Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi
For the first time in its electoral history, Tamil Nadu is witnessing a curious campaign by a political party — actor Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). In contrast to the traditionally lively and exciting campaigning in the state, the party’s campaign seems to be taking place quietly in households.
A section of his supporters reads, “My son is asking me to vote for Vijay. My daughter also says I should vote for him.” Neither the son nor the daughter have reached voting age. Yet they are waging an emotional campaign, bordering on coercion and reminiscent of the short story Marumagal Vaaku (Daughter-in-law’s Choice) by the late Tamil writer Krishnan Nambi. According to the late writer Sujath Rangarajan, Marumagal Vaaku, part of a collection published by Kalachuvadu Publishers, qualifies as one of the world’s greatest short stories.
Election of local authority
The story is set in a village in Kanniyakumari district, probably the one where Krishnan Nambi lived. It revolves around a local body election in which Veerabahu Konar, contesting the symbol of a parrot, and Mariyadu Perumal Pillai, contesting the symbol of a cat, are in the fray, representing two mutually antagonistic species.
“Populated by cooks and temple workers, Agragaram Pillaiyarkoil Street is considered an impregnable fortress of parrots. Even the milk supply is handled by Veerabahu Konar,” the story reads, suggesting that political influence can permeate in myriad ways.
Meenakshi Ammal, widow; her son Ramalingam, a government employee appointed on compassionate grounds after his father’s death; and his wife Rukmani are the three main characters. Although the story primarily revolves around Meenakshi Ammal and Rukmani, the latter is portrayed as a helpless housewife under the thumb of her mother-in-law who toils for hours.
Although fully aware of Meenakshi Ammal’s preference for a cat, the woman in the group provokes her by asking, “Maami, your voice is only for a parrot, isn’t it?” “You are provoking me even though you know my choice,” replies Meenakshi Ammal. “Who should your daughter-in-law vote for,” the women ask, winking at each other. Meenakshi Ammal gets angry. “Hey pondugala (women), why are you trying to drive a wedge between us? We are one,” he says.
In the grip of tension
On election day, Meenakshi Ammal and Rukmani go to the polling booth at school together. In the campus, Rukmani notices an anise tree, her favorite from her school days, and it brings back memories of her happiest times as a girl. A parrot sitting on its branches attracts her attention. “Oh, parrot, you don’t have to tell me. My vote is for you. I’ve already made up my mind. But don’t tell my mother-in-law. She wants me to vote for the cat,” Rukmani thinks to herself.
But the moment she arrives at the ballot box, she is consumed by tension. Her body trembles. “Ah… a parrot.
As she is about to mark her vote for the parrot, someone seems to grab her arm. No one is around but it is as if Meenakshi Ammal’s hand is guiding her. He moves her hand from the parrot towards the cat and she marks her voice accordingly. Yes – Rukmani’s voice is also for a cat. He comes out of the stall with his head down. The chest pain is getting worse. She tries to hold back her tears, her condition is absolutely pitiful.
Published – 26 March 2026 22:53 IST
