Wikipedia

Murasoli Selvam

Murasoli Selvam (24 April 1940 – 10 October 2024) was an Indian newspaper editor, journalist associated with the South Indian political party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He served in as the chief newspaper editor including with the party's mouthpiece Murasoli for over 30 years.

Murasoli Selvam
Born
Pannirselvam

(1940-04-24)24 April 1940
Thiruvarur, Tamil Nadu, India
Died10 October 2024(2024-10-10) (aged 84)
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
Occupation(s)Journalist, editor
Known forEditor of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's mouthpiece Murasoli

Background

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Murasoli Selvam was born Pannirselvam in Thiruvarur in the present-day southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu on 24 April 1940.[1] He hailed from the Karunanidhi family, a well known Indian political family.[2] He was given his name by M. Karunanidhi in memory of a senior Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party member A. T. Pannirselvam who had died unexpectedly in a plane crash on 1 March 1940.[3] In a letter penned by M. Karunanidhi, he made a reference claiming that it was he who named the newborn baby as Pannirselvam in remembrance of his senior party member A. T. Pannirselvam. Murasoli Selvam was born exactly one month after the death of A. T. Pannirselvam.[3]

Murasoli Selvam was the nephew of former Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi. Selvam was also the younger brother of Murasoli Maran, who had served as a former Union Minister during the cabinet of M. Karunanidhi's regime. He was also the brother-in-law to incumbent chief minister of Tamil Nadu, M. K. Stalin, and he was the uncle of actor-politician Udhayanidhi Stalin.[4] Selvam married M. Karunanidhi's daughter Selvi.[5]

Career

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Selvam was associated with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam during his career.[6] He made his mark as a student leader during the which occurred during the Anti-Hindi agitations between 1965 and 1967 time frame.[6][1] He also produced movies including Vandikkaran Magan (1978), Palaivana Rojakkal (1986), Puyal Paadum Paattu (1987) and Paasa Paravaigal (1988) for all of which Karunanidhi was the screenplay writer.[6]

Selvam began began his journalistic career working with his brother Murasoli Maran for Murasoli and later became its editor in 1989 after Murasoli Maran took up the role as a minister in Central Government.[3] He received the stage name "Murasoli" after predominantly serving as the editor of Tamil newspaper Murasoli. Thereafter, he kept the adjective "Murasoli" adjoining with his calling name. He played a pivotal and instrumental role in uplifting the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's goodwill and public image by contributing to the party’s growth through his editorial work he displayed in Murasoli.[7] He was known for his quiet nature, and according to his close social circles, he never asked for any political positions despite being closely associated with most of the prominent DMK party members.[3]

Selvam passionately continued his work in Murasoli under the pen name and pseudonym "Silandhi".[4] His last officially published article appeared in Murasoli on 8 August 2024 and in the article, he was critical of incumbent governor of Tamil Nadu, R N Ravi by calling out for his political actions with religious agenda.[6] On 9 October 2024, a day prior to his sudden death, he had been reportedly writing a column, compiling a new article by incorporating a checklist of important notes to present it as an insightful article in order to publish as a final outcome to be displayed in the front cover of Murasoli.[8]

In 1992, he was embroiled in a controversial incident which included a set of allegations being levelled against him pertaining to the violations of the House's privileges.[4] It was revealed that one of his articles penned by him which appeared in Murasoli, criticising the political events which took place during the regime of J. Jayalalithaa,[6] especially highlighting the sequence of events unfolded during her stay in Kodanad estate, had garnered him political oppression and opposition which also included a direct privilege motion being filed against him by Jayalalithaa herself.[9][6] He also subsequently became the first Editor in Tamil Nadu to be reprimanded at the Bar of the Legislative Assembly, following a ruling by the Privileges Committee.[4][3]

Murasoli Selvam published a memoir titled Murasoli Sila Ninaivugal (A Few Memories of Murasoli), where he articulated the plethora of first hand experiences with the newspaper, highlighting its crucial aspect and role in analysing the political challenges and roadblocks.[10]

