Introduction
Kalaignar M.Karunanithi is best as a fine speaker, scintillating writer, dynamic, energetic organizer, the hero of many agitations and the architect of many victories. Kalaignar has unremitting labour, unabated zeal, perseverance dedication unshakable determination, evolved affection, sweet character, artistic, capabilities, clarity of thinking and capacity to get things done. He is an outstanding orator, writer, poet, essayist, author of short and long stories, playwright, dramatist, author of film stories and scripts, director and producer of films, actor, newspaper editor, reformist, fighter for social reform, martyr who underwent imprisonment. Political leader, member of the Legislative Assembly, minister and Chief Minister. It is rare indeed that so many special characteristics and honours came to reside in one person. His long and healthy life and continued leadership will not only guide Tamil Nadu but also the entire nation in righteous path of progress. Dr. Kalaignar Karunanidhi is both an interpreter and a maker of history. He interprets the past ideologies, and promotes Periyar EVR and C.N. Annadurai thoughts and follows pragmatic ways to discover solutions to contemporary issues. This study attempts illustrate and assume his life and achievements as an architect of modern Tamil Nadu.
Birth of Dakshinamoorthy
Muthuvel Karunanidhi is an Indian politician and the head of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Karunanidhi was born as Dakshinamoorthy to Muthuvel and Anjugam on 3 June 1924 in Thirukuvalai, Nagapattinam district. At birth he was named Dakshinamurthy after a form of Shivaas a teacher, but he later changed it to Karunanidhi influenced by Dravidian and rationalist movements that were against use of Brahmanical and gods’ names.
His initial schooling was in Thirukkuvalai and then in 1936 he shifted to a high school in Tiruvarur. He wrote a fiction “Selvanthira” in the age of 13. M.Karunanidhi was popularly known as Kalaignar'(artist), for his contributions to Tamil literature through his poems, letters, screenplays, novels, biographies, historical novels, stage plays, dialogues and movies. He was a long-standing leader of the Dravidian movement and ten-time president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. Karunanidhi died on 7 August 2018 (94) in Chennai after prolonged, age-related illness. For the first time parliament Adjourns in Tribute to Karunanidhi, Who Was Never a Member.
Career
Karunanidhi started his career as a screenwriter in the Tamil film industry. His first movies as a screenwriter was Rajakumaari (1947) which gained him huge popularity. Ponnar Shankar, the last film he worked on, released in 2011. His work helped him grow as a leader of the Dravidian movement. He usually used to write historical and social (reformist) stories. It also helped propagating the socialist and rationalist ideals of the Dravidian movement. Through the movie Parasakthi, his political ideas were propagated. Two other movies written by him which had similar messages were Panam and Thangarathnam. Two of his plays were banned in 1950s because they carried strong social messages.
Politics
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) chief was just 14 when he entered politics. He began a student organisation called Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Mandram. This was the first student wing of the Dravidan Movement He also started a newspaper, Murasoli for the student community which later became the official paper of DMK party. His involvement in the Kallakudi agitation in Kallakudi made him gain ground in Tamil politics.
Karunanidhi helped Annadurai to form DMK in 1949. In 1957, he was elected to the Tamil Nadu assembly from Kulithalai assembly. In 1961, he became the DMK treasurer and a year after in 1962 he became the opposition’s deputy leader in the state assembly. He became the minister for public works in 1967. In 1969 Annadurai expired and Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of the state on 10 February 1969. His five reigns as chief minister spanned from 1969-1971, 1971-1976, 1989-1991, 1996-2001 and 2006-2011. He has been elected for MLA the record 12 times and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for Five times. Karunanidhi became the oldest (82) serving Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu when he assumed office as Chief Minister in 2006.
There is no distinction between the ruler and the ruled. But there are glaring inequalities in the social life of the people. There is the principle of equality only in wages of the constitution and in the real life of the people. With a wrong belief in the concept of equality and with a deep concern for the welfare of all, in his heart formerly Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi. As an author, he has published six volumes of his autobiography Nenjukkuneethi in Tamil language. In his creative interpretation of history as well as attempts for the creation of new Tamilnadu, he is implied by the same passion for equality and unity of Tamils at the first instance and of all mankind at another level. Let me end this tribute to the great artist cum statesman with a poem in Tamil summing up the idea.
