Kalangarai Vilakkam 50th Year

Sri MGR Year 98, 28th August, Friday

Kalangarai Vilakkam is a mystery thriller movie which was released on 28th August 1965, today 28.8.2015 is the Golden jubilee year. The movie was produced by  Saravana Films G.N.Velumani and directed by K.Shankar. Our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR acted as an advocate.

Cast and Characters:

MGR	Ravi protagonist of the film, lawyer by profession.
Sarojadevi	Neela, having split personality problem obsessed with Pallava history and fictional character Sivakami. Mallika, sister of Gowri, professional dancer.
V.Gopalakrishnan	Dr.Gopal from Mahabalipuram who treats Neela’s illness.
Nagesh & Veerappan	Vasu and Devan two guides from Mahabalipuram.
M.N.Nambiyar	Antagonist of the movie, Nagarajan, obsessed with money who also kills his own brother.
K.D.Santhanam	Rich person, Father of Neela and elder brother of Nagarajan.
G.Sakunthala	Gowri, Nagarajan’s lover and she has a sister named Mallika who looks like Neela.
Manorama	Mohini, who marries one of the Mahabalipuram guide.

Story:

Ravi (MGR) who is the top most lawyer and an artist, on his court holiday visits Mahabalipuram, there on the middle of the road he finds a girl, Neela (Sarojadevi) dancing. She goes up the Lighthouse and tries to commit suicide, Ravi holds her and finds that she is obsessed with Pallava history and fictional character Sivakami. Ravi says that he is King Narasimhavarman (the lover of Sivakami in the story Sivakamiyin Sambatham) she changes her mind, at the same time Dr.Gopal (V.Gopalakrishnan) friend of Ravi comes in search of Neela. They both take her to her home. Her father who is paralysed, thanks Ravi for his timely help, he also finds that Ravi’s father Chinnadurai is his old friend. Nagarajan (Nambiyar) his younger brother enters the scene and apologies for his negligence. Neela’s father explains that Neela who is a historical researcher on Pallava reign had a fall in the library then she had this problem (split personality disorder). Then he asks Ravi to stay with him until Neela gets treated.

The days roll by Dr.Gopal gets imported medicine for the treatment. Neela starts to show the sign of recovery. All of them feels happy except Nagarajan who has an eye over the estate of his brother. He visits his lover’s home, Gowri (G.Sakunthala) who begs  him to marry her and that she can lead a respectful life. Nagarajan promises that if his plans work well then he will amaze his brothers property after the death of his brother and his daughter. He ask Gowri’s help by sending her sister Mallika who looks like Neela. She hesitates first but later she accepts.

 

During new moon day Neela’s father gives his last will and testament to Ravi and ask him to go through, if he finds all the points are satisfactory to him, then register the Will. Ravi objects the points in the Will stating that he has blind faith over him. Neela’s father ask him to be the executor of the Will and estate and also marry Neela. He also asks to accompany Neela for a walk. Ravi takes her outside, the split personality arises when Neela hears a rhythmic tapping. Ravi comes to know that fact and tries his best to avoid.

Meanwhile Nagarajan messes with Ravi’s car and takes Neela with him. Instead going to her home, Nagarajan takes her to his secret place and she is held as captive. Now he replaces Neela with Mallika. He takes her to Neela’s house. Ravi suspects her. The next day when Mallika walks outside one of Nagarajan’s men mistakes her as Neela and tries to take her back. Ravi comes in time and thrashes the goons while fighting Mallika gets hurt in the back. The cut was deep and she is treated by Dr.Gopal.

 

After this incidence Dr.Gopal comes to know that Ravi is in love with Neela, and Ravi paints a portrait of Neela. Nagarajan ask Mallika to get the attention of Ravi and get him to the Lighthouse. She does what she was told after entering the lighthouse, Nagarajan men grabs her, at the same time Nagarajan on top of the lighthouse throws Neela down. When Ravi and Dr.Gopal reaches the lighthouse they witnesses the fall of Neela, Ravi grabs her while Dr.Gopal checks her pulse and pronounce that Neela has died from the fall.

