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joe
26th April 2006, 07:20 AM
Thirumaran,
Thanks for the article. :)
I am in tears! :cry:

hi
26th April 2006, 01:40 PM
I bought the "Karnan" CD few weeks before...

His majestic voice, commanding presence and as a abandoned child... wow.. great performance :clap:

Shakthiprabha.
26th April 2006, 02:18 PM
TM,

ur article moved me to tears.


S S Rajendran was trying to wake him up but he was not supposed to. When he did, you should see the way he threw away the sheet and looked at the camera! It was like a lion getting up from his sleep.

The lion which woke up from his sleep, nearly 50 years ago, never slept after that; he was roaring ever since.

Lion he was !!!!

:( How unlucky I am, that I dont know him in persn.

S.Balaji
26th April 2006, 09:40 PM
Joe dear and Murali Srinivas

Can you enlighten us on why NT could not succeed in politics ?

Though I was also a part of those days, still I could not get a concrete answer to this ?
Its not the charisma factor which MG had he lacked ? I mean the mass appeal up to the nook and corner of every village ?

I know he was sidelined by Moopanar ( wonder why Moopanaar and Shivaji could not get along well ) and there were some dirty politicians from tamil nadu who always envied NT and never liked him ......

Infact NT had the highest regards from Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi as well...

Its really sad that NT , who was taken in by Perumthalaivar Kamaraj, was always negelected ( except that once he made it to Rajya sabha )

I know, when he floated the party, he had Major Sundarrajan and V.K.R. as support but they also deserted him over a period of time.....

THE WORST PART OF IT.... EVEN NT HIMSELF COULD NOT WIN IN THIRUVAYAARU ( a constituency he meticulously selected after careful analysis )

Moopanaar , for all his political skills and traits , could not get along well with Shivaji ... why ?

true, NT never projected himself like MG in movies ( champion of poor , vallal, koduthu sivandha karam etc ) but he was not a poor man to be neglected so cheaply in the hustings .......

I think his party - Thamizaga munnetra munnani stood in many constituencies and lost all !!

after this bitter experience, NT never went back to politics I understand .......

WHAT PROMPTED HIM TO LAUNCH A PARTY ? WHO WERE THE CULPRITS IN MISLEADING HIM TO DO SUCH AN ACT ?

The Tamil nadu congress also has its eternal internal politics with Kumari anandhan, Thangabalu, Moopanaar, Dindivanam ramamurthy , Maragatham chandrasekhar etc etc....... who were all instrumental in NT getting sidelined....

is the MG's success story , he took as inspiration ?

I know for sure, his family never liked this idea and chided him for having lost the elections besides losing hard earned money.....

I also wish to know one more thing..... Did NT spoke against MG in any election meetings ( while he was in congress )

Shakthiprabha.
26th April 2006, 10:21 PM
I had some known ppl who told me,

"shivaji was too plain and frank at heart and NUANCES, TRICKERY etc which is very much needed in politics was lacking in him. He was too true a man to be into politics" :roll:

ssanjinika
26th April 2006, 11:03 PM
TM,That article moved me to tears.WOW!!

Thirumaran
26th April 2006, 11:19 PM
I had some known ppl who told me,

"shivaji was too plain and frank at heart and NUANCES, TRICKERY etc which is very much needed in politics was lacking in him. He was too true a man to be into politics" :roll:

This is just a common statement made by many under certain circumstances like.
1. If they dont want enter into politics.
2. In favour of their favourites who could not succeed in politics.

That statement is just to favor their favourites.

S.Balaji
27th April 2006, 12:26 AM
One digression......

Probably Rajini also realised this harsh fact very late ( but never ) and withdrew himself from launching a political party........
though I was one of those disappointed, I feel his decision was wise ultimately............

However not all politicians were / are bad..... even Annadurai was a decent man ( no intentions to loot public money )but unfortunately he passed away before he could meet with electoral promises he made ....
Rani Annadurai was virtually left uncared by DMK and others . I understand JJ did something to her....

Digression ends......

m_23_bayarea
27th April 2006, 12:35 AM
This is just a common statement made by many under certain circumstances like.
1. If they dont want enter into politics.
2. In favour of their favourites who could not succeed in politics.
That statement is just to favor their favourites.



Exactly TM !!! :thumbsup:

It's very similar to this analogy ... Taken from http://www.businessballs.com/aesopsfables.htm

A hungry fox passed below a fine bunch of grapes hanging high from a vine. After trying in vain to jump and reach them he gave up, saying to himself as he walked off, "the grapes looked ripe, but I see now they are quite sour."

:oops: :oops: :oops:

PS: This does not apply to any one person ... I just reminded myself of this famous anectode when I read TM's post !!! :)

m_23_bayarea
27th April 2006, 12:37 AM
One digression......

Probably Rajini also realised this harsh fact very late ( but never ) and withdrew himself from launching a political party........
though I was one of those disappointed, I feel his decision was wise ultimately............

Digression ends......

<Digr>

Exactly ... I'm sure he did have political aspirations, otherwise why would he have talked abt all those things in his movies ... But then sooner or later, he just would have figured out it was not his thing, and backed off !!!! :oops: :cry: :oops:

Though I was worried at that time, now when I think abt it, he couldnt have been wiser than withdraw !!! :thumbsup:

<Digr>

Thirumaran
27th April 2006, 12:44 AM
One digression......

Probably Rajini also realised this harsh fact very late ( but never ) and withdrew himself from launching a political party........
though I was one of those disappointed, I feel his decision was wise ultimately............

Digression ends......

<Digr>

Exactly ... I'm sure he did have political aspirations, otherwise why would he have talked abt all those things in his movies ... But then sooner or later, he just would have figured out it was not his thing, and backed off !!!! :oops: :cry: :oops:

Though I was worried at that time, now when I think abt it, he couldnt have been wiser than withdraw !!! :thumbsup:

<Digr>

Let me also join in this dig.. :P

//Dig start

I actually wanted Rajini to join with Congress during 1996 and contest. They would have definetly won in my opinion. A best chance Rajini missed. Probably TN too. After that he did not had any chance later.
Atleast rajini would have taken steps in making either GK Moopanara or Chithambaram instead of supporting DMK that time.
Atleast we could have got some change instead of the routine DMK and ADMK rule.
This is my personal opinion.
// Dig end

ssanjinika
27th April 2006, 01:36 AM
DIGR CONT..
Following is my personal opinion..
Sivaji in politics..though the thespian did dabble in it,personally I think he was not suited for the role of a politician.His passion was acting and he was amazing in that.He was not a good politician.I dont even think he wanted to be one.Got probably tempted by the power.
Now Rajini..he could have made a good chief minister..but no by joining DMK or AIDMK..he should have joined congress as TM said.Now its too late..hes too embroiled with both JJ and thatha to be of any help to TN.
END DIGR

joe
27th April 2006, 07:11 AM
Balaji,
Thanks for raising an important question on NT's political unsucessful.

Initially NT was a great supporter of DK ,then DMK since he was very close with Periyar ,Anna and kalainjar..Whwn NT was very active in DMK ,MGR was a congressman ..NT invloved in many fund raising drama shows across the state ,which he did purely free for the party..He even went to streets to collect money for the party.At that time NT was given much importance in DMK and Anna had a special affection for NT.

Later MGR joined DMK.Both MGR and NT were in DMK ..periodically DMK gave more importance to MGR ..Few people waiting to ridiclue NT..They got a chance when NT went to Thiruppathi vengadachapathi temple together with B.R.Pandulu ,who forcefully brought him there..When NT return from Thiruppathi ,there was a huge hue and cry in DMK by his opposite side that sivaji went against DMK principle ,which is atheism .They pasted the posters "Thirupathi ganesa..govinda"..Sivaji was terribly upset and decided to quit DMK .Anna was very upset by the exit of DMK and said "Thampi! Engirunthaalum Vaazhga" (later kannadasan used this line as a stating of the song "Engirunthaalum vaazhga").

Unlike others ,NT a open minded ,he never refused that he beleive in GOD .There were many in DMK who used to go to temples ,but in secret .Even there was a talk that MGR used to go to Thai moogampigai kovil ,though he project him as a atheist.After NT quit from DMK ,he met Kamarajar ,who he had great respect and joined Congress.

After the emergency by Indira Ghandi,Congress split into 2 ,Original congress (kamaraj) and Indira congress ..NT was with kamaraj ,almost all congress leaders(Including Moopanar) now were with Indira..After Kamaraj ,Congress became one again under Indira ..Moopanar was against sivaji ,just because NT was a threat to his position in congress.

NT was not active like MGR in politics ..DMK used MGR to maximum extend and spread their propaganda ,but Congress leaders dodn't have that much talent to make use of NT equally ,since they themselves blaming DMK as 'Cinema Kadchi'.

NT has more equal if not more fans than MGR ..But NT fans like NT as an actor ,not as thalaivar ..But MGR fans consider MGR as their thalaivar as well ,since MGR mantram was well organised and a important part of DMK.NT fans were just his rasigars whereas MGR fans mostly his rasigars as well as his pakthargal.

NT invloved in many election campaign for congress .But he was not agressive and he never bad mouthed anybody personally ..He just campaign in the name of Kamaraj,Nehru Indira..Especially he never attacked MGR personally (Most of the time MGR had allainace with congress except few times).

