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{{short description|Indian politician (1934 – 2003)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{cleanup rewrite|date=May 2013}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Murasoli Maran
| name                = Murasoli Maran
| image              = Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg
| image              = Murasoli Maran 2004 stamp of India.jpg
| caption            =  
| caption            =  
| office1            = [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister of Commerce and Industry]]
| primeminister1      = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| term_start1        = 1999
| term_end1          = 2002
| predecessor1        = [[Ramakrishna Hegde]]
| successor1          = [[Arun Shourie]]
| primeminister2      = [[H. D. Deve Gowda]]<br>[[I. K. Gujral]]
| term_start2        = 1 June 1996
| term_end2          = 19 March 1998
| birth_date          = {{birth date|df=yes|1934|8|17}}
| birth name          = Maran
| birth_place        = [[Thirukkuvalai]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]] (now in [[Nagapattinam district]], [[Tamil Nadu]]), [[India]])
| residence          = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| death_date          = {{death date and age|df=yes|2003|11|23|1934|8|17}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://rajyasabha.nic.in/rsnew/pre_member/1952_2003/m.pdf| title=RAJYA SABHA MEMBERS BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES 1952 - 2003 | publisher=[[Rajya Sabha]] | accessdate=25 March 2019}}</ref>
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]
| office              = [[Ministry of Urban Development (India)|Minister of Urban Development]]
| term_start          = 2 December 1989
| term_end            = 10 November 1990
| primeminister      = [[V. P. Singh]]
| constituency        =
| predecessor        =
| successor          =
| office3            = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
| constituency3      = [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
| term_start3        = 1996
| term_end3          = 2003
| predecessor3        = [[Era Anbarasu]]
| successor3          = [[Dayanidhi Maran]]
| constituency4      = [[Chennai South (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai South]]
| term_start4        = 1967
| term_end4          = 1977
| predecessor4        = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| successor4          = [[Ramaswamy Venkataraman|R Venkatraman]]
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency5      = [[Tamil Nadu]]
| term_start5        = 1977
| term_end5          = 1995
| party              = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
| spouse              = Mallika (m.1963)
| children            = [[Kalanidhi Maran]] (b.1964)<br/>[[Dayanidhi Maran]] (b.1966)<br/>Anbukarasi  (b.1968)
| website            =
| footnotes          =
| parents            = Father : Shanmugasundaram<br>Mother :  Shanmugasundari
| alma_mater          = [[Pachaiyappa's College]], [[Madras Law College]]
| relations          = [[M. Karunanidhi]] (maternal uncle)
| date                = 23 November|
| year                = 2003
| source              = http://parliamentofindia.nic.in/ls/lok12/biodata/12tn02.htm
| Other name          = Murasoli Maran, DMK Braind
| Real name          = Thiyagarajasundaram
}}


'''Murasoli Maran''' (17 August 1934 – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and an important leader of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) party which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, [[M. Karunanidhi]]. A Member of Parliament for 36 years, he was made a Union Minister in three separate central governments, in charge of Urban Development in the V.P. Singh government, Industry in the Gowda and Gujral governments, and finally Commerce and Industry under Vajpayee.<ref name="manypart">{{cite web
| office1            = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Lok Sabha]]
|url        = http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219003709700.htm |date=December 2003
| constituency1       = [[Chennai Central (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai Central]]
|title       = A man of many parts|author= T. S. Subramanian |work=Frontline Magazine
| term_start1        = 15 May 1996
|accessdate  = 9 September 2006
| term_end1          = 23 November 2003
|url-status    = usurped
| predecessor1        = [[Era Anbarasu]]
|archiveurl  = https://web.archive.org/web/20070221042413/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219003709700.htm
| successor1         = [[Dayanidhi Maran]]
|archivedate = 21 February 2007
|df         = dmy-all
}}</ref> Apart from being a politician, Maran was a journalist and scriptwriter for films too.<ref name="thehinduopnion">{{cite web
|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/25/stories/2003112500951000.htm
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221043441/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/25/stories/2003112500951000.htm
|url-status=usurped
|archive-date=21 February 2007
|title=MURASOLI MARAN, 1934–2003 |work=The Hindu
|date=25 November 2003
|accessdate=9 September 2006
}}</ref>