Ravi and Dr.Gopal enters the room of Neela’s father for taking leave but they find that Neela’s father had swollen sleeping pills and had died. Nagarajan becomes the owner of the estate of the deceased. Dr.Gopal who is the best friend of Ravi tries his best to get Ravi back to normal life. He takes him to a dance programme with the of Bharathidasan songs. There they happen to meet Mallika who performs for the song “Sangay Muzhangu” They both feel that Neela is alive. In the makeup room Ravi peeks inside and sees that Mallika’s back has the scar from the fighting incident and tells this to Dr.Gopal.

 

Now Ravi plans to meet Mallika through Dr.Gopal, he tells Mallika that Ravi has fallen love with Neela who died from the fall from the lighthouse. She feels pity for Ravi and due course she falls in love with Ravi. Nagarajan comes to know about this love and Mallika wishing Ravi to marry, Nagarajan ask Mallika to invite him to the house, but he plans to kill Ravi through his henchmen. Ravi goes to meet Mallika but was confronted by Nagarajan men, he fights and gets hold of one of his men (Puthur Natarajan) who tells the whereabouts of Mallika.

Ravi sends Dr.Gopal again to ask Mallika for the marriage, she accepts and she marries Ravi without the knowledge of Nagarajan. Gowri asks one promise from Mallika that she will not reveal what has happened in Mahabalipuram.

On the first night Ravi while speaking with Mallika taps rhythmically to provoke her split personality but understands that she has no reaction for the tapping. Then Ravi makes a drama and then she says about her stay in Mahabalipuram. Ravi mentions this to Dr.Gopal and they make a plan that Ravi is mentally sick and will become good only when he goes back to Mahabalipuram. As planned Mallika visits her sister Gowri to get the permission to visit Mahabalipuram for the remedy of her husband, with hesitation she permits, but the news reaches Nagarajan who tries to stop her, Ravi and Nagarajan fights out and Nagarajan gets injured.

On reaching Mahabalipuram Ravi tries to get the answer from Mallika, she tells the truth to him but she does not know what happened after that. Ravi does not accept what she says, to prove her innocence, Mallika rushes to the lighthouse. At the same time Gowri comes there and reveals the full truth that Mallika has acted as Neela and Nagarajan killed Neela by pushing her from the lighthouse. Nagarajan enters the scene but Gowri swallows the poison takes her life, same time a dummy dressed as Mallika falls from the lighthouse which gives an impression to Nagarajan that Mallika also died, Nagarajan in villainous trance laughs and tells Ravi that he had killed not only Neela but also his own brother. He further mentions there is no evidence to prove him guilty as the two prime evidences Gowri and Mallika had died.

Ravi’s plan ends perfectly as Police and Magistrate who were hiding behind the rocks had recorded the whole truth as Nagarajan mentioned everything he had did. Police arrests Nagarajan and Mallika. The Court condemns him to death penalty and Mallika who had indirectly helped the murder gets 3 months prison sentence. After 3 months Ravi and Mallika gets united and they live happily ever after.

Songs:

1. Ennai Marathathen – solo song for Sarojadevi

2. Pon ezhil puthathu – duet song

3. Sangay Muzhangu – song for Sarojadevi

4. Naan Katru vanga – solo song for MGR

5. Enna Uravoo – solo song for MGR

6. Pallavan Pallavi – solo song for MGR

Duet song uploaded by Raj Video vision.

All the six mesmerizing songs and background music was composed by M.S.Viswanathan. Apart from Kannadasan and Vaali, Panchu Arunachalam who was working as an assistant to Kannadasan penned the song - Pon Ezhil puthathu.

