Muthuvel Karunanidhi (1924-2018): Leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK). Former chief minister of Tamil Nadu. Ideologue. Author. Playwright. Scriptwriter. Family man. Mentor. His life in pictures
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Lines of hope: An artist’s goodwill message for the Kalaignar urges him to make a comeback — “Va ezhunthu va” — as the nonagenarian battled for his life in a Chennai hospital
Photo: M_Periasamy
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Across lines: PM Indira Gandhi greeted by then Tamil Nadu CM M Karunanidhi on her arrival at the Chennai airport in 1974. DMK was one of the few parties that opposed the imposition of Emergency, and many of its members were jailed during the period THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Photo: THE HINDU ARCHIVES
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Fair society: Karunanidhi was a follower of Periyar, the founder of Dravida Kazhagam, who fought to promote Dravidian ideology and nationalism, and the dismantling of caste structures
Photo: THE HINDU ARCHIVES
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In good hands: Karunanidhi with Vaiko, general secretary, MDMK, at DMK headquarters in Chennai. Vaiko, who in 1994 was expelled from the DMK on charges of sedition and dissent, had earlier called Karunanidhi his mentor in politics
Photo: SHAJU JOHN
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Trademark MK: Karunanidhi was seldom seen without his dark glasses and yellow shawl
Photo: Vino John
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Shooting stars: Karunanidhi, who had produced and written scripts for several Tamil films, with actors Kamal Haasan (left) and Rajinikanth
Photo: R_Ragu
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In remembrance: In a condolence letter to his son MK Stalin, Sonia Gandhi referred to Karunanidhi as a father figure
Photo: R_V_Moorthy
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Trail of words: Famous for his oratory skills, Karunanidhi became the CM of Tamil Nadu five times
Photo: M_SRINATH
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United front: The party patriarch surrounded by family members and friends at his home in Chennai
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One last time: Three died in a stampede at Rajaji Hall, where party workers had gathered to pay their last respects to the DMK leader