Thevar Jayanthi: A ‘colour’ vs ‘monochrome’

CHENNAI: Thevar Jayanthi, the day that unites political parties of almost every hue in Tamil Nadu, with their leaders unfailingly paying tributes to Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar, turned out to be a ‘colour’ vs ‘monochrome’ occasion on Friday. AIADMK functionaries replaced a black and white portrait kept by the government with a multi-colour one exclusively for their leaders to honour.As is the norm nowadays, a portrait was placed on the pedestal of the Thevar statue in Nandanam junction for leaders of all parties to pay floral tributes on the occasion of the freedom fighter’s 102nd birth anniversary. State Ministers, led by Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, reached the spot around 9 am and paid homage. An hour later, before leader of Opposition, J Jayalalithaa, arrived with her party functionaries to pay tributes to Thevar, AIADMK men replaced the monochrome portrait with a multi-colour one, which was also taken away later. When asked, AIADMK men said that Muthuramalinga Thevar was known for the bright holy ash and kumkum on his forehead. Since the portrait placed by the government did not reflect the divine nature of the leader, the portrait was replaced.Apart from Stalin, State Ministers Arcot N Veerasamy, Parithi Ellamvazhuthi, T P M Mohideen Khan and Poongothai Aladi Aruna, Speaker R Avudaiappan and Chennai Mayor M Subramanian paid floral tributes. The AIADMK leaders who paid homage included presidium chairman E Madhusoodhanan. DMDK founder Vijaykanth garlanded the portrait of Thevar at his party office.