King Of Kings MGR

Sri MGR Year 98, 30th January, Friday

On the eve of our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR birthday Vijay TV telecasted a special programme titled Mannathi Mannan MGR (King of Kings MGR). MGR fans and devotees participated in the programme apart from the VIPs. The show was beautifully presented and the set looked like from a MGR movie.

The programme was hosted by Gopinath. The special program started with MGR’s speech about Makkal Atchi recorded for election speech in Doordarshan during 1977 period. The speech itself impacted the MGR devotees, the core subject of that speech provoked tears to many.

A part of the crowd who participated in the special programme.

The program was shot for 5 hours and edited to one hour and thirty minutes. As aptly Gopinath mentions in the end that this is only one slice of the Legend.

 

The program was hosted with chief guest such as B.R.Panthalu’s daughter B.R.Vijayalakshmi, Devar Films Thiyagarajan, Vellore Institute of Technology Founder and Chancellor Viswanathan, Sathya Bhama University MD Maria alias Azhagu Nila, Music Director Sankar Ganesh, Actor Mohan Ram, Director Karu Palaniappan, IAS – Gnana Rajasekaran and Ithayakani Editor Vijayan.

All the chief guests narrated from their life about our Puratchi Thalaivar humane nature the soul stirring incidents told by B.R.Vijayalakshmi and Sankar Ganesh took the limelight. Most of the participants and the chief guests mentioned MGR as God.

Music Director (Sankar) Ganesh emotionally points to MGR image telling the audience that MGR saved his life after the bomb blast and feel that Mannathi Mannan MGR is GOD.

A MGR devotee narrating the incident that happened to her for taking cinema ticket for Mattukara Velan. Needless to say many persons shed their tears.

MGR Devotee Kalaivanan who constructed MGR temple in Nathamedu.

Professor and Aeronautical HOD Ilangovan, M Tech Gold medalist, telling Gopinath how MGR helped the people of Danushkodi aftermath of the super cyclone. And also pointed out that those days MGR fans very termed as illiterate people and he wished to change it.

During the end they showed rare black and white video clippings some are given below it has MGR returning to Tamil Nadu after receiving Bharath Award, MGR in the Assembly, MGR with press reporters, MGR with NTR, MGR with the then President of India Gyani Zail Singh etc.

To know more about Mannathi Mannan MGR Video, click the below image.

Due to demand and more comments in youtube Vijay TV (view count to this day 58,023) again telecasted with small change on January 26th.

V.S.Raghavan

Sri MGR Year 98, 24th January, Saturday

Veteran Tamil film actor V.S.Raghavan aged 90, passed away today in a private hospital. Fondly remembered as one of the great character artist of Tamil movie who possessed unique dialogue delivery and mannerism breathed his last today. We srimgr.com team expresses their heartfelt condolences to his family and may his soul rest in peace.

The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MGR, presenting the Devar Award in a cinema function to V.S.Raghavan.

V.S.Raghavan first appeared with our Puratchi Thalaivar movie in Olivilakku as a Police Officer. Later he was cast again as a Police Officer in Engal Thangam. His notable roles with MGR are, foster Father in Sangay Muzhangu, again foster father in Nalai Namathey, Villain in Pallandu Vazhga, strict and disciplined father in Neethiku Thalaivanangu, as Father-in-law in Urimaikural, police informer in Sirithu Vazha Vendum, as a trusted Minister in Maduraiyai Meeta Sundarapandian and a small role but aids to lift MGR image in Uzhaikum Karangal.

During 1970s period V.S.Raghavan has acted in most of Thalaivar movies. In October 2014 in an interview to Indian Express he quotes “Once, I was part of almost every MGR film”.

First time in srimgr.com download of video clips.

Click here to download the interview of V.S.Raghavan.

April In January

Sri MGR Year 98, 22nd January, Thursday

One of my friend purchased a new mobile phone on checking the software's installed I happened to see Box TV. After logging into Box TV, I found our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR movie listed along with other language movies.

