M. G. Ramachandran
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran (Tamil: ம. ேகா. இராமசதிர, Malayalam : മരൂർ േഗാപാല രാമചൻ,- 17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials MGR, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician who also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms. [2]
In his youth, MGR and his elder brother, M. G. Chakrapani became members of a drama troupe to support their family. Influenced by Gandhian ideals, MGR joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. In the late 1940s he graduated to leading roles and for the next three decades dominated the Tamil film industry. [3] He became a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly through its ranks. He successfully used his popularity as a film hero to build a large political base. In 1972, he left the DMK to form his own party the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). In 1977 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu - the first film actor in India to become the chief minister of a state. He remained as chief minister till his death in 1987.
Contents
1 Early life and background
2 Acting career 3 Political career
3.1 Criticism and controversies
3.1.1 Bharat Ratna
3.2 Member of Legislative Assembly
3.3 Chief minister
4 Awards
5 Philanthropy
6 Illness and death
7 Filmography
7.1 As actor
7.2 As producer and director
8 Gallery
9 References
10 External links
Born
24 December 1987 (aged 70) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Other names M. G. R., Puratchi Thalaivar, Makkal Thilagam, Ponmanachemmal, Vaatthiyaar, Idhayakkani, Idhaya dheyvam,DOCTOR.
Died
Occupation Years active
Height
Religion Spouse(s)
Relatives
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M. G. Ramachandran From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In this Indian name, the name Maruthur Gopalan is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ramachandran.
M. G. Ramachandran
17 January 1917 Kandy, British Ceylon (now in Sri Lanka)
Actor, Politician, Producer, Director 1935–1984 (Actor) 1953–1987 (Politician) 5 ft 9 in
Hindu Thangamani (died in 1942) Sathanandavathi (died in 1962) V. N. Janaki (died in 1996) M.G.Chakrapani (Brother)
Early life and background
Acting career
Political career
MGR was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, Sri Lanka, [4] to Melakkath Gopala Menon a Palakkad Nair and Maruthur Satyabhama. [5] Melakkath Gopala Menon was staying in Vadavannur, in Palakkad District, Kerala before he was excommunicated in 1903, regarding an allegation that dealt with an illicit relationship with a widowed woman; [6] he left his family and married Maruthur Satyabhama. [7]
MGR was a member of the Congress Party till 1953, and he used to wear khādī. In 1953 MGR joined the
In his early days, MGR was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Murugan, as is the common practice for Hindus in Sri Lanka. [8] Later, when he joined the DMK, a pro-rationalist party, he followed the rationalist ideology, though not appearing very aggressively atheistic. In later days after he founded his own party following his expulsion from the DMK, he seems to have shown some leaning towards religious faith. He had asked his followers to pray for the success of his AIADMK party. [9] His followers prayed for him when it was determined that he had a kidney illness. [10] After his demise, his wife opened up a temple in his name.
After his father's death, he joined a drama company called "Madurai Original Boys company". Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, director, producer, and editor. MGR married Bargavi also known as Thangamani who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathhi who died soon due to tuberculosis. [11] M.G.R. married V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress. [12] Janaki divorced her husband, Ganapati Bhatt, to marry MGR.
He made his film debut in 1936, in the film Sathi Leelavathi, [13] directed by Ellis Dungan, an American-born film director. [14] Generally starring in romance or action films, MGR got his big breakthrough in the 1947 film Manthiri Kumari, written by M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose to superstardom in the 1954 blockbuster Malaikallan. He acted as hero in the Tamil film industry's first ever colour movie, the 1955 blockbuster Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He rose to become the heart throb of millions of Indians with movies such as Anbe Vaa, Aayirathil Oruvan, Mahadevi, Panam Padaithavan, Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan, Adimai Penn, etc. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshawkaran in 1972. His film Nadodi Mannan, released in 1958, was a Tamil version of the interpretation of the Prisoner of Zenda, produced and directed by himself and released in 1956, ran to full houses. He began to act in many movies that appealed to the direct sentiments of the common man and the rich as well. His 1973 blockbuster Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan broke previous box office records. It was one of the few movies filmed abroad in those days. It was shot in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. The DMK unsuccessfully tried to curtail that movie. His acting career ended in 1984 with his last film, Ullagam Suthi Paru, which he acted when he was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) attracted by founder C.N.Annadurai. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK ("Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam" aka Dravidian Progressive Federation). He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. MGR became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, MGR became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after Kalaingar Karunanithi became the chief minister.
