The family tree of former DMK Chief M Karunanidhi is a topic that has been widely discussed in India.

The DMK party has a rich history and has been instrumental in shaping Tamil Nadu’s politics.

Karunanidhi is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the party, and his family tree is an important part of Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

M Karunanidhi was born on June 3, 1924, in Thirukkuvalai, Tamil Nadu.

Karunanidhi’s political career started in the 1940s when he joined the Dravidian movement.

He played a crucial role in the establishment of the DMK party, which was founded in 1949. In 1969, Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time, a position he held on five separate occasions.

M Karunanidhi

M Karunanidhi (Image: Source)

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M Karunanidhi: Family Tree Explored

Karunanidhi was married three times and had six children.

His first wife, Padmavathy, passed away early in their marriage, and his second wife, Dayalu Ammal, was the mother of four of his children.

His third wife, Rajathi Ammal, was the mother of his youngest daughter, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi. Karunanidhi’s sons, M.K. Muthu, M.K. Alagiri, and M.K. Stalin, have all been active in politics, with Stalin succeeding him as the leader of the DMK.

M K Muthu

M K Muthu is Karunanidhi’s eldest son. He was born in 1947 and is a retired film actor.

He has acted in several Tamil movies and has won several awards for his performances. Muthu has also been active in politics and was a Member of Parliament from 1996 to 1998.

M K Alagiri

M K Alagiri is Karunanidhi’s second son. He was born in 1951 and is a former Member of Parliament. Alagiri has also been active in politics and was the Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers in the UPA government.

M K Stalin

M K Stalin is Karunanidhi’s third son and is currently the President of the DMK party. He was born in 1953 and has been active in politics since the 1970s. Stalin has held several important positions in the DMK party and has been the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu twice.

M Karunanidhi's Family

M Karunanidhi’s Family (Image: Source)

M K Tamilarasu

M K Tamilarasu is Karunanidhi’s fourth son. He was born in 1954 and is a businessman. Tamilarasu has stayed away from politics and has focused on his business ventures.

Selvi

Selvi is Karunanidhi’s eldest daughter. She was born in 1956 and is a physician. Selvi has also been active in politics and was a Member of Parliament from 1999 to 2004.

Kanimozhi

Kanimozhi is Karunanidhi’s youngest daughter. She was born in 1968 and is a journalist, poet, and politician. Kanimozhi has been a Member of Parliament since 2007 and has been actively involved in politics.

M. Karunanidhi: The Dravidian Icon and Political Maverick

Muthuvel Karunanidhi, fondly known as Kalaignar, was a towering figure in Indian politics, particularly in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.[1]wikipedia

He was the long-time leader of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), one of the major Dravidian parties that dominated Tamil Nadu’s political landscape.

Karunanidhi was born on 3 June 1924 in Thirukuvalai, a village in the Tanjore district of Tamil Nadu, and passed away on 7 August 2018 at the age of 94.

 

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Karunanidhi’s Political Journey and Legacy

  • Karunanidhi’s political career began in the 1940s as a student activist, and he soon rose through the ranks of the DMK, which was founded by C.N. Annadurai in 1949.
  • After Annadurai’s death in 1969, Karunanidhi took over as the leader of the party and held the position until his death.
  • He also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five terms and was known for his progressive policies, including the establishment of state-run universities and the introduction of the mid-day meal scheme for schoolchildren.
  • Karunanidhi was a powerful orator and writer, with a deep knowledge of Tamil literature and culture.
  • He was also a prolific screenwriter and playwright and was instrumental in shaping the Tamil film industry during the 1950s and 60s.
  • His works reflected his political and social views, and he used his art to propagate the ideals of the Dravidian movement.
M Karunanidhi

M Karunanidhi (Image: Source)

The Tragic Story of Karunanidhi’s First Wife

Padmavathi, Karunanidhi’s first wife, passed away at a young age due to tuberculosis.[2]thenewsminute

Before her untimely death in 1948, she gave birth to their first son, MK Muthu. Little did she know that her pledged jewellery would go on to help pay the running costs of ‘Murasoli,’ which later became the official newspaper of the DMK.

The Ambitious MK Muthu

Despite being born into a politically active family, MK Muthu had aspirations of becoming an actor. He took inspiration from MG Ramachandran, a close friend of Karunanidhi at the time and even dressed like him.

Muthu’s debut movie, Pillaiyo Pillai, was a success, but his subsequent movies failed to make a significant impact.

Muthu briefly dabbled in politics and even joined the rival AIADMK party led by MGR. But, he eventually faded away from the limelight and only resurfaced in 2008 when he recorded a song for the movie Mattuthavani.

Muthu married Sivagamisundari and has two children, a son named Arivunidhi and a daughter named Thenmozhi.

MK Muthu

MK Muthu (Image: Source)

Thenmozhi

Thenmozhi is now married to CK Ranganathan, the owner of CavinKare. Their son, Manu Ranjith, married actor Vikram’s daughter, Akshitha, in 2017.

