While drumming up support for his move to take over temples in toto, Madras Presidency Premier Omandur Ramasami Reddiar (March 23, 1947 to April 6, 1949) would often refer to the charge of interference in religious affairs. Novelist KS Venkataramani, of ‘Kandan the Patriot’ and ‘Murugan the...
Like Manmohan Singh, Tamil Nadu’s Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan has learned quickly that good economics is bad politics. Much of the promises in his White Paper on the state’s financial position, regarding re-structuring and minimizing the amount of freebies and subsidies, would...
The ancient Tamil epic, Manimekalai composed by poet-saint Chithalai Sathanar describes how a small island nation then called Manipallavam located across the Palk Strait faced severe famine marked by an acute shortage of food and water. Manimekalai was a beautiful dancer-turned Buddhist...
Today, when India is approaching the 75th year of its Independence, clear, categorical and influential voices are heard in the public sphere demanding freedom for Hindu temples from the clutches of the government. But if we hark back to the time when the British left India after the apocalyptic...
Actor Vijay is testing the waters regarding his political career by having his fans contest the local body elections in nine districts. In the past, Vijay’s fans had contested local body elections and even won on occasion but only as Independents. Now, however, they are presenting themselves as...
Tamil Nadu Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiaga Rajan who has been strident in his criticism of DMK's political enemies has now crossed swords with DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan. When Elangovan told a journalist that PTR should have attended a recent GST meeting that he skipped, and that his...
In most states including in formerly Left-ruled West Bengal, Hindutva as a political ideology has struck roots. In Tamil Nadu, however, the same success has been hard to achieve for the BJP despite campaigns such as the Vel Yatra undertaken before Assembly elections. This raises the question...
Among the mega stars of Tamil cinema, actor Rajnikanth has a primary place. For the last four decades, he has been acting as one of the top heroes, singing duets with young actresses and delivering punch dialogue. On most of the occasions, his films have been money spinners for the producers....
A century is a long time in politics. The communal GO which provided representation for all communities in government jobs was issued exactly a hundred years ago and it had a big impact on politics and society. This GO enabled the empowerment of non-Brahmins in society and politics. Tamil Nadu...
”Paar meethu naan saagathiruppane kaanbeer” (I will never die), declared Tamil poet Bharathi. As if endorsing his words, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has announced 14 new schemes to commemorate the poet’s death centenary. The announcements include the celebration of Bharathi’s birth...
