M.G. Ramachandran

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Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran Menon
Born	January 17, 1917(1917-01-17) Nawalapitiya, Sri Lanka
Died	December 24, 1987 (aged 70) Tamil Nadu
Occupation	Actor, Politician
Spouse(s)	Thangamani, Sathanandavathi & V.N.Janaki
Children	None

In this Indian name, the name "Maruthur Gopala" is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, "Ramachandran". The abbreviations "s/o" or "d/o", if used, mean "son of" or "daughter of" respectively.

Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran Menon (Tamil: மருதூர் கோபால இராமச்சந்திரன்,Malayalam:മരുതൂര് ഗോപാല രാമചന്ദ്രന്) (January 17, 1917 – December 24, 1987), popularly known as MGR (Tamil: எம்.ஜி.ஆர்,Malayalam:എം.ജി.ആര്), or Puratchi Thalaivar (புரட்சி தலைவர்Tamil: Revolutionary Leader), was a leading actor in Tamil films and Chief Minister of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death.

Contents 1 Early life 2 Tamil cinema 3 Political career 4 Chief Ministership 5 Death 6 Awards 6.1 Doctorate received from 7 Social Work and Charity 8 MGR's filmography 8.1 Produced movies 9 Notes 10 References 11 External links

Early life

MGR was born in Hewaheta near Kandy, Sri Lanka, to Gopala Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama (Nairs traditionally are matrilineal, hence MGR shares his matrilineal family surname "Maruthur" ) . His family was originally from Vadavannur,Palakkad, Kerala, but his grandfather had migrated with his family to Sri Lanka.^[1][2]

After his father's death, he could not pursue his studies beyond the primary stage due to poverty and joined a drama troupe called Original Boys. Gaining considerable experience on stage, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, and later a director, producer, and editor. MGR married Bargavi also known as Thangamani a villager who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathi who also died soon due to tuberculosis. His third wife was V.N.Janaki, a former actress. She did not divorce her husband Ganapati Bhat, and got married to him. He did not have any biological children, only a stepson from V.N Janaki's prior marriage to Ganapati Bhat, his name is Janaki Surendran.^[3]

Tamil cinema

Making his film debut in 1935, in the film Sati Leelavati^[4], directed by Ellis Dungan, an American born film director ^[5], MGR did get his big breakthrough in the 1947 film Rajakumari, written by Karunanidhi. He rose to stardom by playing characters that portrayed him as the saviour of the poor. His movies were the medium of communication for the Dravidian movement.^{[citation needed]} For the next twenty-five years he remained one of the biggest celebrity in Tamil cinema. He was shot by fellow actor Mohan R. Radha, affecting his ability to speak clearly. He won the national award in the best actor category for the film Rickshakaran His Movie "Nadodi Mannan" (produced & directed by MGR and first released in 1956) released in 2006 ran house full shows in Tamil Nadu for 14 weeks. ^[6]

Political career

Dravidian political parties
Dravidian movement Periyar E. V. Ramasamy Anti-Hindi agitations
Former Dravidian parties Justice party Thamizhaga Munnetra Munnani Thayga Marumalarchi Kazhagam
Contemporary Dravidian parties Dravidar Kazhagam Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Pattali Makkal Katchi Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam All India Latchiya Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam more
Chief Ministers from Dravidian parties C. N. Annadurai V. R. Nedunchezhiyan M. Karunanidhi M. G. Ramachandran Janaki Ramachandran J. Jayalalithaa O. Panneerselvam This box: view • talk • edit

MGR was a member of the Congress Party till 1953 and he used to wear kathar and wear vibhuti on his forehead. In 1953 MGR joined the DMK with the help of M. Karunanidhi. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK (Dravidian Progressive Federation). He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. He 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 Karunanidhi became the chief minister.

In 1967, he was shot in the neck by fellow actor M.R. Radha. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. He wanted the financial details of the party to be publicised which enraged the leadership of DMK and in 1972, MGR was expelled from the party. MGR then floated a new party named Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) which was later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, and remained in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, Members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor, became the first dravidian and non-congress party from Tamil Nadu to become ministers in the Union Cabinet. It is to be noted that the AIADMK won every state assembly election as long as MGR was alive. He was the first film actor to be a Chief Minister in India.