Thenmozhi’s story is a testament to the idea that family legacy can continue beyond political or entertainment spheres.

Arivunidhi

Arivunidhi, the son of MK Muthu, is a doctor and playback singer. In 2013, a family dispute surfaced when Muthu and his wife Sivagamisundari filed a complaint with the Chennai Police alleging that Arivunidhi had tortured them.

They claimed that he had thrown them out of their Gopalapuram house and demanded money for their property.

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Dayalu Ammal (Karunanidhi’s 2nd Wife)

Profession: Businesswoman

Famous For: Being the Second Wife of M. Karunanidhi

Personal Life

Date of Birth: Year 1936

Birthplace: Tamil Nadu, India

Nationality: Indian Hometown Tamil Nadu, India

Religion: Hinduism

MK Alagiri: The Controversial Figure in Tamil Nadu Politics

MK Alagiri, born to Karunanidhi’s second wife Dayalu Ammal, is a prominent name in Tamil Nadu politics.[3]zeenews

However, his journey has been quite controversial due to his infamous fallouts with his father Karunanidhi and brother MK Stalin.

MK Alagiri

MK Alagiri (Image: Source)

The Rivalry

The rivalry between Alagiri and Stalin has been intense, to say the least. In fact, the situation got so out of hand that Karunanidhi had to divide the control of DMK geographically.

As a result, Alagiri was moved to Madurai, where he was given the responsibility of controlling DMK affairs in southern Tamil Nadu.

Despite being in a new region, Alagiri reportedly carved out a fiefdom in southern Tamil Nadu.

However, this wasn’t without controversy as he has been accused of practicing politics of intimidation in the region. Alagiri has often been blamed for promoting violence and clashing with the supporters of his brother Stalin.

MK Stalin: Political Journey

MK Stalin is a prominent political figure in Tamil Nadu, India.

As the working president of the DMK, he has established himself as a powerful leader and has always been regarded as the political successor of M. Karunanidhi, a former chief minister of the state.

MK Stalin

MK Stalin (Image: Source)

Early Life and Political Entry

  • Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, popularly known as MK Stalin, was born to Dayalu Ammal in Chennai in 1953.
  • He was brought up in a political environment as his father, M. Karunanidhi, was already an established leader of the DMK. Stalin completed his graduation in history from The New College, Chennai, and started his career as a film producer.
  • Stalin’s entry into politics came during the Emergency in 1975, when he was arrested along with other DMK leaders.
  • This experience proved to be a turning point in his life, and he became more involved in the party’s activities.
  • In 1980, he was chosen to head the youth wing of the DMK, which helped him to connect with the younger generation of the party.
  • Stalin’s political journey reached a new milestone in 2021 when he was appointed as the leader of the opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. This position gives him a crucial role in holding the ruling government accountable for its actions and policies.
  • As the leader of the opposition, Stalin has been vocal in his criticism of the government and has raised several issues affecting the people of Tamil Nadu.

M K Tamilarasu: The Businessman And Film Producer

M K Tamilarasu, the fourth son of Dayalu Ammal, is a well-known figure in the Tamil Nadu political scene.[4]newsindianexpress

He is not only a successful businessman and film producer but also a dedicated campaigner for his father’s political party.

Tamilarasu’s entrepreneurial spirit led him to start several successful businesses.

His ventures span across various industries, from real estate to hospitality. Tamilarasu is known for his astute business acumen and is highly respected in the business community.

Film Production

Apart from his business ventures, Tamilarasu is also a film producer. He has produced several Tamil movies and is credited with bringing fresh and unique concepts to the industry.

Tamilarasu’s son, Arulnithi, is an actor in the Tamil film industry and has worked in several successful movies. Arulnithi’s cousin, Udayanidhi (son of Stalin), is also an actor in the Tamil film industry.

Political Campaigning

Tamilarasu’s active involvement in his father’s political party is well known in Tamil Nadu. He is a dedicated campaigner and has been instrumental in the success of his father’s political campaigns.

Tamilarasu’s political acumen and his deep understanding of the issues that affect the people have made him a popular figure in the political scene.

FAQs

Who was M Karunanidhi?

M Karunanidhi was a prominent figure in the history of the DMK party, which played a crucial role in shaping Tamil Nadu’s politics.

What is the family background of M Karunanidhi?

M Karunanidhi was married three times and had six children. His first wife, Padmavathy, passed away early in their marriage, and his second wife, Dayalu Ammal, was the mother of four of his children.

What were the significant contributions of M Karunanidhi in politics?

M Karunanidhi made significant contributions to Tamil Nadu’s politics during his long political career. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five terms and was known for his progressive policies, including the establishment of state-run universities and the introduction of the mid-day meal scheme for schoolchildren.

What is the DMK party?

DMK stands for Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

What are the contributions of M.K. Stalin to Tamil Nadu politics?

M.K. Stalin is the third son of M Karunanidhi and is currently the President of the DMK party. He has been active in politics since the 1970s and has held several important positions in the DMK party, including Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu twice.

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