M.Karunanidhi has made his presence felt in Tamil cinema as a playwright and screenwriter. He continues to actively pursue his passion for screenwriting a habit he has been nurturing for about 75 years. He has contributed a lot to Tamil literature by writing poems, letters, screenplays, novels, biographies, historical novels, stage, plays, dialogues and movie songs.
Here follows M. Karunanidhi’s architecting facts of modern Tamil Nadu.
Achievements
1967 – 1969
“Madras State” was renamed as “Tamil Nadu”.
Act to provide legal status to the Self-respect Marriages;
Two language formula providing for Tamil and English;
Surrender of Earned Leave and its encashment for Government Servants.
1969 – 1971
Nationalisation of Transport;
Transport Corporations established;
Electricity to all the villages;
Link roads to all the villages having a population of 1500;
Slum Clearance Board;
Drinking Water Supply and Drainage Board.
Free Eye camps Scheme;
Beggars Rehabilitation Scheme;
Abolition of Hand-pulled Rickshaws and free distribution of Cycle Rickshaws;
Free Concrete Houses for Scheduled Castes and Tribes;
Act to provide conferment of ownership of house-sites (Kudiyiruppu Act); Act fixing fair wages to farm labourers;
Police Commission – First in India;
Separate Ministry for Backward Classes and Scheduled Castes;
Constitution of the Backward Classes Commission and increasing the quantum of reservation for Backward Classes to 31 per cent from 25 per cent and for Scheduled Castes to 18 per cent from 16 per cent;
Free Education to all upto P.U.C. ;
May Day declared as a Holiday with wages;
Birthday of “Nabigal Nayagam” declared as a Holiday;
1971 – 1976
First Agricultural University at Coimbatore;
Family Benefit Fund Scheme to Government Employees;
Confidential Reports on Government servants abolished;
Free Housing Scheme to Fishermen;
“Karunai Illam” in Temples for children;
Salem Steel Plant;
Land Ceiling Act, fixing 15 standard acres as the
ceiling;
Second Mine-Cut and Electricity Scheme at Neyveli;
Petroleum and Industrial Chemicals at Thoothukudi;
Small Industries Development Corporation (SIDCO);
SIPCOT Complexes;
Inclusion of Urdu Speaking Muslims in the list of Backward Classes, like Tamil Speaking Muslims;
Abolition of Land Tax on dry lands;
“Manu Neethi Thittam” ;
Poompuhar Shipping Corporation;
“Kongu Vellalar” included in the list of Backward Classes;
Green Revolution.
1989 – 1991
20 per cent separate reservation for Most Backward Classes including Vanniar and Seer Marabinar;
18 per cent separate reservation for Scheduled Castes and 1 per cent for Scheduled Tribes;
Free Education to Most Backward Classes and subject to income ceiling to Backward Classes upto Degree level;
Free Education to Scheduled Castes and subject to income ceiling to women upto Degree level;
Free Electricity to Farmers – First time in the Country;
Law for equal property rights to women;
30 per cent reservation for women in Government services;
First Veterinary and Animal Sciences University – First in Asia;
Financial Assistance to poor girls for marriages;
Financial Assistance to Widows for remarriages;
Financial Assistance to encourage inter-caste marriages;
Direct Paddy procurement centres;
Incentive and payment of cart-hire charges for procurement from farmers;
Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation established;
Financial assistance to pregnant women;
Wage hike for Government employees on par with the Central Government Employees with retrospective effect;
Women’s Self-Help groups benefiting 10 lakh women;
Manonmaniam Sundaranar University;
Pavendhar Bharathidasan University;
Dr. M.G.R. Medical University;
Efforts to set up Cauvery Tribunal.