M.R. Radha and MGR had worked in 25 films together. On 12 January 1967 M.R. Radha with a producer visited MGR to talk about a future project. During the conversation M.R. Radha stood up and shot MGR in his left ear twice and then pretended to shoot himself. MGR drove to the hospital by himself and spoke to the doctor with his own voice for the last time. After the operation his voice changed. Since he had been shot in his ear MGR lost hearing in his left ear and had ringing in the ear problems but never complained until he had kidney problems in the early 1983. When Sinnappa Devar paid his first visit to see MGR at the hospital after the shooting incident he paid an advance for the next MGR's movie. So after getting released from the hospital and finishing Arasakattalai MGR acted in Devar's movie Vivasaayee against doctors' advice. When finishing the movie Kaavalkaaran MGR's speaking parts were reduced. This was the only movie MGR spoke with old and new voices between scenes: When MGR was acting in Kaavalkaran in 1967 opposite J. Jayalalithaa the shooting happened.
In 1972, DMK leader Karunanithi started to project his first son M.K. Muthu in a big way in film and politics. Understanding the tactics played by Karunanithi to corner him, MGR started to claim that corruption had grown in the party after the demise of Annadurai and in a public meeting asked for the financial details of the party to be publicised, which enraged the leadership of DMK. Consequently, MGR was expelled from the party as per Karunanithi's plan. He forcefully floated a new party named Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK), later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He mobilised between 1972 and 1977 to spread and preach his party ambition with films like Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Idhayakani (1975), Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977), etc.
Petralthaan Pillaya was the last movie of MGR-MR Radha together. Shooting ended just few days before MGR was shot at. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. Within hours of the shooting, some 50,000 fans had gathered at the hospital where MGR had been taken. People cried in the streets. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital as fans awaited each report of his health. He was visited by a steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and bureaucracy. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for Madras Legislative Assembly. He won twice the number of votes polled by his Congress rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly. [16]
MGR at a function in January (1968)
He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977, remaining in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to be ministers in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK won every state assembly election as long
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran (Tamil: ம. ேகா. இராமசதிர, Malayalam : മരൂർ േഗാപാല രാമചൻ,- 17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials MGR, was an Indian film actor, director, producer, and politician who also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms. [2]
In his youth, MGR and his elder brother, M. G. Chakrapani became members of a drama troupe to support their family. Influenced by Gandhian ideals, MGR joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. In the late 1940s he graduated to leading roles and for the next three decades dominated the Tamil film industry. [3] He became a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly through its ranks. He successfully used his popularity as a film hero to build a large political base. In 1972, he left the DMK to form his own party the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). In 1977 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu - the first film actor in India to become the chief minister of a state. He remained as chief minister till his death in 1987.
Contents
1 Early life and background
2 Acting career 3 Political career
3.1 Criticism and controversies
3.1.1 Bharat Ratna
3.2 Member of Legislative Assembly
3.3 Chief minister
4 Awards
5 Philanthropy
6 Illness and death
7 Filmography
7.1 As actor
7.2 As producer and director
8 Gallery
9 References
10 External links
Born
24 December 1987 (aged 70) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Other names M. G. R., Puratchi Thalaivar, Makkal Thilagam, Ponmanachemmal, Vaatthiyaar, Idhayakkani, Idhaya dheyvam,DOCTOR.
Died
Occupation Years active
Height
Religion Spouse(s)
Relatives
M. G. Ramachandran From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia In this Indian name, the name Maruthur Gopalan is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Ramachandran.