Chief Ministership

MGR placed great emphasis on social development, especially education. One of MGR's most successful policies was the re-introduction of the "Mid-day Meal Scheme" in the Government-run and aided schools in Tamil Nadu, which encouraged underprivileged children to attend schools.

He founded the Tamil University, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University and the Women's University in Tamil Nadu.^{[citation needed]}

Death

In October 1984, MGR was diagnosed with kidney failure and was rushed to the U.S. for treatment,and his niece M.G.C.Leelavathy donated kidney to him^{[citation needed]}. Mass hysteria gripped Tamil Nadu and over 100 people attempted self-immolation. MGR died December 24, 1987 after his prolonged illness. His death sparked off an inexplicable frenzy of looting and rioting all over the state of Tamil Nadu. Shops, movie theaters, buses and other public and private property became the target of wanton violence let loose all over the state. The situation became so hopeless that the police had to resort issuing shoot-at-sight orders, something seldom seen or heard of in democratic India.^{[citation needed]} The violence during the funeral alone left 29 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. [2],[3] This state of affairs continued for almost a month all over the state of Tamil Nadu, bringing normal life to a grinding halt and causing untold misery to millions. Around one million[4] people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and lakhs of people had their heads tonsured. After his death, his political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, split between his wife Janaki Ramachandran and his political protégé, J. Jayalalitha and later merged in 1988. In 1989 Dr.MGR Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired was established in the erstwhile Ramavaram Gardens Residence as per his will dated 17 January 1986.

Awards

• MGR was nominated for Padmashree award from the Government of India but MGR refused to accept as the wording was in Hindi in 1960
• National Award for the Best Actor for the film Rickshakaran in 1972
• Bharat Ratna was conferred by the Government of India posthumously.

Doctorate received from

• University of Madras
• The World University (Arizona)

Social Work and Charity

MGR was always the first to personally offer relief in disasters and calamities like fire, flood, drought, and cyclones, he was the first donor during the war with China in 1962, donating Rs. 75,000 to the war fund. He was the founder and editor of THAI weekly magazine and ANNA daily newspaper in Tamil. He was the owner of Sathya Studios and Emgeeyar Pictures which produced many of the films he acted in. He also founded the MGR Schools in Kodambakkam giving free education and food for the film workers children in 1953. He was the president of Nadigar Sangam - South India Film Artists Association for four terms. He willed all his property for the welfare of the poor and hearing impaired people of Tamil Nadu.^{[citation needed]}

