Muthuvel Karunanidhi, one of India's seniormost politicians and a veteran flagbearer of Tamil nationalism, passed away today (Aug. 07). He was 94.
His death was announced by officials of Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, where had been admitted for the past many days.
Karunanidhi, popularly referred to as Kalaigner, or the artist, was a five-time chief minister of the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, first between February 1969 and January 1971, and most recently between May 2006 and May 2011.
He strode into the world of Tamil politics as a colossus for several decades, first in the shadows of popular leaders of the era, as a litterateur, and movie artist, and then as head of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhakam party and chief minister.
During these decades, the state of Tamil Nadu itself witnessed multiple phases of nationalism, separatism, social upheavals, and subsequently moderation—and Karunanidhi was often a driving force of these varied impulses.
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