Tamil Nadu Mourns: Karunanidhi’s Eldest Son, MK Muthu, Passes Away at 77

MK Muthu, the eldest son of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, passed away at 77 on Saturday morning due to age-related ailments, plunging his family and the state into grief. The actor and playback singer, known for his contributions to Tamil cinema and the Dravidian movement, died at his Chennai residence around 8 a.m.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Muthu’s half-brother, expressed profound sorrow, stating on X, “The news of my dear brother MK Muthu’s passing struck me like a thunderbolt. His affection was like that of a mother and father.” Stalin, along with Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, rushed to Muthu’s home to pay their respects. MP Kanimozhi, Muthu’s sister, cut short an event in Madurai to return to Chennai.

Muthu, born in 1948 to Karunanidhi’s first wife, Padmavathi, debuted in Tamil cinema in 1970 with Pillaiyo Pillai, playing a dual role. His films, including Pookari, Samayalkaran, and Anayavilakku, won Tamil audiences’ hearts. A trained singer, Muthu’s songs like Nalla Manathil Kudiyirikkum Nagoor Andava and Sonthakaaranga Enakku Romba Perunga remain iconic. Initially groomed as Karunanidhi’s political heir, Muthu’s cinematic career was a strategic move to rival MGR’s popularity, though it faced challenges, including a fallout with his father and a brief alignment with AIADMK. They reconciled in 2009 after Muthu’s health declined.

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The DMK canceled all official events, and Muthu’s body was kept at Karunanidhi’s Gopalapuram residence for public homage, with last rites scheduled for Saturday evening. Muthu is survived by his wife, son Arulnithi, a Tamil cinema actor, and daughter Thenmozhi. His legacy as a multifaceted artist and Dravidian ideologue endures.

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