MGR's filmography

Year	Film	Notes
1935	Sati Leelavati
1936	Iru Sahodarargal
1938	Dakshayagnam
1938	Veera Jagathis
1939	Maya Machindra
1939	Prahalatha
1941	Ashok Kumar
1941	Vedavathi	aka Seethajananam
1942	Dhaasippen	aka Jodhi Malar
1942	Tamizhariyum Perumal
1943	Harichandra
1945	Meera
1945	Saalivaahanan
1946	Sri Murugan
1947	Paithiyakaaran
1947	Rajakumaari	MGR's first movie as Hero Watch
1948	Abhimanyu
1948	Mohini
1948	Raja Mukthi
1949	Rathnakumar
1950	Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950	Mandhiri Kumaari	Watch
1951	Marmayogi
1951	Sarvadhigari
1952	Andhaman Kaidhi
1952	Kumari
1953	En Thangai
1953	Jenova	First Malayalam film
1953	Naam
1954	Panakkaari	played VILLAIN
1954	Malaikkallan	Inspired by Namakkal V.Ramalingam's novel. Produced in 6 languages viz. Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Hindi and Sinhalese. Won President Award
1954	Koondukkili	Only movie starred with Sivaji Ganesan
1955	Gul-E-Bagaavali
1955	Alibabavum Narpadhu Thirudargalum	(First colour film) Actress Banumathi Watch
1956	Madhurai Veeran	An ancient story believed to have occurred when Nayaks (Andhra) ruled parts of Tamil Nadu Actress Banumathi & Padmini
1956	Thaaikkuppin Thaaram	Banumathi
1957	Chakravarthi Thirumagal	Anjali Devi Watch
1957	Mahadhevi	Savithri
1957	Pudhumai Pithan	Padmini
1957	Rajarajan	Padmini Watch
1958	Nadodi Mannan	(Produced and Directed by MGR, a movie that seeded a change in Tamil Nadu’s political history) Acress P.Banumathi & Debut film for B. Saroja devi Watch
1959	Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali	Jamuna
1960	Baghdadh Thirudan	Vaijayanthimala Watch
1960	Mannadhi Mannan	Anjalidevi & Padmini Watch
1960	Raja Desingu
1961	Arasilangumari	Anjalidevi
1961	Nallavan Vazhvan	Rajasulochana
1961	Sabaash Mapillai	Padmini
1961	Thaai Sollai Thattadhe	B. Sarojadevi
1961	Thirudadhe	B.Sarojadevi Watch
1961	Paasam	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1962	Kudumba Thalaivan	B. Sarojadevi
1962	Maadappura	Rathna
1962	Raani Samyuktha	Padmini
1962	Thaayai Kaatha Thanayan	B.Sarojadevi
1962	Vikramaadhithan	Anjalidevi & Padmini
1963	Anandha Jodhi	Devika, Kamal Haasan as child artiste Watch
1963	Dharmam Thalai Kaakkum	B. Sarojadevi
1963	Kalai Arasi	Banumathi
1963	Kaanji Thalaivan	Padmini
1963	Koduthu Vaithaval	V. Saroja
1963	Needhikkuppin Paasam	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1963	Panathottam	. Sarojadevi
1963	Parisu	B. Sarojadevi
1963	Periya Idathu Pen	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1964	Dheiva Thaai	B. Sarojadevi
1964	En Kadamai	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1964	Padagotti	B. Sarojadevi
1964	Thaayin Madiyil	Jamuna
1964	Thozhilali	K.R.Vijaya
1964	Vettaikkaaran	Savithri Ganesan Watch
1965	Panakkara Kudumbam	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1965	Aasai Mugam	B. Sarojadevi
1965	Aayirathil Oruvan	J.Jayalalitha Watch
1965	Enga Veettu Pillai	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1965	Kalangarai Vilakkam	B. Sarojadevi
1965	Kanni Thaai	J. Jayalalitha
1965	Panam Padaithavan	KR. Vijaya & Sowgar Janaki Watch
1965	Thazhampoo	KR. Vijaya
1966	Anbe Vaa	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1966	Naan Aanaiyittal	B. Sarojadevi
1966	Mugaraasi	J.Jayalalitha
1966	Nadodi	B. Sarojadevi Watch
1966	Chandhrodhayam	J.Jayalalitha
1966	Parakkum Paavai	B. Sarojadevi
1966	Petraalthaan Pillaiya	B. Sarojadevi
1966	Thaali Baagiyam	Jamuna
1966	Thanippiravi	J.Jayalalitha
1967	Arasakattalai	B.Sarojadevi & J. Jayalalitha Watch
1967	Kaavalkaaran	J.Jayalalitha Watch
1967	Thaaiku Thalaimagan	B.Sarojadevi
1967	Vivasayee	KR.Vijaya
1968	Ragasiya Police 115	J.Jayalalitha
1968	Thaer Thiruvizha	J.Jayalalitha
1968	Kudiyirundha Koyil	J. Jayalalitha Watch
1968	Kannan En Kadhalan	J.Jayalalitha & Vanisri
1968	Pudhiya Boomi	J.Jayalalitha
1968	Kanavan	J. Jayalalitha
1968	Oli Vilakku	Announced as MGR's 100th film - J.Jayalalitha & Sowgar Janaki
1968	Kadhal Vaaganam	J.Jayalalitha
1969	Adimai Pen	A unusual plot set in a fictional medieval European kingdom - J.Jayalalitha (dual role) Watch
1969	Nam Nadu	J.Jayalalitha
1970	Maattukaara Velan	J.Jayalalitha & Lakshmi
1970	En Annan	J.Jayalalitha & Muthuraman
1970	Thalaivan	J.Jayalalitha
1970	Thedi Vandha Mappillai	J. Jayalalitha
1970	Engal Thangam	J.Jayalalitha
1971	Kumarikkottam	J.Jayalalitha
1971	Rickshawkaran	MGR got Best Actor National Award - Manjula & Padmini Watch
1971	Neerum Neruppum	J.Jayalalitha
1971	Oru Thaai Makkal	first film with damaged voice due to inset bullet wound - J.Jayalalitha
1972	Sange Muzhangu	Lakshmi Watch
1972	Nalla Neram	KR.Vijaya Watch
1972	Raaman Thediya Seedhai	J.Jayalalitha
1972	Annamitta Kai	J.Jayalalitha
1972	Naan Yen Pirandhen	KR.Vijaya & Kanchana
1972	Idhaya Veenai	Lakshmi
1973	Ulagam Sutrum Valiban	MGR's second venture as Director,Ran for 217 days, Shot mostly in Foreign location - Chandrakala, Manjula, Latha
1973	Pattikaattu Ponnaiya	J.Jayalalitha
1974	Netru Indru Naalai	Manjula, Latha & Rajasri Watch
1974	Urimai Kural	Latha
1974	Sirithu Vazha Vendum	Latha Watch
1974	Meenava Nanban	Latha
1975	Ninaithadhai Mudippavan	Manjula & Latha
1975	Naalai Namadhe	Latha Watch
1975	Idhayakkani	Radha saluja Watch
1975	Pallandu Vazhga	Latha
1976	Needhikku Thalaivanangu	Latha & Radha saluja
1976	Uzhaikkum Karangal	Latha
1976	Oorukku Uzhaippavan	Vanishree
1977	Navarathnam	Latha
1978	Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan	Latha
1990	Avasara Police 100	(A film in which Bhagyaraj uses an old unfinished MGR movie as a flashback in the plot) Bagyaraj, Latha, Gouthami, Silksmitha
1991	Nallathai Naadu Kekum	(A film in which Jeppiaar uses an old unfinished MGR movie as a flashback in the plot) Jeppiaar, Rekha, Gouthami,

