Jayalalithaa dead: Amma no more – A look back at the life of Tamil Nadu’s political giant

Jayalalithaa's name will be a name etched into the history of Indian politics forever. We bid her soul adieu with prayers that she may rest in peace.

Updated: December 6, 2016 11:15 AM IST

By Srividhya Iyer

J Jayalalithaa
J Jayalalithaa was brought to hospital in a breathless state

In what can only be described as an irreplaceable loss, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is no more. The popular leader had been battling illness for more than a month now. What began as a simple case of dehydration and fatigue, took a turn for the worse with an ill-fated cardiac arrest on the 4th of December 2016. Though, Jayalalithaa’s will be mourned immensely throughout the country, the Chief Minister has had one one of the most colorful careers in independent India’s political history.

From being born as Komalavalli to Tamil Iyengar parents in Mysore to becoming South India’s one and only “Amma”, J. Jayalalithaa had a kaleidoscope of experiences throughout her career. The actress-turned-politician went by many names, but to those for whom she became a political ideologue, she was called as “Puratchithalaivi” meaning “Revolutionary leader” in Tamil. (ALSO READ- Jayalalithaa dead: AIADMK chief passes away after cardiac arrest)

Born on 24 February 1948, Jayalalithaa was in no way acustomed to as ‘silver spoon’ from the very beginning. Her father, who unfortunately could not accomplish much in life, passed away when Jayalalithaa was just two years old. However, Jayalalithaa had early on moulded her personality to one of strength and perseverance. Amma completed her education from Bishop Cotton Girls’ High School in Bangalore and later from  Sacred Heart Matriculation School in Chennai. it is said that the populist leader had set her eyes on pursuing law, which, unfortunately, she was unable to do due to the circumstances that life threw on her.

With a little nudge from her mother, Jayalalithaa followed her aunt Vidyavati into the riveting world of South Indian silver screen. She had a very successful  and colourful career in the entertainment industry that spanned several decades. Amma started off by learning various dance forms and styles of music to support her acting career. Jayalalithaa learnt Bharatha Natyam and Carnatic music. She also learnt other dance forms also such as Mohini Attam, Kathak and Manipuri. (ALSO READ- Jayalalithaa dead: AIADMK chief passes away at Apollo Hospitals, 7-day mourning announced)

She had appeared as a lead actress in various films in Tamil, Kannada and Telugu languages. Jayalalithaa started her acting career in the year 1964 by debuting in a Kannada film ‘Gombe”. Jayalalithaa even played roles in English and Hindi movies. Though during life Amma will be remembered for many great things, the more than 100 films that she has acted in will truly keep her memory alive for the many years to come.

However, it was in 1981 that her life took a very different turn. Jayalalithaa ventured into the world of politics in 1984 by joining the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) political party. Through all her years of acting and politics, she was guided by her friend and very close companion very close companion of M.G.Ramachandran or M.G.R as he is popularly known as M.G.R.

Jayalalithaa soon became a member of Parliament with a ticket from the AIADMK. After MGR’s death in 1987, Jayalalithaa contested and won the elections to the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly and soon became  the first Woman Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. (ALSO READ- Jayalalithaa dead: Important events in the life of Amma)

The AIADMKs alliance with the congress ensured that the murder of Rajiv Gandhi helped the party in winning  elections on the basis of sympathy from voters.jayalalithaa was re-elected to the legislative assembly and became the first elected woman, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, serving the full tenure (24 June 1991 – 12 May 1996). On 14 May 2001, Jayalalitha became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the second time and held the post until 21 September 2001. Ammas’s political career has been so fulfilling for the masses of Tamil Nadu that on 23 May 2016 she took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for a record sixth time . Jayalalithaa has six honorary doctorates from various universities. Amma, truly was a great leader in life and in death, Jayalalithaa’s name will be a name etched into the history of Indian politics forever. We bid her soul adieu with  prayers that she may rest in peace.

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