After MGR passed away ,Few inexperienced Jaalras of NT forced him to start a party .He started 'Thamizhaga munnetra Munnani' and joined hands with ADMK (Janagi)..At that time DMK cadres are in full force ,since there was a clear chance to DMK after 13 years..They were ready to give their soul to make DMK come again .

NT was wrongly informed by his jaalras that he can win easily if he contest from his home area ,Thiruvaiyaaru ..During the election ,I have read in Junior Vikatan..They stated "In this election among 234 seats ,only one seat result is confirmed ..That is Thiruvaiyaru..sivaji is going to win ..The question is how much big margin"..these kind of informations made experienced DMK caders to try hard and finally NT was defeated by DMK candidate by 6000 votes ...In my personal opnion NT should have contested in nagercoil .I am not saying because nagercoil is my home town .But it is the truth ..Nagercoil is Nt's kottai even now ..In that election NT's party came second in nagercoil beating congress ,ADMK (JJ)..If sivaji contest there ,I am damn sure he would have no opponent,since irrespective of parties NT has that much respect in nagercoil ..The reason is when Kamarajar was contested in nagercoil ,NT came there for campaign for kamaraj and from the begining NT has crazy fans in nagercoil ,even now.

Apart from this ,Most of the NT fans didn't see him as their was not ready to vote for NT party(I was not eligible to vote then,is another matter) ,though I love him so much...NT has no eblity to show off as a political leader ..He never planned to boost his image and act infron of others ,off-screen.

NT's political failure is nothing to do with his fan following ..The DMK candidate who defeated NT at Thiruvaiyaaru released a statement after his victory "I myself a die-hard fan of Nadigar Thilagam .But I have no choice as a party man..I will be always NT fan"..This is the bottom line.

joe
27th April 2006, 09:17 AM
Thirumaran,
I agree that NT lacks leadership quality required for current plotical trend..A small request ,Pls don't compare NT with people like T.rajendar,Bagyaraj etc who failed in politics...We are taking NT is spl because He was equal to MGR in popularity and fan force..That is why we are analysing why NT was not succesful like MGR ..Nobody surprise about political failure of T.Rajendar,Bagyaraj,sarathkumar etc since they never had such a popularity NT had ..Infact JJ was no match with NT in popularity as a cinema artist..But in politics ,Planning and luck is very important ,in which NT failed in politics....NT couldn't even win a MLA seat ,whereas ramarajan won MP seat and Ratharavi won MLA seat..Does it mean Ramarajan and ratharavi has more popularity and support than NT among puplic..It purely depends on then situation and political climate.

Tamil nadu is a state ,defeated even Kamrajar and Anna in MLA election ..Kamarajar was able to became Congress president when there was a respect for sincearity and divine..If kamaraj enters politics now ,he may not be able to become even as a 'vatta seyalalar' since it needs cunningness and all bad aspects.

tacinema
27th April 2006, 10:23 AM
Thirumaran,

I do not admit what you said about Sivaji: "Basically i believe Shivaji lacked leadership qualities which is necessary for a politician". Tell me which politican in TN has got leadership qualities?

MGR was a shrewd person, but definitely not a leader. How do you define a leadership? For me, a leader is one who has some vision. MGR never had any vision, except to take up CM chair. According to history, Kamaraj had a great vision to make TN a model state; which he did. Anna/Karuna/MGR/JJ are nowhere near Kamaraj in doing something to the state. MGR used his popularity to achieve what he wanted. Analyze his CM period - TN restricted itself so low that neighboring states/cities, especially Bangalore boomed. In his rule of 12-15 years, there were only few noteworthy achievements: free meal scheme (extended from Kamaraj vision), common entrace exams and few more. With his unimaginable power, charisma and personality, MGR could have achieved a lot more, but he didn't. MGR, as he hailed from poor family, could have eliminated poverty to a good level, but he didn't. Thats why I said MGR was never a good leader. But I admit he was a better person comparison to other TN politicians. Just to give an example: I may say PVNarasimha Rao was a good leader, who opened our economy in the early 90s. A leader should have a vision like that, which benefit mass.

On the other hand, Sivaji was a great actor and he did best what he knew. Sivaji concentrated on doing different roles, even acting as a womaniser on screen was fine for him, which MGR never dared to touch. I read that when NT was the president of Madras Film association, he did a good work for the upliftment of the association. If Sivaji had won at least an MLA seat, I am sure he would have done a great deal of work to his constitutency. Because NT was good by heart. But TN people did not give him a chance. I wish he never entered politics and by doing so, he spoiled his image.

People like NT for what he is. Excellent actor and courageous to do different roles. On par with the best of the best in the world stage of acting.

Please do not bring NT as a politician, because it is so allergetic to his fans. Also, do not compare NT with other so called politicians like ramarajan, sschandran,etc. Because comparing NT with them is a SIN. Sivaji's fans just love him.

Regards

S.Balaji
27th April 2006, 12:57 PM
Two good and too good posts from Joe Anne and Tacinema.......
interesting facts ......excellent recap of the entire events ......thanks Joe dear........

However, i wish to add one on the difference between Kamaraj and MGR / Mukaa / others

Kamaraj became the CM when our country was just fresh from indepedence....and all the leaders were BASICALLY FREEDOM FIGHTERS WHO HAD ALL THE ENTHUSIASM AND URGE TO MAKE THE COUNTRY GET BACK ITS OLD PRIDE ....

MGR, Muka belong to the next generation of ACTUAL POLITICIANS ...incidentally Baktavatsalam followed Kamaraj for Congress

So I am not surprised with what Kamaraj contributed as he was one of those freedom fighters and someone with a pure heart to do something best for the country.......

Mukaa and MGR never had any great ambitions for the country's / state's welfare .....if you recollect the history, MGR even said once that INDIAN RAANUVATHAI KATHI MUNAYIL SANDHIPPEN !!
an outburst which came out of his youth !

Anna wanted an alternative force to get rid of Congress for various reasons ?? and he smartly created a team of yougsters like Mukaa , MGR etc and what happened was history......

Its really sad that NT could not make it in politics......... However he was a Rajyasabha member once .....but failed to contribute much ........

Ultimately, AS A TYPICAL ANOTHER HARDCORE NT FAN, EVEN I ALSO NEVER CONSIDERED HIM TO BE A POLITICIAN ....... FOR ME HE IS THE UNIVERSITY OF ACTING........

joe
27th April 2006, 01:04 PM
Thanks balaji!

Now you have clearly explained what I really wanted to..The first generation leaders after independence were really good people since they really came up high with their dedication and thirst for freedom..But now if somebody have that simplicity ,dedication and vision for country ,no party will consider him to make even as a counsler..This is the fact..Nowdays I can see only one leader in tamil nadu ,being a top leader of a party and still maintain his simplicity and clean hand ,that is Mr.Nalla kannu.

S.Balaji
27th April 2006, 01:14 PM
Joe

Nalla kannu is Nalla kannu as he comes from Communist party which is known tradionally for commonness and comradeship.....
you know even E.K. Nayanaar was another simple politician ....
I have heard a lot about V.P.Chinthan

Another interesting fact I wish to highlight......

While MGR will be projecting Anna as thenaaatu Gandhi etc ......

our NT will be portraying Kamarajar as Thenaatu Gandhi ( remember Barathamay en adimai song ) and also Thangangalay naalai thalaivargalay ( briefly touches ...palli chaalai thandhavan ezai thalaivanai dhinamum ennungal )

this trend continued for sometime

joe
27th April 2006, 01:24 PM
Balaji,
You are right.I beleive Anna also very nice person..We are unfortuante,his rule ended in 2 years..But surely kamaraj is greatest CM we had so far..He was called as 'Karuppu Ghandhi'.

Btw: I sent you a PM.Pls check.

S.Balaji
27th April 2006, 01:32 PM
Joe Anne

Unfortunately Anna passed away soon....else he would have done something for the poor atleast ....

beyond doubt, Kamarajar was the best ever CM .... after Lal Bahadur Shastri, he could have become PM but he didnt have enough push ( urge ) and he himself volunteered Indira Gandhi....

Thirumaran
27th April 2006, 05:06 PM
Joe,
I was going through my posts several times. But still i could not get where i made comparisions between NY and other mediocores(Bhakyaraj, TR, etc). In my post for any lines i did not mean like the way you thought. Could you please explain, where did i mention like that directly or indirectly.

Tacinema,
It was not me who brought the topic, NT as a politician. You also please check and let me know where i compared NT with TR, bhakya, etc.. Also i dont understand what is the point in comparing the roles MGR and Shivaji did in their cine careers regarding this.

Joe and tacinema,
I said my opinion that Shivaji lack leadership qualities. I thought of putting my views on this and why Shivaji could not succeed in politics, some other time. But here after i wont do that. For you guys people should keep on talking only good things abt NT. No one should give Negative comments on Shivaji and Shivaji's acting. You could not tolerate that.
For satisfying all die hard Shivaji fans, I am accepting the statement from SP that, Shivaji is too good a person to fit for politics.
I am taking off from this thread. If i could post positive things about Shivaji, i will definetly post.

