There is perhaps no other state in India, where cinema and its metaphors exercise so powerful an influence over the idiom of politics than Tamil Nadu. Variously, two legendary actors and a film writer have ruled the state since the 1960s and the Dravidian movement which shaped the politics of the state drew heavily from the silver screen to spread its ideological imprint. It is therefore no surprise that leaders here are not referred to by just their names, but by honorifics and titles which reflect their particular place in the set piece of politics.
It is not just old leaders of the Dravidian movement, Kalaignar (great artist) M Karunanidhi, or even Jayalalithaa referred to as Puratchi Thalaivi or revolutionary leader who have these honorifics of old. The next generation of ?titled? leaders are taking a bow in this election.
Topping the list is deputy chief minister MK Stalin, known as thalapathi or general. He is Karunanidhi?s political heir and his title reflects the fact that his supporters see him as the general chosen to lead the DMK cadre.
His brother and rival in the political legacy is Union minister for chemicals and fertillisers MK Alagiri. The undisputed dominant force in this temple town in southern Tamil Nadu, he is known as Anjaadi Ninjam or the ?unceasing braveheart?. ?Anjaadi Ninjam is like his name, bold and ready to take on anyone, there is no one in Madurai who can take him on,? said an admirer. A claim which the election commission seems determined to shake off.
Challenging Alagiri on his home turf is the spoiler of the last elections in the state film actor ?Captain? Vijaykanth, who heads the Desiya Morupokku Munnetra Kazhagam (DMDK), now in alliance with Jayalalithaa. ?Captain? of course is his film world honorific, in politics he is referred to as Karuppu MGR or the dark MGR, his appeal hinging on the same populist, pro-poor plank as the late chief minister. Having garnered 10% of the vote in the state, especially from the Madurai area, he is a significant force, dark or not.
In the north of the state, the Puratchi Makkal Katchi, which holds a strong grip on the dominant Vanniyar community, is led by S Ramadoss. He is of course more than a doctor, and is referred to as Doctor Thalaivar or literally speaking ? Dr Leader.
The names, says veteran journalist and a prominent figure in the Chennai art scene Sadananda Menon, don?t hail from any filmy preoccupations, but from the Dravidian movements obsession with a glorious Tamil past. ?The Dravidian movement always drew inspiration from the Golden Age of Tamil Nadu, which was the Chola rule, where such titles were accorded and this is a reflection of that trend,? he said.
Every rally has little boys dressed as Ramaswamy Naicker known as ?Periyaar? or even of CN Annadurai ?Anna? the original Dravidian ideologues, to re-inforce the image.
Will the General defeat his enemies, the revolutionary leader and the dark force accompanying her, and how much would the unceasing braveheart help him. Fun, games end on May 13.