Maruthur
Gopalan Ramachandran popularly known as MGR to the masses was born on January.17.1917
at Kandy, Sri Lanka.
He joined
the Madras Boys Dramatic Company and started his career as a Drama artiste (1927
– 1937) and later moved to Cinema and established himself as popular actor (1937
– 1977).
He later joined
politics and became well known by his white fur cap, dark sunglasses and two
finger victory sign which also indicated his party symbol of two leaves.
He was
elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977 and served in that office
for two consecutive terms (1977 – 1987).
He died on
December.24.1987 aged 70 years while in office at Chennai.
Drama & Cinema
Artiste
He made
his debut in Tamil cinema in 1937 and acted in over 125 movies in a career
spanning four decades. His first film as supporting cast was Sathi Leelavathi
(1937) and leading cast was Rajkumaari (1947) and his last movie was Maduraiyai
Meeta Sundrapandiyan (1977).
His performance
in memorable roles in all genres – mythological, historical, fiction, action, adventure,
romance etc, attracted fans over the world who organized a record number of nearly
35000 fan clubs.
All his
movies had social and political messages in their storyline, characters,
dialogues and songs which propagated Dravidian ideals.
He also
directed and produced four blockbuster Tamil movies – Nadodi Mannan (1958),
Adimai Penn (1969), Ulagam Suttrum Valiban (1973), Madurayai Meetta
Sundarapandiyan (1977) under his own production houses – Sathya Studios and
Emgeeyar Pictures.
Chief Minister of
Tamil Nadu
He was initially associated with Indian
National Congress (1947 – 1953), but was influenced by Dravidian leaders Periyar EV Ramasami and Arignar CN Annadurai and joined DMK (1953 – 1972). He founded ADMK in 1972 which was later renamed AIADMK
in 1977. He was its first General
Secretary (1972 – 1987).
He steered his party to a landslide
victory in the Assembly elections in 1977 and served as the longest Chief
Minister of Tamil Nadu (1977 – 1987). He was the first popular cinema actor to
be elected as Chief Minister of an Indian State.
He introduced the Mid Day Meals
Scheme which provides free nutritious noon meals, besides free uniforms and
books to all children in government schools.
He established the Medical, Tamil
and Women Universities of Tamil Nadu. He organized the Fifth World Tamil
Conference in 1981 at Thanjavur.
The Krishna Water Scheme or Telugu
Ganga Project to provide drinking water supply to Chennai was conceived and
launched during his tenure.
Awards
The
Government of India posthumously conferred on him the Bharat Ratna in 1988. He
became the first personality from Cinema and the third Chief Minister of Tamil
Nadu to receive this honour. He is the fourth person to be awarded posthumously.
He
received the Film Fare Awards and National Award for Best Actor – Bharat Award
in 1971 for Rickshawkaran.
His film
Malai Kallan (1954) won the President Award for Best Feature Film, while
Kavalkaraan (1967), Kudiyiruntha Koyil (1968), Adimai Penn (1969) and
Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapandiyan (1978) won the Best Feature Film Awards from
Tamil Nadu Government.
Doctorates
He received Honorary Doctorates from the
University of Madras and World University of Arizona for his contributions to Cinema
and Public Service.
Fellowships
Memberships
He served successively as Member
of Tamil Nadu Legislative Council (1962 – 1967) and later Tamil Nadu
Legislative Assembly (1967 – 1987).
He is the first candidate to win
a legislative election in absentia from a foreign land while he was undergoing
medical treatment in USA in 1984.
Titles
He was
bestowed the titles of Puratchi Nadigar, Puratchi Thalaivar, Makkal Thilagam
and Pon Mana Chemmal and Kalaivendhan.
Books
His
Autobiography titled Naan Yen Piranthen ( Why was I born) was published
posthumously in 2003 in 2 volumes.
He founded and edited Anna daily
newspaper and Thai weekly magazine.
A number of Biographies on MGR have been published
by various authors in Tamil and English including The Image Trap: M G
Ramachandran in Film and Politics 1st Edition by M.S.S Pandian
Philanthropic Activities
The Dr MGR Charitable Trust runs the Dr MGR Home and School for Speech
and Hearing Impaired and the Dr MGR Janaki Arts and Science College for Women
at Chennai.
Resources
Milestones ( All
in 7s)
1917 - Birth
1927 - Started as a Drama artiste
1937 - Started as a Cinema artiste
1947 - First Film as Hero in Rajakumaari
1957 - Started Cinema production
1967 - Elected
Member of Madras Legislative Assembly.
1977 - Elected Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
1987 - Death
Films
First movie –
Minor role – Sati Leelavthi (1936)
Major role – Rajakumaari
(1947)
Last movie – Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapandiyan (1978)
Telugu movie – Sarvathikari (1951)
Hindi movie – Ektha Raja (1951)
Malayalam movie – Jenova (1953)
1st movie - Sati Leelavathi (1936)
25th movie - Andhaman Kaidhi (1952)
50th movie – Nallavan Vallavan (1961)
75th movie - Kanni Thaai (1965)
100th movie – Oli Vilakku (1968)
125th movie – Sirithu Vazha Vendum (1974)
Technical
Black & White – Sathi Leelavathi (1936)
Colour – Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalaum (1956)
Roles
Hero - Rajakumari (1947)
Director - Nadodi Mannan (1958)
First and only film with Shivaji Ganesan - Koondukkili (1954)
First and only film with Gemini Ganesan - Mugaraasi (1966)
Postage Stamps and Covers
First Day Covers
Special Covers
Commemorative Covers
Meghdoot Post Cards
Meghdoot Post Cards
Max Cards
My Stamps
Thanks for your appreciation
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