Thursday, December 25, 2014
Marudhur Gopalan Ramachandran ( 17 January 1917 - 24 December 1987), popularly known by his initials MGR, was an Indian Tamil film actor who worked primarily in Tamil films as an actor, director, producer, and politician who also served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu successively for three terms.[2]
In his youth, MGR and his elder brother, M. G. Chakrapani, became members of a drama troupe to support their family. Influenced by Gandhian ideals, MGR joined the Indian National Congress. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. In the late 1940s he graduated to leading roles and for the next three decades dominated the Tamil film industry.[3] He became a member of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly through its ranks. He successfully used his popularity as a film hero to build a large political base. In 1972, he left the DMK to form his own party the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK). In 1977 he became the chief minister of Tamil Nadu – the first film actor in India to become the chief minister of a state. He remained as chief minister till his death in 1987.
MGR was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, Sri Lanka,[4] to Melakkath Gopala Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama.[5] Melakkath Gopala Menon was staying in Vadavannur, in Palakkad District, Kerala before he was excommunicated in 1903, regarding an allegation that dealt with an illicit relationship with a widowed namboothri woman;[6] he left his family and married Maruthur Satyabhama.[7]
In his early days, MGR was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Murugan, and his mother's favorite god guruvayoorappan.[8] Later, when he joined the DMK, a pro-rationalist party, he followed the rationalist ideology, though not appearing very aggressively atheistic. In later days after he founded his own party following his expulsion from the DMK, he seems to have shown some leaning towards religious faith. He had asked his followers to pray for the success of his AIADMK party.[9]
His followers prayed for him when it was determined that he had a kidney illness.[10] After his demise, his wife opened up a temple in his name.
After his father's death, he joined a drama company called "Madurai Original Boys company". Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, director, producer, and editor. MGR married chitarikulam Bargavi also known as Thangamani who died early due to illness. He later married Sathanandavathhi who died soon due to tuberculosis.[11] M.G.R. married V. N. Janaki a former Tamil film actress.[12] Janaki divorced her husband, Ganapati Bhatt, to marry MGR.
