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New Indian Express
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Late CM Karunanidhi's eldest son dies, TN CM bereaved
CHENNAI: The eldest son of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi, M.K. Muthu, died due to age-related issues at the age of 77 at his house in Injambakkam, Chennai, on Saturday morning. He was the half-brother of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. Muthu was born to Karunanidhi's wife, Padmavathi, who died at the age of 20 in 1948, just a few days after giving birth to him. He was named after Karunanidhi's father, Muthuvel, in accordance with Padmavathi's request from her deathbed. Muthu had a stint in Tamil cinema as an actor and singer in the 1970s and was also involved in politics. He acted in films such as Pookkari, Pillaiyo Pillai, Samayalkaran, and Anaiya Vilakku. At one point, he was considered a potential competitor to the then matinee idol M.G.R., but Muthu was unable to achieve lasting success in Tamil cinema. For years, there were disagreements between Muthu and his father Karunanidhi, but they reconciled in 2009. For the past few years, Muthu had been in poor health. His MP sister Kanimozhi, after hearing the sad news while attending an event in Madurai, rushed back to the city to pay her last respects. Stalin and his Deputy Chief Minister son Udhayanidhi rushed to Muthu's residence here to pay their respects. Informing about the demise of Muthu due to old age, the state government said his body will be kept at the Gopalapuram residence of late Karunanidhi for the public to pay their respects. His last rites will be performed this evening, the release said.
Hindustan Times
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
MK Muthu, M Karunanidhi's eldest son and Tamil Nadu CM Stalin's brother, passes away
Late former Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi's eldest son MK Muthu passed away in Chennai at the age of 77, CM MK Stalin announced on Saturday, July 19. Sharing the news, MK Stalin wrote on X that his brother MK Muthu's passing struck him like a 'thunderbolt'.(X/@mkstalin) MK Muthu, the brother of Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, was born to Karunanidhi's first wife, Padmavathi. Sharing the news, MK Stalin wrote on X that his brother's passing struck him like a 'thunderbolt'. 'The news of the passing of my beloved elder brother, MK Muthu, the eldest child of the Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar family, struck me like a thunderbolt this morning. The sorrow of losing my dear brother, who showed me affection equivalent to that of a mother and father, torments me,' Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin wrote on X. 'Our father, Muthuvelar, named him MK Muthu in his memory, as decided by Leader Kalaignar. Like Leader Kalaignar, Brother Muthu began serving the Dravidian movement through dramas from his youth,' he wrote. MK Stalin said that Muthu had a unique style in acting, dialogue delivery, and body language. 'Due to such talent and enthusiasm, he entered the film industry in 1970. In his very first film, he played a dual role'. 'Through films like Pillaiyo Pillai, Pookkari, Samayalkaran, and Anaiya Vilakku, Brother MK Muthu permanently settled in the hearts of Tamil Nadu's audiences,' Stalin said in his post. Stalin said MK Muthu possessed a rare distinction that many actors did not have, adding that he had the ability to sing songs melodiously in his own voice. Also Read: Legacy of Karunanidhi and the future of DMK "Songs like "Nagur Andava, who resides in a good heart" and "I have a lot of relatives" remain unforgettable to many even today," Stalin said. 'He always showed affection toward me, considered my growth as his own, and constantly encouraged me. Whenever I went to see him, he made it a habit to share old memories with affection. Though he has passed away due to old age, Brother MK Muthu will live forever in our hearts through his love, in the hearts of people through his art and songs. I offer my tribute with heartfelt love to my dear brother,' he added. 'The news of the passing of my beloved elder brother, M K Muthu, the eldest child of the Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar family, struck me like a thunderbolt this morning. The sorrow of losing my dear brother, who showed me affection equivalent to that of a mother and father, torments me.' 'Our father, Muthuvelar, named him M K Muthu in his memory, as decided by Leader Kalaignar. Like Kalaignar, Brother Muthu began serving the Dravidian movement through dramas from his youth.'
The Hindu
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Mu. Ka. Muthu, Karunanidhi's eldest son, is no more
Mu. Ka. Muthu, the eldest son of the late Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and half-brother of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, died in Chennai on Saturday (July 19, 2025). He had been ailing for a long time. He was 77 and is survived by his wife, son, and daughter. Mr. Muthu was born to Karunanidhi's first wife Padmavathi, daughter of Chidambaram Padagasundaram Pillai, a renowned musician and composer. His maternal uncle, C.S. Jayaraman — a playback singer — rendered many songs for Sivaji Ganesan-starrers, including his debut film Parasakthi. The way Mr. Muthu styled himself after MGR, even affecting a physical resemblance, was a source of some discomfort for his family. Mr. Muthu was promoted as an actor by Karunanidhi's family to produce a home-grown hero, as there was always tension between the DMK and film stars associated with the party. Actors like Sivaji Ganesan, M.G. Ramachandran (MGR), and poet Kannadasan were all once close to Karunanidhi. Trained in music, Mr. Muthu also rendere songs for films in which he was cast as a hero. His maiden feature film was Pillaiyo Pillai, released in 1970. Interestingly, it was MGR who launched this film, the first in which Mr. Muthu was cast as a hero, and he even presented him with a gold watch. He later appeared in films such as Samayalkaran, Anayavilaku, Ingeyum Manidhargal, and Pookari. The songs from these films — particularly 'Kaadhalin Pon Veethiyil' and 'Muthupal Siripennavo' in Pookari; 'Meenattam Kankonda Meenatchi' and 'Moontru Thamizh' in Pillaiyo Pillai; and 'Nalla Manathil Kudiyirukkum Nagoor Andava,' sung by Muthu in Anayavilaku — continue to enchant generations of cinema lovers. 'Mr. Muthu could have emerged as a successful film personality had he relied on his talents as a singer and actor. But his language, song sequences, and even hairstyle resembled those of MGR. This was one of the factors that contributed to the misunderstandings between MGR and Karunanidhi,' Subagunarajan, editor, Katchipizhai, once told The Hindu, noting that MGR continued to patronise Mr. Muthu even after leaving the DMK. When Mr. Muthu wanted to join the AIADMK, MGR refused to admit him into the party. However, he eventually received financial assistance from Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in the early 1990s. While his film career failed to take off, he also was not successful in politics. He faded into obscurity over the years. Karunanidhi and mr. Muthu finally came together again in 2008 when the latter turned 60. It was then that he sought to remake his public image by singing a song composed by Deva for the film Maatu Thavani. His body is being brought to his father's residence in Gopalapuram.