==Early life==
| constituency2      = [[Chennai South (Lok Sabha constituency)|Chennai South]]
| term_start2        = 4 March 1967
| term_end2          = 23 March 1977
| predecessor2        = [[C. N. Annadurai]]
| successor2          = [[Ramaswamy Venkataraman|R Venkatraman]]


Murasoli Maran was born on 17 August 1934 was son of Shanmugasundaram and Shanmugasundari, the elder sister of M. Karunanidhi. He was born at Thirukkuvalai Village Thiruvarur in Tamil Nadu. After completing his basic education in his hometown he headed to [[Madras]] to get a master's degree in Arts (M.A) from [[Pachaiyappa's College]] and Law College, Madras. Before joining politics, Mr. Maran worked as a Journalist and later served as a social worker. Since his student life at Madras he was closely associated with the DMK. On 15 September 1963 he married Mallika and has two sons and a daughter. His younger son [[Dayanidhi Maran]] was an MP (Ex-Union Minister) and his elder son [[Kalanithi Maran]] heads and owns the popular TV Network [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]. His daughter Anbukarasi Maran is a cardiologist.
| office3            = [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister for Commerce and Industry]]
| primeminister3    = [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]]
| term_start3        = 13 October 1999
| term_end3          = 9 November 2002
| predecessor3      = [[Ramakrishna Hegde]]
| successor3        = [[Arun Shourie]]


He was very vocal against Hindi being introduced in Tamil Nadu and for this he was arrested in 1965 during [[anti-Hindi agitations]] for his articles. He was detained for a year under [[Maintenance of Internal Security Act]] during the emergency.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030204203310/http://did.nic.in/improfile/profile.htm MR. MURASOLI MARAN. UNION MINISTER FOR COMMERCE & INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI]. nic.in</ref>
| office4            = [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Minister for Industry]]
| primeminister4      = [[H. D. Dewe Gowda]]<br/>[[I. K. Gujral]]
| term_start4        = 1 June 1996
| term_end4          = 19 March 1998
| predecessor4        = [[Suresh Prabhu]]
| successor4          = [[Sikander Bakht]]


==Career as journalist==
| office5            = [[Member of Parliament]], [[Rajya Sabha]]
| constituency5      = [[Tamil Nadu]]
|1blankname5  = Chairman of the House
|1namedata5    = {{ubl|[[B. D. Jatti]]|[[Mohammad Hidayatullah]]|[[Ramaswamy Venkataraman|R. Venkatraman]] |[[Shankar Dayal Sharma]]|[[K. R. Narayanan]]}}
| term_start5        = 25 July 1977
| term_end5          = 25 July 1995


Maran edited a daily newspaper in Tamil ''[[Murasoli (India)|Murasoli]]'' published from Chennai. He was also an editor of The Rising Sun, a weekly in English. He published ''Kunguman'', ''Muththaram'', ''Vannathirai'' and ''Sumangali'' in Tamil language.
| office6            = [[Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs|Minister for Urban Development]]
| primeminister6      = [[V. P. Singh]]
| term_start6        = 2 December 1989
| term_end6          = 10 November 1990
| predecessor6        = [[Mohsina Kidwai]]
| successor6          = [[Daulat Ram Saran]]


==Films==
| birth_name          = Murasoli Maran
Murasoli Maran provided screen play and dialogues for more than twenty films in Tamil. He has produced five and directed two films in Tamil
| birth_date          = {{Birth date|1934|8|17|df=yes}}
 
