Chennai: It was the day the stork brought a bundle of joy to Muthuvel and Anjugam couple in Thirukuvalai village in Nagapattinam district 3 June 1924 – it marked the birthday of Karunanidhi, the grand old political leader of Tamilnadu.
This theme was depicted today at his mausoleum at the Marina, near Anna Square. There was a stork transporting a baby on a cradle with the words Kalaignar (the title he was known by and called by his followers and fellow leaders) written across it.
The beautiful flower arrangement on the tomb said in Tamil, Kalaignar Udhayam (Karunanidhi is born). It marked his 95th birth anniversary.
Led by party president and Karunanidhi’s son, M K Stalin, leaders and followers trooped to the memorial at the Marina and paid floral tributes.
Karunanidhi’s daughter and MP Kanimozhi was present there with her husband and spent a few meditative moments in front of the giant portrait of the towering leader and her father.
The rest of the close family of Karunanidhi, his son, daughter, daughter-in-law (Stalin’s wife Durga) and others sat around the tomb for a while.
A book on Karunanidhi, in Tamil, was released by Stalin on the occasion. The first copy was received by MP-elect A Raja.