Sri Bala Murugan Films Thazhampoo movie was released on 23rd October 1965. This 23rd is the Golden jubilee year. Thazhampoo is a black and white movie, which had a 50 days run.
MGR character name is Durairajan, but only called as Durai in the entire movie. K.R.Vijaya is the heroine, Nambiyar and M.R.Radha were the movie villains. Story is by Kottarakara, screenplay by G.Balasubramaniam and dialogs by Aroordass. Music is composed by K.V.Mahadevan and lyrics by Kannadasan, Vali, Alangudi Somu and Trichy Thiyagarajan.
The real graduation scene of MGR is merged with the background, the above image is created using photoshop.
As part of the work for 50th year of Thazhampoo movie release, I happened to see a screen shot showing list of theatres surprisingly most of the movies shown are of 1965. Some movie titles are clearly visibly they are:
Vizhupuram Vijaya – Vazhkaipadagu
Vizhupuram Seetharam – Enga Veetu Pillai
Arcot Jothi – Enga Veetu Pillai
Kanchipuram Raja – Thaiyum Magalum
Kanchipuram Murugan – Yanaipagan
Aarani National – Enga Veetu Pillai
Ambur (Theatre name not legible) – Chakravarthi Thirumagal
Some theatres name illegible but movie names are clear, Poojaiku vantha malar, Vennira Aadai and Panchavarnakili.
Click the above image to enlarge.
Veteran actress Manorama passed away yesterday at the age of 78. She has acted with our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR in many movies such as Vettaikaran, Thanipiravi, Padagotti, Kanchi Thalaivan, Ther Thiruvizha, Vivasahi, Kalangarai Vilakkam, Thazhampoo, Engal Thangam, Chandrodhayam and Neerum Nerupum etc.,
She has the distinction to have acted with five Chief Ministers, with Peraringnar Anna and Karunanidhi in drama, MGR, Jayalalitha and N.T.Ramarao in films.
Her memorable movies with MGR which had occupied screen space with him are less, they are as an quarrelling wife of Nagesh in Chandrodhayam, fisherwoman in Padagotti and as a spy of Narasimha Pallavan in Kanchi Thalaivan.
We srimgr.com team prays for her soul to rest in peace.
We all know that our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR showed the kindness, gentleness and warmth to fellow humans. There are lot of incidences that we can publish about this unique trait of our MGR.
Click the above image to enlarge
The word Humanitarian is synonymous to MGR, above is an article from a Tamil evening daily, Makkal Kural issue dated 23.12.2012 which narrates MGR’s kindness to a wounded DMK volunteer. If any unfortunate events occur the present leaders turns as mere witnesses or in other words they just sit and watch.
The article is forwarded by R.Govindaraj (his father K.P.Ramakrishnan, one of MGR’s bodyguard) to share in our MGR blog.
Couple of years back we have been witnessing mimicry shows from Vijay TV and other TV channels, in the name of mimicry they make fun of yesteryear actors, that also includes our beloved Leader Purtachi Thalaivar MGR. The comedy in that comedy programme is that the most talented mimicry artist can only re create the post 1967 voice of MGR. Nobody so far re created the original voice of pre 1967 MGR. If they had so much talent why can’t they reproduce pre 1967 voice of MGR?
MGR devotees and fans protested against such shows, recently MGR devotees condemned it in person by visiting the TV channel and gave a letter to the administration. On acceptance the admins told that hereafter they will be careful in the show. But later the mocking continued.
R.Govindaraj, son of K.P.Ramakrishnan (one of MGR’s bodyguard) has written an article regarding this in Puthiya Paravai, Tamil magazine, issue dated 15.12.2010. He had given an instance of how MGR reacted when his own brother’s son (M.G.Chakrapani’s son) M.G.C.Balu mimicked Chidambaram S.Jayaraman voice for one of MGR’s song from Urimaikural movie. Below is the article.
In the earlier post we had given a detailed account on how our beloved Leader MGR faced the challenge of implementing the Nutritious meal scheme and how he succeeded, this episode will give you the exhaustive information about the first election victory.
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The Post I have published here is been published as a Book. Publication date of the book will be conveyed soon.
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Like in MGR movie Nallavan Vazhvan, (when the result was announced without knowing who had won, M.R.Radha and his men start to celebrate) the members of Syndicate Congress in Madurai by 11 am, announced that they are leading by 9,000 votes and started to celebrate by bursting crackers. When the announcement came their celebration stopped below is the newspaper cut.
Sorry for the inconvenience.
The Post I have published here is been published as a Book. Publication date of the book will be conveyed soon.
Thanks for visiting my site.
Aftermath of ADMK first victory will be dealt in separate post.
Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR followed the footsteps of his mentor Peraringnar Anna who had faith in ‘one caste and one God’. Likewise MGR believed in his mother. He said that his mother is his God.
MGR is not superstitious many occasions in his life established this fact. Below are some of the incidents which are major turning points in MGR’s life, that will show he was not superstitious.
