After Lockdown

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 16th December, Wednesday

Seven months after Lockdown theatres opened to the public and producer of the Digitized version of our Puratchi Thalaivar starter Ayirathil Oruvan was re-released in several theatres.

Mr.Chockalingam had forwarded the message to me nearly three weeks back. Below are the theatres.

From 27th November 2020.

(1) Rathna - Nellai

(2) Cleopatra - Tuticorin

(3)Geethalaya - Sankaran Kovil

(4)Lakhsmi - Sathankulam

(5)Tips - Alankulam

(6) Senthil - Kattuputhur

இன்று முதல் (27th Nov) 1.நெல்லை ரத்னா 2.தூத்துக்குடி கிளியோபாட்ரா 3. சங்கரன்கோவில் கீத்யாலயா, 4.. சாத்தான்குளம் லட்சுமி, 5ஆலங்குளம் டிப்ஸ், 6, காட்டுப்புத்தூர் செந்தில் குதூகல ஆரம்பம்.

Phillumeny

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 26th November, Thursday

Phillumeny is the hobby of collecting matchboxes, matchbooks, match covers, and labels. In India we mostly use matchbox. In 1980s movies we can see matchbooks one such appears in Superman III the character Gus Gormon (Richard Pryor) after been rejected for paycheques that were given to unemployed people, to lit a cigarette he borrows a matchbook from a stranger (image given below)

Coming back to Phillumeny a person who collects such items is called Phillumenist. From Facebook Indian Phillumenists page, I got one matchbox cover showing,

Yes, the name MGR is printed in DMK party colour with the election symbol "Rising Sun". Below are the lines printed along with MGR and the election symbol, Safety matches, special quality, Selvam Match Industries, Unjampatti.

MGR's Request

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 2nd November, Monday

When browsing through the old collection I found out this scan from 1967. A request made by the then Puratchi Nadigar MGR to the electorate before the 1967 Tamil Nadu General Elections.

Published on 17th February 1967 in Samaneedhi, a couple of lines altered the fate and the end of  Congress rule in Tamil Nadu forever. 

Grand Pencil Sketch

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 7th October, Wednesday

MGR fan brothers S.Kalai Mani and S.Thiruvalluvar have a great artistic talent. Recently S.Kalai Mani have published lot of vector drawing done using Adobe illustrator. One of his post carried a grand pencil sketch of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR movies done by S.Kalai Mani's brother S.Thiruvalluvar. 

Click the above image.

The sketch shows 132 movies of MGR right from Sathi Leelavathi to Nallathai Nadu Ketkum. The colour movies are sketched in colour. Painstaking work done by S.Thiruvalluvar, I appreciate this memorable and mammoth work of the artist, fan and also a devotee of MGR.

The actual words written by S.Kalai Mani is given below from his Facebook page.

"புரட்சி தலைவரின் தீவிர ரசிகனும் ,அவரின் உண்மையான பக்தனும், என் உடன் பிறந்த அண்ணன் திரு எஸ் . திருவள்ளுவர் அவர்கள் புரட்சி தலைவரின் நூற்றண்டில் அவற்கு தன் இதய பூர்வமான அர்பணிப்பாக அவர் நடித்த 132 திரைப்படங்களில் இருந்தும் (முதல் படமான "சதிலீலாவதி" முதல் கடைசி படமான "நல்லதை நாடு கேட்க்கும்" படம் வரை ) அணைத்து படங்களையும் , pencil sketch இல் வள்ளுரான அவர் (திருவள்ளுவர்) தலைவரின் திருமுகத்தை வரைந்து சாதனை செய்து உள்ளார் , அவர் நடித்த கருப்புவெள்ளை படத்தை கருப்புவெள்ளையிலும் , வண்ணப்படத்தை வண்ணத்திலும் pencil sketch லே வரைந்து இருக்கிறார். தீவிர புரட்சி தலைவரின் தீவிர ரசிகனக இருந்த என்னை ஒரு பக்குவப்பட்ட (ஓரளவு ) ரசிகனக உருவாக்கியதும் என் அண்ணன் திரு எஸ் . திருவள்ளுவர் தான், அவரின் உடன் பிறந்த தம்பி நான் என்பதை கூறிகொள்வதில் என்றும் நான் பெருமை படுகிறேன் !"

Thanks Kalai Mani sir for giving me an opportunity to publish this wonderful artwork in MGR blog.

Picture That Speaks - 2

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 1st October, Thursday

Below are some of the collections from Bangalore Vinod sir.

Collections from March 1958 and July 1959.

April 1950 edition and January 1952. Maruthanattu Ilavarasi was released on 2nd April 1950 and Kumari was released on April 11th, 1952.

