Versatile Chief Minister

MUTHUKULIYAL (Tamil) - Volumes I & II: Dr. Kalaignar M. Karunanidhi; Poompuhar Publications; 63, Prakasam Salai, Broadway, Chennai-600108.

Rs. 350(two volumes).

THIS BOOK, in two volumes, contains 97 articles of the speeches given by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Mr. M. Karunanidhi. These speeches have been given on various occasions, from marriage functions to university convocations. Except two, one rendered in Chicago University and the other in Uttar Pradesh, all other speeches have been delivered in Tamil Nadu.

The collection covers the speeches given during 1969-98. The first volume contains 61 speeches (1969-97) and the second 36 (1998). It enables us to know some important facts not only about the author but also about other eminent personalities such as Thiru Vi. Ka., Periyar and Anna. Many historical events also have been made known to us by this nice collection. The readers will find an opportunity in these volumes to know the author's concept and views on various topics and issues relating to language, literature and culture.

His self-respect is the driving force of all his activities ever since his early life. He was offered attractive salary to work outside the then Madras such as Salem. However, he came to work in Chennai to build the Dravidian Party, and ignored his personal career advancement.

He started the journal Murasoli, first as a hand-written manuscript in 1942 and elevated it to an important party journal of the DMK. He arranged many meetings for his party, for which he had to struggle to mobilise necessary funds. Sometimes when the invited leaders did not turn up, he had to go for alternatives. On one such occasion, he recalls, Mr. Anbazhagan and Mr. Mathiyazhagan helped him proceed with the scheduled meeting by participating in the meeting at short notice.

It is his oratorical culture to stick to the topic and use apt words with rich literary technique. In his college and university meetings he discourages the unnecessary intrusion of the mass including his party cadres and desires to address the relevant audience only.

In many of his speeches on the topic of the Official Language Policy, he emphasises the importance of the two-language formula - Tamil and English. It is made clear that it is not at all necessary to have Hindi in addition to these two.

In many contexts he stresses to make all the scheduled languages as official ones. Regarding medium of instruction, he makes it clear that the mother tongue - in Tamil Nadu Tamil only - should be the only choice. He says that studying Tamil is different from studying through Tamil. He emphasises that we should bring up our children in such a way that they must think and speak in Tamil only.

He strongly believed that at all levels in Tamil Nadu, Tamil should be all-pervasive. At the same time he is neither conservative nor fanatic regarding language development. He wants to plan and develop the richness of Tamil in such areas as new word-formation to cope with the modern social needs.

He believes that though Tamil Nadu has a long and rich history it has not been written properly. Our ancient poets, he views, only eulogised our land; they have not contributed much to its real historicity. He quotes from many sources, mentioning that the history of India should be written starting from Kaveri and not from Ganges.

He gives much importance to state autonomy while he stands for a united India. Though in the past the Dravidian movement stood for a separate Dravidian state he categorically states that due to historical necessity the DMK has given up that demand now. He strongly advocates for the eradication of casteism and caste- oriented politics. He wants our society to be more humane and casteless. At the same time he is for the continuance of the reservation policy, which is essential to achieve social equality in our society where it is deeprooted and has become an accepted ``dharma''. He says that only when we arrive at a casteless society, can we do away with the reservation policy. He abhors violence in the name of caste and religion. Though Periyar was an atheist, he recalls, Anna stood for one God.

When he talks about education, he is for an interdisciplinary approach. He emphasises that science students should learn history and literature also while the students of humanities and language should learn science. He wants our curriculum to change in accordance with the present social context. It is his strong view that we should not only hail some historic personalities like Gandhiji and Periyar, but also should adhere to their concepts and views and adopt them in our life.

When he talks about Bharathi or Kamban, he clarifies that it is not proper to hate them just because they are theists and have created God-like characters. We should look into their other aspects such as their life or the poetic value of their literature. He recalls how Bharathidasan - an atheist - hailed Bharathi for his poetic ability and love for humanity.

The speeches make it clear that he is always open-minded and ready to recognise the contribution of others and give due importance to them irrespective of their individual, political and philosophical leanings.

When the ``Dr. Radhakrishnan's Teachers Award'' was read as ``Teachers Award'', he expressed his displeasure and asked the organisers of the meeting to correct the reading.

It is immaterial whether he is in power or not, Mr. Karunanidhi has remained powerful for nearly 35 years and will continue to be so in the history of Tamil Nadu. He had been the deciding factor in the political history of India on several occasions.

He is against narrow individualism and stands for collectivism. He wants people to give up the concept ``naan'' and stand for ``naam''. It is his view that only ``naam'' is democratic whereas ``naan'' is dictatorial.

This collection is one of the most welcome additions in the field of Tamilology.

PKR

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