B'day Special: Rare pictures of DMK chief Karunanidhi

New Delhi: The five time chief minister of Tamil Nadu and the supremo of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, Muthuvel Karunanidhi with his extraordinary fan following holds a record of winning his seat in every election he contested. Popularly known as Kalaignar amongst his followers, Karunanidhi has spent 60 years of his life in Indian politics.Karunanidhi follows a strict Yoga regime which he says is the origin of his energy. Married three times, Karunanidhi has six children, two daughters and four sons. In order to mark his protest against the AIDMK government in Tamil Nadu, Karunanidhi started wearing black from 2012. He let go off his white shirt and yellow shawl trademark wardrobe.Beginning his career as a screenwriter in Tamil films, he soon became popular with his exceptional skills. His thought provoking writings became an ideal for the Dravidian movement. He has also made considerable contributions to Tamil Literature. Some of his literature pieces can be found in books like Sanga Thamizh and Ponnar Sankar. Karunanidhi entered politics at a very early age of 14 and became a participant of Anto-Hindi agitations. First elected into state assembly in 1957 Karunanidhi became the DMK treasurer in 1961. A year later he became the deputy leader of opposition in state assembly. He also founded a student organization named Tamil Nadu Tamil Manavar Mandram. After Annadurai's passing away in 1969, Karunanidhi took over and became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. The grand old man of Tamil Nadu politics, Muthuvel Karunanidhi, started his career as a script writer for Tamil films in the dusty studios of Chennai. Over the years, his clan grew as the DMK supremo married three women and they had their own children. The extensive size of Karunanidhi's family tree has helped the dynasty rule in diverse phases in Tamil Nadu politics.Other than his immediate family from his three wives, Karunanidhi has created room for his grand nephew Dayanidhi Maran who at a given point of time became the face of Karunanidhi's DMK. Wives of KarunanidhiHere we give you a brief about Karunanidhi's extended family: KarunanidhiMuthuvel Karunanidhi, the head of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has been the chief minister five times. He was also a marvelous screenwriter in the Tamil film industry.Karunanidhi married thrice; first to Padmavathi, next with Dayalu and third Rajathi. With three wives, Karunanidhi has six children in all. Four sons M. K. Muthu, M. K. Alagiri, M. K. Stalin, and M. K. Tamilarasu and two daughters Selvi and Kanimozhi. M. K. MuthuAn actor, singer and politician by profession, Muthu is the first son of Karunanaidhi. His acting career began in 1970 and has worked in movies like Pillayo Pillai, Samayalkaran, Anayavilaku.M. K. AlagiriMuthuvel Karunanidhi Azhagiri former cabinet minister of Cabinet Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers is the second son of Karunanidhi from his second wife Dayaalu Ammal. He was the apparent heir of his father but Karunanidhi always preferred M.K Stalin his younger son to take charge of his responsibilities. The clashes between Stalin and Alagiri supporters lead to Alagiri managing the southern half of Tamil Nadu and Stalin looking after the northern parts.M. K. StalinMuthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin is the third son of Karunanidhi born to his second wife Dayalu. His political career began at an early age of 14 when he began taking part in election campaigns in 1967 and soon was appointed in the General Committee of DMK.He gained prominence after he was jailed under MISA for protesting against emergency. M. K. TamilarasuA low profile member of the Karunanaidhi clan, Tamilarasu runs shops. Not prominent in the corridors of politics, he is at times seen with his brother Stalin on political occasions. Married to Mohana he has a daughter Poonguzhali and son Inbanidhi.KanimozhiKarunanidhi has two daughters namely Selvi and Kanimozhi. Selvi was born to his second wife Dayalu and Kanimozhi was born to his third wife Rajathi.Kanimozhi who is also a poet and journalist has been an active participant Indian politics. Belonging to her father's party DMK, Kanimozhi became a member parliament representing the state of Tamil Nadu in Rajya Sabha.