Murasoli Maran

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. Outside of politics, Maran was a journalist and scriptwriter for films.

Biography 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. 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.

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. Prior to his death in November 2003, he was a Cabinet Minister without portfolio. 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. He was survived by his mother, uncle, wife, children, children-in-law and grandchildren.

Rajya Sabha Election History Filmography

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.

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