Two movies Andaman Kaithi and MGR's blockbuster hit Marmayogi.

Pesum carried the cover page of Nadodi Mannan in March 1958 and May 1958. Lalithangi movie information seen in the 1956 cover of Pesum Padam August 1956 issue.  The movie was not finished.

Picture That Speaks

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 8th September, Tuesday

Bangalore Vinod sir have shared some of the interesting cover of Pesum Padam. I selected some having a good resolution and about our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR.

Interesting cover page of Pesum Padam. Showing MGR in one and without the hero in another. Ill wretched attitude clearly visualized. 

I liked handsome MGR posing in front of the plane.

Devar films Thozhilali, October 1964 edition.

Artist representation of MGR, Jayalalitha and the villains of the movie from Nam Nadu is a visual feast.

All these are from the collections of S.Vinod, "Pesum Padam" as time matures the picture speaks.

Manimaran In Malaysia 2020

 Sri MGR Year 103rd, 28th August, Friday

From the words of Yukesh Babu "One & Only Box Office emperor of world cinema thalaivar created another milestone in his career after lockdown Aayirathil Oruvan Tamil cinema only re-released".

 

 

 Bangalore Vinod

மலேசியா நாட்டில் பல அரங்குகளில் மக்கள் திலகம் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் 27/08/20 முதல் தினசரி ஒரு காட்சியில் வெளியீடு .

2014ல் சென்னையில் டிஜிட்டல் வடிவில் வெளியாகி ஆல்பட் காப்ளக்சில் 190 நாட்களும் சத்யம் காம்ப்ளக்சில் 161 நாட்களும் ஓடி மகத்தான சாதனை புரிந்த மக்கள் திலகம் எம்.ஜி.ஆரின் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன்  வெற்றி பயணம் தமிழகத்தில் தொடர்ந்து கொரோனா நோய் தாக்கம் தீவிரம் அடையும் வரை தொடர்ந்தது.

தற்போது மலேசியா நாட்டில் இதுவரை வெளிவராத அளவில் பழைய படங்களின் மறு வெளியீட்டில்மக்கள் திலகம் எம்.ஜி.ஆர். ரசிகர்களின் வேண்டுகோளுக்கு இணங்க   LFS  திரையரங்குகளில்  டிஜிட்டல் வடிவில் மக்கள் திலகம் எம்.ஜி.ஆரின் ஆயிரத்தில் ஒருவன் கீழ்கண்ட 11 அரங்குகளில் வரும் வியாழன் முதல் (27/08/20) தினசரி இரவு காட்சியில் மட்டும் (இரவு 8.30 மணி காட்சி) வெற்றி பயணத்தை தொடர உள்ளது.

THEATER                       CITY
LFS STATE CINEMAA  - PJ
LFS COLISEUM -            KL
LFS SERI INTAN -          KILANG
LFS CAPITOL   -             SELAYAANG
LFS PLAZA METRO -    KAJANG
LFS TASEK CENTRAL  -  JB
LFS SKUDAI PARADE    -JB
LFS SERI KINTA -            IPOH
LFS BUTTERWORTH
LFS SITIAWAN
LFS SUN RAWANG
 

Thanks Loganathan sir.

 

MGR Fan from Malaysia Mr.Muthu Retinam sir attire as Manimaran from the movie "Ayirathil Oruvan'.

 Click the Video Link: 

Muthu Retinam Video

New Kindle E-Book மக்கள் திலகத்தின் திரைப்பட பட்டியல்

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 27th July, Monday

I have been writing a 200 page new Tamil book on our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. I have already published 6 books through Amazon Direct Publishing. Of that two are in Tamil. 

The book cover for "Makkal Thilagathin Thiraipada Patiyal"

I had a doubt about the font support in Kindle and I came to know that my Tamil font no more supported in their publication. I have to rework the whole manuscript from the start. I just published a small book on the list of MGR movies with date wise titled "Makkal Thilagathin Thiraipada Patiyal" or "மக்கள் திலகத்தின் திரைப்பட பட்டியல்". I won't recommend downloading this book as there is very less information. 

Vandhiyathevan - Ponniyin Selvan Part 1

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 27th July, Monday

Vandhiyathevan - Ponniyin Selvan Part 1 is an animated feature Saneeshwar Animations International, the project is based on the story Ponniiyin Selvan, written by Kalki.

We have already uploaded the animation feature in January 2020 post. The above are some of the screen grabs from the video. Concentrating on the sceneries and long shots to show the grandeur of Thanjavur in the 10th century. 

The street view and lush green fields. 

Below are some of the backgrounds from the video, simply superb work by the animators.