As a pleasant surprise the movie list showed Sri Murugan (1946) an image of our Thalaivar dancing with Malathy. I clicked the link quickly and found the below image.

It showed the synopsis of the movie Sri Murugan and it is given below.

Sri Murugan

Tamil | Drama | 2:15:16

Director : M.Somasundaram

Description : Bangalore based stage and screen star Honnappa Bhagavathar replaced M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, the first superstar of South Indian Cinema in Sri Murugan of 1946. Sri Murugan is the beautiful God who is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the brother of Ganesha, the elephant God. Lord Murugan has many names. Subramanium, Karthikeyan, Skandan, Saravanan etc.

MGR fans very well know that this movie negative has been lost due to fire accident. And MGR tried for the print when he was the Chief Minister. In this Sri Murugan movie MGR acted as Lord Shiva and did a good performance which gave an opportunity for him to act as a Hero in the next movie Rajakumari.

On seeing the synopsis I clicked the play button with great enthusiasm, my mind was thinking how to capture the movie and how to show this to our fellow MGR followers, the link continued to show an ad after the ad the titles were in Malayalam language, showing in black and white, Merryland Trivandrum presents Sri Murugan. From the letters I guessed it is Gemini Ganesan how come Gemini Ganesan played a role with MGR, I thought maybe as it is rare movie people should have not known the fact, watched the title fully and the scene continued to show Gemini Ganesan entering the frame in Lord Shiva costume and his physique looked like from a 70s movie.

Came to know that this is a Malayalam movie Sree Murugan and not the Tamil version that MGR had acted. Now you can understand why I gave the title April In January how they had fooled us by showing the MGR image for a Malayalam movie. Checked with youtube and found it is a colour movie.

Happy Birthday

Sri MGR Year 98, 17th January, Saturday

Today is our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR’s 98th birthday. As usual most of the TV channels telecasted (or telecasting) MGR movies and songs.

Below is image file from Daily Thanthi digital edition showing MGR movie timings.

The movies that are telecasted:

Channel Name	Movie Name	Time
Jaya TV	Vivasahi	10 am
Raj TV	Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban	10 am
Raj TV	Adimai Penn	1.30 pm
Raj TV	Mattukara Velan	9 pm
Raj Digital Plus	Nalla Neram	10 am
Raj Digital Plus	Kudieruntha Kovil	3.30 pm
Raj Digital Plus	Ragasiya Police 115	8 pm
Vasanth TV	Vivasahi	2 pm

And the ad given by Government of Tamil Nadu.

Golden Jubilee Enga Veetu Pillai

Sri MGR Year 97, 14th January, Wednesday

  

Today 14.1.2015 is the Golden Jubilee year of Vijaya Vauhini productions and our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR super duper hit movie “Enga Veetu Pillai”. Released on Pongal day in 1965 had a mammoth collection and created unparallel records.

The movie crossed silver jubilee in 7 theatres all over Tamil Nadu. The list of theatres which had 175 days run are:

1.Casino – Chennai (210 days)

2.Broadway – Chennai (176 days)

3.Mekala – Chennai (176 days)

4.Central – Madurai (176 days)

5.Royal – Coimbatore (190 days)

6.Jupiter – Trichy (236 days)

7.Yagappa – Thanjavur (176 days)

Cast and Character

Artist Name	Character Name
MGR	Ramu & Elango
Sarojadevi	Leela
Rathna	Santha
Pandari Bai	Susila
M.N.Nambiyar	Gajendran
Thangavel	Malaiappan
Nagesh	Govindan
Ranga Rao	Ranganathan

Story:

Zamindar of Poonjolai had twin sons and a daughter, but one of his son was kidnapped and lost as a child and he grows up as Elango (MGR) in a village. Unfortunately the zamindar wife dies and he re-marries to look after his children. His daughter Susila (Pandaribai) and the son Ramu (MGR) grow up in the estate. Susila marries Gajendran (Nambiyar) the brother of Zamindar’s second wife after zamindar’s death Gajendran takes up the charge of the estate and treats all others as his slaves. Ramu is ill treated and grows up as a coward often whipped by Gajendran as a punishment.

