While most of us know M Karunanidhi as five-time Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, DMK’s patriarch and a littérateur par excellence, he recently donned the hat of a bowler to play with his great grandson.
In a video that has gone viral, the DMK Chief is seen playing indoor cricket with his great grandson and a few family members at his residence in Chennai. His daughter Selvi is seen helping him throw the ball and egging him on, while the child is learning to hold the bat from Selvi’s husband.
The former Chief Minister who turns 95 this year, is seen throwing the ball many times and even attempting a few spin balls! Kalaignar, as he is affectionately known by friends and rivals alike, also taunts his great grandson by pretending to throw the ball. His family members laugh even as they tell the little child that his great grandfather has tricked him!
The child is also seen hitting the ground with the bat in an attempt to get his thatha’s attention.
With age-related health ailments, Karunanidhi has been out of active politics for over a year now. He had developed a drug allergy in October 2016, and was later admitted in hospital the same year for breathing difficulties. He underwent a tracheostomy in December 2016 and his daughter Kanimozhi had recently said at a meeting that he is able to communicate through lip movements and gestures.
Having been confined to his Gopalapuram residence since October 2016, the DMK leader made his first public appearance in October last year when he visited party mouthpiece Murosoli office.
In November 2017, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited M Karunanidhi and inquired about his health.