From their page, I came to know that the movie will be released in 2020. Eagerly waiting for the release and any subsequent videos if they post. 

Dheiva Thaai - 1964

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 17th July, Friday

Tomorrow (18.07.2020) is the 56th year of release of MGR's super hit movie "Dheiva Thaai". 

Below article was written by Randor Guy and published in The Hindu dated 2nd April 2016. 

One of the biggest hit of 1964, Dheiva Thaai was based on a story idea by Hindu filmmaker Nanabhai Bhatt. The film revolves around MGR, who portrays the role of a CID officer, Maran (this role was inspired by 1960s James Bond film, Dr No). His widowed mother (Pandari Bai) undergoes many problems and sacrifices her married life in order to keep a secret. Maran, meanwhile, is working hard, to hunt down a notorious criminal called Baba. It turns out that the criminal he is searching for is, in fact, his own father Karunakaran (S. A. Asokan). His father, previously an inveterate gambler, has taken on the name Baba under various circumstances and becomes a crook. Baba is also not aware that the officer searching for him is indeed his son, with whom he has lost touch for years. Maran’s mother also does not reveal the secret. It is only in the climax that Maran comes to know the real identity of Baba, and that he is his father. Nambiar portrays the role of a criminal associate of Baba. Comic relief is provided by Nagesh, who plays the role of a talentless musician, trying to teach the art to his students, and also helps the hero in getting information on wanted criminals. The film is loaded heavily with ‘mother sentiment’. Saroja Devi plays the hero’s lover. The screenplay was written by R. M. Veerappan and T. N. Balu, and the dialogue was by a newcomer, destined to create history in Indian cinema: K. Balachander. Music for this film was composed by Viswanathan-Ramamurthi, with many songs becoming hits. Popular numbers include ‘Moondrezhuthil en moochirukkum’ (T. M. Soundararajan), ‘Indha punnagai Enna vilai’ (TMS and P. Susheela), ‘Vannakkili’ (TMS and P. Susheela), ‘Oru pennai paarthu’ (TMS) and ‘Kaathalikkathey’ (P. Susheela). Lyrics were by Vaali and Aalangudi Somu.

Interestingly, Joseph Krishna, later the associate of Viswanathan-Ramamurthi in composing, worked as a choreographer-assistant in this film. MGR excelled in his portrayal as the affectionate son and sincere CID officer. Equally impressive was Pandari Bai as the sacrificing mother. S. V. Sahasranamam, noted stage and film star and also producer, plays the senior police officer who takes care of the suffering mother.

Remembered for: The melodious music of Viswanathan-Ramamurthi, impressive performances from MGR, Pandari Bai, and Saroja Devi, and Nagesh for his comedy.

Movies In The Year 2020

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 17th July, Friday

Due to Coronavirus pandemic, the theatres in Tamil Nadu were closed from 17th March onwards. During March 2nd week our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR starrer Ragasiya Police 115 was released in digital format in many theatres all over Tamil Nadu. 

List of MGR Movies Released in Chennai Theatres:

No.	Date	Theatre Name	Shows per day	Movie Name	No. of Days
01	15.01.2020	Agasthya	3	Nam Nadu (Digital)	10
02	17.01.2020	Balaji	4	Nalai Namathey	7
03	17.01.2020	Sri Iyappa	3	Kudi Iruntha Koil	7
04	24.01.2020	Balaji	4	Vivasayi	7
05	31.01.2020	Saravana	4	Nam Nadu (Digital)	7
06	07.02.2020	Ambika	4	Nam Nadu (Digital)	7
07	07.022020	Sri Iyappa	3	Sangay Muzhangu	7
08	14.02.2020	Sri Iyappa	3	Kalangarai Vilakkam	7
09	21.02.2020	Balaji	2	Uzhaikum Karangal	7
10	23.02.2020	MSM	2	Nam Nadu (Digital)	5
11	28.02.2020	Sri Iyappa	3	Netru Indru Nalai	7
12	06.03.2020	Sri Iyappa	3	Pallandu Vazhga	7
13	13.03.2020	Sri Iyappa	3	Vikramadityan	4
14	13.03.2020	Albert Palazzo Agasthya Velachery Lux T.Nagar AGS Kasi Gopikrishna Batcha & others	2/3/4	Ragasiya Police 115	4

MGR Devotee Venkat has compiled a list of MGR movies released in Chennai during the first three months of this year. Below artwork is done by him.

Biopic Bharat Ratna The MGR Phenomenon

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 10th July, Friday

A rare documentary of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR is uploaded in the youtube. MGR fans have shared the link in the group.

From Indian Imprints Channel - Youtube.

The documentary was produced by Krishnaswamy Associates in the year 1984 and the final bit was added in 1987 for the completion.

