Karunanidhi Funeral Video: FULL COVERAGE from 11.30 am to 12 noon

After fighting a grim battle for life for 11 days, 94-year-old DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi , fondly addressed as Kalaignar (meaning artiste) breathed his last on Tuesday evening. The final rites of the leader will be performed today (Wednesday). People gathered in large numbers early this morning at Rajaji Hall, where his body is kept, to pay their last respects to the DMK leader.

A controversy erupted over Karunanidhi's cremation as the state government on Tuesday rejected DMK's demand for giving space for his burial at Marina beach, propelling an early morning hearing of High Court on the matter on Wednesday. However, the Madras High Court today
allowed the burial of the DMK chief on the Marina Beach. Keeping their personal and political differences aside, the grief over father's demise united siblings Stalin, Alagiri and Kanimozhi.

PM Narendra Modi also met Karunanidhi's children and offered them condolences. Congress President Rahul Gandhi is also set to arrive to pay his last respects.

Here are the latest updates of Karunanidhi Funeral at Marina beach

12:30 pm: Rajya Sabha MP Derek O'Brien to represent Trinamool Congress at the funeral of M Karunanidhi in Chennai

11:14 am: Prime Minister Narendra Modi pays last respects to former CM M Karunanidhi at Chennai's Rajaji Hall.