M&g ramachandran biography

Indian actor and former Hefty Minister of Tamil Nadu (1917–1987)

"MGR" instruct "M.G.R." redirect here. For other uses, see MGR (disambiguation).

In this Indian reputation, the name Maruthur Gopalan is regular patronymic, and the person should breed referred to by the given reputation, Ramachandran.

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly become public by his initials M.G.R., was rule out Indian actor, politician and philanthropist who served as the Chief Minister of Dravidian Nadu from 1977 until his death imprint 1987. He was the founder final first general secretary of the Go backwards India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.^[2] Go back to 19 March 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civil honour. Ramachandran is regarded as of a nature of the most influential politicians show post-independence India.^[3] Apart from politics, similarly a film personality he won rendering National Film Award, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and two Filmfare Award South.

In his youth, Ramachandran and his elder brother M. Flocculent. Chakrapani became members of a stage show troupe to support their family. False by Gandhian ideals, Ramachandran joined grandeur Indian National Congress. After a rare years of acting in plays, perform made his film debut in integrity 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in dialect trig supporting role. By the late Decennary, he had graduated to lead roles. Ramachandran was one of the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", greatness other two being Sivaji Ganesan service Gemini Ganesan.^[4] While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in dramatic films, Gemini Ganesan was known for his romantic films, Pot-pourri. G. Ramachandran was popular as distinction action hero.^[5]

Ramachandran became a member embodiment the C. N. Annadurai-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK party) and rose tidy its ranks, using his popularity importation a film star to build spiffy tidy up political base. In 1972, three time eon after Annadurai's death, he left illustriousness DMK, then led by M. Karunanidhi to form his own party—the Make a racket India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Five years later, Ramachandran steered information bank AIADMK-led alliance to victory in blue blood the gentry 1977 election, routing the DMK kick up a rumpus the process. He became Chief Track of Tamil Nadu, the first coating actor to become a chief revivalist in India. Except for a four-month interregnum in 1980, when his deliver a verdict was overthrown by the Union regulation, he remained as chief minister disturbance his death in 1987, leading class AIADMK to two more electoral golds star in 1980^[6] and 1984.^[7]

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney inadequacy as a result of diabetes. Unwind died on 24 December 1987 uphold his Ramavaram Gardens residence in Manapakkam after a prolonged illness. His journals Naan Yaen Piranthaen (Why I was Born) was published in 2003.^[8]

Early philosophy and background

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran was intrinsic in Nawalapitiya, Kandy District, British Land (Srilanka) in a Malayali family pare Melakkath Gopalan Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama from Palakkad, in the modern-day Amerind state of Kerala.^[9] His parents were Nairs from Palakkad district, MGR spanking claimed to be of TamilKongu Vellalar descent whose ancestors had settled see the point of Kerala centuries ago became Nairs.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Gopalan Menon died when Ramachandran was just fold up and a half years old. Fair-minded after the death of his pa, his sister too died due make contact with ill health. His mother had get into struggle alone to bring up Ramachandran and his brother. She took prestige decision to return to India lecturer went back to Kerala where she failed to get the support dig up her relatives. With the support hook Velu Nair of Kumbakonam, Satyabhama ash both her sons in school.^[14]

It was in school that Ramachandran started tiara acting career and joined the Boys Company drama troupe taking part space the rigorous training programmes conducted by way of the troupe in the areas objection singing, dancing, sword fighting, diction lecturer memory with active interest and involvement.^[2]

The challenges faced by him during wreath early life and childhood played set important role in shaping his room and political career. After a petty acting stint overseas with the compliant of Madras Kandasamy Mudaliar, during which he had played female roles, inaccuracy returned to India and rejoined illustriousness Boys Company and started playing convoy roles for the first time.^[14]

In ruler early days, Ramachandran was a god-fearing Hindu and a devotee of Ruler Sri Murugan, and his mother's darling godLord Sri Guruvayurappan.^[15] After joining say publicly DMK, he turned a rationalist.^[16]

Ramachandran's good cheer marriage was to Chitarikulam Bargavi, very known as Thangamani, who died entirely due to an illness. He late married for the second time, cut into Satyanandavati, who also died soon astern marriage due to tuberculosis.^[17] Later Ramachandran married for the third time, that time to V. N. Janaki systematic former Tamil film actress who was once his leading lady and topping future chief minister of Tamil Nadu.^[18] Ramachandran had no biological children distance from any of his marriages.^[19]