1996 – 2001
Within six months after assuming office, elections for local bodies and cooperatives;
33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies – by which 44,143 women including 2 Women Mayors assumed office; of the two Women Mayors one belonged to SC community;
‘Madras’ renamed as ‘Chennai’ ;
Single window system for admission in Engineering and Medical colleges;
Transparent New Industrial Policy;
Single window system for obtaining all licenses for starting industries;
Improved roads, new bridges;
Concrete streets in villages;
Desilting of rivers, tanks and canals in an unprecedented scale;
24 hour Primary Health Centres;
For the first time in India, MLA Constituency Development Fund;
Protected water for all villages;
15 per cent reservation in professional courses for rural students;
Periyar Memorial Samathuvapuram Scheme to eradicate caste discrimination;
Mini Bus Scheme for Rural areas;
Dr.Ambedkar Law University – First in India;
Periyar University in Salem;
Tamil Virtual University to help world Tamils;
Urdu Academy;
Minorities Economic Development Corporation;
Chennai Film City named after MGR, by changing the name “J.J. Film City”;
Farmers Market Scheme;
Varumun Kappom;
Cattle Protection Scheme;
Vazhvoli Thittam in Schools;
133 feet high Thiruvalluvar Statue in Kanniyakumari;
Tidel Park in Chennai;
Computer Training Scheme for Government college students;
Over two lakh families given house sites in poramboke lands, where they were living in houses constructed;
Community Certificate, Nativity Certificate, Income Certificate on completion of 10th and 12th standards from the year 1999-2000;
Scheme for grant of expenses of higher education for first three rank holders in State and District levels in the 10th and 12thstandard examinations from the year 1996;
Bus Terminal at Koyambedu in Chennai – Biggest in Asia;
Special Scheme for the economic development of Southern districts;
Women’s Small Trade Loan Scheme with saving scheme;
Separate Welfare Board for agricultural labour;
Welfare Boards for unorganised labour;
Manimandapam for Tamil Scholars and martyrs;
Supply of eggs with nutritious meal;
Construction of over 20 dams;
New buildings for Collectorates in nine districts;
For the first time Bench of High Court at Madurai; Construction of buildings for it and for courts in various districts;
Free bus passes for students;
Anna Marumalarchi Scheme;
Nammaku Naame Scheme;
Indigent Family Welfare Scheme;
Rs.104 crore new buildings for Chennal General Hospital;
Reappointment of 13,000 welfare workers;
For the first time 10,000 road workers appointed;
Nationalisation of the works of Tamil scholars;
Nine fly overs in Chennai;
350 electricity sub-stations (power) at Rs. 1500 crores;
Pension scheme for contract labour;
Pension Scheme for transport workers;
New Medical colleges at Vellore, Tuticorin and Kanniyakumari districts.
Tamil Virtual University;
2006 – 2011
1 Kg. of rice for 1 Rupee;
Distribution of palm oil, red gram, black gram, suji, maida and fortified wheat flour under Special Public Distribution system at subsidised rates;
10 items of provisions at Rs.50;
Cooperative loan of Rs. 7,000 crores waived to benefit 22 lakh 40 thousand and 739 families of farmers;
No interest on crop loan to farmers who repay on time; Enhanced procurement rice at Rs.1050/- for common variety of paddy and Rs.1100/- for fine variety of paddy per quintal.
Renewal of 117 old Uzhavar Sandhais and 45 new Uzhavar Sandhais.
Rs.2000 per tonne of sugarcane, including transport charges and incentive to sugarcane farmers.
Linking of rivers within the State : Cauvery – Gundaru Linking Project taken up at a cost of Rs.189 crores.
Tamirabarani – Karumeniyaru – Nambiyaru Linking Project taken up at a cost of Rs.369 crores.
Unorganised Labour Welfare Boards numbering 31 established, including the Welfare Board for Agricultural labour and enrolment of 2 crore 2 lakhs 21 thousand 564 members in the Welfare Boards.
Disbursement of 616 crores 43 lakhs 44 thousand and 832 rupees as financial assistance to 13 lakhs 6 thousand 492 members of the Unorganised Labour Welfare Boards.
Free house-sites to 1 crore 58 lakhs 8 thousand and 288 families.
Kamarajar Birthday celebrated as “Education Development Day” in all the schools – A Special Legislation enacted.
5 Eggs / Bananas per week with Nutritious Noon Meal.
Free Bus pass to 24 lakhs 82 thousand school students and 2 lakhs 99 thousand college students every year.
Common Entrance Examinations to Professional Courses scrapped.
Tamil made a compulsory subject upto 10th Standard in all the schools.
Central Institute of Classical Tamil shifted to Chennai from Mysore.
Kumbhabishekam and renovations works carried out in 4724 temples at a cost of Rs.523 crores; during the current year Kumbhabishekam 1100 temples at a cost of Rs.100 crores.
