A little after sunset on Wednesday, the body of DMK leader M. Karunanidhi, who ruled Tamil Nadu over five terms as Chief Minister for a period of 19 years, was laid to rest on the Marina, alongside his political mentor C.N. Annadurai.
On the casket were etched words that he had, long ago, decided would go on his headstone: ‘He who toiled tirelessly, rests here now.’
Members of his large family wept inconsolably, with his son and party working president M.K. Stalin breaking down repeatedly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his respects to the late DMK patriarch at Rajaji Hall. Former Prime Minister H.D. Deve Gowda, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad, A.P. CM Chandrababu Naidu, and Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit were among those attended the funeral.
There was high drama, rivalling his racy scripts for Tamil films, with the Madras High Court entertaining the DMK’s plea for a resting place for the departed leader at the Marina and granting a judgment in their favour.
As the news broke, the cadre at Rajaji Hall became jubilant and started cheering their late leader’s “victory even after his death.”
By around 4 p.m., the cortege left Rajaji Hall and took about two hours to reach the memorial spot, moving slowly, led by Mr. Stalin and family members walking ahead and the crowd following.
The DMK patriarch got a grand farewell, his family, party-members-like-family and other politicians being present during the last moments. He was interred, with his dark glasses, the yellow shawl and the gold ring that he had worn for years, and the pen that he was so fond of. The sun had truly set.
