She battled every odd in her life and won, most of the times; but she lost the battle of life, much though she fought it bravely and for, perhaps, a long period.

Jayaram Jayalalithaa, six- time chief minister of Tamil Nadu, died after protracted illness at Apollo Hospital December 5, Chennai where she was being treated. She was 68.

She was buried with full state honors into the ground in a sandalwood casket next to the memorial of her mentor, MG Ramachandran at Chennai’s Marina Beach. Lakhs of people had gathered at Marina Beach to get a final glimpse of their beloved “Amma” or “mother”. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Chennai’s Rajaji Hall, a large public auditorium where J Jayalalithaa’s body was placed for people to pay their respects.

Jayalalithaa first came into prominence as a leading film actor in the mid 1960s. Though she had entered the profession very reluctantly, only upon the urging of her mother to help support the family, Jayalalithaa worked prolifically. She appeared in 140 films from 1961 to 1980, primarily in the Tamil, Telugu and Kannada film industries. Jayalalithaa was especially praised for her versatility, having portrayed a wide variety of characters in films spanning several genres, and for her dancing skills. Among her frequent co-stars was M. G. Ramachandran, or MGR, a Tamil cultural icon who leveraged his immense popularity with the masses into a successful political career.

In 1982, when MGR was serving his second term as chief minister, Jayalalithaa joined the AIADMK, the party MGR founded. Her political rise was rapid; within a few years she was made AIADMK propaganda secretary and was elected to the Rajya Sabha. After MGR’s death in 1987, Jayalalithaa proclaimed herself his political heir and, having fought off the faction headed by Janaki Ramachandran, MGR’s wife, emerged as the sole leader of the AIADMK. Following the 1989 election, she served an often-dramatic stint as Leader of the Opposition to her bête noire Karunanidhi’s DMK government.

In the 2011 assembly election, the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK and its allies routed the ruling, scandal-tainted DMK’s alliance. Sworn in as chief minister for the fourth time, her government embarked on an ambitious program of social welfare and development. However, three months into her tenure, a trial court convicted her in a disproportionate assets case in September 2014, rendering her disqualified to hold office. After eight months, which included a twenty-day stint in jail, Jayalalithaa was acquitted of all charges by the Karnataka High Court and once again sworn-in as chief minister in May 2015. In the 2016 assembly election, she became the first Tamil Nadu chief minister since MGR in the 1980s to be voted back into office. In her victory speech, she commented, “Even when 10 parties allied themselves against me, I did not have a coalition and I placed my faith in God and built an alliance with the people. It is clear that the people have faith in me and I have total faith in the people.”

Populist schemes under the popular ‘Amma’ brand became the hallmark of Jayalalithaa’s tenure as Chief Minister. From the Amma canteens to Amma gymnasiums and parks, the brand became synonymous with her name.

CONDOLENCES

Condolences from various leaders and celebrities poured in as soon as the news of her demise spread.

President Pranab Mukherjee – “Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Ms. Jayalalithaa, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu #President Mukherjee”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Jayalalithaa ji’s connect with citizens, concern for welfare of the poor, the women & marginalized will always be a source of inspiration.

DMK chief M. Karunanidhi -“I offer deep condolences on the passing away of Jayalalithaa. Wishes of lakhs of her followers will make her immortal”.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley – “Saddened by the untimely passing away of J Jayalalithaa ji, an exceptional leader & Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.”

Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh – “I join millions of admirers of Jayalalithaji in mourning her sad and untimely demise. She was a charismatic leader who will be remembered forever as the beloved Amma by the people of Tamil Nadu. She was an outstanding leader who was passionately devoted to the welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu.”

Former Union Minister P. Chidambaram – Jayalalithaa was most dominant political personality of Tamilnadu in last 25 years. Share grief of millions

Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister of Delhi – V sad to hear the demise of Amma. A very popular leader. Aam admi’s leader. May her soul rest in peace.

Mamata Banerjee, Chief Minister of West Bengal “Popular, strong, bold, efficient, people friendly, charismatic leader, Amma. Always at the heart of people. Big loss. I am shocked, saddened.”

Chandrababu Naidu, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh – In deep anguish over the demise of Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa, a long-time friend & a leader with indomitable spirit who is loved by all.

In New York, Tamil community is grief stricken. A representative organization of Tamils here-America Tamil Sangam condoled the death of Jayalalithaa. ATS said it would be difficult to see another leader like her in the decades to come.

“Struggle was her middle name and victory was her last name. Any other leader in her place would have given up and vanished from the scene but she was a born fighter. As a propaganda secretary of her party, as Member of Parliament, as Opposition Leader and as Chief Minister her path was strewn with thorns and rocks but she overcame all with her unmatched grit and determination.” said Prakash M Swamy, president of the Sangam.

John Joseph, Chairman of America Tamil Sangam said she introduced numerous public welfare programs like giving free laptop to school children and grant to perform wedding of girls and remained a charismatic leader till she breathed her last.

Koshy O Thomas, President of US Friends of AIADMK and a staunch supporter of Amma in New York, said Tamils all over the world have lost a true leader who was a mother to them. It’s a terrible and unbearable loss and it struck like a lightening making us speechless. We have become orphans and no words can console us. We will pray for soul to rest in peace.”

Jaya Sundaram, Vice President of America Tamil Sangam said she was an embodiment of modern women who rode like a colossus in the male dominated society. Her concern for poor and vision for development will long be remembered in the decades to come. She created her own branding in politics – amma restaurants, amma cement, amma salt all at subsidized price to help the poor. She was a leader of regional party with national presence.

The Indian Panorama joins billions in condoling the death of the beloved leader of India.

RIP, Amma!