In the duet song Pon Ezhil, MGR looks very charming his flattened stomach, broad shoulders, graceful look, bewitching smile even in black and white he captivates us. Imagine how his fans should have reacted when Sarojadevi watches the transformation of Ravi into Narasimhavarman, the camera begins to focus and show the mighty stance of Narasimhavarman on screen. For the couple of days I was watching this song again and again still my desire not fulfilled. Rightful to the lyric “pon” gold “ezhil” beauty.

MGR has done the Narasimhavarman character twice, once in Kanchi Thalaivan movie and secondly in Kalangarai Vilakkam. To my knowledge maybe he is the only one to do the character twice.

Click the above images for the clippings from Kalangarai Vilakkam.

Kalangarai Vilakkam had only one element taken from the movie Vertigo that is changing the person before the kill. All the other elements of the movie is entirely of script writer.

Some of the images are from The Hindu Tamil edition. Some images from MGR Devotees Bangalore S.Vinod and Venkat.

Golden Jubilee MGR Movies - II

Sri MGR Year 98, 22nd August, Saturday

Continuation to the post about MGR movies which celebrated 50 years and that have been published as a special post in srimgr.com

Earlier post include movies Nadodi Mannan (1958), Thirudathey (1961), Thai Sollai Thatathey (1961) and Thaiyai Katha Thanayan (1962).

The fifth of the series for the golden jubilee year is Panathottam a black and white movie, released in the year 1963. Director K.Shankar’s first venture with MGR.

Movie Name : Panathottam

Date of Release : 11.01.1963

Production : Saravana Films

Direction : K.Shankar

Click the below image for the post.

The sixth instalment to the 50 years celebration is none other than Mekala Pictures Kanchi Thalaivan. Our Puratchi Thalaivar took the incarnation of Narasimha Pallavan on screen. In the title MGR is shown as M.G.Ramachandran, M.L.C., for the first and last time. This movie is a treat for historical fans especially for Pallavan dynasty.

Movie Name : Kanchi Thalaivan

Date of Release : 26.10.1963

Production : Mekala Pictures

Direction : Kasilingam 

Click the above image to read the post.

 

The seventh of the series is Gowri Pictures Parisu, a crime thriller, directed by Yoganand. MGR as police officer investigates a grand theft in jewellery store who then undergoes in disguise and stays in the village as a researcher. One of the highlight of the movie is the climax scene, MGR outwits Nambiyar in a revolver fight.

Movie Name : Parisu

Date of Release : 15.11.1963

Production : Gowri Pictures

Direction : D.Yoganand

Click the above image to read the post.

 

The eighth part of the series that was covered for MGR movies celebrating golden jubilee is Vettaikaran, the box office success and the second highest grossing MGR movie in 1964. MGR cladded in tight fitting cowboy costume, faster drawing of gun from his belt and mesmerizing songs are highlight of the movie.

Movie Name : Vettaikaran

Date of Release : 14.01.1964

Production : Devar Films

Direction : M.A.Thirumugam

Click the below image to read the post.

 

The ninth movie that was published in srimgr.com for the series of Golden jubilee celebration is colour movie Padagotti. I have written the posts in two parts (still third part has to be written). Our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR as a fisherman who tries to unite two hamlets forms the story.

Movie Name : Padagotti

Date of Release : 03.11.1964

Production : Saravana Films

Direction : T.Prakashrao

Part Two Of the Post

Click the above image and the line below for the first part and second part of the posts respectively.

Will continue.

The Great Administrator: MGR

Sri MGR Year 98, 16th August, Sunday

Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR after assuming the office for the second time, within two months Tamil Nadu had to face problems created by naxalites. During one such incident a bomb blast killed three police men and three naxals, this incident made the Chief Minister MGR think over to neutralise the threat and initiated Operation Naxalite to totally eradicate the naxal problem and MGR gave carte blanche to the Police and the rest is history.

The happenings of the Operation Naxalite is remembered by MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan below is the article written by R.Govindaraj with the help of his father. Click the below image to enlarge.