As per the Will written by the Zamindar when his son Ramu reaches adulthood the whole property will be attained by him and if he dies prematurely the property will be donated to poor. As Gajendran knows the verses in the Will, he tries to amaze as much money as possible.

In the mean time a suitable bride was selected for Ramu, but the bride Leela (Sarojadevi) wants to meet Ramu in person. Arrangement is made for the meeting but it goes all wrong as Gajendran dominates the scene. Gajendran tells his plans to his sister which Ramu over hears and escapes from the Zamin.

Kumari Pennin Ullathilae song scene.

At the same time Elango who was locked by his mother escapes from his house and reaches the town. Both Ramu and Elango crosses over unknowingly. Elango helps Leela in getting her purse from a burglar she mistakes Elango as Ramu and takes him to her house. Ranganathan (Rangarao) informs Gajendran that Ramu is staying with them. Gajendran takes Elango to his house, there Elango understands who is Ramu and what has happened to him. He also feels pity for Ramu’s sister and her daughter and continues to act as Ramu.

The famous pose of MGR for the song “Naan Aanai Ittal”.

Ramu fells unconsious and is saved by Santha (Rathna) she takes him to Elango’s house. In the Zamin Gajendran asks Elango to sign the documents so as to transfer the property to his name. For which Elango refuse to sign, Gajendran tries to harm Elango but he returns the whipping to Gajendran this time.

Elango takes charge of the house and the business. He asks Govindan (Nagesh) to search and find out Ramu. One day Santha takes Ramu to her house and her Grand Mother who is mentally distrubed by her loss of daughter (MGR’s mother) and grandson understands that Ramu is her grandson at this point Ramu does not know about this fact.

Ranganathan happened to see Ramu and Santha together and informs this to his daughter Leela and his men brings Santha to their house. They all misunderstands that Ramu and Elango are the same person.

While inspecting the Mill, Elango orders his workers to take the injured to the hospital and Gajendran comes in between, Gajendran feels he is humiliated in front of the workers he now beats Susila and Elango stops his act. Gajendran takes his daughter and sister with him to a separate house. Susila feels bad that his brother has done wrong by fighting with Gajendran. She asks Elango to apologize, Elango goes to Gajendran but he is not willing to return.

Then Elango writes a letter stating that he is not Ramu the letter reaches Gajendran and he orders his men to grab Elango. Elango returns to Leela and tells her everything and she takes him to Santha where the mystery gets solved that Elango and Ramu are twin brothers. Unfortunately  Gajendran’s men holds Ramu thinking that he is Elango.

Now Elango returns to the Mill and saves Ramu from the clutches of Gajendran, after seeing both the twins Gajendran changes his mind. Ramu marries Santha and Elango marries Leela. The story ends in a happy note.

Songs: The movie has six scintillating songs, penned by Vali and Alangudi Somu, music by the duo Viswanathan and Ramamurthy.

1. Kangalum Kavadi – song for Vijayalakshmi and others (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)

2. Kumari Pennin – duet song for MGR and Saroja Devi (lyrics – Vali)

3. Naan Aanai Ittal – the prophetic and philosophical song of MGR (lyrics – Vali)

4. Penn Ponal – duet song for MGR and Saroja Devi (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)

5. Naan Manthoppil – duet song for MGR and Rathna (lyrics – Vali)

6. Malaruku Thendral – sad song for Saroja Devi and Rathna (lyrics by Alangudi Somu)

Character of Ramu and Elango in the next post.

Re Release Ithayakani 6

Sri MGR Year 97, 8th January, Thursday

Nearly one month back Sathya Movies and our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR starrer Ithayakani was re-released in Mahalakshmi theatre and we had already uploaded many images and video clippings of the movie. Below is the final video clipping from Ithayakani.

