Wake up, Thalaiva! Karunanidhi’s Fans Stand Guard Outside Hospital

The DMK chief’s followers have been praying, wailing and sleeping outside Kauvery Hospital.

No amount of reassuring words has convinced the hundreds who continue to wait to catch a glimpse of the legendary leader.

(Photo Courtesy: Smitha TK/ The Quint)

Alwarpet Signal is a prime location in Chennai, but all routes leading to it have been diverted as hundreds of people have gathered outside Kauvery Hospital. Men, women and children have been waiting anxiously for updates on Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam chief M Karunanidhi’s health condition.

On the evening of 26 July, Karunanidhi’s health deteriorated due to a urinary tract infection. As he was rushed to the hospital early on the morning of 28 July, the number of people gathered outside began to boom by the minute.

Wails, cries and prayers, some whispered, some loud, began to echo outside the gates of the hospital.

On the night of 29 July, the crowd was sent into a frenzy when the DMK chief’s health deteriorated even further. However, soon after, Karunanidhi’s son and DMK Working President MK Stalin assured the people that the leader was ‘stable’ and there was no reason to worry.

But the reassuring words don’t seem to have had an effect on the crowd.

Here are the photos of some of the people who continue to wait outside the hospital to catch a glimpse of the legendary leader.

Many believe that Karunanidhi is the last leader to take forward Dravidian politics in Tamil Nadu.

“Ayya! You can’t leave us. If you go, we will have no leader left in Tamil Nadu. We will be ruined.”

Selling pictures of Karunanidhi has been Bhaskaran’s job for over a decade now.

“I am a Kalaignar boy from the age of 15. Whether it be art, cinema, scriptwriting, politics or life, no one can match him.”

Bhaskaran

Bhaskaran has been selling pictures of Karunanidhi outside the DMK headquarters at Arivalayam for over a decade now. The moment he heard the news of the leader’s hospitalisation, he brought his shop to the hospital.

DMK’S own security sqaud.

Presenting to you DMK’S Special Security Squad.

Over 2,000 additional police personnel have been deployed all over the city, but amidst the sea of khaki you can spot these men clad in party colours of red and black. They stand guard lending a helping hand, to keep the hundreds outside Kauvery Hospital under control.

Cries and wails echo outside Kauvery Hospital.

“Thalaiva! Can’t you hear our wails? May our loud slogans give you more power and help you walk out of the hospital with your head held high.”

The other side of the story.

There are medical bulletins being released, politicians and family members zipping in and out of the hospital and people praying for their leader’s health outside. But also there, behind the lenses, is a large group of reporters, camerapersons, technicians sleeping on the roads, surviving on one meal a day, burdened with heavy live units on their backs.

Determined to not budge until he sees Karunanidhi.

“I don’t need to hold a DMK flag to prove my loyalty. Karunanidhi is my life. If anything happens to him, I’ll also stop breathing.”

On the night of 29 July, when Karunanidhi’s health worsened, this man came and sat down on the road right in front of the hospital gate. He got up from the spot only after Stalin and A Raja assured the crowd that the DMK chief was stable.

All the way from Tiruvannamalai.

Every day since 26 July, this man comes clad in crisp white clothes, a DMK flag in hand, a picture of Karunanidhi around his neck and sits in the same spot. He politely stops the reporters whizzing past to check on the latest health update.

“It feels like we are in one of his political meetings. Look at the sea of people! This shows the power he commands over Tamil Nadu. It’s only missing the main man, but he will be here talking to us to sooner than you can imagine.”

Narasimhan has flown down from Singapore to catch a glimpse of Karunanidhi.

“I am Narasimhan and I live in Singapore. Two days back, I was watching TV and I got to know that Karunanidhi Thalaivar is very critical. My body was there but my mind was here. I couldn’t take it. I immediately booked my tickets and flew down to Chennai. Yes, district secretaries have assured that his condition is stable. But I want to see his face.”

Narasimhan

People reciting prayers outside the hospital.

Some people sang their prayers, wishing for the DMK chief’s speedy recovery:

“Wake up and come Tamil Nadu’s Thalaivar!
Come and wave at us
And put our worries at rest!
May the sun rise soon
Udhayasuriyane va!”

The humidity or the passing hours didn’t dampen their energy, and the area outside hospital echoed with gaana music, drum beats and loud slogans.

Kovai brothers.

“We have come from Coimbatore and have been sleeping on this platform every day for the last three days. We are staying strong and will not leave this spot until we catch a glimpse of our Kalaignar. There is no one else who can protect Dravidian politics.”

Women crying outside the hospital.

“Thalaiva thalaiva! Come out and see us. Yama Raja cannot come near you. We will not let him.”

People praying for Karunanidhi.

“Aarti, mann-soru (eating rice on the mud), poojas.
We are not doctors but we know how to pray.
Let doctors do their job and we’ll do ours.”

The space outside Kauvery Hospital has become home to several worried supporters.

“I’ll wait. I’ll wait right here. Five days, one week, one month. I’ll be right here waiting for him.”

A band from Kovai district

“Tamil Nadu’s Thalaivar!
Semmozhiana Thalaivar!
Kalaignar-avare!
Over 500 of us have come from Kovai district
and more are on their way.
We are sure but we will still wait here to see our Thalaivar
walk happy and healthy out of Kauvery Hospital.”

Evident outpours of anxiety and worry outside Kauvery Hospital.

“He is the last of the best we’ve got.”