The Tiger is no more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The media calls him ‘a man of many contradictions’, the Shiv Sainiks respect him, the Opposition blames him and the Marathis fear him. That’s Bal Thackeray, the Shiv Sena supremo, the Tiger of the Marathas, who passed away on 17^th November, 2012, at his residence, Matoshree, in Mumbai. He is survived by two sons, Jaidev and Uddhav Thackeray. Hearing the news of his demise, Mumbaikars and the state were anxious about the way Shiv Sainiks would react, as the history of Shiv Sena has been that of violence.

Bal Thackeray, who started off as a cartoonist alongside R K Laxman, formed his own party in 1966 to stand for the rights of his fellow Maharashtrians. Known for his attacks on South Indians, Gujaratis, Muslims, and recently, North Indians, he has been involved in controversies. When his nephew Raj Thackeray split from Shiv Sena to form the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, due to differences with Bal Thackeray’s son Uddhav, he buried the hatchet and treated Raj like his own son.

Not many know that Bal Thackeray’s original name is Bal Keshav Thakre. But, God knows why he was inspired by English poet William Makepeace Thackeray (1811-1863) and he changed his surname to Thackeray. He was a man who sent his people to shut down shops on Valentine’s Day, but welcomed Michael Jackson when he came to visit Mumbai. His way of dealing with each and every situation led to his great political longevity. Talking of Mumbai, Bal Thackeray was instrumental in changing the name of the Maximum City from Bombay to Mumbai. His influence could be felt in the whole of Maharashtra and as someone born and brought up in Maharashtra, I have felt it.

When his health detoriated, cinestars, politicians cutting across party lines, etc. made an effort to visit him. After his departure, Shiv Sainiks look up to the union of Raj Thackeray and Uddhav Thackeray to lead them. Now, as his mortal remains have been burnt to ashes, people still remember him with fear and reverence. Even though the rest of India knows him for the wrong reasons, Maharashtra has lost a leader, a tiger. After Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Bal Thackeray has been the most influential Maratha leader in his times.

 RIP Balasaheb Thackeray!