Tamil poll propaganda gets poetic twist on TV

Millions of Sun TV viewers were in for a sumptuous ‘feast’ on Tamil New Year’s day today, when the DMK patriarch shared the dais with four top Tamil poets at a poets’ meet. Only his poetic rendition was full of political rhetoric, calling on Tamils to rise from their ‘political stupor’. He went on to list the astounding promises in his party’s poll manifesto, the UPA government’s achievements, his own party’s past performance and the ‘repression’ unleashed by Jayalalithaa.

Popular lyricists Vaali, Vairamuthu, Abdul Rehman and Pa. Vijay joined in, turning sycophantic and using their poetic skills to praise the DMK chief. Vijay described Karunanidhi as ‘‘an embodiment of Tamil language and culture’’ and went on to equate him to the ‘‘splendour and grandeur’’ of Niagra Falls, Eiffel Tower and the Taj Mahal.

Vaali declared that the election day would ensure that ‘the throne’ is returned to Karunanidhi, turning the audience hysterical with delight. Vaiko came in for ridicule with the poet sharply observing that he had sent to Delhi (as Rajya Sabha members) people who wasted time playing ‘top’ -- the MDMK symbol -- in village playgrounds.

Rehman sniped at Karunanidhi’s rivals pointing out that ‘‘under the blistering summer sun (the DMK symbol) two leaves (the AIADMK symbol) would wilt and ‘vaiko(r)’ or haystack, would be reduced to ashes’’.

At this, DMK leaders and Karunanidhi’s family members, including Dayanidhi Maran and his brother Kalanidhi Maran, who heads the Sun TV Group, in the audience were in splits.