10,000 cycles on an estimate of Rs.277 lakhs, distributed to Archakas and Poojaris free of cost.
Moovalur Ramamirdham Ammaiyar Financial Assistance for marriages of poor girls increased to Rs.25,000/- from Rs.10,000/-.
Financial Assistance of Rs.6000/- disbursed to each of 20 lakh 11 thousand 517 poor pregnant women.
A new Medical Insurance Scheme for Government Servants for providing 2 lakhs worth of medical assistance in a period 4 years.
Under “Varumun Kappom Thittam” 18 thousand 742 camps have been conducted so far, benefiting 77 lakhs 5 thousand and 8 persons.
“Nalamana Thamizhagam Thittam” for medical check-up to create awareness in regard to heart disease, diabetics and cancer.
Under Kalaignar Insurance Scheme, 2 lakhs 70 thousand 265 poor people have got their life-saving surgeries at a cost of Rs.702 crores.
Free 108 Emergency Ambulance Scheme with the Central assistance has benefited 8 lakh 8 thousand 907 persons so far; Further, lives of 42 thousand 232 persons have been saved.
25 MoUs have been signed for starting 37 new industries on an investment of Rs.46,091 crores, which would provide employment opportunities to about 2 lakh 52 thousand 569 persons.
Monthly doles totaling Rs. 240 crores have been disbursed so far to 3 lakh 5 thousand 801 educated unemployed youth.
New Employment to 4 lakhs 65 thousand 658 youth in Government offices.
Tidel Parks at Coimbatore, Trichy, Madurai and Tirunelveli.
Monthly Maintenance Grant of Rs.200 increased to Rs.500 for 10 thousand differently abled persons, who are severely affected.
So far 4 lakhs 41 thousand 311 Self Help Groups for Women have been formed; Loan assistance of Rs.6342 crores has been given to these SHGs so far.
Basic infrastructural facilities have been created in 10 thousand 96 Village Panchayats at a cost of Rs.2033 crores, under “Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam”.
Basic infrastrutural facilities have been created in 420 Town Panchayats at a cost of Rs.210 crores, under “Anaithu Peruratchi Anna Marumalarchi Thittam”.
Improvement and maintenance works have been carried out on 57 thousand 787 kilometer long roads at a cost of Rupees 12 thousand 94 crores.
4,945 Kilometer long roads have been broadened and converted to two-lane roads.
Local Cess, Local Cess Surcharge and water charges have been scrapped. A notional tax of Rs.2 per acre of dry lands and Rs.5 per acre of wet lands levied as a mark of land-ownership.
Without increase in tariff 12 thousand 137 new buses plying on the roads; Further 300 new buses being added.
3 per cent separate reservation for Arunthathiyar Community.
Persons of any caste can become Archakas in Temples – Legislation enacted to establish an equitable society.
With a view to create a casteless society, 145 Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapurams have already been established; 95 new Samathuvapurams are added.
World class Anna Centenary Memorial Library at Kotturpuram-Chennai at a cost of Rs.171 crores.
New Secretariat-Assembly Complex in Omandurar Government Estate at a cost of Rs.1200 crores.
Adyar Ecological Research Park established at a cost of Rs.100 crores.
“Semmozhi Poonga” in the heart of Chennai City.
Desalination of Sea Water Project at Minjur, North Chennai.
Desalination of Sear Water Project at Nemmeli, South Chennai.
Metro Rail Project at a cost of Rs.14,600 crores with the assistance of Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Hogenekkal Combined Water Supply Scheme at a cost of Rs.1929 crores with the assistance of Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
Ramanathapuram – Paramakudi Combined Water Supply Scheme at a cost of Rs.630 crores completed.
TESMA and ESMA scrapped; Concessions withdrawn from Government servants and teachers have been given back to them; Recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission have been implemented with effect from 1.1.2006, on an annual expenditure of Rs.5,155.79 crores.
Kalaignar Housing Schemes for converting 21 lakh huts into concrete houses in a period of 6 years.
Pension for Pressmen increased from Rs.4000 to Rs.5000 and their family pension increased from Rs.2000 to Rs.2500.
First World Classical Tamil Conference held at Coimbatore in June 2010.
119 new Courts have been opened; Rs. 302 crores allocated for providing infrastructural facilities in the Courts.