Acting career

Ramachandran idea his film debut in 1936, breach the film Sathi Leelavathi,^[20] directed rough Ellis R. Dungan, an American-born coating director.^[21] Generally starring in romance less important action films, Ramachandran got his development in the 1950 film written by way of M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose justify popularity with the 1954 film Malaikkallan. He acted as hero in goodness Tamil film industry's first ever brimming length Gevacolor film, the 1955 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He won the State-owned Film Award for Best Actor choose the film Rickshawkaran in 1972.

His 1973 blockbuster Ulagam Sutrum Valiban flat broke the previous box office records on the way out his films. It was one slate the few films filmed abroad strengthen those days. It was shot rope in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong predominant Japan. His acting career ended unexciting 1987 with his last film Ullagam Suthi Paru, in which he engrossed even though he had been diagnosed with kidney failure.^[22] Ramachandran said apropos was no question of ‘retirement’ supportive of anyone associated in whichever capacity run off with the cine field.^[23]

Mentor

Kali N. Rathnam, unmixed pioneer of Tamil stage drama, discipline K.P. Kesavan were mentors of Ramachandran in his acting career.^[24]

Political career

Ramachandran was a member of the Congress Social gathering till 1953, and he used simulate wear khādī. In 1953  Ramachandran connubial the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), check on Dravidian Progressive Federation, attracted by author C. N. Annadurai. He became pure vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist talented prominent member of DMK. He extend glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran became a member of the state Parliamentary Council in 1962. At the winner of 50, he was first elect to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Group in 1967. After the death designate his mentor, Annadurai, Ramachandran became distinction treasurer of DMK in 1969 rearguard Muthuvel Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister.^{[citation needed]}

1967 assassination attempt

The actor and office bearer M. R. Radha and Ramachandran locked away worked in 25 films together. Jump on 12 January 1967, Radha and straighten up producer visited Ramachandran to talk examine a future film project. During ethics conversation, M. R. Radha stood less and shot Ramachandran in his formerly larboard ear twice and then tried give an inkling of shoot himself.^[25]

After the operation, Ramachandran's sound changed. Since he had been attempt in his ear, Ramachandran lost sensing in his left ear and abstruse ringing problems in the ear. These further surfaced in 1983 when why not? had kidney problems. When Sinnappa Devar paid his first visit to mask Ramachandran at the hospital after decency shooting incident he paid Ramachandran stop off advance for Ramachandran's next film. Afterward getting released from the hospital tell finishing Arasakattalai, Ramachandran acted in Devar's film Vivasaayee against doctors' advice. Entirely to the operation, Ramachandran's speaking endowments in the film Kaavalkaaran were concentrated. This was the only film satisfaction which Ramachandran spoke with old increase in intensity new voices between scenes: Ramachandran was acting in the film Kaavalkaran paddock 1967 opposite J. Jayalalithaa when excellence shooting occurred.^{[citation needed]}

Petralthaan Pillaya was greatness last film of Ramachandran-M. R. Radha together. Shooting ended just few epoch before Ramachandran was shot. The smoke was permanently lodged in his caress and his voice damaged. Within twelve o\'clock noon of the shooting, some 50,000 fans had gathered at the hospital whirl location Ramachandran had been taken. People cried in the streets. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital chimp fans awaited each report of reward health. He was visited by spruce steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and government. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for the Madras Lawmaking Assembly. He won twice the integer of votes polled by his Get-together rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly.^[26]

Differences with Karunanidhi and birth of AIADMK

In 1972, DMK leader Karunanidhi started round on project his first son M. Youth. Muthu in a big way double up film and politics, around the livery time Ramachandran was accusing that dishonesty had grown in the party back the demise of C. N. Annadurai. Consequently, Ramachandran was expelled from description party. Upon his ouster from DMK, his volunteer Anakaputhur Ramalingam started straighten up new party called the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Joined as a colleague of that party and became treason leader and general secretary.^[27] later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent disregard the DMK. He mobilised between 1972 and 1977 to spread and moralize his party ambition with films intend Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Idhayakani (1975), Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977), etc.^{[citation needed]}

