Who Is M. Karunanidhi? Age, Biography and Wiki
M. Karunanidhi, born on June 3, 1924, in Thirukuvalai, Tamil Nadu, India, was an influential Indian writer, politician, and the leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) political party. He served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on multiple occasions and played a significant role in Tamil Nadu's politics until his demise in 2018. His contributions to literature and politics have earned him a revered spot in Indian history.
As of 2025, he would have been 101 years old if he were still alive, reflecting on a remarkable legacy that impacted generations.
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 3, 1924 |
| Age | 94 Years |
| Birth Place | Thirukuvalai, Madras Presidency, British India (present-day Tamil Nadu, India) |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | India |
| Date of death | 7 August, 2018 |
| Died Place | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
Popularity
M. Karunanidhi's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about M. Karunanidhi's physical statistics may not be readily available, he was often noted for his dignified appearance which included his famously thick glasses and traditional attire.
- Height: Approx. 5'5" (165 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 65 kg (143 lbs)
- Body Stats: Not publicly documented.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
M. Karunanidhi’s family consisted of a rich lineage tied deeply to Tamil Nadu's politics. He was married twice; his first wife, Parvathi, and his second wife, Dayalu Ammal, with whom he had several children. Notably, his son, M. K. Stalin, has continued his political legacy and presently serves as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
- Wife: Dayalu Ammal
- Children: M. K. Stalin (Son), others who have ventured into public service and politics.
His parents were from the Isai Vellalar community, a caste of musicians that perform at temples and other social gatherings. Growing up in a caste-ridden culture, Karunanidhi was learned about the crippling circumstances that arose from being born into a low caste.
When he was 14, he formed a student movement against the imposition of Hindi as India's National Language during the Anti-Hindi agitation of 1937–40. This served as a forerunner to Karunanidhi's wider anti-Hindi demonstrations in 1965.
As a high school student, Karunanidhi created the Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Mandram, the Dravidian movement's first student wing. He also started a news paper during his school days, which grew into the Murasoli, the DMK's official publication. Karunanidhi began participating in theatrical productions at a young age, including composing plays.
Later on, he started writing for movies. As a writer, he wrote screenplays, historical novels, screenplays, biographies, poems and novels. He utilised his writing to propagate reformist ideals effectively. He wrote the script and dialogue for M. G. Ramachandran's maiden film as a hero, Rajakumari.
He also composed the dialogue for Sivaji Ganesan's debut film, Parasakthi. He was critical of organised religion and superstition. He was an atheist and a self-described rationalist.
Net Worth and Salary
Before his passing, M. Karunanidhi's estimated net worth was reportedly in the range of $20 million. His wealth stemmed from various sources, including his political career, literary contributions, and real estate investments. His role as a chief minister and political leader also included substantial salaries and allowances that contributed to his net worth.
Karunanidhi launched the "Beggar rehabitation scheme" on his 48th birthday on 3 June 1971, and begged for funds for the scheme from shopkeepers near his residence, collecting ₹3,000 and said "Begging is not an insult to the person doing the begging.
But it is an insult to the country and society that made him a beggar." Karunanidhi established the Government Servants' Family Benefit Fund Scheme to give financial compensation to an employee's relatives in the event that he loses his job owing to permanent complete disability, medical incapacity, or death.
In 1971, his government increased reservation for BC from 25% to 31% and the reservation for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) from 16% to 18%. Karunanidhi established a separate Ministry for the Welfare of the backward class, the first such in the country. During 1973, women were first inducted into the police force.
Career, Business and Investments
M. Karunanidhi was a multifaceted individual whose career spanned various fields. In addition to his political endeavors, he was a prolific writer, penning numerous plays, screenplays, and novels in Tamil literature. His political journey began in the 1930s when he entered the Dravidian movement, leading to his rise in DMK and later holding the Chief Minister title multiple times.
He was also involved in numerous businesses and investments, ranging from media ventures to real estate, solidifying his status as a prominent figure not only in politics but in commerce as well.
Muthuvel Karunanidhi (3 June 1924 – 7 August 2018), also known as Kalaignar (Artist), was an Indian writer and politician who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for almost two decades over five terms between 1969 and 2011. He had the longest intermittent tenure as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu with 6,863 days in office.
He was also a long-standing leader of the Dravidian movement and ten-time president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party. Karunanidhi has the record of never losing an election to the Tamil Nadu Assembly, having won 13 times since his first victory in 1957.
Before entering politics, he worked in the Tamil film industry as a screenwriter. He also made contributions to Tamil literature, having written stories, plays, novels, and a multiple-volume memoir. A such, he is also referred to as Mutthamizh Arignar (Tamil Scholar) for his contributions to Tamil literature.
Dravida Kazhagam prominent actor Pattukkottai Alagiri conferred the title Kalaignar on him during "Thookumedi" drama. Karunanidhi died on 7 August 2018 at Kauvery Hospital in Chennai after a series of prolonged, age-related illnesses.
Social Network
M. Karunanidhi was a significant presence on various social networks, especially in his later years. His family, particularly his son M. K. Stalin, continues to engage with the public through social media, preserving his legacy and promoting their political agenda.
- Twitter: Active support and tributes from followers even posthumously.
- Facebook: Memorial pages highlighting his contributions to Tamil Nadu and Indian politics.
- Instagram: Visual tributes shared by family and supporters showcasing his life and achievements.
His most notable movie was Parasakthi, a turning point in Tamil cinema, as it espoused the ideologies of the Dravidian movement and also introduced two prominent actors of Tamil filmdom, Sivaji Ganesan and S. S. Rajendran. The movie was initially marred with controversies and faced censorship troubles, but was eventually released in 1952.
becoming a huge box office hit. The movie was opposed by orthodox Hindus since it contained elements that criticised Hinduism. The story contained condemnation of Tamil Nadu's severe social disparities, India's power difference between South and the North, and the moral corruption of the Hindu priestly caste.
Upper caste Hindus sought to ban the movie.
Education
M. Karunanidhi attended the prestigious Loyala College in Chennai. Though he started as a student of arts, he later became engrossed in Tamil literature and politics, demonstrating remarkable oratory and writing skills that would become his trademarks. His knowledge and understanding of social justice issues fueled his political ideology and literary works.
At the age of 12, he left to Thiruvarur to start his high school. Karunanidhi started to organise school students for the anti-Hindi agitations. The deaths of two anti-Hindi agitators by the police made a profound impact on him. At the age of 13, he wrote his first Tamil historical novel titled Selvachandira.
