Page 8 - NIS English January 16-31,2023

Personality Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran

MGR: SUPERSTAR

OF TAMIL FILMS

AND POLITICS

Born: 17 January 1917, Died:

24 December 1987

Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran who is affectionately called MGR was a Bharat Ratna awardee.
Soon after he began his film career he started to rule the hearts of the people. And when he
started his political inning he became a popular mass leader. He took sincere efforts to provide a
respectable life to the poor and dedicated his whole life for the welfare of the poor. He also worked
hard for various noble causes including health care, education and women empowerment…

enowned Indian actor, film producer Along with being an effective administrator, he
and politician MG Ramachandran's fans always gave top priority to social justice and
Rremember him by the name of MGR. He was empowerment. He introduced nutritious mid-
born on 17 January 1917 in Kandy, British Ceylon day meal scheme for school children. He is
(now Sri Lanka). From the very beginning, he was remembered affectionately even today because
very fond of acting. This is the reason that he for his initiatives for the empowerment and
started learning acting in his school. He made his education of the underprivileged and especially
acting debut in 1936 as a supporting artist in the women irrespective of caste, religion and sect.
film 'Sati Lilavati', and then started playing leading MGR died on 24 December 1987 while
roles in films from 1940. serving as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Superstar of Tamil films, MGR acted in more After his death, in 1988, the Government of India
than 100 films in three decades. His one of the posthumously awarded him the highest civilian
movies’ title was 'Nalai Namdhe' which means award, the Bharat Ratna. The Central Government
'Tomorrow is ours'. When he entered politics is constantly making efforts to fulfill the ideals of
from cinema, this name of his film appeared to Bharat Ratna MGR. In his honour a few years ago,
turn into reality. MGR started his political career the country renamed the Chennai Central Railway
with the Congress party. He later joined Dravida Station after MGR.
Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and rose rapidly to Commemorative coins of Rs 100 and Rs 5
the top position. In 1972, he left the DMK and then were released on the birth centenary of MGR.
formed his own party the All India Anna Dravida Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said on MGR's
Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). His charismatic 105th birth anniversary in the year 2022, “I am
personality and service to the underprivileged remembering Bharat Ratna MGR on his birth
endeared him so much that he served as the Chief anniversary. He is admired by all as an effective
Minister of Tamil Nadu for three consecutive administrator who gave high priority to social
terms from 1977 to 1987.. justice and empowerment. His schemes brought
MGR successfully implemented many welfare a positive change in the lives of poor people. His
schemes in Tamil Nadu as Chief Minister. cinematic talent is also highly appreciated."

6 New India Samachar January 16-31, 2023