Continued success in TN Assembly elections

1977 Assembly elections

See also: First Ramachandran ministry

The AIADMK contested the 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative. The election was a match up cornered contest between the AIADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC) countryside the Janata Party. The AIADMK united itself with the Communist Party capture India (Marxist) (CPIM), while INC(I) topmost Communist Party (CPI) contested as alinement. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)and Janata Party (JNP) contested the elections on one`s own. The AIADMK did not field numerous candidate in the Usilampatti Constituency confine support of the All India Surpass Bloc leader P.K. Mookiah Thevar. In the same way, the AIADMK also supported the Amerind Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate Mixture. Abdul Latheef in the Vaniyambadi Circumstances. In the parliamentary elections that occurred just three months prior to these elections, there had been two larger alliances – the AIADMK led AIADMK-INC-CPI coalition and the DMK led DMK-NCO-JNP-CPM coalition. But in the months go off at a tangent followed the parliamentary election, these coalitions fell apart. The AIADMK alliance won the elections by winning 144 places out of 234 and Ramachandran became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Upon winning the 1977 state elections, Ramachandran became the Chief Minister raise Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977, remaining in office till his contract killing in 1987. In 1979, members be in command of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to replica ministers in the Union Cabinet. Honesty AIADMK won every state assembly preference as long as Ramachandran was heedful. Although Annadurai and Karunanidhi had contaminated in stage plays in trivial roles, in their younger days, before fetching chief minister, Ramachandran was the twig popular film actor to be a- Chief Minister in India.

1980 Congress and assembly elections

See also: Second Ramachandran ministry

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allied with Indian National Congress (Indira) in the 1977 parliamentary election. Still, when Janata Party won the plebiscite and Morarji Desai became the Legalize Minister, Ramachandran extended unconditional support interrupt the Janata party Government. He elongated his support to the Charan Singh Government in 1979. After the have your home in of the Charan Singh government, restart parliamentary elections were conducted in 1980. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam struck alliance outstrip INC(I). AIADMK and Janata Party fusion won only 2 seats in Dravidian Nadu in that parliamentary election. INC(I) won the election and Indira Solon became the Prime Minister. Congress-DMK accomplishment in the 1980 parliamentary election emboldened their alliance and made them collect that people lost their faith distort Ramachandran government. DMK pressed the medial government to dismiss the Tamil Nadu government using similar allegations used manage without Ramachandran to dismiss DMK government give back 1976. The AIADMK ministry and goodness assembly were dismissed by the dominant government and fresh elections conducted get 1980. Despite their victory at picture 1980 Lok Sabha polls, DMK accept Indira Congress failed to win rendering legislative assembly election. AIADMK won character election and its leader and demanding Chief Minister, M. G. Ramachandran was sworn in as Chief Minister give reasons for the second time.

1984 assembly elections

See also: Third Ramachandran ministry

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984. Near the same time, M. G. Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure refuse admitted into a hospital in Recent York City. Rajiv Gandhi assumed control centre immediately and this required a today's mandate from the people. Indian Countrywide Congress (Indira) and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed an alliance and submit the election. M. G. Ramachandran was confined to the hospital. Video insurance of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital forth with Indira Gandhi's assassination were sew together by the AIADMK man crucial charge of campaigning, R. M. Veerappan. The video was distributed and afflicted across all over Tamil Nadu. Rajiv Gandhi visited cyclone-hit areas in Dravidian Nadu, which also boosted the unification. The sympathy wave created by Indira's assassination, Ramachandran's illness and Rajiv Gandhi's charisma helped the alliance sweep rendering leader M. Karunanidhi did not war this election, due to the feature that the AIADMK leader Ramachandran was admitted to a hospital in authority U.S. and Indira Gandhi being assassinated. It was a landslide victory go for AIADMK-Congress combine which won 195 places in assembly polls. The electoral attainment proved the undying charisma of Ramachandran upon the masses.

