Several people took to Twitter on Sunday to wish DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi on his birthday.
In fact, #HBDKalaignar95 became the number one Twitter trend in India.
Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924 at Thirukkuvalai in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu, around 300km from state capital Chennai. He was born into a poor Isai Vellalar family who were members of a temple-dependent caste that traditionally played the Nadaswaram. While his father wanted him to propagate the family’s musical tradition, Karunanidhi was not inclined.
But it was the music classes that gave Karunanidhi his first lessons in politics, as it reflected the caste intricacies of that era. He was not allowed to cover his upper body and his learning was restricted to a few songs.
At the age of 14, Karunanidhi was inspired by a speech made by Alagiriswami of the Justice Party in 1932, which prompted him to enter politics. He became a student activist in Periyar’s Self-Respect Movement, which fought for the rights of the Dravidians against the domination of the ‘Aryan’ north Indians.
He led campaigns fighting for the rights of Dravidians and this brought him into political prominence in Tamil Nadu in the 1950s and 1960s.
Post-independence, after Periyar’s movement split in two, Karunanidhi joined the faction led by Annadurai and became the Treasurer of the DMK party, formed in 1949.
He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Kulithalai seat of Thiruchirapalli district in 1957. He was among 13 DMK legislators elected.
Warmest birthday greetings to M Karunanidhi @kalaignar89 Ji. I pray for your good health and happiness
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) June 3, 2018
#HBDKalaignar95
— Josheba Cardilya (@Joshebacardilya) June 3, 2018
If One could get educated, raise their social status and get a 06 digit salary (several thousands including me) even without knowing a single word of Hindi, it was possible in Tamil Nadu alone! And Kalaignar had a big role in transforming the state!
Dr.Karunanidhi’s glorification of Tamil culture and identity through his writings, speeches and films were integral to the economic development of the state.#HBDKalaignar95
— yazhini PM (@yazhinisundaram) June 2, 2018
If there is one name that creates ripples in hindibelt even now that is your name
— Arockia Edwin (Edwin) (@edwinarockia) June 3, 2018
#HBDKalaignar95 pic.twitter.com/r3LQwW8fY3
#HBDKalaignar95 My fav picture ;-) pic.twitter.com/bh8mqqONbY
— ஆல்தோட்டபூபதி (@thoatta) June 2, 2018
1957 - till date
— Shiva Shankar (@shivashankar029) June 2, 2018
MLA for a continuous 60 yrs.
3 times leader of opposition.
5 times chief minister.
India’s senior most politician.
The visionary nonagenarian.
Carrying forward Periyar’s ideology and Anna’s legacy since 1969.
Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi #HBDKalaignar95 pic.twitter.com/4jh94G3DZx
Wishing the Elder Statesman of Indian Politics, the Doyen of Dravidian / Tamil Politics, @kalaignar89 Ayya a Happy Birthday!
— Ramesh Bala (@rameshlaus) June 3, 2018
Wishing him good health and long life.. :-)#HBDkalaignar95 pic.twitter.com/c31Fc7EvVE
#HBDKalaignar95
— C.R.Kesavan (@crkesavan) June 3, 2018
Happy birthday @kalaignar89 - The grand old leader of Indian politics.
பல்லாண்டு வாழ்க ! pic.twitter.com/AWoilXeyLy
February 10, 1969: Thalaivar @kalaignar89 being sworn in as Chief Minister for the first time by Governor Sardar Ujjal Singh in Chennai!!#HBDKalaignar95 pic.twitter.com/TsSTigfptZ
— DMK IT WING (@DMKITwing) June 3, 2018
His 94th birthday in 2017 saw massive celebrations. A huge list of leaders from opposition parties, including Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury, TMC leader Derek O Brien and the other dignitaries, gather in Chennai for an event.
The event, held at the YMCA ground in Royapettah, was hosted by DMK working President MK Stalin.
Even as others celebrated his birthday, Karunanidhi had to sit out of the celebration owing to his poor health.
He was born in 1924, and is embarking on his 95th year. Hence, all the wishes say 95.
Read: