Beyond Politics: The Personal Hobbies of Tamil Nadu's Leaders
While the political arena demands constant attention, Tamil Nadu's prominent leaders have carved out personal spaces for relaxation and passion. These hobbies reveal a human side often hidden behind public personas.
The Chief Minister's Morning Rituals
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin maintains a disciplined morning routine that begins at 6 AM with a refreshing two-hour walk through the serene grounds of the Theosophical Society. "Sundays are particularly special," according to those familiar with his schedule, as he dedicates morning hours to tending his flower garden in Poonamallee.
Having entered political meetings during his school days, the DMK president never developed extensive hobbies outside politics. However, he remains an avid cricket enthusiast with particular admiration for former captain M S Dhoni, watching matches whenever his schedule permits, including T-20 tournaments. Family sources confirm both Stalin and his son Udhayanidhi make time for reading despite their busy calendars.
The Congress MP's Travel Souvenirs
Two-time Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, a University of Cambridge law graduate and self-described "avid travel buff," has developed unique methods for memorializing his journeys. "No one writes or posts letters these days," he explains, "so I collect a postcard from each city I visit, add the date, and bring it home as a souvenir." His mantelpiece now displays postcards from recent visits to Vienna, Barcelona, and Paris.
Chidambaram extends this collecting habit to paper coasters from restaurants he visits during travels. "These are all ways for me to remember the city," he says. When in Chennai, his attention turns to his two golden retrievers, Becky and Daisy, whom he describes as "as naughty as they come" and central to his local life.
The Former Minister's Athletic Pursuits
Former AIADMK minister D Jayakumar maintains an impressive athletic regimen at 65 years old. An expert boxer, weight lifter, swimmer, and skilled carrom player during his youth, he continues swimming laps daily and visits the gym late at night before his 11 PM bedtime.
"After I became minister, I have not been able to pursue boxing competitively," Jayakumar acknowledges, though he previously participated in boxing competitions. For relaxation, he has recently begun watching crime thrillers on OTT platforms, but finds true energy in listening to songs from classic MGR movies.
The Scholar-Politician's Intellectual Passions
VCK MP D Ravikumar describes his hobbies as "quite serious" intellectual pursuits. A voracious reader who dedicates at least two hours daily to reading, often until 2 AM, he has published Tamil journals on history and dalit literature, edited multiple publications, and translated 50 philosophy books from English to Tamil, including works by Michel Foucault and Edward Said, plus nearly 500 poems.
When not reading or writing columns on his mobile phone, Ravikumar travels to study thousand-year-old temple sculptures, pursuing interests in archaeology and epigraphy. His most recent visit was to the Anantheeswaran temple in Chidambaram.
The MP's Literary Sanctuary
South Chennai DMK MP Thamizhachi Thangapandian finds solace in a special corner of her home where she reads according to her mood—choosing between comfort reading, motivational reading, or lazy lounge reading. A literature student since youth, she relaxes with Sufi and Sangam poems, zen stories, Osho's teachings, and Japanese riddle haiku.
"While studying classical Sangam poetry, I realized how inadequate my knowledge of my mother tongue was," admits the English PhD holder, who finds translation between English and Tamil particularly revealing. To unwind after stressful campaign days, she visits her native village to wake to birdsong, sit by tree-lined canals, and identify local birds like the semboth.
During COVID-19 lockdowns, she developed a new hobby of binge-watching television series, beginning with K-dramas before transitioning to war and period dramas. These days, she finds particular joy in telling stories to her grandchildren while surrounded by pet cats and dogs, recreating her own childhood environment.
Additional Political Figures and Their Pursuits
- Late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who maintained a collection of English classics, often expressed her dream of retiring to a farm surrounded by books, music, and pet dogs.
- PMK founder Anbumani Ramadoss, president of the Tamil Nadu Badminton Association, remains an avid badminton player who finds time for the sport whenever possible.
- Health Minister Ma Subramanian actively participates in marathon running, having completed over 160 races, including a recent event at Meghamalai Hills.
These diverse pursuits demonstrate how Tamil Nadu's political leaders maintain balance between demanding public responsibilities and personal passions that rejuvenate their spirits and connect them to life beyond the political sphere.