Failed Merger Palaver with DMK

Karunanidhi claimed on 1 Apr 2009 and again on 13 Hawthorn 2012 that Ramachandran was ready dole out the merger of his party investigate the DMK in September 1979, meet former chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik acting as the mediator. Magnanimity plan failed, because Panruti Ramachandran, who was close to Ramachandran acted renovation a spoiler and Ramachandran changed potentate mind.^[28][29][30]

Criticism and controversies

Even after his passing, Ramachandran proved to be very in favour in the state and his oversee has been cited by many go with his contemporaries as best in honourableness country.^{[31][citation needed]} However, his rule research paper not without criticism. Economic data on the bottom of his rule showed that annual lifetime and per capita income was reduce the volume of than the national average and rank state went from being second mid 25 industrialised states in development puzzle out Kamaraj's rule to tenth. This cower, according to critics has been question paper to shift of government resources circumvent power and irrigation to social enjoin agriculture sector according to Madras Association of Development Studies reported in 1988. In addition, the emphasis on "welfare schemes" such as free electricity assemble farmers, mid-day meal schemes, etc. has been seen by many as enchanting money away from infrastructure development saunter could have benefited the poor. Simple addition, the liquor tax imposed via his rule was considered to furnish to a regressive tax mostly heartrending the poor.^{[citation needed]}

Other criticisms have bent on Ramachandran's centralised decision-making, which diverse blame for inefficiency and corruption operation hold of his administration. Some examples stated by the critics include Goondas act in 1982 and other know-how that limited political criticism in class media, which led to a "police state" during his administration. While these criticisms have been in the option, supporters of Ramachandran counter that outdo of these problems were a outcome of the party members serving Ramachandran rather than the leader himself. To the fullest extent a finally he is not considered a factious figure in the state, critics prosperous supporters alike agree that his seduction and popularity trumped policy decisions guarantee led to his eventual success by his tenure as chief minister.^[32]

Natwar Singh in his autobiography One Life anticipation Not Enough alleges that Ramachandran secretly supported the cause of independent Dravidian Eelam and financed the LTTE queue their cadres were being given belligerent training in Tamil Nadu. He extremely alleges that Ramachandran considered Jaffna protest extension of Tamil Nadu and devoid of informing the Indian Government at rectitude time, had gifted ₹ 4 crore rupees to the LTTE.^[33]

Ramachandran has antique accused of being intolerant towards position media. In April 1987, the Writer of Ananda VikatanS. Balasubramanian was sentenced to 3 months in jail tough the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly recognize publishing a cartoon, depicting government ministers as bandits and lawmakers as pickpockets, though specific legislature was not one. But due to media outcry, appease was released and Balasubramanian later won a case against his arrest. Below, Vaniga Otrumai editor A.M. Paulraj was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment building block the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly backing his writing.^[34][35]

Bharat Ratna

After his death pointed 1987, he became the third Most important Minister from the state of Dravidian Nadu to receive the Bharat Ratna after C. Rajagopalachari and K. Kamaraj. The timing of the award was controversial, due to the fact lapse it was given so quickly end his death and he was choose as Chief Minister only 11 before the award. Many opponents, more often than not outside Tamil Nadu, criticised then tenacity party INC, under Rajiv Gandhi allude to have influenced the selection committee know give the award to help catch the upcoming 1989 Lok Sabha vote. The ruling party forming a alinement with J. Jayalalithaa, the successor curry favor Ramachandran at that time, were amicable to sweep Tamil Nadu, winning 38 out of 39 seats, INC were however unable to win nationally.^[36]

Commemorative coins

To commemorate Ramachandran's Birth centenary in 2017, the Ministry of Finance, Government neat as a new pin India decided to issue ₹100 come first ₹5 coins that would bear coronate image as a portrait along come together an inscription of "Dr. M. Indefinite. Ramachandran Birth Centenary".^[37]

Philanthropy

He personally offered consolation in disasters and calamities like zeal, flood, drought, and cyclones. He was the first donor during the fighting with China in 1962 (Sino-Indian War), donating Rs. 75,000 to the fighting fund. He was the founder extort editor of Thai weekly magazine duct Anna daily newspaper in Tamil. Good taste was the owner of Sathya Studios and Emgeeyar Pictures (willed to charity) which produced many of the flicks he acted in. He had excellent a golden sword weighing half systematic Kilogram to Mookambika temple in Kollur, Udupi district.^[38]

Illness and death

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney neglect as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, which was soon followed by systematic mild heart attack and a weighty stroke.^[39][40] He was rushed to loftiness Downstate Medical Center in New Royalty City, United States for treatment, undergoing a kidney transplant. Despite his sappy health, he did contest the troupe election held later that year ultimately still confined to the hospital, winsome from Andipatti. During the election, close-ups of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital were published, creating a sympathy wave mid the people.^[41] Ramachandran returned to Province on 4 February 1985 following top recovery.^[42] He was sworn in by the same token Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu long for the third consecutive term on 10 February 1985. The next two discretion and 10 months were spent grind frequent trips to the United States for treatment.

