For better or verse: Karunanidhi146;s new war cry

If the media went to town, barely mincing words to describe the nasty split in the DMK8217;s first family, then Chief Minister and party supremo M Karunanidhi has his own subtle way of conveying the message 8212; through poetry.

If the media went to town, barely mincing words to describe the nasty split in the DMK8217;s first family, then Chief Minister and party supremo M Karunanidhi has his own subtle way of conveying the message 8212; through poetry.

Displayed prominently on the front page of the May 19 edition of Murasoli, the DMK mouthpiece, is Karunanidhi8217;s Ninaivugalin Porpaatu War Song of Memories. The poem clearly signals the end of his relations with his grandnephews, Kalainidhi and Dayanidhi Maran, whose father, Murasoli Maran, was such an intrinsic part of his life.

8220;Throgathaal ennai thulaithu chendra thozhargal silarum Some friends who pierced me through betrayal;

Thol meethu kai potu thunaikku vanthu vittom enbathum kanavuthaney Wasn8217;t it a dream, people putting their hands on my shoulders to support me;

Palikkaatha kanavugalaal manam valikkaathu Unfulfilled dreams don8217;t hurt the mind;

Jolikkaathu koozhangkarkal kuppaikkey pogum Stones that don8217;t shine are thrown away as worthless;

Pattai theeti paarthalum payanillai It is useless even to polish it.8221;

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To everyone keenly watching the family drama unfold onto the political arena, it is clear that Karunanidhi is referring to Dayanidhi Maran. In fact, Maran had been Karunanidhi8217;s blue-eyed boy ever since his first electoral victory from the Central Chennai constituency in the 2004 elections and his subsequent induction into the Union Council of Ministers. With his close family links, Maran was given a special place in his thatha8217;s life and was always seen holding his grandfather8217;s hand and helping him at public functions.

Ninaivugalin Porpaatu, however, indicates that there is no room for rapprochement with the Maran family. Wistful, but tinged with sadness and bitterness, the poem recalls Karunanidhi8217;s childhood days, playing on the lap of his mother Anjugam annai, and father Muthuvelar, and the joy he felt in the embrace of his two sisters 8212; one of who was Murasoli Maran8217;s mother.

He brings up 8220;scenes8221; from his youthful days when his nephews 8220;Maran, Amirtham and Selvam8221; played with him, 8220;springing like does onto my chest and shoulders8221;.

8220;The scenes have faded away along with my youth. In fact they have been destroyed as my worn, aging shoulders do not have the strength to bear them anymore,8221; he says. The verse then goes on to talk about friends who betrayed him and people who offered him support turning out to be just a dream.

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Credited with excellent literary skills, Karunanidhi, who started as a scriptwriter in films, has often used poetry in Murasoli to convey his sentiments on an issue.

His latest verse comes in the wake of reports that the Maran family has been desperately sending overtures to mend the rift. The latest attempt was to invite Karunanidhi for a valaikaapu ceremony organised for pregnant women for Anbukkarasi, Dayanidhi Maran8217;s sister, on May 27.