# M. Karunanidhi

_Indian politician, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, India (1924–2018)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/m-karunanidhi
Last updated: 2026-11-03

> Muthuvel Karunanidhi, popularly known as Kalaignar was an Indian politician, writer and screenwriter who served as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five terms between 1969 and 2011 and was the longest-serving chief minister in the state's history. He was the ten-time president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) for nearly five decades and a leading figure in the Dravidian movement. He was noted for his contributions to Tamil literature, which include plays, novels, poems, and a multi-volume memoir.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 3 June 1924 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Thirukkuvalai ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P19))
- **Died:** 7 August 2018 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P570))
- **Place of death:** kauvery hospital ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P20))
- **Citizenship:** India; British Raj ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; screenwriter; journalist; writer; film producer; poet ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P106))
- **Political party:** Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P102))
- **Spouse:** Padmavathi Karunanidhi; Dayalu Ammal; Rajathi Ammal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P26))
- **Official website:** kalaignarkarunanidhi.com ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P856))
- **Positions held:** Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (13 May 2006 – 15 May 2011); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (13 May 1996 – 13 May 2001); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (27 January 1989 – 30 January 1991); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (15 March 1971 – 31 January 1976); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (10 February 1969 – 4 January 1971); Member of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; Member of the 2nd Madras Legislative Assembly; Member of the 3rd Madras Legislative Assembly; Member of the 4th Madras Legislative Assembly; Member of the 5th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; Member of the 6th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; Member of the 7th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly; Member of the 9th Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875#P39))

## Questions

**When was M. Karunanidhi born?**  
M. Karunanidhi was born on 3 June 1924 in Thirukkuvalai.

**What positions has M. Karunanidhi held?**  
Positions held by M. Karunanidhi include: Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (2006–2011); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1996–2001); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1989–1991); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1971–1976); Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1969–1971).

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): M. Karunanidhi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._Karunanidhi) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q470875](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470875) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Karunanidhi1.jpg by Prime Minister's Office (GODL-India)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karunanidhi1.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article M. Karunanidhi, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Karunanidhi1.jpg — Prime Minister's Office, GODL-India.

## Cite this page

"M. Karunanidhi". DigiNepal. Last updated 3 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/m-karunanidhi. Retrieved 5 November 2026.