"I deeply regret the death of Mayandibharathi who was a veteran freedom fighter and a senior leader of the communist movement in Tamil Nadu," he said in a statement.
Karunanidhi recalled that the Left leader patricipated in the freedom struggle while he was in Class X and was sentenced to 13 years in prison.
He said that the freedom fighter's writings had created a great impact.
Condoling Mayandibarathi's death, the DMK chief extended his sympathies with his family and CPI (M).
Mayandibarathi died after a brief illness in Madurai yesterday.