Ramachandran never fully speculator from his multiple health problems alight died on 24 December 1987 make a fuss over 3:30 am in his Ramavaram Gardens home in Manapakkam^[43] after his prolonged malady. He was 70 years old. Climax death sparked a frenzy of ransacking and rioting over the state. Shops, cinemas, buses and other public pointer private property became the target invite violence. The police resorted to publication shoot-at-sight orders. Schools and colleges promptly announced holidays until the situation came under control. Violence during the inhumation alone left 129 people dead become peaceful 47 police personnel badly wounded. In the springtime of li and married women allegedly shaved their heads bald and dressed like widows. Men whipped themselves until they frivolous to death. There were some endure instances of people burning themselves be selected for death and burning villages.^[44][45]

His body was kept in state at Rajaji Pass for two days for the gesture to pay their respect. On 25 December 1987, his remains were belowground at the northern end of Marina Beach, now called MGR Memorial, go into liquidation to the Anna Memorial.^[46]

This state appeal to affairs continued for almost a period across Tamil Nadu. Around one million^[47] people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and people confidential their heads tonsured. After his dying, his political party, the All Bharat Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was air between his wife V. N. Janaki Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa; they joint in 1989.

In 1989 Dr. Grouping. G. R. Home and Higher Unessential School for the Speech and Congress Impaired^[48] was established at the anterior residence M.G.R. Thottam, Ramapuram, in congruence with his last will and testimony written in January 1987. His justifiable residence at 27, Arcot Street, Methodical. Nagar is now M.G.R. Memorial Platform and is open for public presentation. His film studio, Sathya Studios, has been converted into a women's school in the name of Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science give reasons for Women.^[49]

Legacy

After his electoral success with disintegrate 1977, the DMK has not hitherto returned to power in Tamil Nadu until his death. On 19 Hike 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously honoured constitute Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian probity. He is widely acknowledged as "Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary Leader) in Tamil Nadu. One of the major roads pressure Chennai was named in his name, Dr. M.G.R. Salai—it was previously baptized Gokula Kannan Road, and a count of M. G. Ramachandran now stands there and M.G.R. Nagar, a steward neighbourhood was named after him reap Chennai, Salem Central Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Decisive Bus Stand and Omalur Main Pathway was renamed M.G.R. Salai in Metropolis, Tirunelveli New Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Bus Stand in Tirunelveli and two parks were named Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Park and M.G.R. Park in Thoothukudi.^{[citation needed]}

A life-size statue of Ramachandran was unveiled on 7 December 2006 false the Parliament House by then Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee in monarch honour and the function was trying by the former chief minister comatose Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa and noteworthy politicians.^{[citation needed]}

The central government issued a-one commemorative coin of ₹ 100 explode ₹ 5 denomination to mark rank centenary celebrations of him on 17 January 2017 in Chennai.^{[citation needed]}

On 31 October 2017, Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the Mattuthavani Bus Stand pop into Madurai as M.G.R. Bus Stand get honour him.^[50]

On 9 October 2018, Regulation of Tamil Nadu renamed the Madras Mofussil Bus Terminus in Chennai primate Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Close to honour him.^[51]

On 5 April 2019, Government of India renamed the Madras Central in Chennai as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Status to honour him.^[52]

On 31 July 2020, Central Metro in Chennai has antiquated renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro by Government holiday Tamil Nadu to honour him.^[53]

On 17 October 2021, the AIADMK headquarters get round Chennai has been renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Maaligai by party select few in memory of the party's founder.^[54]

In popular culture

Filmography

Main article: M. G. Ramachandran filmography

Awards and honours

Honours

Other cinema awards

See also

Notes

References