panneerselvan about Late Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi. It covers the uprising, struggle and setbacks faced by Mr M.Karunanidhi with the factual information and empirical evidence. Overall, it was a great reading!
It is a great writing by an eminent Journalist Mr A.S. Panneerselvan about Late Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi. It covers the uprising, struggle and setbacks faced by Mr M.Karunanidhi with the factual information and empirical evidence. Overall, it was a great reading!
June 28, 2021
An exceptional book , would recomend this for anyone intrsted to know about Dravidian culture , Mr Karunanidhis life & Tamil Nadu politics . Special note for the author Mr A S Pannerselvan for his wonderful writing
May 6, 2025
Glosses over(or ignores altogether) the unsavoury aspects of Kalaignars personality, nepotism & corruption. Additionally, glorifies and possibly even conjures up the good parts to elevate the status to a genius/change maker/'thinks and does only what is good for the people' person
March 30, 2021
Kalaignar Karunanidhi lived a full life. He is well respected across Tamil Nadu for his contribution to Tamil culture over a career of more than 70 years. This book captures his early life, education, literature, cinema, politics within 500 pages. Extremely well reasearched and written in a style that is easy to read. Nobody has explained Kalaignar's nuanced position on Eelam and SriLankan Tamil issue in such a clear way. E- and D++ concept is a lesson in negotiation for anyone who aspires to be in any leadership position.
This is a must read for any student of history.
This is a must read for any student of history.
May 20, 2021
Well documented the life of kalaingar..
Read the book and you know more about the dmk history and murasoli maran role on DMK and kalaingar stand on Eelam issue..
Thalaivar rocks🔥
Read the book and you know more about the dmk history and murasoli maran role on DMK and kalaingar stand on Eelam issue..
Thalaivar rocks🔥
September 29, 2021
Detailed yet biased
The book is extremely detailed yet biased. It glosses the periods / issues which reflect badly on the Leader. An objective view would have helped more.
The book is extremely detailed yet biased. It glosses the periods / issues which reflect badly on the Leader. An objective view would have helped more.
July 9, 2022
A small glimpse in the life of a political supercomputer
February 18, 2023
An average read, all the way full of sycophancy.
February 25, 2022
A detailed biography which is well analysed. It documents his political career and his achievements in the field of art. The author has taken a balanced /unbiased view on this great personality and his achievements. A “must” read book for those who are interested in Dravidian politics. It makes us understand the concepts of - federalism, power distribution, decentralisation, state autonomy. It helps the millennials and Gen Z to understand the stands of such great leaders.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews