Condolences poured in from all quarters as news broke of the demise of its five-time former Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi.
‘With deep anguish, we announce the demise of our beloved Kalaingar Dr M Karunanidhi on 07/08/2018 at 06:10 p.m.’ read the statement by Kauvery Hospital.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to pay tribute to the legendary writer-politician.
I have had the opportunity of interacting with Karunanidhi Ji on several occasions. His understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out. Firmly committed to democratic ideals, his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/cbMiMPRy7l
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu, who visited the ailing leader in hospital recently, expressed his grief through a tweet.
I am grieved by the passing away of Shri M. Karunanidhi, one of the leading and longstanding politicians of our country who left a mark of his own during his long public life of about 80 years including 56 years as Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. #Karunanithi pic.twitter.com/a8rZsW9fDz
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) August 7, 2018
Extremely pained by the sad demise of an exceptional politician & mass leader Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji. He was a great human being. His contributions to Tamil Nadu & national politics will always be remembered. My condolences to his family members & the party.
— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) August 7, 2018
Union Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan also paid his tributes.
His demise is a big loss for Tamil Nadu & the whole country. On behalf of BJP and myself, I pay tributes to Karunanidhi: Pon Radhakrishnan, Union Minister, on #Karunanidhi pic.twitter.com/2qNvyGHiVz
— ANI (@ANI) August 7, 2018
Saddened by the death of Tamilnadu former Chief Minister and icon of social justice M.Karunanidhi.
My deepest condolences to the family of M. Karunanidhi. Great loss for the nation and especially for Tamilnadu #RIPKalaignar @INCKarnataka pic.twitter.com/x4VoHLSCQ5— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) August 7, 2018
Superstar Rajinikanth, who recently stepped into politics, said the demise of his Kalaignar was a black day in his life, and he hoped the leader’s soul would attain peace.
என்னுடைய கலைஞர் மறைந்த இந்த நாள் என் வாழ்நாளில் நான் மறக்க முடியாத ஒரு கருப்பு நாள்.
அவருடைய ஆன்மா சாந்தி அடையட்டும்
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 7, 2018
Nadigar Sangam, the association of Tamil movie actors, expressed its condolence in a statement. “Our deepest condolences on the passing of Thiru M Karunanidhi. He was a lifetime member of our organisation, and we are bereft hearing the news of his demise. His work as a screenwriter is unparalleled. His dialogues were celebrated as much as the actors that uttered them onscreen were. The dialogues he has written will last forever. His works have created heroes out of men. Karunanidhi won over people through his films and then worked for them through five terms as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. We offer our condolences to his family and take part in their grief.”
Yesteryear actor Sivakumar, speaking about Karunanidhi, said: “After Periyar and Rajaji, only Kalaignar attained prominence as a pan-Indian leader. He implemented schemes and programmes for the betterment of the oppressed, as envisioned by Periyar. He safeguarded the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, built by Arignar Anna, for nearly 70 years. Kalaignar excelled equally in cinema and politics. He was instrumental in making Tamil cinema dialogues more authentic in the 1950s.”
Other celebrities who took to Twitter to express their condolences were
Actor R Madhavan
Saddened hearing the demise of one of this Nations Most dynamic leader and writer. May his soul Rest In Peace. Condolences to the entire party,family and supporters. pic.twitter.com/8cayC1tCAD
— Ranganathan Madhavan (@ActorMadhavan) August 7, 2018
Jayam Ravi
The end of greatness ????????Pride of Tamilnadu! My heartfelt condolences to the entire family. RIP Ayya #KalaignarKarunanidhi pic.twitter.com/gyCuCsvS3l
— Jayam Ravi (@actor_jayamravi) August 7, 2018
Siddharth
The Last #Tamil Titan has fallen. Former TN CM #MKarunanidhi was an incomparable man. #TamilNadu has lost at once its greatest contemporary political and creative enigma. Our beautiful language #Tamil will miss #Kalaignar #Karunanidhi This void he has left will take ages to fill.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) August 7, 2018
Dulquer Salmaan
End of an era ! Kalaignar was such an essential part of the fabric of Chennai and Tamil Nadu. All of us who've lived there will feel an inexplicable loss. RIP
— dulquer salmaan (@dulQuer) August 7, 2018
Venkat Prabhu
