Jayalalithaa Birthday: Today marks the 76th birthday of the late former Chief Minister and AIADMK General Secretary, Jayalalithaa. To honor her memory, the party’s general secretary, Edappadi Palaniswami, will pay tribute to Jayalalithaa and MGR by visiting their statues at the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai. He will also celebrate her birthday with party executives by cutting a cake.
J Jayalalithaa is a remarkable person in Indian politics, leaving a lasting impact on its history. Her journey from the glamorous film industry to the realm of politics has been truly inspiring. Fondly known as ‘Amma‘ by her supporters, Jayalalithaa made a significant mark in both arenas.
Starting her career in the 1960s, Jayalalithaa swiftly gained prominence as an actor. She starred in around 140 films from 1961 to 1980, mainly in South Indian cinema. Recognized for her versatility and exceptional dancing skills, she earned the esteemed title of the “Queen of Tamil Cinema.”
However, Jayalalithaa’s achievements were not limited to the silver screen. She transitioned into politics and served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for over 14 years, spanning six terms from 1991 to 2016. Additionally, she held the position of the longest-serving General Secretary of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the political party she joined in 1982.
Born on January 24, 1948, Jayalalithaa’s 76th birth anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on the pivotal moments that transformed her from a movie star into a successful chief minister. Her legacy continues to inspire countless individuals, showcasing the power of determination and resilience in achieving one’s goals.
Jayalalithaa Political Journey
MGR recognized Jayalalitha’s proficiency in English and wanted her to join the Rajya Sabha. In 1984, she contested and triumphed over a senior DMK leader in the Rajya Sabha elections. Her language skills earned her invitations to prestigious events, including a state dinner hosted by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in honor of the Yugoslavian President.
Under MGR’s guidance, Jayalalitha learned the principles of welfare politics. When MGR fell ill, she campaigned extensively for the party before the 1984 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election, which resulted in a victory for the AIADMK. After MGR’s demise in 1987, the AIADMK split into two factions, with Jayalalitha leading one and MGR’s wife, Janaki, leading the other.
At 41, Jayalalitha successfully entered the Assembly by winning the 1989 elections, positioning herself as MGR’s political successor. She became the first woman to hold the title of Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu and the first Indian actress to become an opposition leader in the country.
However, her political journey was fraught with challenges. In 1989, during a heated exchange in the Assembly, violence erupted between DMK and AIADMK members after Jayalalithaa accused Karunanidhi of being a criminal. She was physically attacked by DMK members in front of the assembly speaker, leading to her leaving the chamber with her saree torn. Despite the turmoil, Jayalalitha remained resolute, vowing not to return to the Assembly until she became the Chief Minister.
Jayalalithaa as Chief Minister
The AIADMK allied with the Congress. After being re-elected to the assembly, Jayalalithaa became the youngest chief minister of the state and the first woman to complete a full term in office. From then on, she continued to progress steadily. Despite facing numerous controversies throughout her career, Jayalalithaa remained steadfast in her political pursuits and introduced various schemes for the state, particularly benefiting women and marginalized communities.
Jayalalithaa’s resilience and determination defined her character. Her journey was marked by dramatic twists and turns, leading several filmmakers to announce plans for biopics on her life. She remains an inspirational figure, particularly for women, and is affectionately referred to as ‘Amma’ (mother) by her followers.
Jayalalithaa’s Film Journey
Jayalalithaa was in a Hindi movie called “Izzat” with Dharmendra. But she made it big in Tamil and Telugu movies. She acted in 80 Tamil films and 28 Telugu ones, which all did well at the box office. When she started, Jayalalithaa’s first film had a rating that meant only adults could watch it. So she couldn’t see her movie on the big screen because she was too young.
She was a great dancer too, starting when she was just three years old. She learned lots of different types of dance like Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Manipuri, and Kathak. In Tamil movies, Jayalalithaa did things that nobody had done before, like wearing sleeveless blouses and dancing under waterfalls.
A famous actor and politician named MGR helped Jayalalithaa get into politics. They were in many movies together, and he showed her the ropes of politics too. One of Jayalalithaa’s movies called “Deiva Magan” was even nominated for an Academy Award. It was the first Tamil movie ever to be considered for this big award.
She loved reading books and was very smart. Even when she was acting, she always had a book with her to read during breaks. Jayalalithaa wasn’t just an actress and a politician. She was also a singer and sang in 14 songs. Her talents and all the things she did still inspire a lot of people today.
