The emergence of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on the Tamil Nadu political scene and its victory in 1967 – sweeping aside Congress leaders including K. Kamaraj and Chief Minister M. Bhaktavatsalam – can be understood through what Italian communist leader Antonio Gramsci described as “organic intellectuals”.
Vaaku Porukkikal (Vote Scavengers), despite its somewhat harsh title, is a short story by Sahitya Akademi award-winning writer Nanjil Nadan that explores how the DMK leaders and candidates of the day remained rooted in the ground reality and represented the aspirations of the people. The story was published in Kanaiyazhi in 1981.
Three candidates
In the story, there is a competition between three candidates. Ayyappan Pillai, son of Congressman Adhimoolam Pillai, is traditionally wealthy, owns acres of land, coconut groves and other agricultural assets and wears only khadi.
A development economist, Parameswaran has worked as an economic advisor in several African countries. His advantage is that he has two wives—one from his own community and the other from the Scheduled Caste community—who campaign for him in places where their presence is considered effective.
Loyal to his leader
Kulasai Arivarasan, as the name suggests, is the DMK candidate, “a worker dedicated to his leader who has dedicated his life to Tamil and his body to the soil”. The former handloom worker has already spent two months in jail for protesting against the hike and two weeks during the anti-Hindi agitation. He earned the nickname “MISA Arivarasan” because he developed “heart problems” during the Emergency out of fear.
Adhimoolam Pillai does not enjoy goodwill even in his own community and would not allow anyone to ride in his Ambassador car, even if he is traveling alone. But during elections, his car carries relatives and friends — a man returning from the market with bags of goods, a farmer returning from the field, and a mother returning from the hospital after her child’s treatment.
Dr. Parameswaran has the nature of an intellectual and everyone wonders why he is wallowing in the filth of caste. He is also rumored to become finance minister if his party comes to power. Even if he cannot win, a position in a planning commission, a public sector undertaking or a foreign embassy will be reserved for him. People are thinking of approaching him for MBBS or engineering seat for their children in future campaign for him.
“Why do you needlessly walk in the hot sun?” asked the women on the streets of Vellala who are relatives of his first wife Isakkiammai.
LC Mariammal, mounted on a chain with a holy cross, campaigned in areas where members of her Scheduled Caste community reside. She spoke intimately with the pastors and kissed the children.
Dressed in a sweat-soaked handloom shirt with a towel slung over his shoulder like a child, Arivarasan went from house to house addressing voters like Akka, Mathini and Aatha.
By the time he reached the house it was time for lunch. The owner of the house with holy ash on his forehead was about to eat. The smell of puli kulambu wafted through the air. The house owner’s wife also came out of the kitchen to see Arivarasana. “Periyamma, can you give me the water drained from the rice with a pinch of salt? I am dizzy after wandering in the heat,” said Arivarasan.
“You haven’t eaten yet,” she asked.
“No. I was walking from one place to another. Do we have a club in our village where I could have a cup of tea?” he said.
“You can eat at our place, but we don’t have a proper curry (side dish),” she replied.
“Who wants curry? Give me pazhayatha (fermented rice), a pinch of salt and two chillies,” he said.
Filled with kindness, the women watched Arivarasan as he ate the puli kulambu and thogayal. The courtyard of the house was filled with people who came to see him eat.
Published – 27 March 2026 23:16 IST
