The Tale of a Friendship – An unsolvable conundrum

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!