Thanks,

joe
27th April 2006, 05:53 PM
I had some known ppl who told me,

"shivaji was too plain and frank at heart and NUANCES, TRICKERY etc which is very much needed in politics was lacking in him. He was too true a man to be into politics" :roll:

This is just a common statement made by many under certain circumstances like.
1. If they dont want enter into politics.
2. In favour of their favourites who could not succeed in politics.

That statement is just to favor their favourites.




Thirumaran,
These above generalised statements made me to explain..Here you are putting NT with all actors who were not succesful.

Anyway,I didn't took you wrong..I just took this as a oprtunity to explain the difference..Pls no hard feelings.

Thirumaran
27th April 2006, 06:53 PM
Thirumaran,
These above generalised statements made me to explain..Here you are putting NT with all actors who were not succesful.

Anyway,I didn't took you wrong..I just took this as a oprtunity to explain the difference..Pls no hard feelings.

Joe,
That was just a general statement on comments people give. You can see many, who does not show any interest in even reading political informartions. They will say a reason that they are too good even to understand politics. I dont favor that argument.

SP, being a great fan NT, in order to favour him made that statement which was not acceptable to me. Several others including me, sometimes will say certain things like this just in support of the persons we like.
However i was not thinking abt anyone else when i made that comments. just a common opinion.
I even went further explaining my comment saying, that a Too Good person like Kamaraj already succeeded in politics infavour of my comments and the view of SP was not right.

Anyhow,
No problem Joe. Though i was a bit disturbed before, it is gone now.
I wont do blunders like comparing a Sun with Tubelights.

:)

joe
27th April 2006, 07:02 PM
Thirumaran,
Thanks for your clarification..I too agreed great people like kamaraj suceed..and I discused that too.

Once again sorry if I hurt your feelings.

Thirumaran
27th April 2006, 07:07 PM
Is Nadigar Thilagam Marginalised? - Memorial issue blowing up

Village deities will get festivities once in a year. People will throng to the temple for 10 days. Cobwebs will be swept away. Renovations will take place. For 10 days the temple will be the happening place.

From the 11th day, the temple will be left alone. Cobwebs will once again find refuge here. In sun and rain, the village deity will be all alone. No one to care for.

Have the Tamils forgotten Nadigar Thilakam like the village deities? Particularly the Nadigar Sangam? Nadigar Sangam is once again in the eye of the storm when Pondichery government installed Sivaji's statute. "It is years since the Nadigar Sangam President Vijayakanth promised to build Sivaji's memorial. But no effort has been taken in that direction up to now," complains Sivaji fans with anger.




As the elections are approaching a political party is taking up the issue of Sivaji's memorial and criticizing Vijayakanth. Sivaji's elder son Ram Kumar has claimed that even without the financial help of Nadigar Sangam, the Memorial can be built.

What is the problem in building the Memorial for Sivaji. Who are the people creating the problem? When will it be done?

On behalf of the Nadigar Sangam a proposal was given to the Government requesting allocation of land for Sivaji's Memorial some months after his demise on July 21 2001. The Government accepted this proposal and announced the allocation of land of 0.65 acre in September 2002. The land lies opposite Sathya Studios.

After the allocation of land, the fans were hopeful that efforts will begin soon. But the Memorial work was lying untouched. Arguments followed?discussions took place.

It was reported that the land was lying on the way leading to the residences of Judges and Ministers. When this issue was raised in the Assembly, it was demanded that Nadigar Sangam should bear the cost of laying a diversion. Nadigar Sangam had also made the payment. The road issue was also resolved.

The work of building the Memorial was taken up. On May 22 last year, the land was consecrated on behalf of Nadigar Sangam. Speaking on that occasion Vijayakanth claimed that the Memorial work would be taken on hand and that it will be completed in four months.

This announcement is now years old. But not even one brick is in place at the Memorial. Why is this delay?



Sivaji fans openly accuse that Vijayakanth is a fan of M.G.R. and that he never liked Sivaji. That is the reason behind delaying the Memorial project.

When Vijayakanth assumed office, he was very involved in the Nadigar Sangam activities, which is not the case now. Since starting the political party his focus has turned to politics. He is not participating in discussions on important issues in the Sangam.

Though all the above may be true, Vijayakanth alone cannot be blamed for the delay in building the Sivaji Memorial. If only all the members of Nadigar Sangam were eager to build the Memorial, the likes and dislikes of the President of Nadigar Sangam is of no consequence. By now the Memorial would be standing.

The first reason was is that the dedication was missing among those who had love and respect for Sivaji in turning them into concrete action. The second reason, of course, is money. The fund required for that is yet to be collected by the Sangam. Even for that, there seems to be a solution. In this context, it is important to take notice of the interview given by Sivanji's elder son Ram Kumar.

"There are thousands of my father's fans all over the world who are waiting to donate funds to raise the Memorial. We are prepared to donate Rs.1 crore from our family for this project."

Raising the fund alone will not start the project. Because the complete plan for the Memorial is not in place. Many think that it was enough to build a memorial with a marble arch like those of Anna and M.G.R. memorials. But Sivaji family thinks that more than an arch, it was important that the Memorial should have more facilities for visitors.

Ram Kumar says "it should be thought of as a museum with a library, Sivaji photo gallery, space for display of memorabilia, awards and trophies."

He also says that both Rajini and Kamal have different take on how the Memorial should be.

Now that the Pondichery Government had established a statue for Sivaji, it has revived discussions on the Memorial project that was almost dumped sometime ago. A group is trying to take advantage by terming this as the failure of Vijayakanth.

But it is an insult to the great institution called Sivaji who served art until his last breath. Nadigar Thilagam has been treated like the village deities only to be remembered on the days of his birth and death. Every body is hoping that there will soon be a resolution to this issue.

Author - JBR..
Source - Cinesouth.

Not sure whether this was already posted. The article dated 22nd Feb 2006.

Murali Srinivas
27th April 2006, 07:49 PM
It was very nice and interesting to read so many different views on NT and his brand of politics. I think Joe had given a lucid description of things that happened early in NT’s political life, the circumstances that led to his ouster from DMK, his subsequent innings in Congress and the events that led to the formation of TMM etc. Let me put up some small corrections here and there and add what I all I know about his political career. Before entering let me get your permission to travel back in history to trace the political career of NT, which itself can be divided into 4 phases.
1. Period from 1954-1967
2. Period from 1967-1975
3. Period from 1975-1988
4. Period from 1988- 1993.

It will be lengthy and so I will divide my posts also. Sorry if somebody finds it boring.

I think the early periods say 1955- 1961, there was not much of political activity for NT. Only after this period, did NT involve himself actively in politics. Also TN was enjoying the golden period of Perunthalaivar’s rule during that time (1954-63). During that decade there were many things that were taking shape in TN, which were to play a major part in the destiny of TN in the later stage. DMK was formed in 1949 and started with its first gimmick that it will not contest elections. The General Elections of 1952 threw up a fractured verdict (for the first and last time till now). The State was then called the Madras Rajadhani, as it comprised of parts of Kerala, Karnataka & Andhra. The then Governor asked Rajaji to take up the CM’s post and form a coalition Govt.This was mainly done to prevent Communists from seizing power as they were considered anathema to Congress. Rajaji who was there as CM for 2 years had to make way for some one else because of Kula Kalvi Thittam, which he introduced. He advocated vocational training for students in addition to normal education. Though this was done to help find some occupation, it was branded as pro-Brahmin & anti – other castes. At this stage Congress had to choose another person to head the ministry. There were 2 contestants. One was Perunthalaivar and the other was C.Subramaniam. Rajaji pledged his support for CS, but ultimately PT won. The Gentleman he was, he took CS in his cabinet. PT who was not a member of assembly or council (MLC) contested a by-election from Kudiyatham and won. It was around this time that trouble started for NT in DMK. He had gone to Tirupathi and there were war cries in DMK about this. (Thirupathi Ganesa! Thirumbi Paar). It was widely known that MuKa was behind this and MGR was slowly being brought to the forefront. Unfortunately Kannadasan also joined this bandwagon and in his journal (I think it was Thendral) he published a still from Tenali Raman, which showed NT neck deep in sand about to be trampled by an elephant standing with his leg up. On seeing this NT got wild and when they met in the studio, NT & KD almost came to blows. NT quit the DMK and went over to Congress. But after this there was a lull.

