MGR The One And Only

Sri MGR Year 96, 30th June, Sunday

Today 30.6.2013 is the 36th year of our beloved Leader MGR sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. First Indian Actor to be elected as the Chief Minister to rule the state.

 

M.G.Ramachandran famously known as MGR, started his career as an actor his versatile skill in art made him excel in his career. The benevolence and humane nature that he naturally possessed made him a leader, his wish to help poor increased in proportion when he joined politics. MGR was the mass of DMK.

Later in October 10, 1972 MGR was ousted from DMK. This outrageous act was not tolerated by his fans and the people of Tamil Nadu. There was widespread agitation by students. MGR went around Tamil Nadu and came to a conclusion that the people needed a political party under his leadership, ADMK was formed on 17^th October 1972. MGR popularly called as Puratchi Nadigar (Revolutionary Actor) henceforth conferred the title as Puratchi Thalaivar (Revolutionary Leader) in front of Millions in Chennai by K.A.Krishnasamy.

His enemies predicted that his party will be for 100 days like his movies. But people thought differently. And in June 1977 General Elections, opposition parties bitterly attacked MGR as unreliable, unprincipled politician and even as buffoon. These comments were uttered by heroes of Political parties later people turned them into buffoons and comedians.

MGR's ADMK party contested and swept the polls, it was a landslide victory. MGR was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 30.6.1977.

 

1977 Election

MGR contested from Arupukottai constituency

MGR (ADMK) – 43,065

Muthuvel Servai (Janatha) – 13,687

Sivasami (Congress) – 12,075

Bose (DMK) – 5,415

Candidates of Congress and DMK lost their deposit.

 

 

1980 Election

MGR contested from Madurai West Constituency

MGR (ADMK) – 57,019

Pon Muthuramalingam (DMK) – 35,963

Kamaraj (Janatha) – 2,178

Maayandi (Forward Bloc of India) – 130

Except DMK all other candidates lost their deposit.

 

 

1984 Election

MGR contested from Andipatti constituency

MGR (ADMK) – 60,510

Vallarasu (Forward Bloc) – 29,026

all opposing candidates lost their deposit.

 

MGR in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

 

A look at MGR as the one and only Chief Minister undisputed and unparallel.

1) The party which helped MGR to become the Chief Minister was not founded or guided by Freedom fighters. The vote garnered by MGR did not come through such leaders and their vote banks. He is the only person to get the love and respect from the people of Tamil Nadu to be the Chief Minister.

2) MGR is the only Chief Minister who was undefeated in elections before and after he became the Chief Minister. In other word MGR is God of Tamil Nadu, the people and his fans were loyal to him.

3) MGR is the only Chief Minister to get elected three times successively.

4) He is the only Chief Minister to take the seat from his first election as the Party leader which others were not. In other word he was the choice for the Chief Minister for the first election and succeeded, the record still unparallel.

5) MGR did not have strong Central Government support which some Chief Ministers enjoyed during their regime.

6) When MGR in politics he had to face strong opposition parties and their Leaders and defeated them three times successively.

7) In Tamil Nadu he is the only Chief Minister to regain the title and came to power within four months when his rule was dismissed in 17.2.1980, which other leaders cannot make up the return.

8) He was the only Leader (maybe the last too) to be get elected as Chief Minister when he was recuperating in United States.

9) He is the only Leader who enjoyed mass support to his last breath.

10) He is the only Leader who still has the Vote bank.

11) His party ADMK is still alive and ruling the state.

12) MGR is a decent Leader like his Mentor Peraringnar Anna Durai, he did not threaten or gave money to defeat his opposition party members during election when he was the Chief Minister.

13)MGR was criticized heavily by the opposition during the 1977 elections. MGR is the only Leader who boldly said (that really happened) to the people and his fans, "mark my words after June 15 1977, ADMK will be in Power. Please wait until then. You (MGR Fans) should have the grievances remedied after that date".

The above image from Newspaper about MGR thanking the people of Tamil Nadu after swearing in as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

 

MGR letter to the people of Tamil Nadu watch closely how careful in using the words this is another example why people always choose our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR.

Muperum Vizha 4

Sri MGR Year 96, 23rd June, Sunday

MGR fans and Olikirathu Urimaikural had celebrated MGR Muperum Vizha in Chennai previous week. Below are the images forwarded by Olikirathu Urimaikural editor B.S.Raju.

 

 

 

The programme started with MGR songs performed by Jeeva Raja Sruthi with mostly MGR philosophical songs.

 

Above is the chief guest who graced the function, Dr.H.V.Hande, former Health Minister in MGR regime, Mallaisamy, Veteran Actor V.S.Raghavan.

 

 

Gemini Ganesan daughters Dr.Kamala Selvaraj and Vijaya Samundeswari gave a small speech about the benevolence of MGR his helping hand to their family.

