When a Superstar's Rally Becomes a Town's 'Siege': Perumal Murugan's Unforgettable Account of Vijay's Political Power

The very fabric of Perundurai was tested recently when Tamil superstar Vijay, making his grand political debut with the Tamizhaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK), descended upon the town for a rally. What ensued was less a public gathering and more, as acclaimed writer Perumal Murugan so eloquently put it, a complete "siege." Murugan's evocative Facebook post captured the raw, overwhelming essence of the event, painting a vivid picture of a town utterly transformed by the sheer force of celebrity and political ambition.

Murugan, usually a recluse observing life from a distance, found himself inextricably caught in the heart of this storm.

His account, translated from Tamil, details how the tranquil rhythm of Perundurai was shattered. "They had decided to siege the town with the rally," he wrote, describing the scene with a profound sense of helplessness. From the early hours, vehicles of every description – buses, cars, vans, two-wheelers – began their relentless advance, converging on the town from all directions.

The main roads became impassable arteries, choked with an unending flow of traffic, halting all movement and trapping residents in an unprecedented gridlock.

The rally wasn't just a traffic snarl; it was a total shutdown of civic life. Schools, anticipating the chaos, declared a holiday. Shops, fearing looting or simply unable to function amidst the human deluge, pulled down their shutters.

Businesses ground to a halt. Essential services, including banks, found themselves inaccessible. Murugan described the eerie silence of shuttered stores contrasting sharply with the booming loudspeakers and the incessant chatter of the arriving masses. For the residents, it was a day of involuntary confinement, a state of being held captive within their own homes, unable to conduct even the simplest errands.

The writer's personal ordeal amplified the general sentiment.

He recounts being stuck in traffic, witnessing the overwhelming presence of vehicles emblazoned with Vijay's image, fans arriving from distant villages, their faces beaming with anticipation. The scene, he noted, was a chaotic spectacle: "One could see nothing but people." This immense sea of humanity, while a testament to Vijay's unparalleled star power, also brought with it a palpable sense of anxiety.

The fear of stampedes loomed large, a terrifying undercurrent beneath the celebratory fervor. Murugan highlighted the stark contrast between the "joy" of the superstar's devotees and the "suffering" inflicted upon the ordinary citizens whose lives were forcibly put on hold.

This event, as Murugan's powerful narrative suggests, goes beyond a mere political rally.

It speaks to the potent, often disruptive, nature of celebrity entering the political arena. The "politics of the crowd" was on full display, showcasing how mass appeal can not only draw legions of supporters but also, inadvertently or otherwise, bring an entire region to a standstill. It forces a critical reflection on the implications of such power – the delicate balance between a leader's ability to inspire and the responsibility to ensure civic order and public welfare.

Perumal Murugan's account serves as a crucial, first-hand chronicle of the day Perundurai was "besieged" by a superstar's political ambition.

It's a poignant reminder of the dramatic impact public figures can have, not just on the political landscape, but on the very daily existence of the communities they aspire to lead. The question that lingers is whether the message of the rally was heard amidst the overwhelming noise of its making, and at what cost to the town that bore its brunt.