 

Mala (Radha Saluja) is introduced to M.G.Red (MGR) by Raja Sulochana as R.S.Manohar watches over.

Part of the crowd who came to watch Ithayakani movie (taken during the movie interval)

As we all know that the print and as well as the projection was not good the clipping had to be adjusted for brightness which further killed the quality of the video clipping.

 

Boat chasing scene and our Puratchi Thalaivar drawing two guns from his sleeves.

The duration of the video clip is 7 minutes. It features Thengai Srinivasan introducing our MGR as M.G.Red to Raja Sulochana, you can feel the excitement when Thengai Srinivasan talks about the qualities of MGR. 

Above image during the climax scene of Ithayakani.

After the introduction, the song “Thotta Idam Yellam” follows, MGR fans became ecstatic by the dance movements of MGR. See the video below.

Re cap for Ithayakani movie experience in Mahalakshmi theatre please click the link below.

Part 1

 

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

2015

Sri MGR Year 97, 1st January, Thursday

We srimgr.com team wishes all the blog readers, MGR fans and devotees a very happy and prosperous New Year 2015.

2015 is the Golden Jubilee year for MGR movies released in 1965. The movies list is given below.

No.	Name of the Movie	Date Of Release	Character Name
1	Enga Veetu Pillai (Colour)	14.01.1965	Ramu & Elango
2	Panam Padaithavan	27.03.1965	Raja
3	Ayirathil Oruvan (Colour)	09.07.1965	Manimaran
4	Kalangarai Vilakkam	28.08.1965	Ravi
5	Kanni Thai	10.09.1965	Saravanan
6	Thazhampoo	23.10.1965	Durai
7	Asai Mugam	10.12.1965	Manohar & Vajravelu

Enga Veetu Pillai : Released in the Pongal day turned to be highest grossing movie of 1965, our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR acted in two roles one as daring Ramu and another as coward Elango. Produced by Vijaya studios, directed by Chanakya and the mesmerizing music by Viswanathan & Ramamurthy. Crossed 175 days in 7 theatres, a record unparallel.

Enga Veetu Pillai famous song “Naan Aanai Ittal”.

Panam Padaithavan : MGR as an athlete, with a different story line, directed and produced by T.R.Ramanna, music by Viswanathan and Ramamurthy, the movie had a decent run.

Ayirathil Oruvan : One of the greatest movie of our God MGR, Ayirathil Oruvan produced and directed by B.R.Panthalu, first time working with MGR. The movie enjoyed a great run and released again in 2014 with Di format had 190 days run making this another silver jubilee movie for MGR record.

Above image is from the Ayirathil Oruvan restored version. The most famous dialog uttered by our Puratchi Thalaivar on screen.

Kalangarai Vilakkam : Black and white movie with heroine having split personality. Had a decent run on the first release. Memorable songs and music, produced by Saravana films Velumani and directed by K.Shankar.

“Naan Katru Vanga” song shooting still from the movie Kalangarai Vilakkam.

Kanni Thai : Devar films low budget movie with MGR and Jayalalitha paired for the second time released in 1965 had a decent run, directed by M.A.Thirumugam, produced by M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar and music by K.V.Mahadevan.

Thazhampoo : Another black and white movie, MGR’s leading lady K.R.Vijaya. MGR saving his brother from a murder case is the core of the movie. Produced by Bala Murugan films, music by K.V.Mahadevan, directed by N.S.Ramadoss the movie was released during Deepavali.

Thazhampoo movie song book (courtesy Professor Selvakumar)

Asai Mugam ad

Asai Mugam : Produced by P.L.Mohanram, Mohan production Black and White movie Asai Mugam was released in December 1965. Music by S.M.Subbaiah Naidu, directed by P.Pullaiah, Saroja Devi is the leading lady. The story is a science fiction of changing the face of villain to become hero MGR. Later this same story become a Hollywood movie Face/off.