 

Below images of the VIPs in the dais.

 

A special 30 minutes video clip was done for the function by MGR’s grand son MGCB Pradeep. The above images shows the response of people for that particular video of MGR.

 

 

Thiraiulaga Chakravarthi MGR book was released by Dr.H.V.Hande in the function. The book has 236 pages of black and white and colour images many are rare pictures.

 

The chief guests were honoured. And they also narrated their experience with our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR.

 

Click the above images to view.

Muperum Vizha 3

Sri MGR Year 96, 21st June, Friday

Olikirathu Urimaikural and MGR Fans association had celebrated MGR Muperum Vizha in T.Nagar Chennai on 16th June 2013.

 

We have already uploaded the morning function of MGR Fans meet video and images. This post is about the speech given by the Chief Guest and MGR’s Body guard K.P.Ramakrishnan.

 

K.P.Ramakrishnan speech about Puratchi Thalaivar MGR (with clear audio)

 

 

Images from the evening function will follow soon.

MGR Bodyguard

Sri MGR Year 96, 20th June, Thursday

MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan article has been published in The Hindu on June 8th 2013. His son Govindaraj has forwarded the article to publish in our MGR Blog.

 

Double impact

Malathi Rangarajan takes a trip down memory lane with octogenarian K.P. Ramakrishnan, who was closely associated with the legendary actor-politician MGR

From working at a milk vendor’s, to rising to the level of an actor who played MGR’s double in all his dual role films, besides character roles, and serving as a personal bodyguard of MGR for more than 30 years, K.P. Ramakrishnan’s life has seen many interesting turns. Though Ramakrishnan has worked with other heroes too, his life and career revolved around the pivot called M.G. Ramachandran. “He was Ramachandran, and I, Ramakrishnan,” chuckles the octogenarian, as we take off on a journey down his memory lane.

In April, Ramakrishnan was honoured for his devotion to and long association with MGR, as evinced in MGR Oru Sagaaptham, a book written by Ramakrishnan. The event, ‘MGR 96,’ was held in Malaysia, to celebrate the 96th birth anniversary of the charismatic actor-politician. The crowd went delirious when action sequences featuring MGR and KPR were beamed on a big screen in the auditorium. “They still believe that their hero is alive. Surrealistically, talking to me and holding my hands made them feel that they were connecting with MGR himself! Their awe and adulation for him are unbelievable,” observes Ramakrishnan.

Trained in martial arts
When MGR became a full-fledged politician, Ramakrishnan stopped doing films. “Cinema became secondary to me after MGR quit it. I was with him throughout. His well-being was my priority,” he says. Once while they were travelling on a train for an election campaign, a group of hooligans boarded it with the aim of attacking MGR. “After dinner we had retired to our berths. MGR was alone in his coupe, when the group pounced on him. By the time the melee woke us up, MGR was already fighting them single-handed. He could take them on because he was trained in various forms of Indian martial arts,” recalls Ramakrishnan.

As an expert in Kalari, Silambam, wrestling, boxing and other such, from his early years, Ramakrishnan should know. “I was 14 when I first saw MGR. He would come down every evening to the shop where I worked, for a glass of milk. The family, which included his brother Chakrapani and mother, lived on Wall tax Road, then. I was blessed to be a guest at his home and served food by his mother.”

When MGR decided to shift his residence to Royapettah, the owners were slightly hesitant to let it out. “We visited Rajaji in his home. He made a call to them and that was it. The respect the two had for each other was mutual,” he remembers.

Genuine concern
Ramakrishnan had made a couple of appearances in cinema as a henchman earlier, but it was because of MGR that he was noticed.” From Nadodi Mannan to Neerum Neruppum, Ramakrishnan played MGR’s double in all his films that had the hero in dual roles. The respect it earned for him was immense. “I was not just a stuntman in cinema. I was replicating the great MGR in scenes where his face wasn’t to be seen,” Ramakrishnan’s face swells with joy. MGR would see to it that Ramakrishnan was provided the same kind of attire and accessories that he was using in a scene. If low-priced shoes were given to Ramakrishnan, MGR would have them replaced with ones similar to his. “As a man who has been his shadow for several decades, I was overawed by his kindness and hospitality even to strangers. The concern was genuine,” avers Ramakrishnan. Those who entered his home had to first head towards the dining area before they met him. His first query to every person was, “Were you given something to eat?”

 

Even at the shooting spot, after every shot he would ensure that the fighters in the action scene were fine. “Once I was supposed to turn around on a wheel and fight him. I slipped, my heel got twisted and leg was caught in the wheel. Even as MGR rushed towards me I managed to complete the shot. I was admitted to the hospital and was confined to bed for the next three months,” smiles Ramakrishnan. Hindi films such as Ghai Aur Gauri and the Rajesh Khanna-starrer Shehzaada and Malayalam films, including Chakravaham, had Ramakrishnan in them.

