M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

All you want to know about M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Please help improve this article or section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (December 2007)
M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Born Mayavaram Krishnamurthy Thyagarajan
January 3, 1909(1909-01-03)
Mayavaram,Tamil Nadu, India
Died November 1, 1959 (aged 50)
Other name(s) MKT
Years active 1934–1959

Mayavaram Krishnamurthy Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (3 January 1909 – 1 November 1959), also called MKT, was a Tamil film actor and Carnatic singer. He acted in 15 films overall, of which six were very successful. His 1944 film Haridas created a record of sorts by becoming the first Indian film to run continuously for three years at a single cinema theatre. Convicted in the Lakshmikantan murder case, Bhagavathar was arrested along with comedian N. S. Krishnan and spent four years in prison before being acquitted in 1948 when a retrial found both Bhagavathar and NSK innocent. However, the movies he acted in after his release from prison did not do well in the box office. He died on 1 November 1959 due to cirrhosis. MKT is widely regarded as the first superstar of Tamil cinema.

Contents

Early life

Thyagaraja Bhagavathar was born at Mayavaram (now Mayiladuthurai) in Tamil Nadu, India, in a family of viswakarmas / viswabrahmin goldsmiths and grew up in Trichy.

Acting and singing

Most of MKT's songs were devotional with a South Indian classical base. Along with lyricist Papanasam Sivan, MKT created many superhits songs, including "Unai Alaal", "Neelakanta", "Amba Manam Kanindhu", "Soppana Vazhvil Makizhndu", "Maraivaai Maraitha Odu", "Gyaana Kann", "Sathva Guna Bodhan", "Rajan Maharajan", "Krishna Mukunda Murari", "Naatiya Kalaiye", "Radhe Unaku Kobam Aagadadi", "Vasantha Ruthu", and many others.

He is considered the first superstar of Tamil cinema (Kollywood). His first movie was 1934's Pavalakodi; he appeared in another 14 movies before he died. Most of his movies were record breakers. Thiruneelakandar, Ambikapathi, Chintamani were among the first highly successful Tamil movies. Haridas, released in 1944, ran continuously for three years in Chennai Broadway Theatre.

Later years

In 1944, MKT, comedian N. S. Krishnan, and Coimbatore-based movie studio owner Sriramlu Naidu were charged in the murder of Lakshmikanthan; MKT was acquitted and released in 1946. Prior to his arrest, he was booked to make 12 more movies, but he lost interest and the few movies he did make were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he still drew huge crowds at his concerts. He spent his last years quietly, having lost almost all his wealth in his murder defense.

Followers of the Dravidian movement, such as C. N. Annadurai (the founder of the DMK political party and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), tried to entice him to their fold, but because of his convictions, MKT remained apolitical and a staunch Bhakta (Devotee of God) until his death. It is believed that his absence from the film industry provided a window for the Dravidian atheist movement to move in and establish themselves in the Tamil film industry.

He is considered as the first superstar of Tamil Cinema (Kollywood). His first movie was "Pavalakodi" in 1934 and he appeared in another 14 movies until his death. Most of his movies were record breakers. Haridass, released in 1944, ran continuously for three years in Chennai Broadway Theatre.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1934 Pavalakkodi Arjuna First film of M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar based on a play of the same name. The film had a total of 50 songs of which MKT sang 22. A hit.
1936 Naveena Sarangadhara Sarangadharan Second film for M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. Naveena Sarangadhara was also the second film for M. K. T. under the direction of K. Subramaniam and also the second with S. D. Subbulakshmi as heroine. This film was M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's second consecutive hit.
1937 Chintamani Bilwamangal A superhit. The first Tamil film to run over a year.
Ambikapathy Ambikapathy Directed by American film director Ellis R. Dungan, Ambikapathy was an unprecedented hit for M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar.
1938 Sathyaseelan Produced by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavthar himself. The film is one of the first ones in Tamil to have a concert scene.
1939 Thiruneelakantar Thiruneelakanta Nayanar Another hit by M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. The film is remembered for his wonderful acting skills.
1941 Ashok Kumar Kunal Another hit film for M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. One of M. G. Ramachandran's first films.
1943 Sivakavi Poyyamozhi Pulavar Known for M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's songs. Another superhit.
1944 Haridas One of the greatest hits of Tamil cinema. The first Tamil film and the first in any Indian language to run continuously for 3 years at a single theatre.
1948 Rajamukthi First film after M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's release from prison. An average grosser.
1952 Amarakavi Amarakavi Another average grosser. M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar sings 5 songs in non-Carnatic light music, the first time he does so.
1953 Syamala Tamil film made by producers from Andhra Pradesh, the film flopped.
1957 Puthu Vazhvu M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's self-produced film. A flop.
1959 Sivakami M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar's last film prior to his death. The film premiered on November 1, 1959 after Thyagaraja Bhagavathar had died. M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar appeared as himself in the movie.

External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M._K._Thyagaraja_Bhagavathar"

No comments have been added.



Your name:

City:

Country:

Your comments:

Security check *
(Please enter the number into adjoining box)

 

  • Ads

           
eXTReMe Tracker