Produced movies

• 1958 - Nadodi Mannan - Directed by MGR, a movie that seeded a change in Tamilnadu’s political history
• 1969 - Adimai Pen - unusual plot set in a fictional medieval European kingdom
• 1973 - Ulagam Sutrum Valiban - MGR's second venture as Director, Shot mostly in Foreign location

Notes

1. ^ MGR
2. ^ L. R., Jegatheesan. "ஆளும் அரிதாரம்" (in Tamil), BBC. Retrieved on 2006-11-08. 
3. ^ Tamil magazine Tamil news,poem,story,movie & song reviews
4. ^ M. G. Ramachandran Summary
5. ^ The Hindu : Americans in Tamil cinema
6. ^ [1]

References

• M.G. Ramchandran: Jewel of the Masses
• The Hindu - Politics and Suicides in TN

External links

• வள்ளல் எம்.ஜி. ஆர். வாழ்க்கை வரலாறு

Preceded by M Karunanidhi

Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu 1977–1987

Succeeded by Janaki Ramachandran

v • d • e National Film Award for Best Actor 1968-1980 Uttam Kumar (1968) · Ashok Kumar (1969) · Utpal Dutt (1970) · Sanjeev Kumar (1971) · M.G. Ramachandran (1972) · Sanjeev Kumar (1973) · P. J. Antony (1974) · Sadhu Mehr (1975) · M.V. Vasudeva Rao (1976) · Mithun Chakraborty (1977) · Gopi (1978) · Arun Mukherjee (1979) · Naseeruddin Shah (1980) 1981-2000 Balan K. Nair (1981) · Om Puri (1982) · Kamal Haasan (1983) · Om Puri (1984) · Naseeruddin Shah (1985) · Shashi Kapoor (1986) · Chaaru Haasan (1987) · Kamal Haasan (1988) · Premji (1989) · Mammooty (1990) · Amitabh Bachchan (1991) · Mohanlal (1992) · Mithun Chakraborty (1993) · Mammooty (1994) · Nana Patekar (1995) · Rajit Kapur (1996) · Kamal Haasan (1997) · Suresh Gopi and Balachandra Menon (1998) · Mammooty and Ajay Devgan (1999) · Mohanlal (2000) 2001-present Anil Kapoor (2001) · Murali (2002) · Ajay Devgan (2003) · Vikram (2004) · Saif Ali Khan (2005) · Amitabh Bachchan (2006) · Soumitra Chatterjee (2007)

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