Why New DMK Chief M K Stalin Is Called ‘Thalapathy’

India वोट Kar | August 30, 2018

Tamil Nadu politics on Tuesday welcomed a new “Thalapathy”, or commander, as M K Stalin took charge as president of the DMK. In the state, popular politicians are often given affectionate titles by supporters, and Stalin’s fits his new role at the head of the party.

Where the title came from

The name is not new. Stalin was first called Thalapathy at a public meeting in Trichy in 1982, around the time he became secretary of the DMK youth wing, a post he held for 35 years. DMK workers have used the title for him ever since, and it is now expected to be used more widely. When he became party president, workers at the party headquarters raised slogans hailing their commander.

A tradition of titles

His father, five-time chief minister M Karunanidhi, was known as Thalaivar (leader) and Kalaignar (artist), the latter for his work as a screenwriter. Actor-politician M G Ramachandran was revered as Puratchi Thalaivar (revolutionary leader) and Makkal Thilagam, while his protegee J Jayalalithaa, also a film star turned multiple-time chief minister, took the title Puratchi Thalaivi.

On screen too

The title has a film history as well. Actor Vijay was called “Ilaya Thalapathy”, meaning young commander, in the 1994 film Rasigan; one of his characters in Mersal was also called Thalapathy, and his fans now use the name for him. Thalapathy was also the title of Mani Ratnam’s 1991 film starring Mammootty and Rajinikanth, in which Rajinikanth played the commander. Rajinikanth is now seen as a political rival of Stalin.

What happened next

Stalin led the DMK to victory in the 2021 Tamil Nadu assembly election, in which the party won 133 seats against the AIADMK’s 66, and became chief minister.

Originally published on 30 August 2018. Rewritten on 9 October 2026.