"Marudur Gopalamenon Ramachandran, or MGR as he was widely known, was a unique phenomenon in Indian politics. Idolized by his followers as a "Puratchi Thalaivar" (revolutionary leader), MGR was a prominent film star who parlayed his popularity with the masses into a successful second career as a politician".

MGR Fans Helping Hands

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 19th June, Friday

One of MGR Fans Postal Babu has informed me about the helping hands of MGR fans during the ongoing pandemic. 

On 15th June, they gave Kabasura Kudineer and mask to the people. Below are the words sent in by Postal Babu.

அனைத்துலக எம் ஜி ஆர் திரைப்பட திறனாய்வு சங்கம் மற்றும் மக்கள் திலகம் விலையில்லா மாத இதழ் மற்றும் அனைத்துலக எம்ஜிஆர் பொதுநலம் சங்கம் சார்பாக இன்று சென்னை வடபழனியில் உள்ள ஹோட்டல் சரவண பவன் அருகில் பொதுமக்களுக்கு கபசுரக் குடிநீர் முககவசம் மாஸ்க் மற்றும் ஊட்டச்சத்து சுண்டல் வழங்கப்பட்டது. 

Further, he has given a video which I was not able to upload in our Blog.

All TV Channels

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 6th June, Saturday

For a couple of days, there was some shouting going on in the media that more of their actor's movies were telecasted other than our Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. In the lockdown period, number one hero movies telecasted is MGR. 

We MGR fans feel pathetic for their condition. All these days MGR movies were telecasted in several channels unknown to them. This is not first for us, this is a continuation. Due to Covid19 lockdown most of them are now glued to the TV screen and able to count their movies that were telecasted. We again say before lockdown too they were regularly telecasting MGR movies. 

Below is the list of MGR movies telecasted during the first lockdown period. The list was compiled by Bangalore Vinod. 

From 20.3.2020 to 20.4.2020

Sunlife

Murasu

Jaya

Mega

Vasanth TV channels.

MGR's 62 MOVIES TELECASTED

1. Adimaipenn

2. Namnadu

3. Mattukkaravelan

4. En Annan

5. Thedi vantha mappillai

6. Engal thangam

7. Kumarikottam.

8. Rikshakaran

9. Neerum neruppum.

10.Oru thai makkal.

11.Sange muzhanku.

12.Nalla neram

13.Raman thediya seethai

14.Naan yen PIRANTHEN.

15.Idhaya veenai

16.Ulagam sutrum valiban

17.Pattikattu ponniah

18.Urimai kural

19.Ninaiththai mudippavan

20.Naalai namadhe.

21.Idhayakani

22.Pallandu VAZHGA.

23.Neethikku thalai vananku.

24.Uzhaikkum karangal

25.Oorukku uzhaippavan.

26.Navarathinam.

27.Kadhal vaganam

28.Kanavan

29.Puthiya bhoomi

30.Kannan en kadhalan

31.Ther tiruvizha

32.Kudiyiruntha koil

33.Ragasiya police 115

34.Vivasayi

35.Kavalkaran

36.Arasakattalai

37.Thaikku thalaimagan

38.Petralthan pillaya

39.Thanipiravi

40.Chandrothayam

41. Mugarasi

42. Naan anayittal

43.Anbe vaa

44.Enga veettu pillai

45.Ayirathil oruvan

46. Kalangarai vilakkam

47. Kannithai

48. Thazhampoo

49. Thayin madiyil

50. Padakoti

51.Thozhilali

52.Deiva thai

53.Panakkara kudumbam

54.Vettaikaran

55.Dharmam thalai kakkum

56.Periya idathu penn

57.Neethikku pinpasam

58.Thayaikathathanayan

59.Tirudathe

60.Thai solla thattathe

61. NALLAVAN VAZHVAN

62.Kulebagavali

Plus 7 movies

Aanantha jothi

Koduthu vaithaval

Vikkiramathithan

Mannadhi mannan

Alibabavum 40 tirudargalum

Nadodimannan

Mahadevi 

Total 70 shows 

MGR has acted in 115 movies in the lead role imagining if he had acted over 200 + films?

Little Time

Sri MGR Year 103rd, 15th May, Friday

In the WhatsApp group, Bangalore Vinod sir have uploaded one duet song from our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar starrer "Sirithu Vazha Vendum". 

In that particular duet, MGR and his pair Latha have used 8 different costumes. See the images above. As the video quality is poor the image is not that much eye candy. 

It is difficult to enjoy all the nuances of the song in one view. The music composition, the set, the lyrics and the lovely pair which we have to watch again to again, an audiovisual extravaganza.