Nagore Hanifa played key role in taking DMK to the masses, says CM Stalin

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said even though ‘Isai Murasu’ Nagore E.M. Hanifa was no longer alive, his voice continued to reverberate through his songs and had played an instrumental role in taking the DMK to the masses.

Speaking at the centenary celebrations of Nagore E.M. Hanifa at Kalaivanar Arangam in Chennai, Mr. Stalin described him as a person endowed with extraordinary vocal strength, whose powerful voice remained intact until the end of his life.

He said Nagore Hanifa and former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi shared a close friendship. Recalling the Kallakudi protest led by Karunanidhi, Mr. Stalin said it was Hanifa’s voice that carried the message of the protest to every hamlet in Tamil Nadu.

Mr. Stalin said Hanifa began singing at the age of 11 in schools, and went on to perform on public stages by the age of 15, eventually growing into a ‘people’s singer’. He also recalled Hanifa’s love for the Tamil language and his long political journey from the Justice Party to the Dravidar Kazhagam and eventually to the DMK.

The Chief Minister also released two books – a collection of Nagore Hanifa’s songs and a centenary commemorative volume on his life. He also visited a photo exhibition organised on the occasion.

Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments P.K. Sekarbabu, Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani, and Indian Union Muslim League national president K.M. Kader Mohideen were among those present.