RIP Karunanidhi: Scriptwriter to maverick politician, the many faces of Kalaignar

DMK supremo M Karunanidhi passed away on Tuesday at the age of 94. Karunanidhi died at Chennai’s Kauvery hospital after prolonged illness. Karunanidhi’s career spanned from being a scriptwriter to a seasoned politician who would be the chief minister of Tamil Nadu five times. Karunanidhi’s birth name was Dakshinamurthy. His parents were from the Isai Vellalar caste or temple musicians as well as double up as barbers on special occasions. The experiences of caste oppression, made a young Dakshinamurthy identify himself strongly as a part of the oppressed classes.