A fine summer morning, all of South India woke up to a glittering photograph on the front pages. They were images of gold necklaces studded with emeralds and rubies, bangles, and ornaments that would rival the earthly possessions of templed Goddesses (also referred to as Amma). There was also an enormous gold waist band, large enough to go around Jayalalitha. Why were they shocked? After all, Jaya hails from a place which has a commandment that says, “Thou shall save only in the form of gold.”
Why would be anyone be surprised that a once-reigning actress and public figure would possess unaccounted wealth? In South of the country, it is a common sight to see ladies wearing thick gold chains across their neck, while walking barefoot.
The answer lies in a forfeiture clause. The beautiful actress-turned-politician had once made a thundering statement—“I shall not wear gold, until every woman in Tamil Nadu can afford to wear gold.” Ever since, simple sari borders went around her neck, sans ear rings and make-up.
Though the disproportionate assets case stemmed mainly from illegal grabbing of government land, it was these images of 30 kilos of gold and 12,000 saris that remained in public memory as she was convicted of it, a year later. What did not remain in public memory is the fact that she is an excellent administrator, albeit with an autocratic approach. Then again, did good people ever get anywhere, especially to the top?
Politics hardens the tamest of the people. Especially, that lady politician, whose sari is pulled by rival party MLAs, in the state assembly. Ironically enough, she never enacted a scene like this one, in movies.
Her iron fist however did have a good side too. It was during Jaya’s reign that the sandalwood smuggler Veerappan was captured, even as the Karnataka police pulled the trigger. Jaya had intensified operations across Tamil Nadu forests that led to him fleeing across the border. Much recently, she saved the state’s power distribution company from shutting down, by issuing government backed bonds, few days before it hit bankruptcy.
A few months back, it looked like Jaya was about to reach the peak of her career. A select few wondered if she would have made a better Prime Ministerial candidate than the current Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. “She is not interested in amassing wealth anymore. Now, she wants to do something good for her people before she dies. She wants to be remembered for her good deeds,” a political observer said.
Now, we never know whether her U-turn to public service could have ever happened. Most of us would vote against it. It is extremely tough to imagine that there is a good side to a person categorised as a dishonest and an autocratic chief minister. There, however, could be exceptions. In an interview, she once looked right into the cameras, and said, “You wouldn’t believe that I was once a very shy girl.” Something about that statement sounded true. And, I refuse to believe that she is an excellent actress.