In 1957, DMK decided to contest election and in their first encounter they won 15 seats, with Annadurai, MuKa & Nedu all won. MGR now firmly in DMK, released Nadodi Mannan in 1958 and the MGR pictures emblem itself showed two people with the DMK flag (the flag was subsequently changed to ADMK flag in U.S.V & later also in NM & AP, the three movies that were produced under MGR pictures banner). See this was the period that MGR consolidated and grew along with DMK and whoever became the fan of MGR also became attracted towards DMK and vice-versa. Whereas in the same period NT was concentrating only in cinema and he was having a purple patch. The Pa series, VPK, Uthama Puthiran all were happening at that time and so the fan base of NT was growing leaps and bounds, but unlike MGRs’, NTs’ fans were not politicized. That angle was not there. But NT a true nationalist to the core was taking up the roles of V.O.C etc to show where his heart belonged. Again 1962 elections came and still Congress won the elections comfortably, though DMK was able to increase its strength to 50. But Annadurai lost the election from Kanchi and this election also saw the first actor ever to become a MLA, when SSR was elected from Theni. MGR canvassed in this election for DMK and I think NT did for Congress, though I am not sure. NT’s active participation started after 1962 China war. The Government and the Congress party were caught napping when China invaded us. There were widespread protests and the film fraternity also contributed handsomely to the fund collection. Not satisfied with just stage shows and plays NT started Rathaa Thilagam and see, the banner itself was National Pictures. As you know RT had a story line based on the Chinese aggression and KD by this time had come out of DMK along with EVK Sampath (F/O EVKS Elangovan) and had floated Tamil Desiya Katchi that later merged with Congress. In the Pani Padarantha Malayin mele song the last stanza would say that there is a strong leader and there is no need to worry (I am not remembering the exact lines right now) and that was the first time NT started speaking for Congress in his films. See that was in 1963 and in 1964 May, Nehru passed away. Andavan Kattalai released in June 1964 will have a last scene where NT as a college professor will be eucologising the virtues of Nehru with a portrait of him behind. This was shot after Nehru’s death and included in the film.
Around this time APN, a staunch congressman and a strong believer joined hands with NT to produce Bakthi films. This move was primarily aimed to check the DMK campaign of atheism. Come 1965 January, TN was engulfed by the anti Hindi agitation and Congress was fast loosing ground. Before this the Congress had not done well in 1962 Parliament elections and in some state assemblies. PT the great man he is, brought the K Plan, which on implementation saw the senior leaders occupying ministerial positions resigning and going for the organizational work and in their places junior leaders assumed ministerships. So the golden period of PT starting from 13.04.1954 came to an end on 02.10.1963. In his place M.Bakthavatsalam became the CM. MB was a very good administrator, but he lacked charisma like PT. And he was no match to the oratorical skills of DMK leaders and youth caught in the fascination of fiery oratory on the one side and MGR’s cinemas on the other side were flocking to the DMK. At this stage anti Hindi agitation was also not handled properly by TN govt. PT by this time had become the AICC President and he could not devote time to TN politics. Here APN & NT combination with Thiruvilayadal, Saraswathy Sabatham, Kandan Karunai was able to stop the atheist propaganda, but on the political front the dice was clearly loaded in favour of DMK. Rajaji who could never console himself to his ouster from power had founded Swatranta Party in the early 60’s now joined hands with DMK and TN for the first time saw the formation of an alliance. Rajaji who in 50’s was called, as Kulluka Battar by the DMK became Mootharingar to them. Meanwhile MGR starting from NM had been growing in stature and successive hits like Mannadhi Mannan, Padagoti, Ayirathil Oruvan had taken him very high and Enga Veetu Pillai catapulated him to Super Stardom. The DMK leaders by now had realized the vote catching capacity of him. DMK the clever strategist they were/are, conducted a conference in Virugambakkam, an outskirt in Chennai at that time (Dec 1966). A target of Rs 10 L was fixed as election fund. MGR volunteered to give the entire amount, when Annadurai said “Show your face. It will fetch me 30 L votes”. While DMK was carrying out its plans in the most meticulous manner, Congress as usual was far behind. But PT realizing the gravity of the situation came back to TN and gave his nomination from Virudhunagar. But unfortunately he met with an accident and his leg was fractured. He was bed ridden and could not undertake campaign. The grand alliance (DMK, Swatantra, CPM & Muslim League), the apathy among the voters, the anti incumbency factor which was building up were itself enough to defeat Congress. Added to it came Jan 12th, 1967. The day MGR was shot by MR Radha. The photo of MGR lying in the bed with a bandage around his neck and folded hands was enough to deliver a deathblow to the Congress. NT canvassed
for Congress, but everything was against Congress. DMK ended up with 138 seats and Congress finished with 49 seats. Congress, which was ousted in March 1967, is yet to return. This forms the first phase of NT’s political career.

Thirumaran
27th April 2006, 08:15 PM
That was an excellent analysis Srinivas. :thumbsup:

Waiting for your analysys on the remaining phases :)

joe
28th April 2006, 06:25 AM
Murali,
Excellent analysis..Pls continue.

joe
28th April 2006, 12:57 PM
இந்த வார ஆனந்த விகடனில் இயக்குநர் சேரன் நம் நடிகர் திலகத்தை சந்தித்ததை இப்படி எழுதுகிறார்...

நடிகர் திலகம் சிவாஜி கணேசனுக்கு 'தாதா சாகேப் பால்கே' விருது!

இயக்குநர்கள் அத்தனை பேரும் வாழ்த்தப் போயிருந்தோம்.'அன்னை இல்லம்'...எங்கேயோ தொலைதூரத்துக் கிராமத்துச் சிறுவனாக இருந்தபோதே ,என் கனவுகளில் உலவிய நாயகனின் அரண்மனை.என் எத்தனையோ சாயங்காலங்களைச் சந்தோஷப்படுத்திய ராஜகுமாரனை நேரில் சந்திக்கப் போகிறேன்.

"வாங்கப்பா டைரக்டர்ஸ்" எழுந்து நின்று வரவேற்கிறார் சிவாஜி.ஜிப்பா வேட்டியில் சிகப்பான பெரியப்பா போல இருக்கிறார்..கூச்சத்தில் ஓரமாக ஒதுங்கிய என்னை முன்னே இழுத்து "இவன் சேரன்.இவன் தான் இப்போ பெரிய டைரக்டர்" என்று சிவாஜியின் காலடியில் தள்ளுகிறார் பாரதிராஜா சார். விழுந்து வணங்கிய என் கை பற்றி "நல்ல்ல்ல்ல படம்ப்பா.நல்ல்ல்ல்லா பண்ணியிருந்தே .நல்ல்ல்ல்லா இரு!" என்று சிம்மக் குரலில் ராகம் போட்டு சிவாஜி சார் என்னை வாழ்த்த..இதைப் பார்க்க என் அம்மாவும் அம்மாச்சியும் பக்கத்தில் இல்லயே என ஏங்கினேன்.

சிவாஜி அய்யாவை வைத்து ஒரு படம் இயக்கவும் ஆசைப்பட்டேன்.'தேசிய கீதம்' படத்துக்கு என் முதல் சாய்ஸ் சிவாஜி சார்தான்.கதை சொல்லப் போயிருந்தேன்.

முழுசாக இரண்டரை மணி நேரம் நான் கதை சொல்ல சொல்ல ..என் முகத்தையே குறுகுறுவெனப் பார்த்தார்.எமோஷனலாக நான் சில காட்சிகளை விவரிக்கும் போது ,அவர் புருவங்கள் விளையாட..கண்கள் உருண்டோட முகபாவங்கள் மாறுவதை பக்கத்தில் இருந்து பார்க்க வேண்டுமே..அத்தனை அழகு!

நடுவே ஏதோ வெளியூருக்குக் கிளம்பிக் கொண்டு இருந்த அவரது பேத்தி ,தாத்தாவிடம் ஆசி வாங்க வந்து தயங்கி நிற்க "எக்ஸ்க்யூஸ் மி டைரக்டர் சார்..ஒரே ஒரு நிமிஷம் ப்ளீஸ்" என்று பேத்தியின் தலை தொட்டு ,கன்னத்தில் முத்தமிட்டு அனுப்பினார்.

"நல்ல கதை.பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜர் ,என் நண்பன் கக்கன் மாதிரி நல்ல மனுஷங்க அரசியல்ல இருந்த காலமெல்லாம் எங்கடா போச்சுன்னு கேக்க வந்திருக்கே..நான் நிச்சயமா நடிக்கிறேன்..அந்த கிளைமாக்ஸ் சொன்னல்ல..ந்தா பாரு..இப்பிடி!" என்று எழுந்தார்.

ஒரே ஒரு ரசிகனுக்காக நடிகர் திலகமே நடிக்க எழுகிறார். முதுமையில் உடல் தள்ளாட,பெருங்கோபத்தில் உள்ளம் கொதிக்க .."நான் இப்படி நிக்கிறேன் .நீ எதிர்ல பேனை புல்லா போடு .காத்துல என் தாடி ,தலைமுடியெல்லாம் பறக்குது. என் கண்ணு செவக்குது .கன்னம் துடிக்குது .எதிர்ல இருக்குற ஒவ்வொருத்தனையும் பார்வையாலயே பஸ்பமாக்குற மாதிரி என் நெஞ்சு கொதிக்குது .'இதுக்காடா நாங்க இவ்ளோ கஷ்டப்பட்டு சொதந்திரம் வாங்கினோம்?" னு அழுகையும் ஆத்திரமுமா நான் கேக்கிறேன். நல்லா இருக்கா? இது ஓ.கே.யா?'

எத்தனை உயர்ந்த மனிதர் .என்னைப் போன்ற ஒரு சின்ன பையனிடம் ,ஏதோ தன் முதல் படத்துக்கு வாய்ப்பு கேட்பதைப் போன்ற வேகத்துடன் தாகத்துடன் நடித்துக்காட்டுகிறாரென்றால்..அது தானே தொழில் பக்தி!

இன்றைக்கு கேரவேன்களுக்கு வெளியே இயக்குநர்களைக் காக்கவைத்துவிட்டு திமிருடன் திரியும் சில நடிகர்களை நினைத்தால் எனக்குள் வேதனை வழியும்.