Action has been taken to reduce the pendency of cases, by establishing Evening and Holiday Courts, as per the recommendation of the 13th Finance Commission.
Anna Technical University at Trichy, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli established.
Rs. 331 crores allocated for filling 11,307 teacher vacancies and 648 non-teacher vacancies in Government-Aided Minorities Schools.
Equitable Education being implemented.
One Man Commission has been appointed for fixing the fee structure in private schools.
In the last 5 years, 6 lakh persons have got permanent employment in Government and Government-controlled Institutions.
As Chief Minister for five terms in a socially progressive State such as Tamil Nadu, M. Karunanidhi launched several schemes aimed at building social equality within the framework of the original goals of the Dravidian ideology.
Art Crafts of Kalanjar M. Karunanidhi
Books
Scriptwriting
Stage Performance
Iniyvai Irubadhu
Kaala pezhaiyum kavithai saaviyum
Kalaignar sonna kathaigal
Kalaignarin kavithai mazhai
Kalaignarin kavithai nadaiyil thaai kaaviyam
Kalaignarin pasumai ninaivugal
Kallakudi
Kuraloviyam
Muthukuliyal (volume 1,2)
Nenjukkuneedhi
Nerukkadi neruppuaru
Oru thalai kadhal
Payum puli pandara vanniyan
Ponnar sankar
Romapuri Pandiyan
Sanga Tamizh
Sindhanaiyum seiyalum
Thear sendra paathai
Thenpandi singam
Thirukkural Urai
Vaanpugazh konda valluvam
Vellikizhamai
Rajakumaari (1947) (FIRST MOVIE) .
Parasakthi (1952)
Manohara (1952)
Malaikkallan(1954)
Poompuhar (1964)
Pasa Kiligal (2006)
Ilaignan (2011)
Ponnar Shankar (2011) (LAST MOVIE)
Manimagudam
Ore Ratham
Palaniappan .
Thooku Medai
Kagithapoo
Naane Arivali
Vellikizhamai
Udhayasooriyan
Silappathikaram
In his creative interpretation of history as well as attempts for the creation of new Tamil Nadu, he is implied by the same passion for equality and unity of Tamils at the first instance and of all mankind at another level.
Assessment
M. Karunanidhi was a rationalist; Powerful Speaker: Skilled in eloquence; writer; journalist; the poet; Autobiography: Playwright; Dramatic Actor: Political Leader; He is versatile as an excellent administrator. He has written more than 200 books and screenplays for more than 70 films. After he became Chief Minister and DMK leader in 1969, Tamil Nadu politics revolved around him. Tamil Nadu politics was going on either supporting or opposing him. He is also the most criticized leader by the media!
Karunanidhi is sensitive; His government is also sensitive. That is why he responded immediately to the news about him. Wherever and whatever happened in Tamil Nadu, his government took immediate notice of it. In politics and governance, he faced many trials; There are many achievements. During Karunanidhi’s regime, farmers, workers, government officials, teachers, students and many other people also staged protests emphasizing various demands. Karunanidhi called them many times and found a solution. Some times he even went to the place where protests took place and spoke.
M. Karunanidhi was a great ruler; He decided quickly and decisively on any issue; Due to time and need, he did his duty. Karunanidhi is the first among the hundreds of state chief ministers who have lined the pages of Indian history. “I suggest to the Prime Minister that the good programs implemented by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi should be implemented in all states including our national capital, New Delhi,” said Jeyaprakasa Narayanan.
“Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi loves common people and is passionate about working for them. He has great determination and decisiveness Former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi said. “Karunanidhi is a multifaceted figure in Indian politics. Karunanidhi is a people’s leader who deserves respect and admiration for his tireless work for the development of Dalits, backward communities, minority communities and disenfranchised communities,” said former Prime Minister Singh.
“Behind the progress that Tamil Nadu has seen in various fields, Karunanidhi’s hard work and dedicated philanthropy are”; Sonia Gandhi also praised Tamil as a classical language due to his efforts. Periyar praised Karunanidhi as a treasure we got. Karunanidhi was very dynamic. I and the country look forward to his return.” Anna expressed hope. It seems that his hope was not in vain. All of his vision and mission shows that MUTHTHAMIZH ARINJAR MUTHUVEL KARUNANIDHI is known as THE MODERN ARCHITECT OF TAMIL NADU.