| birth_place        = [[Thirukuvalai]], [[Madras Presidency]], [[British India]]<br />{{smaller|(present-day [[Tamil Nadu]], India)}}
The Sangeet Natak Academy conferred the title ''Kalai-Mamani'' in 1975. He was awarded the President's Certificate of Merit and Tamil Nadu Government Award for three best feature films.
| death_date          = {{death date and age|2003|11|23|1934|8|17|df=yes}}
;Writer
| death_place        = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
*''[[Kula Deivam (1956 film)|Kula Dheivam]]'' (1957)
| nationality        = Indian
*''[[Annaiyin Aanai]]'' (1958)
| party              = [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]]
*''[[Anbu Engey]]'' (1958)
| spouse              = {{marriage|Mallika Maran|1963}}
*''[[Thalai Koduthaan Thambi]]'' (1959)
| relatives          = [[Karunanidhi family]]
*''[[Sahodhari]]'' (1959)
| children            = [[Kalanidhi Maran]] (b.1964)<br/>[[Dayanidhi Maran]] (b.1966)<br/>Anbukarasi  (b.1978)
*''[[Nalla Theerpu]]'' (1959)
| parents            = Shanmugasundari
| alma_mater          = [[Pachaiyappa's College]], [[Madras Law College]]
}}


;Producer
'''Murasoli Maran''' (17 August 1934, [[Thirukkuvalai]] – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and leader of the [[Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam]] (DMK) party, which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, [[M. Karunanidhi]]. A Member of Parliament for 36 years, he was Union Minister in three separate central governments, and in charge of [[Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs|Urban Development]] in the [[V. P. Singh]] government; Industry in the [[H. D. Deve Gowda|Gowda]] and [[Inder Kumar Gujral|Gujral]] governments; and [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Commerce and Industry]] under [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee|Vajpayee]].<ref name="manypart">{{cite web |url= http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219003709700.htm |date=December 2003 |title= A man of many parts|author= T. S. Subramanian |work=Frontline Magazine |accessdate= 9 September 2006 |url-status= usurped |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070221042413/http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2025/stories/20031219003709700.htm |archivedate = 21 February 2007 |df = dmy-all}}</ref> Outside of politics, Maran was a journalist and scriptwriter for films.<ref name="thehinduopnion">{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/25/stories/2003112500951000.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221043441/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2003/11/25/stories/2003112500951000.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=21 February 2007|title=MURASOLI MARAN, 1934–2003 |work=The Hindu tamil|date=25 November 2003|accessdate=9 September 2006}}</ref>
*''[[Pillaiyo Pillai]]'' (1972)
*''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]] (1966)


;Director
==Biography==
* ''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]]'' (1966)
Murasoli Maran was born on 17 August 1934 to Shanmugasundari, the elder sister of [[M. Karunanidhi]], in [[Thirukkuvalai]], [[Madras Presidency]] in present-day [[Tamil Nadu]]. After completing his basic education in his hometown, he moved to [[Madras]] to get an [[Master of Arts|M.A.]] from [[Pachaiyappa's College]] and [[Dr. Ambedkar Government Law College, Chennai|Madras Law College]]. While at school, he became involved with DMK. Before joining politics, he was an editor for the [[Tamil (language)|Tamil]] daily newspaper ''[[Murasoli (India)|Murasoli]]'' and the English weekly ''The Rising Sun''. He also worked on the Tamil-language publications ''[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]]'', ''Muththaram'', ''Vannathirai'' and ''Sumangali''. Maran later worked as a social worker.{{cn|date=April 2025}} He was vocal against [[Hindi (language)|Hindi]] being introduced in Tamil Nadu and was arrested during the [[Anti-Hindi_agitations_of_Tamil_Nadu#Agitation_of_1965|Agitation of 1965]]. He was detained for a year under the [[Maintenance of Internal Security Act]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20030204203310/http://did.nic.in/improfile/profile.htm MR. MURASOLI MARAN. UNION MINISTER FOR COMMERCE & INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI]. nic.in</ref>