காரைக்குடியில் கொளுத்தும் வெயில் காலத்தில் படப்பிடிப்பு .கதைக்களம் அப்படி .அப்போது உடல்நலக்குறைவில் தொடர்ந்து சிகிச்சையில் இருந்த சிவாஜி சாரை கஷ்டப்படுத்திவிடக்கூடாது என்பதால் ,எனக்கு அந்த பாக்கியம் இல்லாமல் போயிற்று.

நன்றி : விகடன்

Thirumaran
28th April 2006, 06:52 PM
ஒரே ஒரு ரசிகனுக்காக நடிகர் திலகமே நடிக்க எழுகிறார். முதுமையில் உடல் தள்ளாட,பெருங்கோபத்தில் உள்ளம் கொதிக்க .."நான் இப்படி நிக்கிறேன் .நீ எதிர்ல பேனை புல்லா போடு .காத்துல என் தாடி ,தலைமுடியெல்லாம் பறக்குது. என் கண்ணு செவக்குது .கன்னம் துடிக்குது .எதிர்ல இருக்குற ஒவ்வொருத்தனையும் பார்வையாலயே பஸ்பமாக்குற மாதிரி என் நெஞ்சு கொதிக்குது .'இதுக்காடா நாங்க இவ்ளோ கஷ்டப்பட்டு சொதந்திரம் வாங்கினோம்?" னு அழுகையும் ஆத்திரமுமா நான் கேக்கிறேன். நல்லா இருக்கா? இது ஓ.கே.யா?'

எத்தனை உயர்ந்த மனிதர் .என்னைப் போன்ற ஒரு சின்ன பையனிடம் ,ஏதோ தன் முதல் படத்துக்கு வாய்ப்பு கேட்பதைப் போன்ற வேகத்துடன் தாகத்துடன் நடித்துக்காட்டுகிறாரென்றால்..அது தானே தொழில் பக்தி!



:clap:

S.Balaji
28th April 2006, 07:01 PM
Joe Anne

Idhu pondra postings galai thamizil padikka migavum nandraaga irukkiradhu

One could get the maxium impact only when you post in tamil ......

Great !!

Wish to add what Director Ravikumar K.S. said once ......

while he was directing Padayappa , there is a scene wherein Rajini, Lakshmi, Manivannan, Radharavi all will participate........

NT was very particular and he asked for the entire scene in advance for which KSR wondered Yen Anney ketkareenga ??

for which NT responded :

indha scene oru mukyamaana scene endru naan ninaikiren...... ovvoruvarum thannudaya thiramayai kaanbikka pogiraargal.....

naanum muyandru enaal aanadhai seyya thaan unnai mudhalil ketten !!!

Thats what NT is all about.....DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT ..

Another aspect of NT...... he was always the first to reach the spot for the shooting ....always on time..... and this has made other artists to rush to the spot most of the times as a mark of respect to the Lion of acting !!

Murali Srinivas

Looking forward to the second leg of NT in politics.....

kalnayak
29th April 2006, 03:46 AM
Let the interesting discussion on NT's Politics go. I wish to know why few directors from NT's camp have joined MGR camp.

Already about C.V.Sridhar, it is mentioned by some one. Sridhar told once that directing MGR brought some gap in the relationship with NT. But even after directing the 2 films with MGR, he was directing NT and said he would be always a good friend of NT.

Director B.R.Bandhulu who directed NT for the films Veerapandiya Kattabomman, Kappalottia Thamizhan, Karnan, Bale Pandiya etc. left NT's camp and directed MGR for Aayirathil Oruvan, Thedi vantha Mappillai, Ragasiya Police 101. I don't know whether he came back to NT's camp or not.

A.P.Nagarajan who gave all great Bhakthi films, Thillana Mohanambal & Navarathiri with NT joined MGR camp at the end and gave films like "Navarathinam" (a flop) & "Madhuraiyai Meeta Sundara Pandiyan". He did not come back to NT's camp, I think.

Pa. Neelakandan initially directed few films of NT, joined MGR's camp (from the beginning of MGR's raise) directed a lot of commercial hit films of MGR. He did not come back to direct NT.

Has any other director joined MGR camp like this after directing NT for few films? I have read in some newspaper long time back that: Karnan and Vettaikaran released at the same time. Karnan did not do well and B.R.Bandhulu had a huge loss of money; but Vettaikaran had good collections and Thevar made a huge profit out of it. Then Bandhulu drifted to MGR's camp directed "Aayirathil Oruvan" etc. Was it true?

tacinema
29th April 2006, 11:32 AM
Was it based on commercial reason? I doubt. Because APN made tons of money with all Bhakti movies, lost heavily in MGR's Navarathinam. Did APN direct MMSP?
BR Bandhulu was successful with one MGR movie, but average to flop with others.
Also NT had his own directors like P.Madhavan and others. I believe they did not make any movies with MGR. Actor Balaji produced all his movies wiht Sivaji. That might because he is a very close friend of sivaji.
Did thevar films make any movie with Sivaji? But Thevar made plenty of movies with MGR such as Tharmam thalai kaakum, thai sollai thaththe, etc. Are all these movies successful?

I believe the separation of some these directors with NT must be purely on ego clash.

Murali Srinivas
29th April 2006, 05:58 PM
NT’s Political Career – 1967-1975

This was the most active and aggressive period of all the four phases, wherein NT & his fans plunged into active politics. As I said earlier, Congress was defeated and what shocked many Congressmen and public in general was the defeat of PT in Virudhunagar. Many stalwarts of Congress lost and PG Karuthiruman became the leader of the opposition. Annadurai had not contested the assembly elections, but he had contested the South Chennai Parliament seat and won. (Elections starting from 1952 till 1971 were held simultaneously for both Parliament and assembly in TN). Annadurai who had lost the assembly election on 1962 had become the Rajya Sabha MP in 1963. The DMK right from its inception was pressing for Dravida Nadu, but after the Chinese aggression, came the news that all outfits propagating secession will be banned and DMK famous for it’s volte faces when it comes to crunch, dropped that demand. The stint in Rajya Sabha also mellowed Annadurai and he assumed Chief Ministership, by becoming an MLC. The South Chennai seat, which became vacant, saw the candidature of Murasoli Maran (The seeds of MuKa family rule was sown). PT wished DMK the very best and said he will not open his mouth for 6 months. Rajaji too after having achieved his goal gave 6 months to the new ministry and after that he said, “The honeymoon is over”. He also started realizing that he had committed a mistake. Annadurai was suffering from cancer and he knew this even before elections. Very few people were privy to this info and MuKa was one of them. There began the diabolical act of MuKa to capture power after Annadurai. (Joe & Balaji, you were saying that Annadurai was good, but he was as good as (or) as bad as MuKa, it depends on how you look at it. I will give my detailed opinion separately later). The functioning of Govt was ordinary and only gimmicks like changing Madras State to Tamil Nadu, conducting the second Ulaga Tamizh Mahanadu and legalizing register marriages were happening. The much proclaimed assurance Rupaikku Moondru Padi; Illayel Musanthiyil Niruthi Savukkualadi was thrown to winds. The Rupaikku Moondru Padi scheme was never implemented but for once in Coimbatore on Pongal day of 1968 and then discontinued. Annadurai’s illness was also getting worse and he visited US for treatment. MuKa now wanted to establish himself as the next heir and for this he used Si.Pa.Adithanar, who was the founder of Dina Thanthi. MuKa used to address many meetings and his speech used to be reported in full by Thanthi. There were only 2 main Tamil newspapers at that time and Dinamani was perceived to be an educated man’s paper and Thanthi was for the commoner. So MuKa was slowly getting into the leader’s slot in the minds of the ordinary DMK men and Nedu unaware of all these plans was so casual that he thought that his accession to power after Annadurai was just a formality.
But fate was against him. Annadurai passed away in Feb 1969 and immediately the power struggle started. MuKa and Maran transported people from all over TN and they converged at Gopalapuram and started raising slogans in favour of MuKa. (See, vaadakaikku aatkalai kooti varum kodumaium MuKa than arambithu vaithathu) and Nedu was no match to all these manipulative politics of MuKa. But he was getting support from people who were there in DMK right from the beginning. But at this time MGR decided to side with MuKa. The reason was Nedu and MGR were not the best of friends and Nedu was cut up with even Annadurai, whom he thought was giving undue importance to MGR. This made MGR support MuKa and the rest of the MLAs also fell in line. MuKa became CM and Nedu did not join the cabinet. Now Nedu wanted at least the General secretary post of DMK. MuKa, the manipulator he is also refused to this. Nedu after 8-9 months joined the ministry and was also made as the General secretary, but MuKa created a post of President for himself. MGR was made the treasurer.

People going thro’ this post might be wondering why there is no mention of NT, our Kathanayagan? I thought you should know the political background of TN during that period. Before going to NT, let us also see what was cooking in Delhi. Indira Gandhi who assumed Prime Ministership in Jan 1966, barely managed to get a majority of her own in 1967 general election. She had difficulty in coordinating with the old guard of the party. Morarji Desai was the Finance Minister and his budgets had become unpopular due to the tough taxation measures. Indira had a feeling that Morarji who had lost the race to the Prime Minister’s office twice (once to LB Sasthri & second to her) was creating problems for her. She eased him out of the ministry and the old guard did not take this lightly. So a confrontation was brewing in the party.