Incident one: Nadodi Mannan the first directorial venture and production for MGR and for Emgeeyar Pictures was launched in Vauhini studios in Raghu kalam. His well-wishers asked him to select an auspicious time for the start of the shooting which Puratchi Thalaivar MGR retorted, my mother will sustain me for my success, I will not care for other thing. The movie turned out to the highest grosser of the year 1958.
Incident Two : For filing of nomination for the Madurai West constituency in 1980 general election, against his well wishers MGR filed in Raghu kalam. As we all know that the 1980 election is a critical part in MGR life. As his rule was dismissed on February 1980 and election was announced to be conducted on June 1980. As he believed in his mother, she guarded him and made him victorious, MGR regained his position as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
MGR followed what he preached in his movies. There are numerous instances from his movies which showed his preachings against superstition. I will give two instances, one the scene in Olivilakku, MGR and Sowcar Janaki conversation, when MGR gives the idol of Murugan to her for worship. And another instance MGR asking his boss Asokan (he was poverty stricken at that time) to head the open ceremony of his new business, for which is co workers try to say that Asokan is not lucky, MGR answers to them and also to Asokan regarding unluckiness.
Below is the article written by R.Govindaraj as said by his father and one of MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan, which was published in Malai Murasu, Chennai edition dated 23rd December 2010.
We have already published an article on MGR’s patriotism said by MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan, written by R.Govindaraj. This is the continuation to that post, the article which was published in Dinamalar, Vellore Edition dated 26.1.2014.
Those days MGR was stamped as member of Dravidian party. The DMK party one great agenda is to split Tamil Nadu from India and to create a separate nation. And all of us know the fact that the agenda was later dropped by the DMK Party chief Peraringnar Anna.
Our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR was first person to respond for the speech given by the then Prime Minister of India Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru in radio, who asked to donate generously for the Indo China war. MGR announced that he will give 75,000 rupees and as an advance he gave 25,000 for the war effort. MGR gave that cheque to the then Chief Minister of the Tamil Nadu state Kamaraj, who acknowledged MGR’s generous donation and heartily praised MGR.
Second generous donation given by MGR for the war fund is for the Indo Pakistan war that happened in 1965. He donated 10,000 rupees to the Chief Minister of Karnataka, who had organized a ceremony for the war fund in Sivaji Nagar, Lal Bahadur Stadium.
MGR’s helping hand not only extended for war fund, but his hands also extended for help even for natural calamities, he generously donated sums of money. One such is the three southern states Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka suffered intense flooding in 1961, MGR gave his three days Madras collection of Sabash Maapillai movie to the three states. The amount collected is Rs.17,500. The amount was split and given, Rs.10,000 to Tamil Nadu, Rs.5,000 to Kerala and Rs.2,500 for Karnataka.
When MGR went for the shooting of Adimai Penn in the year 1968 in Rajasthan state of Jaipur he came to know the drought and donated Rs.50,000 to the Chief Minister of the state.
For more information click the above image to read.
MGR week in Plaza theatre was conducted for the Indo China War fund. Picture courtesy MGR Devotee Bangalore Vinod.
Devi Tamil magazine published an article written by MGR’s bodyguard K.P.Ramakrishnan on 20.1.2010 about MGR’s affection towards poor, common and poverty stricken people.
K.P.Ramakrishnan narrates the interesting incident involved by Nari Kuravar community visiting MGR’s home in Ramavaram gardens and how MGR showed his affection towards them.
The scanned image of the Devi magazine was shared to our MGR blog by R.Govindaraj.
Many MGR fans and devotees choose their cell/mobile number ending with 4777. Someone having a car will pay to get their car registered as 4777, some even wanted to get that number for their bank account.
The story behind 4777 is that our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR got elected as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the first time on 30th June 1977. He assumed office on 1st July 1977. Below is the first photo of MGR as the Chief Minister, snapped by Nagaraj Rao.
To the left is MGR garlanding his mentor before assuming the office of the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 1st July 1977, to the right MGR in the seat of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister
So then why 4777 is a divine number for MGR devotees and fans?
Puratchi Thalaivar MGR entered the Assembly proceedings on 4th July 1977 and all the elected legislative members took oath in Tamil Nadu Assembly on that day.
Puratchi Thalaivar taking oath in the Tamil Nadu State Legislative Assembly
Twenty years back I got a bus ticket ending with 4777 but I did not preserved it. Then whenever I get the ticket I use to check the ending number. Couple of months back when I logged on to our MGR blog I was the xxxx4778th person to view the page. Just one number less than 4777. Recently when I logged on to srimgr.com the page view counter showed xxxx4775, after some seconds I re logged on to and I was on the xxxx4777th page viewer. Below is the screen shot.
Click to enlarge the image. Felt something divine for me on seeing the number. Anyone having such an experience of getting the number 4777 please share with us by sending an email to replytomgr@live.in including the scanned image.
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
Raviprotagonist 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.
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.
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.
