M.M. Mani having a laugh with journalists after learning about the decision that he would be made a minister in the LDF cabinet. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil/OnmanoramaMundaykal Madhavan Mani is a superstar in Idukki. When the veteran comrade wields a microphone, the people wait with bated breath. They imagine their tormentors running for cover as Maniyasan calls their bluffs, pulling up his sleeves and massaging his mustache.
Mani is unfazed when he is talking to the people. He does not care who he lacerates with his polemic. Even V.S. Achuthanandan has found himself at the receiving end of Mani’s tirades. Even a few weeks ago, he courted controversy by criticizing the style of functioning of several ministers in the Pinarayi Vijayan government. Police officers are a usual target. That explains his popularity in the high ranges.
Age has not mellowed him down. Even at 72, he loves being at the podium. He rubs and punches his palms as he gets down to business. He speaks the commoner’s language and he speaks their mind.
Mani dropped out of school at fifth standard. He has worked as a porter and a farm hand in the course of his career that catapulted him to the undisputed leader of the party in Idukki district. He has stood by the party like a rock and the party has paid him back by entrusting him with more responsibilities.
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Mani is going to be the first electricity minister from Idukki, the land of the largest hydel power project which powers most of the state.
Mani was born at Mundakkayam in Kottayam district as the eldest of the nine children of Madhavan and Janaki. Madhavan, a toddy tapper, moved to Kunjithanni in Idukki in 1957, the year EMS Namboodiripad took over as the first communist chief minister of Kerala.
Mani joined the Kidangur NSS School but dropped out for want of money. “Those were the days when we struggled for a square meal. I became a daily-wage laborer. I worked as a farm hand and a porter. I worked in the cardamom plantations,” Mani recounts his early days.
“I was the eldest one and had to look after the younger siblings. But nothing could stop me. I was ready to do any type of work. My only objective was to go without hunger. I earned Re 1 per day,” he said.
MM Mani was surrunded by journalists after the news came out Sunday. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil/OnmanoramaNevertheless, Mani had an ambition. He wanted to be a public speaker. He never missed a public leader’s visit to the high ranges.
In 1968, Mani faced a crowd for the first time in his life. He spoke effortlessly at a meeting in Kunjithanni town. He had already read all the books in the two libraries in the town. Novels were his favorites.
He became a member of the CPM in 1966, at the age of 22. He was elected to the party’s district committee in 1974. He became the district secretary in 1985. In 2012, Mani landed himself in trouble with a controversial remark at a public meeting at Manakkad. He resigned as the district secretary. He spent 46 days in prison for the remarks.
M.M. Mani did not hide his happiness before cameras. Photo: Rinku Raj Mattancheriyil/OnmanoramaA member of the CPM state secretariat, Mani was elected to the Kerala Legislative Assembly from Udumbanchola after winning the election by a margin of 1,109 votes. He had lost to E.M. Augusthy in his electoral debut in Udumbanchola 20 years ago.
Mani never hits the bed before midnight but he is back in action by 5:30 am. He never misses his workouts and yoga sessions in the mornings. He has been able to keep diabetes at bay through a disciplined lifestyle.
A film buff, Mani has consumed countless movies up to the Mohanlal-starrer Pulimurugan. But his all-time favorite remains Mammootty’s portrayal of a wild hunter in I.V. Sasi’s Mrigaya.
Mani is married to Lakshmikutty. The couple has five daughters, including Rajakkad panchayat president Sathi, Rajakumari panchayat member Suma, cooperative bank officer Sreeja and Geetha. Mani and Lakshmikutty live with their daughter Shyamala in their house at Kunjithanni.