Now after 1967, NT’s fans attitude began to change and they were beginning to be more vociferous and aggressive. Even during the screening of NT movies, the atmosphere inside the theatre began to change. It was more of a festival. The fans wanted to show their political leanings in public and even the name of Kannadasan (now in Congress) when shown in the titles of NT movies was drawing huge applause. The defeat of PT & the fact that their archrival had become an MLA rejuvenated the NT fans. During that period there were verbal clashes between the fans’ in every town, which at times was escalating into physical clashes. In the intervening period there were two by elections. There was one at Tirumangalam (Madurai) and NSV Chithan, a close friend of NT (now he is the MP from Dindigul) was elected. NT canvassed for him and his victory was a shot in the arm for Congress. NSV went on to secure the distinction of having asked the maximum no of questions in assembly during that assembly’s life time (1968-1971). The second was at Tenkasi and DMK having tasted defeat at Tirumangalam did not want to take chances and the job was entrusted to MGR. He immediately asked the Tenkasi brothers (PKV Sankaran & Arumugam), who were in Sathya Movies to start a movie and in a start to finish call sheet, Puthiya Bhoomi was completed. The Tenkasi DMK candidate name was Kathiravan and if you notice MGR character’s name in PB was also Kathiravan. The movie was released just before the elections and DMK strained every nerve to achieve victory. So both were equally placed. At this time (1969) there came another by election and this time it was for Parliament and the seat was Nagerkoil. PT decided to contest and NT and his fans just plunged into the campaign. Nagerkoil people
atoned for the mistake of Virudhunagar people and PT won handsomely.

Another factor that antagonized NT and his fans was the behaviour of TN Govt in the matters of cinema. After coming to power DMK Govt established cinema awards and in that they began to pressurize. MGR was selected as the best actor (!) for 1967, for Kavalkaran. Remember NT had Nengirukkum Varai, Thiruvarutselvar and Iru Malargal to name a few that were miles ahead of Kavalkaran in that year. So in the next year when NT was awarded the best actor for Thillana, he refused the award. In the cinematic front also MGR had a mediocre run. In 1967 there was no Super hits for him and Kavalkaran, which was widely publicized as MGR’s comeback movie also, did not have a great run. His other movies like Arasa Kattalai, Thaikku Thalaimagan & Vivasayee were just average. Come 1968, except Kudiyirantha Kovil and to a certain extent Rahasiya Police 115 & Oli Vilakku, others (there were 5 other releases) failed to strike it rich. So NT’s graph was rising. But in 1969, MGR came back strongly with Adimai Penn & Nam Nadu (he had only 2 releases) and the clash was becoming big.

In 1969, Zakir Hussain, the President of India had passed away and there was going to be an election. The Congress working committee had deliberated on many names and decided on Sanjeeva Reddy. Indira was against his candidature but finally agreed. But there was uneasy calm. VV Giri had filed his papers as an independent. (Grapevine was, Indira had asked him to file the nomination) and suddenly she asked the Congress MPs to vote according to their conscience. This was bolt from the blue for the old guard who immediately categorized this as indiscipline and stated that Reddy’s candidature stands good. But Indira was firm and there were two parallel sessions of Congress working committee. Morarji, Nijalingappa, SK Patil, Ashok Mehta, Tarakeswari Sinha, Sanjeeva Reddy along with our PT were on the one side and Indira along with the young brigade was on the other side. The old guard came to be known as Congress (Organization) & Indira’s was known as Congress (Ruling). The election took place and Giri won. The DMK (MuKa was the CM) supported Indira. The split in Congress did not affect the TN unit as 99% of the party was with PT. Only a handful of people like CS, MB, KTKosalram, Gboovaraghavan, RVSaminathan & PChidambaram had gone to Indira’s fold. NT when asked about his choice said “ Raman irukkum idame seethaikku Ayodhi. Perunthalaivar irukkumidame enakku Congress.”

From here NT’s active politics started. He decided to make use of his fans in a constructive manner and all Mandrams that were operating were brought under a single umbrella- Akila India Sivaji Ganesan Rasikar Mandram. Sivaji Rasikar Mandram was the first one of its kind to become more organized. Chinna Annamalai was named the President and office started functioning in Teynampet Congress Building. The primary aim was to form a solid base for Congress and all these Mandrams worked as Congress utkilaikal. Only after seeing this, the MGR Mandrams were organized and there also the Potti Manapanmai came out when MGR named it as Akila Ulaga MGR Rasikar Mandram. Musiri Puthan became its President. (It was another comedy story that after some time MGR himself became the President of this. When the anomaly was pointed out, MGR changed the name to Akila Ulaga MGR Mandram).

Now having brought the fans under one fold, NT wanted them to get a clear message. He wanted to meet all and a conference was thought of. Every year the fans were celebrating NT’s birthday on Oct 1st and that was considered to be the apt date and the next day being Gandhi Jayanthi, a holiday, and a 2-day conference was arranged on 1st & 2nd of October 1970. The venue was Salem. The first day celebrations were for cinema people and the second day was political in nature. The crowds that thronged Salem were unprecedented and NT by this conference had sent out a message that he and his fans will give their heart and soul to Congress. (Another interesting info on the sidelines was, it was in this conference that JJ participated and told the gathering that she did not know what was acting till she acted with NT. She having been sidelined by MGR for USV and just days before this conference, he was shooting at Expo-70 at Osaka, Japan and she further went on to say while some heroes will suppress others in their movie, NT will encourage every artist in the movie. She asked the people to watch out for her performance in Engiruntho Vandhal, which was getting released on Deepavali (ie) 29th October 1970). The conference was filmed and shown along with Engiruntho Vandhal, during movie’s interval and Major did the background voice.

Meanwhile the conference had caught the imagination of everybody and the opponents could not digest its massive victory. MGR fans wanted to show their might and they organized a reception for him, when he came back after the Japan shooting. From the airport, he was taken on a procession and deliberately they reached Mount Road and when they reached Shanthi, they started throwing stones and whatever they could lay their hands on. The Police was a silent spectator and on hearing this NT fans were outraged and there were widespread protests. Some aggressive fans were ready to go on a warpath and I remember a poster in our neighbourhood that warned “ Naangal Thiruppi Thakkinal Sathya Studio-ve irukkathu”. Again a point on the sidelines is MGR’s Engal Thangam released just after this (10.10.1970) received an average reception, whereas NT’s Engiruntho Vandhal & Sorgam both released on Deepavali day (29.10.1970) went on to complete 100 days.

While such things were happening in TN, at Delhi Indira was bringing in legislations such as Nationalisation of Banks and abolition of Privy Purses to the royal families. The DMK was supporting her and so were the left. But since the Congress was split she was just scrapping thro’. In Rajya Sabha, she had just half way mark and when the bills were put to motion, it was defeated by a single vote. The culprit was none other than our SSR. He later gave the reason that he was suffering from Dysentery and that’s why he could not be present during voting. But unconfirmed sources said something else as the reason.
The Supreme Court had also struck down the legislations and Indira took an Adhiradi Mudivu. She recommended dissolution of Parliament and fresh elections were announced. On seeing this MuKa also recommended dissolution and fresh elections.

The Congress (O) leaders in other states may or may not have been ready for elections, but in TN, Congress was ready and now Rajaji realizing his earlier mistake of supporting DMK made common cause with PT and the whole of TN welcomed the joining of these two leaders. The Congress workers were on the field and NT fans fresh from the Salem conference started doing fieldwork. NT announced his election campaign, taking a break from shooting. He started from Tiruthani, and he was presented with a Vel in the abode of Lord Muruga and NT said, with this he will complete the Soora Samharam. The crowds that NT drew throughout his campaign were unprecedented and people were waiting past midnight to see and hear NT (No deadline of 10 pm, during those days) and wherever he went it looked like people wanted a change. PT was getting huge crowds and the joint meeting of PT & Rajaji at Marina was supposed to be the biggest ever. Why, even Cho who took up campaigning (his Thuglak was just 1 year old at that time) drew a mammoth crowd at Marina. Of course MGR & MuKa were also on tour and they were also getting big crowds. But there was news that Intelligence report (now the much accused Ulavu Thurai) gave Congress an edge. Indira, now on the mission of political elimination of her opponents made the first cardinal mistake of aligning with DMK. She started the downfall of Congress by this and till now Congress is unable to come out of this vicious circle of aligning with either of the Dravidian parties. Her only aim was to defeat PT and DMK sensing this treated Indira Congress in the worst possible manner. MuKa refused to give even a single assembly seat to IC and offered just 10 Parliament seats to it. Even Indira’s intervention did not help and people like CS and all accepted this. Indira met the elections with the slogan Gharibi Hato and the Congress old guard was unable to match the firepower of Chandrasekar (who later became PM) and company who were called as young Turks (Yuva Thurukkiyar). The elections were held in March 1971 (in fact NT had a release on the election day itself (i.e.) Arunodayam on Mar 5th, 1971) and the results were out in a couple of days. To every NT fans’ dismay, Congress alliance was routed and it could secure just 16 seats and Swatantra just 1. DMK finished with 184, a record till now. In parliament election results, Indira swept the polls and got two-thirds majority and in TN, out of 39 Parliament seats only PT emerged successful from Nagerkoil. It was unbelievable. People talked about malpractices and the use of Russian ink was widely talked about, in the sense the indelible mark was fast vanishing and this helped bogus voting, it was alleged. Nobody could really tell what went wrong. PT the ever-genuine person he is, dismissed these talks with his customary response (Maiyellam summanen, Makkal namakku vote podale, avvalauthanen). So Indira and MuKa assumed power with brute majority.

