DMK patriarch and one of India's senior most leader Kalaignar Mu Karunanidhi passed away this evening after a prolonged illness for the past several months during which time he has been away from active public life.  Admitted to the Kaveri hospital in Alwarpet Chennai eleven days back, his condition was critical and worsened drastically until he breathed his last at 6.10 pm,.

Karunanidhi was active in politics ever since he was a teenager and was also very much interested in the creative arts especially cinema.  He made his debut as a screenwriter in 1947 with 'Rajakumari' which also made MGR a bankable hero.  His most famous film is 'Parasakthi' released in 1952 which introduced Sivaji Ganesan as a hero.

After joining the DMK Karunanidhi first won an election from the Kulithalai constituency at the age of 33 and has ever since won all the elections he contested in till his death.  He has been the Chier Minister of Tamil Nadu for 5 times and his political career spans a staggering 80 years. Kalaigniar is known for bringing in people friendly schemes and has been the chief architect of Tamil Nadu rising to be one of the most advanced state in the country. 

Karunanidhi is known for his friendly approach even to people who oppose him and hence his departing has affected both his followers and his foes.  He has left behind a huge void in Tamil Nadu politics and enters the history books as one of the most influential personalities of modern Tamil Nadu. His service to Tamil literature and continuous battles to ensure that the language did not lose its identity will be remembered for ever.