Chennai Corner

A life of cinema and politics
His arch-rival Jayaalalitha has often accused CM Karunanidhi of being so involved in his filmi pursuits that the administration of the state has suffered. Whether that is true or not, what cannot be denied is that CM Karunanidhi and his clan are big players in Kollywood. Two of his grandchildren (Udayanidhi Stalin and Dayanidhi Azhagiri are hotshot producers), another grandson, Arulnithi (son of the low profile Tamizharasu, third son of Karunanidhi) is about to embark on his career as an actor, and yet another grandson is a playback singer while the CM himself has gone from wearing the hat of a scriptwriter to that of an editor.  

Karunanidhi, has often spoken of politics and writing representing his two eyes. The CM’s presence at film functions is de rigeur and what is also an annual event is his felicitation. It’s another matter that this year actor Ajith, known for plain speaking, stole the CM’s thunder by complaining that actors should not be asked to take political stands. But Karunanidhi stole the limelight right back when goons began baying for Ajith’s blood (and even megastar Rajnikanth’s after the latter applauded his fellow actor for not mincing his words) and he played peacemaker between the militant Kollywood crowd and mind-our-own-business fraternity.

This week, the CM was a busy man in filmdom. He was present at the launch of Illaignan, director Suresh Krissna’s 50th directorial venture, on Wednesday, he is expected to attend the felicitation of theatre person YG.Mahendran for completing 50 years in the entertainment industry this Friday, and on Saturday, he will be present at the audio release of Pen Singham. Read on to see how many different roles the CM has played in this film.

Kalaignar wears different hats
Last month the CM could be spotted at the Kalaignar TV’s edit suite at Arivalayam, editing his upcoming film Pen Singham, which is based on his novel Suruli Malai, written four decades ago. There are other hats he wears for this film – as the writer of the screenplay, dialogues, lyrics and even the script. Apparently, Karunanidhi had summoned ace editor V.T.Vijayan after seeing the film and made it clear he wanted to sit through the editing. 

“We were not surprised when he said that. This film is close to his heart as it has a revolutionary theme and also addresses women’s liberation,” producers Arumuganeri Murugesan and Jayamurugan, claim. The CM was also present during the filming of a crucial court scene that was shot on the lead pair Meera Jasmine and Udhay Kiran in AVM Studios recently. “He wrote the dialogues on the spot and sat at the monitor to supervise the scene. He virtually directed the scene, instructing the artistes, including actor Riteesh (a DMK MP who played government prosecutor) and Meera on their diction and body language,” the producer says.

Jayalalitha, herself a top actress, may be speaking the truth when she accuses the CM of being partial to cinema. Hear it in the words of producer Murugesan: “Normally every day at least half-a-dozen people with prior appointments would be waiting at the CM’s Gopalapuram residence. But we were granted the privilege of jumping the queue and entering his room, since everyone knows Kalaignar enjoys discussing films to relax his mind in the midst of his demanding political career.”

Murugesan also reveals that Kalaignar was so hands on that he even dropped in during shooting at Madras University Hall on his way to the secretariat from home.

The CM’s lyrics have been set to music by Deva. “Deva sir went to the CM’s house each time he composed a song,” reveals Murugesan. Lakshmi Rai and Raghavendra Lawrence appear in a special dance sequence and actress Rambha does a cameo. For the first time in a CM’s movie (which is slated for release in the middle of next month), songs have been shot abroad (Switzerland).

Koovagam festival draws transgenders
As happens every year, hundreds of transgenders (aravanis) thronged Koovagam in nearby Villupuram district to participate in the 18-day long Koovagam festival. The festival which culminated on April 27, symbolizes the mythical wedding of Lord Krishna in a female form to Aravaan, a warrior who ended up being sacrificed so the Pandavas could win in the epic Mahabharat war. The only request Aravaan made before going into battle was to get married and experience one night of conjugal bliss and that’s why Krishna took on a female form to marry Aravaan.

After the end of festivities on April 27 the transgenders went to the Koothandavar temple in Koovagam and got the temple priest to tie the nuptial knot around their necks to symbolize their marriage to Aravaan. The idol of Aravaan was taken out in a procession on April 28 and burnt.

Transgenders came in all shapes and sizes and wearing different costumes – western and traditional – to the festival. And as always there was a personality contest in which Shilpa, a transgender from Salem, was crowned Miss Koovagam 2010 while Rangeela from Thoothukudi won the first runner up title and Simran from Erode won the second runner-up title.

All for the third sex
Transgenders in other parts of the country invite derision, are stereotyped, and are called potential AIDS victims because they go into the sex trade. In other parts of the country, they live on the margins of society with “normal” people not wanting to have anything to do with them. Not so for the 30,000 transgenders of Tamil Nadu.

Olga, who works for an MNC, says, “In movies they make fun of us, showing gents and ladies toilets where the comedian triggers titters from the audience with the question, ‘Where will these people go?’ But, in real life so far we do not face such discrimination.”

Rose, a transgender, even had her own talk show two years ago on Vijay TV that was very popular during its run. The government has done its bit to integrate transgenders by setting up a commission for their welfare, earmarking ration cards for them and has also training them to use a computer. Of course some of them are cynical and say, “Don’t treat us as vote banks.” But they have stood up to be counted.

Last March a toll-free helpline was started for them where counsellors who have worked closely with the transsexual community fielded questions. Driven by TAI-VHS (Tamil Nadu AIDS Initiative-Voluntary Health Services), the facility was launched by Tamil Nadu health secretary V K Subburaj, who said, “The government has been doing its best, introducing schemes and benefits. We offer them medical care and admission to educational institutions but they don’t make use of it as their families do not support them.” So unless there is public support, the government works in a vacuum.

Matrimony.com
The government’s order to recognise and accept transgenders as the third sex has prompted serious political activity among transgenders in various parts of the state. Kalki, founder-president of Sahodari, a community outfit working for transgender rights, says, “Leaders of several political parties have approached us to join them.” She, herself, is planning to take the plunge.

Meanwhile, yet another avenue – marriage – has opened up with the launch of a matrimonial website said to be the first such exclusive site for transgenders. “A year ago, some of my friends tried to post their profiles on a popular matrimonial website but were rejected because of their gender. That is when I decided to design this for the third sex,” says Kalki of the website. The website has received many queries from men living in countries like France and Italy. “It is heartening that none of the mails is perverted,” Kalki adds.