அவரின் தமிழ் பற்றுக்கு நிகர் அவர் மட்டுமே. என்றும் நம் மனதில் அஸ்தமிக்காத சூரியன். #riplegend #ripkalaingar pic.twitter.com/yZWFRUiiyL
— venkat prabhu (@vp_offl) August 7, 2018
Trisha Krishnan
Another era comes to an end #RIPKalaignar
— Trish Krish (@trishtrashers) August 7, 2018
Actress Hansika Motwani
With profound grief I have learnt about the loss of our beloved Kalaignar Dr M Karunanidhi one of the best leaders the country has ever witnessed. I hope God gives courage and hope to the family member and fellow Tamilians to cope with this huge loss #RIPKalaignar
— Hansika (@ihansika) August 7, 2018
Chess maestro Viswanathan Anand
A patron of sport and achievement. I have always admired his speeches and his eloquence. My deepest condolences to his family.#kalaignar(2/2)
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 7, 2018
Bollywood composer Vishal Dadlani
It's the end of an era in Tamil Nadu. The loss of a mass leader, and someone who was as beloved to his followers for his artistic ability as his policies. The original #Kalaignar, Dr. Karunanidhi would certainly have wanted his followers to keep TN peaceful in his name today. https://t.co/ROQluIH7Od
— VISHAL DADLANI (@VishalDadlani) August 7, 2018
Tamil actress Radhika Sarathkumar
Dark day for us, my mind and heart is full of memories of this tall leader @kalaignar89 , man who instilled and strived for the pride of Tamils. His spirit will always live on, will miss him terribly. A tall and great leader gone, bid him a tearful adieu???????????? pic.twitter.com/zk6GlwLG2v
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) August 7, 2018
Music Composer G.V. Prakash Kumar
An era of politics , an era of leadership an era of writing … #Kalaignar #karunanidhi #ripkalaignar #ripkarunanithi pic.twitter.com/7HNYrFEFet
— G.V.Prakash Kumar (@gvprakash) August 7, 2018
Actress Khushboo
I feel I am orphaned..
— khushbusundar..and it's NAKHAT KHAN for the BJP.. (@khushsundar) August 7, 2018
Actress Sripriya
A great intellect indeed,a man of a mammoth memory,I had taken my daughter when in 2nd std to take his blessings,he asked a Q from her Tamil portion mentioning d pg number,my daughter was awe struck’how ma thatha knew my book?THATS KALAINJAR??
— sripriya (@sripriya) August 7, 2018
End of a legendary era. Heartfelt condolences. #RIPKalaignar
— Anirudh Ravichander (@anirudhofficial) August 7, 2018
#TamilNadu has lost a great leader of our times. We people and Our #Tamil language will miss #Kalaignar #Karunanidhi my deepest condolences to the entire family members. pic.twitter.com/c6iIANORg9
— Yuvanshankar raja (@thisisysr) August 7, 2018
#RIPKalaignar Great leader and tamil writer #karunanidhi ayya !
Will be remembered forever.. pic.twitter.com/gTZzLg9YKr— M.Sasikumar (@SasikumarDir) August 7, 2018
Loved by the Tamilian people, Kalaignar strode the stage of Tamil politics, like a colossus, for over 6 decades. In his passing, India has lost a great son. My condolences to his family as also to the millions of Indians who grieve for their beloved leader tonight.#Karunanidhi
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 7, 2018
In Kalaignar's unfortunate demise. I have lost a long trusted friend/guardian and the nation has lost one of the greatest fighter for social justice. My deepest condolences to family members and his associates. #Karunanidhi #RIPKalaignar
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) August 7, 2018
Deeply saddened at the passing away of Kalaignar M Karunanidhi.60 years a legislator,5 times CM & a pillar of many coalitions at the Centre,he influenced his State's & the National politics like few others. My deepest condolences to his family & admirers.He will be missed deeply.
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) August 7, 2018
The country will always remember this Amazing personality and Leader ,,,Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji for his huge contribution to Tamil Nadu.
RIP sir.— Kichcha Sudeepa (@KicchaSudeep) August 7, 2018
Deeply saddened by the demise of former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Kalaignar Karunanidhi. His contributions to Tamil literature, cinema, & politics are unparalleled. I join the millions of people who are mourning. My deepest condolences to the family & people of Tamil Nadu.
— Mahinda Rajapaksa (@PresRajapaksa) August 7, 2018
Our heartfelt condolences to the family and supporters of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. His passing is a great loss to the nation. May his soul rest in peace.
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) August 7, 2018
Kalaignar Karunanidhi was a seasoned leader who dedicated himself in service to the poor and needy. He was a powerful voice of the marginalised section of our society. India mourns his demise.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 7, 2018
