Tamil Nadu, a south Indian state (often collectively
addressed as Madras or Madrasis by the rest of the ignorant India) was rather
quiet to the outside world and probably best known for its Kollywood and
coffee, has suddenly garnered a lot of attention and has become the cynosure of
the national media since the wake of the tumultuous and unprecedented events
risen due to the latest political coup/crisis in the state preceded by the disastrous
Cyclone Vardah , Jallikattu and Ennore oil spill. Or apparently I should date
back this whole nation turning its heads towards this Dravidian state to the
untimely demise of their charismatic statesman, a now demi-god J.Jayalalitha (fondly
called by epithet “Amma” by her fellow citizens). Nonetheless the woman in me
(and a Tamil myself) has undoubtedly admired and inspired by this iron lady for
her fortitude and power in this male dominated society was rather left in grave
shock and disbelief about her unanticipated demise. Not a great follower of
Tamil Nadu politics, but my inquisitive brains were tickled and kindled to
learn more about this magnificent lady since her death as I delved into her
glorious history since her times of cinema, politics and her unbreakable,
ever-lasting comradeship with V.K. Sasikala.
As I was reading through plethora of stories about these two
ladies, the blossom of their friendship, the controversial theories about their
intimate relationship, I was quite befuddled or rather left wondering about
Jayalalitha, a lady I furtively admired. Although it was known that Sasikala,
was only introduced to her for aiding her as a domestic help, their
relationship became something bigger than that of a mistress and an attendant.
Jayalalitha was often criticized for her populist politics fostering a
personality cult, tyranny with her cadre members prostrating to her and her dictatorial
dogmas; might not have been a laureate or a degree holder from elite educational
institutions but she was extremely talented, skillful in fields of art, politics
and commerce, knowledgeable and scholarly owing to her voracious penchant to reading.
Despite being a supremo to the world outside her, she
probably was a loner from inside. In the loss of her father at 2 years, mother
at 22 years and absence of a close family, she was in dire need of a companion
to share her joy and miseries, to spend a life of a simple girl fulfilling her
smaller desires or cravings and that’s how probably Sasikala became her
confidante. This is where I was surprised how a wise person like Jayalalitha
chose a benighted Sasikala as her close friend. My obtuse presumptions about
people with like mind possibly tend to become allies was not all correct in
this case of two friends. Although I tried not being judgemental, when I heard
two of her (Sasikala) speeches owing to the recent developments in the state
there was an utter lack of clarity, oration, diction and relevance to subject
apparently leaving me in despair how a person of this stature could possible
become the next ruling leader of a state (keeping aside her share of unscrupulous criminal allegations and the hypothetical conspiracy
theories about her association in Jayalalitha’s uncanny death).
Evidences point out that Sasikala and her so called
Mannarkudi clan were ostracized and banished by Jayalalitha from her residence
Veda Illam twice due to betrayal, she benevolently welcomed Sasikala back to
her home after the latter issued a heart-melting apology letter to her. Is this
the true Jayalalitha, a person known for reacting out of vengeance has turned
all this forgiving types? Or is she a person who could probably fall an easy
prey to flattery and adulation? Although she appears as an austere and a smart
tough master outwardly, probably from inside she seems to be extremely
sensitive, emotional and vulnerable.
This could be quite a personal affair between Jayalaitha and
Sasikala but this emotional strings attached between these two ladies who called
each other their soul-mates certainly strikes the curiosity cord of a large
public who had been watching their enigmatic relationship. These inexplicable secrets
will be forever buried in the heart of her living friend and in her graves.
And finally to address today’s crisis if only had
Jayalalitha identified her suitable political successor/second-in-line (
technically which she never wanted to) while she was around, all this
apocalypse in the state could have been warded off and probably her soul-mate (Sasikala)
who is aspiring to take charge of her departed friend’s throne (claiming to
have her right to rule owing to their 33 years long friendship) would have been
posed with lesser challenges and indebted for the rest of her life!