More information:

(I) Abstract From the book Naxal Challenge: Causes, Linkages and Policy Options by P.V.Ramana, chapter on Approaches to the Naxalite movement by V.K.Padmanabhan

M.G.Ramachandran, the chief of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), held that ‘no government worth its name could allow a few misguided young men to take the law into their hands and commit lawlessness everywhere’. He launched Operation to wipe out the Naxalite groups in Tamil Nadu, concentrating on North Arcot and Dharmapuri districts.

The naxalite movement faced a plethora of difficulties in the state…. Along with all this, this extremist party’s unswerving belief in the cult of violence invited the wrath of state power…. There were three strategies available to the government to deal with the Naxalite movement: the Gandhian way of educating the Naxalites, the institutional way of blocking their financial and human resources, and suppressing and eliminating them by counter violence…..

 

(II) Excerpts And from the book MGR: The Man and The Myth authored by DGP Mohandas who was the masterminding the operation along with Walter Devaram.

Naxalite problem:

Naxalite (Communist Party – Marxist – Leninist) activities reached their peak in pockets of North Arcot and Dharmapuri districts in the mid 80’s. While an Inspector of police and two constables were escorting a known extremist in a jeep to Tiruppathur police station, the latter exploded a powerful bomb hidden in his loins killing all of them and destroying the jeep beyond recognition. MGR was quick to react, rushed to Vellore, accompanied by DGP, T.T.P.Abdulla and participated in the funeral of the slain police personnel. He gave a funeral oration which was soul-stirring. He promised to eradicate the naxalite menace in the area within a month. He gave encouragement to the police and local population. He put me in charge of master-minding “Operation Naxalite” with the then DIG (Vellore) Walter Devaram being put in charge of field operations. He finished the job in 20 days and there has been no naxalite activity in the area ever since…

A comparison with the present situation in Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar and Maharashtra (to name a few) where naxalites are whipping up riots and indulging in not only terrorist activity but also kidnapping high civil officials for ransom would justify the police action in Tamil Nadu in 1980 and the foresight of MGR in accurately analysing the shape of things to come, if such activities were not nipped in the bud.

Golden Jubilee MGR Movies

Sri MGR Year 98, 14th August, Friday

Below are some MGR movies that have celebrated Golden jubilee i.e. 50 years of first release and which have been published as a special post in our MGR blog from 2008 to till date.

The first I wrote about the golden jubilee celebration movie is Emgeeyar Pictures Nadodi Mannan. The movie was released on 22.08.1958 all over South India and it became a super hit and also the highest grosser movie of 1958.

Name of the movie : Nadodi Mannan

Date of Release : 22.08.1958

Production : Emgeeyar Pictures

Direction : MGR

Click the above image for the post

The second post published for the Golden jubilee celebration is social oriented first super hit movie Thirudathey, MGR retained his title ‘Vasool Chakaravarthi’ (Emperor of Box Office collection)

Movie Name : Thirudathey

Date of Release : 23.03.1961

Production : ALS Productions

Direction : P.Neelakandan

Click the above image for the post

The third post published in the series is Thai Sollai Thatathey, MGR as a CID, the movie was the second highest grosser of 1961.

Movie Name : Thai Sollai Thatathey

Date of Release : 07.11.1961

Production : Devar Films

Direction : M.A.Thirumugam

Click the above image for the post

The fourth of the series is Devar Films Thaiyaikatha Thanayan, a black and white movie with MGR as a hunter and the highest grosser movie of 1962.

Movie Name : Thaiyai Katha Thanayan

Date of Release : 13.04.1962

Production : Devar Films

Direction : M.A.Thirumugam

Click the above image for the post

Will continue.

A Shrine In Seven Acres

Sri MGR Year 98, 10th August, Monday

Officially two shrines were dedicated to our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR one is in Nathamedu, Thirunindravur near Chennai and another in Taiping, Malaysia. The shrine in Malaysia is constructed in seven acres by MGR Narpani Illam. MGR devotee R.J.Damodaran manages the temple.