One reason that could point to the reversal of fortunes may lie in the fact that our TN people always voted for the same party in Parliament and assembly elections, if elections for both were held together. See they voted for Congress for both Parliament & Assembly in 1952,1957.1962. People voted for DMK alliance in 1967 & 1971. They voted for ADMK alliance in 1984 & 1991. They gave their verdict in favour of DMK-TMC alliance in 1996. Joint elections happened in the above mentioned years. When it was held separately, people gave a different verdict, like voting for DMK-Congress alliance in 1980 January for Parliament and voting for ADMK for assembly in 1980 June. Same way people voted for DMK in 1989 Jan assembly elections and for ADMK-Congress alliance in 1989 Nov Parliament elections. Well this is my thinking.

As the results were out, one question loomed large in front of Congress (O) people and NT fans. What next? What is our job hereafter? People were waiting for directions.

Friends, as this phase covers a lot of happenings, it is becoming too lengthy. I will break here and post the 1971-1975 happenings separately in 2-3 days time, which was also an important phase in NT’s political career.

Murali Srinivas
29th April 2006, 06:09 PM
Joe,

What Tamil font should I download to read your postings in Tamil?

Regards

joe
29th April 2006, 06:36 PM
Joe,

What Tamil font should I download to read your postings in Tamil?

Regards
Tsc avarangal or Avarangal font or install ekalppai tool.

Btw,Between just to read my posts ,unicode support is enough,since I post in unicode.

S.Balaji
29th April 2006, 06:43 PM
Dear Joe Anne and Murali Srinivas Anne and others

Tamil ofcourse will be the most beautiful thing to read but a request to you all....

I wish this thread gets read by friends from all languages and hence please post in English only

This will enlighten friends who cannot read tamil to know more about OUR NT

Thanks

Murali Srinivas

Thalai suthudhu !! so many events have happened !!

Pl continue with your stupendous work !

THIS THREAD IS REACHING ITS PEAK I FEEL NOW !

Just one digression....

when did RV stood for South Madras Constituency ....was it during 77 elections ? I think Murasoli Maran was the opponent .....

digression ends....

joe
29th April 2006, 06:44 PM
Murali,
Just to read tamil unicode ,no need to download anything if you are using win XP and above.If you are using IE ,just choose View-encoding-Unicide(UTF-8) in IE

mohanraman
29th April 2006, 07:22 PM
This thread has not even taken off....what do you mean peaked.? Let us stick to NT....I feared that we were getting into politics...thank god...During one of my visits to Boag Road(as it was called then)...after the political/election disaster - he had spent over 1.5 crores...he told me,'ellarayum kadankarangala vittuttu porein."...I told him that he is not going anywhere and that everything that is there is his blood,sweat and tears,so he shouldn't feel bad about it and that the family will easily overcome this setback.In fact after he finished the election campaign and retired to his "thottam" in soorakottai, he told my friend..."pochchuda,onnumey theiradhu...ellarum ennai rasikuraanga...nambamattaanga pola irukkuthu."
He knew the pulse....
Regarding the memorial,I had mentioned earlier...the memorial site is very close to the residence of Judges/Ministers etc and the Road leading to their Residence passes through the memorial and had to be relocated....there are some problems,they are being addressed,albeit a bit slowly,probably because of the elections....the family,the fans and friends of NT are well aware of it.In fact I am confidant that post elections work will soon commence.Porumai.....Bhoomi aluvome.
I am fascinated by Mr.Murali Srinivas,must meet him. :!: :D :!:

S.Balaji
29th April 2006, 07:27 PM
Welcome back Mr. Mohanram .....vanakkam

Atleast visit us once in 3 days pls ....

Murali Srinivas....... NOW ITS VASHISHTAR VAAYAL BRAHMARISHI

Oru artist ungalai paaraatumbodhu yetru kollungal ....

continue with your splendid work

joe
29th April 2006, 08:51 PM
Balaji,
sure,we will continue to post in english and I agree with your point .That is why I am still making posts in english ,though my english is poor..But that particular post I just reproduced charan's writing in vikatan..Actually I didn't just copied since It was not unicode..I retyped for everybody here.

mohanraman
1st May 2006, 07:27 PM
Balaji, thanks...I do sincerely try to visit...but both work and laziness are extremely possessive mistresses.Joe,my friend your english is A OK.Communication is more than Language, it is the "unarvugal"...that is clearly evident in this thread more than anywhere else in the forum.....Here we praise NT, we do not trash the others, we share statistical info on his films, words of songs, details of what we appreciate in him, and the greats who acted with him,ever remembering that,he alone could not have scaled those dizzying heights...it was a Savithri,A Ranga Rao,An M R Radaha,a Balaiah,a chandrababu, a TMS,an MSV, a Kannadasan and a whole host of others
who helped NT.....SO THIS THREAD IS POSITIVE....WE ARE THEREFORE THE BEST...KEEP IT UP. :clap: :thumbsup:

Murali Srinivas
2nd May 2006, 12:27 PM
Dear Mohanram Sir,

Thanks for your compliments. I have sent a pm to you.

Dear Balaji,

Thanks. Ettrukonden. Yes you are right. In 1977, RV contested against Maran from South Madras and won by around 20000 votes. It was the only constituency in Chennai that retuned ADMK -Congress alliance candidate in 1977 P.elections. Asaithambi of DMK won against Nanjil Manoharan of ADMK from North Madras & P.Ramachandran (Paa Raa) of Janata won against Raja Mohamed of ADMK from Central Madras.

Joe.
Thanks for Clarification.

Regards

umaramesh
2nd May 2006, 02:50 PM
I think only NT got the privlilege of acting MAYOR for a day. This was happened when he got the award in cairo for VEERAPANDIYA KATTABOMMAN. :thumbsup:

ramesh

Murali Srinivas
3rd May 2006, 07:49 PM
Before proceeding further with NT’s political career, let me answer the questions raised by Kalanayak. Of course it is true that some people left NT and switched over to opposite camp but NT did not force the reasons.

Let us take BRBandhulu first. He started making movies with NT from School Master (Guest role), Sabash Meena, VBK, KTamizhan, Bale Pandiya & finally went on to make Karnan. By any standards it was an excellent movie and NT was all flesh and blood as Karnan. Padmini Pictures (BRB’s production company name) had taken up the distribution also for Karnan that was released on 14.01.1964. It was a big budget movie and in those days there will be maximum of 50 prints that will be getting released, unlike today where 200 prints are the order of the day. The ticket rates were very low and you cannot charge a flat rate. So any investment on cinema will have to be recovered slowly. For Karnan also, the recovery was slow and coupled with the interest factor, BRB was feeling the pinch. Based on these factors, people say that Karnan was not successful. On the contrary, it ran well and in our Madurai, it ran for 100 days in Thangam Theatre, the biggest in Asia. One small digression here is NT was the only actor who had given three 100 days movies in Thangam. They are

1.Parasakthi 112 Days
2.Padikatha Medhai 112 Days
3.Karnan 108 Days.

No other actor has this credit. (Digression ends).

So BRB went to NT and explained to him the situation and NT immediately gave call sheet and started Muradan Muthu and he acted in that movie FREE OF COST. The movie was progressing. At this time BRB came up with another demand. Karnan was NT’s 94th movie and Pachai Vilakku, Andavan Kattalai & Kai Kodutha Deivam were on the floors and was scheduled to release in that order. APN at that point of time came up with an interesting project and NT immediately gave the nod after hearing the story. That was none other than Navarathiri. NT sensing the novelty had agreed that it would be his 100th movie. Now BRB wanted MM to be the 100th movie. Here again NT’s magnanimity comes to the fore. His own production house Sivaji Films had been launched and the first movie under that banner Puthiya Paravai was on the floors. If he had wanted he could have easily made PP as his 100th movie. But he went on to release it as his 98th movie in Sep, 1964. Now both MM & Navarathiri were nearing completion and BRB was bent upon in releasing that as 100th movie. Any amount of persuasion will not desist him and he announced the release date as Deepavali (i.e.) Nov 3rd. Navarathiri was also charted for Deepavali. NT the ever gentleman he is did not put any hurdles and he completed dubbing for MM, unlike modern day heroes who stop dubbing at the drop of a hat. BRB went ahead but NT & VCShanmugam decided to honour the commitment given to APN. To avoid confusion at a future date (which will you consider as 100th movie, if both got released on the same date), they advised APN and accordingly APN released it on the next day (i.e.) 4th Nov. This estranged BRB who switched over. But as pointed out here, except A.Oruvan, others failed to strike it rich. In fact BRB was in deep trouble when MMSP was dragging and he died as a heart broken person deep in debts and movie just half complete. A magazine had brought out a booklet in 1970, (during the conference that I had mentioned earlier) listing from Parasakthi to Raman Ethanai Ramandi. Each page will have a still from that movie and below NT’s comments will appear about the movies. There were 139 movies and some of the comments by NT are still fresh in my mind. For Nenjirikkum Varai, he would have said Ninaivirukkum, For Thanga Surangam, the comment was Naan James Bond-am, Ha! Ha! Ha! . For MM, he would have said “Nanbargal Pirinthanar”.