M. G. Ramachandran
17 January 1917 Kandy, British Ceylon (now in Sri Lanka)
Actor, Politician, Producer, Director 1935–1984 (Actor) 1953–1987 (Politician) 5 ft 9 in
Hindu Thangamani (died in 1942) Sathanandavathi (died in 1962) V. N. Janaki (died in 1996) M.G.Chakrapani (Brother)
Early life and background
Acting career
Political career
MGR was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, Sri Lanka, [4] to Melakkath Gopala Menon a Palakkad Nair and Maruthur Satyabhama. [5] Melakkath Gopala Menon was staying in Vadavannur, in Palakkad District, Kerala before he was excommunicated in 1903, regarding an allegation that dealt with an illicit relationship with a widowed woman; [6] he left his family and married Maruthur Satyabhama. [7]
MGR was a member of the Congress Party till 1953, and he used to wear khādī. In 1953 MGR joined the
In his early days, MGR was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Murugan, as is the common practice for Hindus in Sri Lanka. [8] Later, when he joined the DMK, a pro-rationalist party, he followed the rationalist ideology, though not appearing very aggressively atheistic. In later days after he founded his own party following his expulsion from the DMK, he seems to have shown some leaning towards religious faith. He had asked his followers to pray for the success of his AIADMK party. [9] His followers prayed for him when it was determined that he had a kidney illness. [10] After his demise, his wife opened up a temple in his name.
After his father's death, he joined a drama company called "Madurai Original Boys company". Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, director, producer, and editor. MGR married Bargavi also known as Thangamani who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathhi who died soon due to tuberculosis. [11] M.G.R. married V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress. [12] Janaki divorced her husband, Ganapati Bhatt, to marry MGR.
He made his film debut in 1936, in the film Sathi Leelavathi, [13] directed by Ellis Dungan, an American-born film director. [14] Generally starring in romance or action films, MGR got his big breakthrough in the 1947 film Manthiri Kumari, written by M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose to superstardom in the 1954 blockbuster Malaikallan. He acted as hero in the Tamil film industry's first ever colour movie, the 1955 blockbuster Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He rose to become the heart throb of millions of Indians with movies such as Anbe Vaa, Aayirathil Oruvan, Mahadevi, Panam Padaithavan, Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan, Adimai Penn, etc. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshawkaran in 1972. His film Nadodi Mannan, released in 1958, was a Tamil version of the interpretation of the Prisoner of Zenda, produced and directed by himself and released in 1956, ran to full houses. He began to act in many movies that appealed to the direct sentiments of the common man and the rich as well. His 1973 blockbuster Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan broke previous box office records. It was one of the few movies filmed abroad in those days. It was shot in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. The DMK unsuccessfully tried to curtail that movie. His acting career ended in 1984 with his last film, Ullagam Suthi Paru, which he acted when he was diagnosed with kidney failure.
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) attracted by founder C.N.Annadurai. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK ("Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam" aka Dravidian Progressive Federation). He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. MGR became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, MGR became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after Kalaingar Karunanithi became the chief minister.
M.R. Radha and MGR had worked in 25 films together. On 12 January 1967 M.R. Radha with a producer visited MGR to talk about a future project. During the conversation M.R. Radha stood up and shot MGR in his left ear twice and then pretended to shoot himself. MGR drove to the hospital by himself and spoke to the doctor with his own voice for the last time. After the operation his voice changed. Since he had been shot in his ear MGR lost hearing in his left ear and had ringing in the ear problems but never complained until he had kidney problems in the early 1983. When Sinnappa Devar paid his first visit to see MGR at the hospital after the shooting incident he paid an advance for the next MGR's movie. So after getting released from the hospital and finishing Arasakattalai MGR acted in Devar's movie Vivasaayee against doctors' advice. When finishing the movie Kaavalkaaran MGR's speaking parts were reduced. This was the only movie MGR spoke with old and new voices between scenes: When MGR was acting in Kaavalkaran in 1967 opposite J. Jayalalithaa the shooting happened.
In 1972, DMK leader Karunanithi started to project his first son M.K. Muthu in a big way in film and politics. Understanding the tactics played by Karunanithi to corner him, MGR started to claim that corruption had grown in the party after the demise of Annadurai and in a public meeting asked for the financial details of the party to be publicised, which enraged the leadership of DMK. Consequently, MGR was expelled from the party as per Karunanithi's plan. He forcefully floated a new party named Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK), later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He mobilised between 1972 and 1977 to spread and preach his party ambition with films like Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Idhayakani (1975), Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977), etc.
Petralthaan Pillaya was the last movie of MGR-MR Radha together. Shooting ended just few days before MGR was shot at. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. Within hours of the shooting, some 50,000 fans had gathered at the hospital where MGR had been taken. People cried in the streets. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital as fans awaited each report of his health. He was visited by a steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and bureaucracy. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for Madras Legislative Assembly. He won twice the number of votes polled by his Congress rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly. [16]
MGR at a function in January (1968)
He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977, remaining in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to be ministers in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK won every state assembly election as long
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