Click the above Dinamalar issue to enlarge

Last year Dinamalar had published an article written by K.P.Ramakrishnan’s son R.Govindaraj, titled MGR Temple in Seven acres, issue dated 6th April 2014, Vellore edition. Information regarding construction of the temple, locality and who lighted the lamp for the first day etc.

The four sides of the temple having four images of our God MGR.

A close up view of MGR idol in the temple.

The New York Times

Sri MGR Year 98, 6th August, Thursday

One of MGR devotee S.A.Alagarsamy, couple of days back forwarded one article from the New York Times. The article is titled “The star power of Jayalalitha”, though it is about the aftermath of acquittal of Jayalalitha, two paragraphs were about our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR.

The contents about our Thalaivar, is not worthy to be published as I give one example for the reason. We know how MGR smiles in the movie it is a captivating smile for many and bewitching smile for some but the author has written “In the movies, M.G.R. was a swashbuckler: fencing with the dastardly, rescuing the innocent, dancing, romancing, laughing madly”. From this single line we can weigh the article.

But the photos published along with the article are worth for sharing. As some of the images are in high resolution and also rare.

 

An Evening With MGR’s Bodyguard

Sri MGR Year 98, 1st August, Saturday

For the past one week Chennai city is having dual climate like our Puratchi Thalaivar dual action movies. In the morning it is hot and humid in the evening it is breezy and rainy. One of these days I had a chance to visit and meet MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan. He is now 86 years old still active and healthy.

K.P.Ramakrishnan the bodyguard of our beloved Leader MGR

His son R.Govindaraj took me to his private room, a large portrait of our MGR took half of the space, he introduced me, the very first word K.P.Ramakrishnan sir said is MGR and he blessed me for my work.

Photo taken in his private room behind him is the large portrait, I am standing with him, a proud moment for me and to cherish forever

K.P.Ramakrishnan sir talked about his close association with our Puratchi Thalaivar from the 1950s. He had worked nearly in all his movies as one of the stunt men or a character role or as MGR double when MGR is facing the camera and if the shot is not masked.

He also said that our Puratchi Thalaivar suffered lot of hindrances while touring Tamil Nadu from 1953 to 1977. The five bodyguards looked at our Thalaivar well being. 

 

To the left KPR and his son Govindaraj, to the right KPR and MGR Devotee Venkat

The talk went to movie he told MGR took utmost care while shooting fight scenes. He always double checks the stunt performance before going for the take, sometimes he has to do home work, one such scene is the walking scene in Neerum Nerupum movie.

K.P.Ramakrishnan mentioned one incident in the movie Ninaithathai Mudipavan, involving knee pad, the production assistant had given 150 rupees worth foreign knee pad for MGR and 25 rupees knee pad to Ramakrishnan, before take MGR asked to show the knee pad he is wearing, with little hesitation he showed, MGR became angry and asked them to provide same kind of costly and protective knee pad to Ramakrishnan and then only he will go for the take. The scene had lot of diving and sliding the knee pad is vital for that scene there are also chances that the knee will be injured during such scenes. Ramakrishnan sir eyes glistened when he told this incident, MGR cared so much for co actors.

The famous skating scene from the movie Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban

I asked about Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban climax scene he said MGR planned a very different climax scene having fight in a mirror room, but he changed it to skating sequence. Ramakrishnan sir said he and Asokan daily practised skating, in the movie MGR did 99% of the stunt.

During action scenes involving jumping or falling from a balcony MGR will come up to the balcony for checking and asks the stunt director about the precautionary measures for that stunt. If he feels something will go wrong he will break the shots into two, one before fall from balcony another hitting the floor in this way he reduces the chances of accident.

I thank K.P.Ramakrishnan Sir and his son R.Govindaraj for allowing me to take an interview and publish this in our MGR blog.