J. JAYALALITHA (1948 – 2016)
She was one of India’s most influential and charismatic political leaders. Widely revered in Tamil Nadu as Amma (Mother) and Puratchi Thalaivi (Revolutionary Leader), she left a legacy in both cinema and politics.
Born in Mandya district, Karnataka, Jayalalithaa lost her father at a young age and was raised by her mother, Sandhya, who was an actress. Academically gifted, she studied at Bishop Cotton Girls' School in Bangalore and Church Park Convent in Chennai. Despite her scholarly brilliance and interest in law, she was drawn to cinema at her mother's urging to support the family.
Jayalalithaa was fluent in multiple languages and trained in classical dance and music. She debuted as an actress at age 16 in the Kannada film Chinnada Gombe (1964) and quickly rose to fame in Tamil cinema. She starred in over 140 films, often alongside the legendary actor M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). Their on-screen partnership was hugely popular and cemented her star status.
Her transition from film to politics was dramatic and significant. Encouraged by MGR, the founder of the AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam), Jayalalithaa joined the party in 1982. After MGR’s death in 1987, the AIADMK split, but Jayalalithaa quickly consolidated her position as the undisputed leader of her faction. She became Tamil Nadu’s first woman Leader of the Opposition in 1989 and went on to serve six terms as Chief Minister between 1991 and 2016.
Jayalalithaa’s tenure was marked by a mix of populist welfare schemes and strong leadership. Her government launched many innovative programs, such as the Cradle Baby Scheme to prevent female infanticide, Amma Canteens offering subsidized food, and Amma Pharmacies. These initiatives earned her immense popularity among the poor and middle classes.
However, her career was also marred by controversy and legal battles. She faced several charges of corruption and was even convicted in a disproportionate assets case, which temporarily barred her from office. Despite this, her popularity remained undiminished. Whenever she was ousted from power, she staged strong comebacks, highlighting her
remarkable political resilience.
Jayalalithaa was known for her authoritarian style of governance and cult of personality. Admires revered her with fervour, often comparing her to a goddess. She was a shrewd strategist who maintained tight control over her party and government while cultivating a carefully crafted public image.
Jayalalithaa’s death in December 2016 marked the end of an era in Tamil Nadu politics. Her passing plunged AIADMK into internal conflict and left a void in the state’s political landscape. Despite her controversies, she is remembered as one of Tamil Nadu’s tallest leaders—an actress who became a formidable politician, a woman who broke barriers in a male-dominated field, and a figure who left a lasting imprint on the state’s history and Indian politics.
As a film personality, she won the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards South. In 1972, she was awarded the Kalaimamani by the Government of Tamil Nadu. She received several honorary doctorates and other honours; including a D.Litt from the University of Madras and Honorary Doctorate from Mother Teresa Women’s University in 1991. She was recognized as Best Chief Minister (2004) in a nationwide poll by India Today, named CNN-IBN Indian of the Year – Politics (2015) for her strong leadership. A biopic film based on her life, Thalaivii (transl. Female leader) with Kangana Ranaut in a lead role was made in 2021.
A memorial was built for her in 2021 at a cost of ₹500 million. The Jayalalithaa Memorial, also known as the Amma Memorial, is shaped like a phoenix, symbolizing her enduring legacy and resilience.
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