==Positions held==
Maran was first elected to [[Lok Sabha]] in [[1967 Indian general election in Madras State|1967]], followed by a reelection in [[1971 Indian general election in Tamil Nadu|1971]]. He was a member of [[Rajya Sabha]] from 1977 to 1995, during which he was on the Committee on Public Undertakings for three terms. Other committees he took part in were the General Purposes Committee (1980–1982); the Public Accounts Committee (1980–1982, 1991-1995); the Committee on the Welfare of [[Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes]] (1982–1983, 1987-1988); and the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (1988–1989); the Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into irregularities in the securities and banking transactions (1992–1993). He also served as Union Cabinet Minister, first in [[Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs|Urban Development]] (1989-1990), then in [[Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)|Industry]] (1996-1998, 1999-2002). He then returned to Lok Sabha in [[11th Lok Sabha|1996]], [[12th Lok Sabha|1998]], and [[13th Lok Sabha|1999]].{{cn|date=April 2025}} Prior to his death in November 2003, he was a Cabinet Minister [[Minister_without_portfolio#India|without portfolio]].<ref name=rediff/>
* '''1967''': Elected to Lok Sabha
* '''1971''': Re-elected to Lok Sabha
* '''1977–1995''': Member, Rajya Sabha
* '''1977–1995''': As a Member of Rajya Sabha he was on The Committee on Public Undertakings for three terms as a Member
* '''1980–1982''': Member, General Purposes Committee
* '''1980–1982''' and '''1991'''-'''1995''': Member, Public Accounts Committee
* '''1982–1983''' and '''1987'''-'''1988''': Member, Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
* '''1988–1989''': Member, Committee on Subordinate Legislation
* '''1989'''-'''1990''': Union Cabinet Minister, Urban Development
* '''1992–1993''': Member, Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into irregularities in the securities and banking transactions
* '''1996''': Elected to Lok Sabha (Eleventh) for the third time
* '''1996'''-'''1998''': Union Cabinet Minister, Industry
* '''1998''': Elected to Lok Sabha (Twelfth) for the fourth time
* '''1999''': Elected to Lok Sabha (Thirteenth) for the fifth time
* '''1999'''-'''2002''': Union Cabinet Minister, Industry


As a [[Member of Parliament]] his [[wikt:qualification|qualification]] would read as M.A., M.P. The MA was his Arts degree at the Pachayappas College. The MP signified his being the [[Member of Parliament]].
Maran married Mallika on 15 September 1963 he and they had two sons, [[Dayanidhi Maran |Dayanidhi]] and [[Kalanithi Maran|Kalanithi]], and one daughter, Anbukarasi. Dayanidhi Maran previously served as an MP and Union Minister and Kalanithi owns [[Sun TV (India)|Sun TV]]. Anbukarasi is a cardiologist.{{cn|date=April 2025}} Maran was admitted to [[Houston Methodist Hospital]] in the United States on 14 November 2002 with heart ([[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]]) and kidney issues. He later received treatment at [[Apollo Hospital]] in [[Chennai]]. In late 2003, he fell into a coma, eventually dying aged 69 on 23 November 2003.<ref name=rediff>[http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/nov/23maran.htm Murasoli Maran dies after prolonged illness]. Rediff.com (23 November 2003). Retrieved on 14 November 2018.</ref> He was a Minister without portfolio when he died, with his portfolio given to [[Arun Shourie]]. Then-Prime Minister [[Atal Bihari Vajpayee]] was among those who attended his funeral in Chennai.{{cn|date=April 2025}} He was survived by his mother, uncle, wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren.


==Death==
==Filmography==
{{unreferenced section|date=April 2025}}
Outside of politics, Maran was involved in the Tamil-language film industry, writing screenplays for more than 20, producing five, and directing two. The [[Sangeet Natak Academy]] conferred the title ''Kalai-Mamani'' in 1975. He was awarded the President's Certificate of Merit and Tamil Nadu Government Award for three films in the category Best Feature Film.{{cn|date=April 2025}}


