Karunanidhi, one of the most charismatic leaders of Tamil Nadu whose public life spanned over seven decades, was 94.
He is survived by two wives and six children, including DMK working president and heir apparent M K Stalin and daughter Kanimozhi, a Rajya Sabha MP. His first wife had predeceased him.
The most enduring mascot of the Dravidian movement breathed his last at 6.10 p.m.
Despite being from a conservative state, Karunanidhi was married thrice and proud of having two wives at the same time. His first wife Padmavathi had passed away early. He later married Dayaluammal, with whom he had three sons – MK Alagiri, MK Stalin and MK Tamilarasu.
He later married Rajathahi Ammal and proudly admitted in the state assembly that she was his daughter Kanimozhi’s mother.
In 1968 when a Congress leader asked him point blank about the exact nature of the relationship, he said: “En magal Kanimozhyin thaayaar (my daughter Kanimozhi’s mother).”
According to those close to him, he referred to Dayaluammal as manaivi (wife) and Rajathiammal as thunaivi (companion).
Tributes pour in
President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourned Karunanidhi's death.
"Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M Karunanidhi. A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers.
Our country is poorer today. My condolences to his family and millions of well-wishers," Kovind tweeted.
Modi said Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress.
"Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the seniormost leaders of India.
We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised," Modi said in a series of tweets.
Congress president Rahul Gandhi also took to Twitter to condole Karunanidhi's death.
"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," he said on Twitter.
With inputs from PTI
