A state topper in school board but economic condition pushed her into acting, a Brahmin in a highly anti-Brahmin minded state and an achiever outside the ambit of spoon-fed heirs, Jayalalithaa was by no means an ordinary politician. She had to snatch the success from her arch rivals, from dynasts and from a highly patriarchal male dominated political class.
There are few similarities between Jayalalithaa and BSP leader Mayawati. Like Mayawati she was ‘molested'(or an attempt was made) by her political rivals and both gave fitting reply in their own style. Both had had a great male mentor, guide and philosopher who did not belong to their families. Both had to pluck and cultivate their importance for themselves. And both were outcast in different ways: Mayawati came from socially ‘untouchables’ while Jaya’s caste (Brahmin) had become politically untouchable in Tamil Nadu, a state highly dominated by Dravidian politics with intense anti-Brahmin overtone. Still both prevailed, made their ways and left their imprint on the history. It is also important to note that both were chosen for their exceptional abilities: Kansi Ram chose Maya for her education, ambition and daring attitudes while Jaya’s linguistic abilities made MGR choose her.
But, here ends the similarity. Jaya’s lineage was an upper caste Brahmin family with greater social skills and extraordinary command over multiple language (which perhaps inspired MGR the most to appoint her AIADMK’s propaganda secretary in his party). Jaya’s grandfather was in the service of Maharaja of Mysore but after Jaya’s father demise family’s fortune declined. Jaya was just two at that time.
After MGR’s death, she had to prove her worth as the throne did not come to her naturally. She earned the position. In her debut political stints she was somewhat revengeful and surrounded by sycophants; still she initiated some good schemes for the betterment of women and girl child. The all women police station and baby cradle scheme for the girl child were her brain child and well appreciated. Later, she initiated Amma canteen which provided food at nominal costs and till date remains most celebrated of Amma schemes.
But that leaves it unanswered as to why she commanded so much respect and affection among her followers? And not only she, it is true for many actor-turned politicians in the south! And also, why film stars are a huge success in south Indian politics? Historian Ram Chandra Guha has tried to find some answer to it in his famous book ‘India After Gandhi’. In the heydays of language movements and reorganisation of states, it was language which became the basis of India’s new provinces. Smaller states particularly in South feared the hegemony of Hindi and and this fear of Hindi domination over Tamil while cocooning Hindi’s acceptance also cultivated a strong regional tone in the politics. For general public film stars on silver screen speaking the same language as their audiences for them appeared as big savior of cultures and language as the impact of films was much larger and amplified compared to literature or other media. There developed a great connect between stars on screen and the audiences, impossible and unheard of in north India where Bollywood stars were still seen as an entertainment tool. Bollywood’s Hindi was not as natural a language as the audiences spoke in north India. It did not represent the various dialects of north India; rather it was a grand project of Hindustani language and somewhat artificial, as envisioned during freedom struggle as a common language of the nation!
It is one of the reasons why southern film stars were ( and they still are) a big hit in politics. They have had a complete connect with the masses. They were already looked upon like politicians and saviour when they were actually acting on the screen.
The likes of MGR, NTR, Karunanaidhi or Jaya belonged to that genre; however it cannot be said that only film stars commanded respect. In South, whoever becomes a political leader commands almost frenzied and blind support from their followers and language homogeneity played great role in that.
It seems Jayalalilitha even surpassed her mentor MGR in the fan following.. She was not only a Brahmin but also an outsider in the Tamil Nadu. Posterity would certainly not believe the affection and craze her people had for her. She was really a miracle.
sushant jha 