Factions and Filmstars: Tamil Nadu Politics since 1971

Abstract

I CANNOT INTRODUCE contemporary politics in Tamil Nadu better than by musing on the row of gaudy political calendars which at present adorn the wall of my study. In the place of honor is a large benign portrait of the late C. N. Annadurai, the leader who led the Dravida Munnetra Kazhiagam (DMK) ever since it split from its parent body, the Dravida Kazhagam, until his death in 1969. He died as the first DMK Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, not only a successful politician but a man hugely by the masses. He smiles gently in the picture, calm, relaxed and elderly, his eyes looking steadily far into the distance. He is everybody's father, or uncle, or big Beside Annadurai's picture hangs the filmstar-politician, M. G. Ranachandran, with Anna's head appearing against a backcloth of the red and black party colors beside his right ear, as if he were whispering advice and counsel to his anbuthambi, his beloved little brother. Ramachandran is the leader of the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (Anna DMK or ADMK) which split away from the DMK and became its chief rival. His mystique depends only in part on his claim to be the true inheritor of Annadurai's mantle, however; his film personality is the real basis for his political hold on large numbers throughout Tamil Nadu. Another of my calendars shows MGR, the romantic celluloid hero, in a world of fantasy and long ago. In splendid archaic costumes we see him gallantly gathering a dozen sword points into his own breast so that his friends may be safe; or showing the path of righteousness to a young and impressionable prince; or delivering poor damsels from distress; or duelling with a personification of evil. This is the hero for whom the masses vote. Karunanidhi, the DMK Chief Minister until January 1976, appears in a different style of calendar. He smiles confidently, exuding an air of