Murasoli Maran died aged 69 on 23 November 2003 at Apollo Hospital in Chennai. He was in [[coma]] for many weeks. Before treatment at Apollo Hospital, on 14 November 2002, he was admitted to the Methodist Hospital in Houston, [[Texas]], for ailments related to heart ([[Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy]]=HTCM=HCM) and kidney. At the time of his death he was a Cabinet Minister, Government of India, without any portfolio.<ref>[http://www.rediff.com/money/2003/nov/23maran.htm Murasoli Maran dies after prolonged illness]. Rediff.com (23 November 2003). Retrieved on 14 November 2018.</ref> Prime Minister Vajpayee, and an array of leaders attended his funeral in [[Chennai]].
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year !! Title !! Writer !! Producer !! Director !! class="unsortable" | Notes !! class="unsortable" | Refs
|-
| 1957 || ''[[Kula Deivam (1956 film)|Kula Dheivam]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1958 || ''[[Annaiyin Aanai]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| ''[[Anbu Engey]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1959 || ''[[Thalai Koduthaan Thambi]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| ''[[Sahodhari]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| ''[[Nalla Theerpu]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Marakka Mudiyumaa?]]'' || <!--writer--> || {{center|X}} || {{center|X}} || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| 1967 || ''[[Valiba Virundhu|Valiba Virunthu]]'' || <!--writer--> || {{center|X}} || {{center|X}} || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| 1970 || ''[[Engal Thangam]]'' || {{center|X}} || <!--producer--> {{center|X}} || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|-
| 1972 || ''[[Pillaiyo Pillai]]'' || <!--writer--> || {{center|X}} || <!--director--> || <!--notes; awards--> ||
|}


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Political families of India|Political Families of India]]
*[[Political families of India|Political Families of India]]
*[[List of political families|Political Families of The World]]
*[[List of political families|Political Families of The World]]
==External links==
* [https://loksabha.nic.in/Members/MemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=243&lastls=13 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://164.100.47.194/Loksabha/members/ArchiveMemberBioprofile.aspx?mpsno=243&lastls=13 Official biographical sketch in Parliament of India website]


{{Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)}}
{{Ministry of Commerce and Industry (India)}}
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[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam politicians]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Union Ministers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Union ministers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:4th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1967–1970]]
[[Category:5th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1971–1977]]
[[Category:11th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1996–1997]]
[[Category:12th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1998–1999]]
[[Category:13th Lok Sabha members]]
[[Category:India MPs 1999–2004]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Lok Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Rajya Sabha members from Tamil Nadu]]
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[[Category:Politicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:Politicians from Chennai]]
[[Category:People from Tiruvarur district]]
[[Category:People from Tiruvarur district]]
[[Category:Commerce and Industry Ministers of India]]
[[Category:Commerce and industry ministers of India]]

Latest revision as of 13:48, 28 February 2026


Murasoli Maran
Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
15 May 1996 – 23 November 2003
Preceded byEra Anbarasu
Succeeded byDayanidhi Maran
ConstituencyChennai Central
In office
4 March 1967 – 23 March 1977
Preceded byC. N. Annadurai
Succeeded byR Venkatraman
ConstituencyChennai South
Minister for Commerce and Industry
In office
13 October 1999 – 9 November 2002
Prime MinisterAtal Bihari Vajpayee
Preceded byRamakrishna Hegde
Succeeded byArun Shourie
Minister for Industry
In office
1 June 1996 – 19 March 1998
Prime MinisterH. D. Dewe Gowda
I. K. Gujral
Preceded bySuresh Prabhu
Succeeded bySikander Bakht
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
25 July 1977 – 25 July 1995
Chairman of the House
ConstituencyTamil Nadu
Minister for Urban Development
In office
2 December 1989 – 10 November 1990
Prime MinisterV. P. Singh
Preceded byMohsina Kidwai
Succeeded byDaulat Ram Saran
Personal details
Born
Murasoli Maran

(1934-08-17)17 August 1934
Thirukuvalai, Madras Presidency, British India
(present-day Tamil Nadu, India)
Died23 November 2003(2003-11-23) (aged 69)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
NationalityIndian
Political partyDravida Munnetra Kazhagam
Spouse(s)
Mallika Maran
(
m. 1963)
ChildrenKalanidhi Maran (b.1964)
Dayanidhi Maran (b.1966)
Anbukarasi (b.1978)
Parent(s)Shanmugasundari
RelativesKarunanidhi family
Alma materPachaiyappa's College, Madras Law College