Not just MGR, Ramakrishnan has played Nambiar’s double too. “The on-screen villain was a thorough gentleman in real life,” Ramakrishnan showers encomiums on the late actor. “He was instrumental in helping me procure this piece of land in the heart of the city. ‘It’s worth it. If you are short of money let me know,’ he told me. I said I could manage and went ahead.”

The home, in the lane opposite Stella Maris College, is cosy and lively, with his son, Govindarajan, and grandchildren hovering around him. “I never once thought I should curry favours from MGR. His benevolence and affection were enough for me,” he soberly concludes.

MGR Muperum Vizha 2

Sri MGR Year 96, 16th June, Sunday

Olikirathu Urimaikural and MGR fans association celebrated MGR Muperum Vizha today. The function is conducted in Sir P.T.Thiyagaraya Hall, T.Nagar, Chennai.

 

Earlier the function with the participation of MGR fans from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka (Bangalore) convention was held today morning in Teynampet. I attended the function and took some images and videos.

 

Before the Fans meet, MGR devotees performed Pooja.

 

Professor Selvakumar welcoming the chief guests for the meet.

 

 

 

A young MGR fan from Coimbatore.

 

Below is the video of MGR Devotees paying respect to God MGR. Followed by the speech of MGR Pithan Khaleel Basha from Thiruvannamalai.

 

 

One of the Chief Guest for the MGR Fans meet, MGR bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan gave a 20 minute speech, the video will be uploaded in our next post.

Invitation

Sri MGR Year 96, 15th June, Saturday

MGR Muperum Vizha will be celebrated in Chennai tomorrow evening from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm in Sir P.T.Thiyagaraya Hall.

 

Below is the invitation are all welcome.

 

Click to enlarge the image.

 

The Chief Guests are:

Dr.H.V.Hande, Former Health Minister in MGR ministry.

K.Malaichamy, IAS, Ex M.P.

Liyakath Alikhan

Muniappa, Former MLA, Bangalore, Karnataka

V.S.Raghavan, Veteran Actor

M.G.C.Chandran, Son of M.G.Chakrapani

Rajkiran, Actor

Jaguar Thangam, Stunt Master,

Tmt.Jayanthi Kannappan, ALS Productions

Jothilakshmi, Actress

Dr.Kamala Selvaraj, Daughter of Gemini Ganesan

Vijaya Samundeeswari Savithri, Daughter of Gemini Ganesan

 

MGR Devotee Tirupur Ravichandran has informed us about the re-release of MGR movie Navarathinam in Coimbatore Delite this same was re-released previous year and had a 10 day run.

Shooting Date

Sri MGR Year 96, 7th June, Friday

We are actively searching and finding out the exact dates of some of MGR movie shooting. We have some data with us. Of this today's post is about the shooting date of Emgeeyar Pictures Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban movie.

 

Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR along with 26 members including actors, actress and technicians left Chennai on 5th September for the shooting of Ulagam Sutrum Tamilan which was later renamed to Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban.

 

MGR’s article Thirai Kadal Odi thirai padam eduthom in Bommai Magazine which was later published as a Book titled Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban uruvana kathai in that article MGR tells the exact date of commencement of Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban shooting. More about the Book click here.

The first shot of the movie was on 8th September 1970 and the next day is shooting for the song Ulagam Azhagu kalaigalil surangam.

 

 

The above image with three pictures are from Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban movie, the two images to your left are from Expo 70 which was shot on 8 and 9th of September 1970, the difference in MGR hat. From 8th to 13th MGR completed the full shoot of Expo 70 portion.

 

The image to your right (MGR hugging two kids) is from the song Sirithu Vazha vendum, shot in Haw Par Villa (Singapore) also known as Tiger Balm Garden. The entire scene was shot in two days that is from 18th and 19th October 1970.

 

 

Video uploaded by Toh Hun Ping

 

 

Video uploaded by Goldtreat.

 

Source about the date is from MGR written Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban Uruvana Kathai and Singapore Newspapers. Other dates from this movie will follow.

MGR Muperum Vizha

Sri MGR Year 96, 2nd June, Sunday

All MGR fans association and Olikirathu Urimaikural celebrates MGR Muperum Vizha on 16th June 2013.

The function will be conducted in Sir P.T.Thiyagaraya Hall, T.Nagar, Chennai. The timing is from 4 pm to 9.30 pm. This is the seventh function to be celebrated by Olikirathu Urimaikural.

 

 

The function is conducted on behalf of completion of 50th year of 1963 movies release, MGR 96th birth anniversary and the release of MGR Album with regular MGR photo exhibition.

 

MGR songs will be conducted by Raj TV Fame Rajageetham Jeevaraja. Followed by participation of celebrities and giving away MGR awards. All are welcome.

 

More information will follow soon.