MADRAS-Season of Mists

MADRAS FOR the Tamils, this is the month of devotion, Margazhi, when the sleep of the less pious is broken by the music of the faithful singing their way through town in the mists of dawn. Elsewhere, too, particularly around the seats of power, the atmosphere is misty; but the sounds that come through from there are far from musical. Indeed, the dominant note is that of discord, both intra-party and inter-party. The presence of Annadurai, wan but cheerful, prevents the battle for succession from breaking out in the open. But only just. The rift within DMK is serious, and of the sort that can be ended and not mended