Death and tributes

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Selvam died from a heart attack at a private hospital in Bangalore, on 10 October 2024, at the age of 84.[11][12][13] His funeral was held on 11 October 2024 with the presence of the prominent DMK party members.[14][15][16]

DMK chief M. K. Stalin announced that the DMK flag would be hoisted in half-mast manner for a duration of three days as a tribute in recognition of Selvam's unwavering commitment in reshaping the party's growth trajectory.[4] M. K. Stalin in an obituary tribute message indicated that Selvam was rated highly by his father, Karunanidhi. Stalin also highlighted Selvam's role in assisting him from childhood, and stated that Selvam provided him guidance related to the handling of organisational matters and offering him consultancy solutions during turbulent times.[17][18][19]

References

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  1. ^ a b Service, Express News (2024-10-10). "DMK leader, former editor Murasoli Selvam passes away at 84". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  2. ^ Raman, Jyotsna (2018-08-10). "Meet the Karunanidhi clan: The vast family tree of TN's departed leader". The News Minute. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  3. ^ a b c d e "முரசொலி செல்வம்: ஜெயலலிதா ஆட்சியில் சட்டமன்றக் கூண்டில் ஏற்றப்பட்டபோது என்ன செய்தார்?". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil). 2024-10-12. Retrieved 2024-10-12.
  4. ^ a b c d e https://www.livemint.com/news/who-is-murasoli-selvam-karunanidhis-son-in-law-passes-away-at-85-11728549552411.html
  5. ^ "யார் இந்த முரசொலி செல்வம்? திமுக-வின் முக்கிய நபர்..முதல்வரின் அன்பு மச்சான்!". Zee Hindustan Tamil (in Tamil). 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Murasoli Selvam, M K Stalin's brother-in-law, dies". The Times of India. 2024-10-10. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  7. ^ "Karunanidhi makes rare public appearances, visits Murasoli office". The Times of India. 2017-10-20. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  8. ^ "MK Stalin's brother-in-law, DMK mouthpiece editor Murasoli Selvam, dies at 85". India Today. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  9. ^ "சட்டமன்ற கூண்டில் ஏற்றப்பட்ட அந்தத் தருணம்... - முரசொலி செல்வம் 'சம்பவங்கள்'". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  10. ^ "Selvam, former editor of 'Murasoli', passes away". The Hindu. 2024-10-10. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  11. ^ Sivapriyan, E. T. B. "Murasoli Selvam, son-in-law of Karunanidhi, passes away at 82". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  12. ^ "முரசொலி செல்வம் காலமானார்; முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின் இரங்கல்". Dinamalar (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  13. ^ "சென்னை கொண்டுவரப்பட்ட முரசொலி செல்வம் உடல்; உடைந்து அழுத முதல்வர் ஸ்டாலின்!". Vikatan (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  14. ^ "Murasoli Selvam Funeral: Udhayanidhi Stalin Is Inconsolable, MK Stalin In Mourning; Watch Videos". News18. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  15. ^ "முரசொலி செல்வத்தின் உடலுக்கு நேரில் அஞ்சலி செலுத்திய சங்கீதா விஜய்!". Vikatan (in Tamil). 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  16. ^ "முரசொலி செல்வம் மறைவு; திரை பிரபலங்கள் நேரில் அஞ்சலி". nakkheeran. 2024-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  17. ^ "MK Stalin's brother-in-law, DMK mouthpiece editor Murasoli Selvam, dies at 85". India Today. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  18. ^ "Murasoli Selva, former editor of DMK mouthpiece, no more; "lost last shoulder to lean on," mourns Tamil Nadu CM Stalin". ANI News. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  19. ^ DIN (2024-10-10). "முரசொலி செல்வம் மறைவு: கண்ணீர்விட்டு அழுத முதல்வர்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-10-10.
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