Looking back at Kalaignar through the years

M Karunanidhi at a public meeting organised by Tamil Sangham in Bangalore in 1969.

DMK President M Karunanidhi with his mentor and party founder C N Annadurai.

Then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi shares a lighter moment with Karnataka Chief Minister Veerendra Patil in New Delhi before a meeting on the Cauvery water dispute in September 1990. Credit: DH/PV Archives

Then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Karunanidhi in Mysore Peta at Tamil Sangam in Bangalore in 1969.

Then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanadhi interacts with Revenue Minister N Huchhamasti Gowda and Mayor A K Anantakrishna at a function in Bangalore in 1973.

DMK President M Karunanidhi with his long-time friend K Anbhazhagan, general secretary of the party. The Karunanidhi-Anbhazhagan friendship is legendary for lasting many decades. A file photo of the duo.

M Karunanidhi with his friend and actor Sivaji VC Ganesan (right).

M Karunanidhi

M Karunanidhi with long-time friends Sivaji VC Ganesan (extreme left), M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa (extreme right).

M Karunanidhi with his mentor C N Annadurai, founder of the DMK.

M Karunanidhi with his wife Dayalu Ammal and son M K Stalin.

M Karunanidhi (left) with Periyar E V Ramasamy.

M Karunanidhi with M G Ramachandran.