The mortal remains of K Shanmuganathan, the longtime personal secretary of late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, were cremated on Wednesday - December 22 in Chennai. Shanmuganathan has passed away on Tuesday at the age of 80 in the city due to age-related ailments. Several political leaders including the incumbent Chief Minister MK Stalin have paid their tribute to the departed soul and he was cremated at an electric crematorium in Mylapore, Chennai. 

Chief Minister MK Stalin and several DMK leaders had gathered at the crematorium and bidded a teary and emotional farewell to Shanmuganathan. He was the personal aide for Karunanidhi for the past five decades and he was a prominent face in Tamil Nadu politics with the good knowledge of Karunanidhi's mastermind. Shanmuganathan was getting treated at Cauvery Hospital in Chennai for the past few days and has breathed his last on Tuesday. 

Though he didn't play role in active politics, the 80-year-old deceased had earned renown from the Dravidian leaders for being a trusted aide for one of the political giants in Tamil Nadu. In his five-decade career of stewardship, Shanmuganathan had held good ties and proximity with various leaders and was deeply committed to work for Karunanidhi. Shanmuganathan had begun his career as a writer in the Tamil Nadu Police department and Karunanidhi had inducted him to be his personal aide when he became the Minister for Public Works in 1967.

He entered Karunanidhi's circle and only exited it by leaving the world. Shanmuganathan was with Karunanidhi till the latter's last breath in 2018 and was frequently visiting his residence in Gopalapuram in Chennai following his demise. Karunanidhi had given a special place for Shanmuganthan in his life and the latter was often called the shadow of the former. Their five-decade bond would stand high in each other's legacy and it must be noted that Karunanidhi had paid his last respect to Shanmuganathan's father by walking till the crematorium, a fashion that wasn't offered by any leaders to their personal aides.

Known for his closeness with the late Chief Minister, the demise of Shanmuganathan had shocked and saddened the DMK leaders and cadres on a scale of a popular leader. Shanmuganathan would be present at Karunanidhi's every press meet and he never would miss a word that come from his leader's mind. He was capable of transcribing the words on paper and Karunanidhi would always reserve a place in his close perimeter for Shanmuganathan and their ties had implied a brotherhood relationship. 

Karunanidhi had publicly praised Shanmuganathan several times for his service and the latter would humbly accept his compliments. More than any other people, Shanmuganathan knew all about the late DMK President and Karunanidhi's children would rely on Shanmuganathan to check the mind and mood of their father. With the five decades of service to Karunanidhi, the deceased soul would be a part of the towering legacy of the late DMK President. As his close aide, Shanmuganathan was also called for an investigation into the 2G scam years ago where the DMK was accused of orchestrating it. 

Karunanidhi was passed away in August 2018. When asked Shanmuganathan what life is like without Karunanidhi, he said in an interview, "It is like a world without the sun." Three years later, Shanmuganathan has breathed his last in Chennai. A reported once asked Shanmuganathan for his service for Karunanidhi even after the latter was not active in politics owing to his health condition, Shanmuganathan has replied, "My current life is for Karunanidhi." The demise of a trusted and prominent face has anguished the senior DMK leaders and the party supporters. 

In his tribute note, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin wrote, "I offer my deepest condolences to my dear brother Shanmuganathan, who lived as Karunanidhi's shadow. He will live long as a symbol of hard work, truth, faith, and commitment." DMK MP Kanimozhi has said that the loss of Shanmuganathan is a disaster and expressed her condolences to the family members of the departed soul. MK Stalin and several leaders had gone to Shanmugathan's home on Tuesday after his demise and expressed their condolences to his family members. 

After a public homage, his body was carried in a procession on Wednesday for last rites. The procession drove to the Mylapore electric crematorium and in an unusual gesture, MK Stalin came to the crematorium ahead of the last rites along with several leaders and ministers and offered his teary farewell to a loyal aide of his father. Several leaders including TR Baalu and K Ponmudy were with MK Stalin and he broke down in tears after Shanmuganathan's body was cremated. It is pertinent to note that Karunanidhi was with Shanmuganathan during the last rites of the latter's father and now, Karunanidhi's son MK Stalin was with Shanmuganatha's family during the latter's last rites, which has shown why Shanmuganathan was being called as Karunanidhi's shadow.