Murasoli Maran (17 August 1934, Thirukkuvalai – 23 November 2003) was an Indian politician and leader of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party, which was headed by his maternal uncle and mentor, M. Karunanidhi. A Member of Parliament for 36 years, he was Union Minister in three separate central governments, and in charge of Urban Development in the V. P. Singh government; Industry in the Gowda and Gujral governments; and Commerce and Industry under Vajpayee.[1] Outside of politics, Maran was a journalist and scriptwriter for films.[2]

Biography[edit | edit source]

Murasoli Maran was born on 17 August 1934 to Shanmugasundari, the elder sister of M. Karunanidhi, in Thirukkuvalai, Madras Presidency in present-day Tamil Nadu. After completing his basic education in his hometown, he moved to Madras to get an M.A. from Pachaiyappa's College and Madras Law College. While at school, he became involved with DMK. Before joining politics, he was an editor for the Tamil daily newspaper Murasoli and the English weekly The Rising Sun. He also worked on the Tamil-language publications Kungumam, Muththaram, Vannathirai and Sumangali. Maran later worked as a social worker.[citation needed] He was vocal against Hindi being introduced in Tamil Nadu and was arrested during the Agitation of 1965. He was detained for a year under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act.[3]

Maran was first elected to Lok Sabha in 1967, followed by a reelection in 1971. He was a member of Rajya Sabha from 1977 to 1995, during which he was on the Committee on Public Undertakings for three terms. Other committees he took part in were the General Purposes Committee (1980–1982); the Public Accounts Committee (1980–1982, 1991-1995); the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (1982–1983, 1987-1988); and the Committee on Subordinate Legislation (1988–1989); the Joint Parliamentary Committee to enquire into irregularities in the securities and banking transactions (1992–1993). He also served as Union Cabinet Minister, first in Urban Development (1989-1990), then in Industry (1996-1998, 1999-2002). He then returned to Lok Sabha in 1996, 1998, and 1999.[citation needed] Prior to his death in November 2003, he was a Cabinet Minister without portfolio.[4]

Maran married Mallika on 15 September 1963 he and they had two sons, Dayanidhi and Kalanithi, and one daughter, Anbukarasi. Dayanidhi Maran previously served as an MP and Union Minister and Kalanithi owns Sun TV. Anbukarasi is a cardiologist.[citation needed] Maran was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital in the United States on 14 November 2002 with heart (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and kidney issues. He later received treatment at Apollo Hospital in Chennai. In late 2003, he fell into a coma, eventually dying aged 69 on 23 November 2003.[4] He was a Minister without portfolio when he died, with his portfolio given to Arun Shourie. Then-Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was among those who attended his funeral in Chennai.[citation needed] He was survived by his mother, uncle, wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren.

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Outside of politics, Maran was involved in the Tamil-language film industry, writing screenplays for more than 20, producing five, and directing two. The Sangeet Natak Academy conferred the title Kalai-Mamani in 1975. He was awarded the President's Certificate of Merit and Tamil Nadu Government Award for three films in the category Best Feature Film.[citation needed]

Year Title Writer Producer Director Notes Refs
1957 Kula Dheivam
X
1958 Annaiyin Aanai
X
Anbu Engey
X
1959 Thalai Koduthaan Thambi
X
Sahodhari
X
Nalla Theerpu
X
1966 Marakka Mudiyumaa?
X
X
1967 Valiba Virunthu
X
X
1970 Engal Thangam
X
X
1972 Pillaiyo Pillai
X

See also[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. T. S. Subramanian (December 2003). "A man of many parts". Frontline Magazine. Archived from the original on 21 February 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2006.
  2. "MURASOLI MARAN, 1934–2003". The Hindu tamil. 25 November 2003. Archived from the original on 21 February 2007. Retrieved 9 September 2006.
  3. MR. MURASOLI MARAN. UNION MINISTER FOR COMMERCE & INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT OF INDIA NEW DELHI. nic.in
  4. 4.0 4.1 Murasoli Maran dies after prolonged illness. Rediff.com (23 November 2003). Retrieved on 14 November 2018.