Sridhar started his career as a screenplay writer and for NT, he wrote Ethirparathathu, an anti sentiment film in 50s and Uthama Puthiran also had Sridhar’s screenplay. Sridhar & NT had another unforgettable movie and that was Amara Depam. NT-Sridhar combo went on to give Vidi Velli (the film was produced under Prabhu Ram pictures, does it sound a bell?) & Punar Jenmam in the early 60s. After a break (during which Sridhar did N.O.Aalayam, N.Marapathilai, Then Nilavu, K.Neramillai & Vennira Adai), NT & Sridhar came back with 3 films in succession. Nenjirikkum Varai, O.V.Uravu & Sivantha Mann all came in that order and if you include Dharthi (the Hindi version of S.Mann, where NT played the role done by Muthuraman in Tamil. It had Rajendra Kumar & Waheeda Rahman in the lead) it was 4 in a row. An interesting info about SM was Sridhar had announced this movie in 1965 with MGR in the lead and the name was Andru Sinthiya Ratham. A day’s shoot was done and Sridhar could not proceed as MGR’s tantrums started and eventually Sridhar shelved the project. SM was a big budget movie and since it was made in 2 languages simultaneously, the production cost was very high. It was also the first Tamil movie to be shot in foreign locales & the pre release hype was huge. Sridhar’s Chithralaya Pictures did the same mistake done by BRB and they released SM directly on Nov 9th, 1969. The same reasons that plagued Karnan affected SM also. But SM like Karnan did run for more than 100 days in many centres. But may be a mega hit eluded it. Still Sridhar announced Hero-72 in 1973 with NT and the production was delayed. Mean while Sridhar & MGR patched up and Urimai Kural was launched and Sridhar encountered problems during shooting but the movie made it to theatres in 1974. Hero-72 became Vaira Nenjam and got released in 1975, but it didn’t do well. Sridhar & MGR again launched Meenava Nanban & Anna Nee En Deivam. MN was completed and released in 1977 but ANED was not completed. MGR became CM and that was cited as the reason. But when MGR had 4 months at his disposal in 1980, when his Government was dismissed, the producers approached him but he was not game for the shooting. It is another sad irony that the producers JR movies after producing 3 successful movies with NT (Enga Mama, Gnana Oli & Mannavan Vanthanadi) switched camps along with Sridhar and suffered eventually. NT even after all these happenings gladly accepted the name of Sridhar as director when Stills Sarathy wanted to make a movie with NT in the lead and Mohana Punnagai was born.

APN’s case was the most pathetic of the three. He having given great hits with NT had no reason to switch over. His series of Bakthi films were all Super hits except say Thirumal Perumai but even this was made up with the Super Duper success of Thillana (1968), a film that was also critically acclaimed. After this he did Guru Dhakshinai (* ing NT, JJ & Padmini) in 1969. This movie promised much in the first half, but fell flat in the second half and eventually failed at the BO. After this there was a hiatus in the sense that NT- APN combo films were not there for a while. But when Anand Theatre Umapathy wanted to do Raja Raja Chozhan with NT, only one name was considered and that was APN. RRC as you know was the first Tamil movie in Cinemascope and again it was a big budget movie with huge expectations. APN who had written a beautiful screenplay for Thillana from Kothamangalam Subbu’s novel unfortunately failed to recreate that magic when he was asked to do it from TKShanmugam’s play. Though a mega hit eluded RRC, it still had a decent run (I don’t know whether it was a cruel coincidence, here also Anand movies released it directly throughout TN). That was to be the last NT-APN movie. But here APN did not loose anything, as he was only the Director. But as fate would have its way, he started Navarathinam with MGR and his worst days started. He could not cope with the whims and fancies of MGR and the shooting was just going on. Then once it was completed MGR put a break on rerecording and dubbing. When APN was almost pleading with MGR, the final condition came up and that was APN should launch his next movie with MGR. APN had no other go and announced Pilot Raju with MGR in the lead. A day’s shooting on the Pooja day with MGR in Pilot’s attire took place and finally Navarathinam saw the light of the day on Mar 5th, 1977. Alas, APN neck deep in debts breathed his last on April 5th, 1977 just a month later. NT was the first to arrive and paid his last respects and his condolence message gave a glimpse of NT’s love for him and APN’s misunderstanding.

So if you see, all the three who left NT suffered and it is another irony that PMadhavan & ACT who left MGR after a single movie (PM after Deiva Thai & ACT after Anbe Vaa) joined with NT to give superb movies and they never suffered.

Regards

rajeshkrv
3rd May 2006, 09:05 PM
Murali ACT was AVM's aasthana dir for sometime and he directed Anbe vaa.
so it cant be treated as ACT-MGR combination

and above All AnbeVaa is the superb movie in all aspects and AVM is proud of producing it

kalnayak
4th May 2006, 10:36 AM
Murali Srinivas,

Your write up is great to answer the questions I raised. As Tacinema told, ego clash between great persons brings misunderstanding and stops the continuation of the good work done by them. There are many examples for this in the Tamil Cinema industry itself.

In these directors cases, not only we, the fans are unfortunate but themselves. I feel if BRB and APN had continued with NT, they would have brought some more great films.

tacinema
5th May 2006, 08:09 AM
Murali,

Excellent write up. You have an amazing and sharp memory power, remembering event dates so accurately.

On behalf of Sivaji fans, I appreciate your great work. Please continue.

You are right about Madurai Thangam theater and NT's history of running 3 movies over 100 days here. My uncle used to say that this NT's record at Thangam theater was beaten not by MGR, but by Gemini. It looks like one of Gemini's movie ran over 125 days there. You can confirm this news.

Murali Srinivas
5th May 2006, 11:35 AM
Dear kalnayak, tac

Thanks.

tac,

Your uncle is right.Gemini's (or rather KSG's) Panama? Paasama? ran for 140 days in Thangam and grossed Rs 4.40 Lakhs, which was the bench mark for highest collected movie in Madurai, till Pattikaada Pattanama broke the same when it went past this gross in 115 days, in Madurai-Central, a smaller one compared to Thangam.

Rajesh,
You have a point there. But what I meant was directors who came from that side to this, did not undergo the ordeals faced by the other three.

Regards

joe
5th May 2006, 12:52 PM
Murali,
Your posts need to be preserved.Keep up the great work..I amazed with your knowledge and memory.Expecting your next post in politics.

joe
8th May 2006, 11:59 AM
Murali,
Expecting your next episode..Ottu pottutu vanthu soottoda ezuthunga!

S.Balaji
8th May 2006, 03:44 PM
Murali Srinivas

Pls also cover the reasons why NT never contested in any elections ( apart from the one he stood repg his own party )

Looking forward to your next episode

Murali Srinivas
9th May 2006, 06:22 PM
Joe & Balaji,

I am compiling the happenings and I am on a trip down the memory lane to see if I have missed out anything. Work had kept me tied up. As Joe had said probably election happenings also are partly responsible for the delay.I will post it asap.

Regards

S.Balaji
9th May 2006, 06:27 PM
No problem..... we will wait.....

S.Balaji
9th May 2006, 06:31 PM
[tscii:b9fc68b9b3]Ok friends.....lets digress a bit from politics and look at some memorable songs of NT movies........

When you are entrusted with a task to handle a mentally retarded man , you will have to become another like personality . then only one can understand the emotions, feelings that run through them…….

Sometimes, you will have to scream ……
At times, you will have to be tough…..
Also at times you will have to cry ……..
Most of the times, you will have to cajole ……..
Also one will have to laugh and evoke laughter so that the person understands you and obey your command…….

What Bagyaraj did with Banupriya in Aararo aariraro was with a comical touch ( but Banupriya was pretending to be insane )

But what JJ did to Nadigar thilagam was something different in ENGIRUNDHO VANDHAAL This movie arguably is the best of JJ incidentally………( ofcourse Suryaganthi was another IMHO )

The fact that the great Sanjivkumar tried his best in Kilona , the hindi version but himself admitted / surrendered with modesty that he could not match with Nadigar thilagam is another story ( not only this character, SK acted in the hindi version of Navarathri as well but once again , he conceded his limitations though he did well )

JJ is entrusted with the responsibility to take care of NT who becomes mentally retarded on seeing his lover die right before his eyes for the failed love affair …….
Typically , NT gets the rough treatment from all the members of the family , Balaji ( elder brother ) and others…….gets beaten, chided for his insanity …..
As they found NT to be a big headache, they hire the services of JJ ………

JJ gradually gets into the positive mind frame of NT and he starts liking her as he finds her the only person in the world who could understand / appreciate his state of mind……

There is no proven science as to when or how a retarded person gets back to sanity …….

Eventhough JJ herself finds the task herculian , soon she studies him and changes her approach and successfully convinces him that she is one to give solace and comfort

GENERAL THEORY IS THAT A RETARDED PERSON LAUGHS MOST OF THE TIMES………

This was aptly used by the Director to bring in a song sequence wherein JJ and NT go out to a water falls area and start exchanging notes through laughter….

It’s a funny situation and a bit tricky also for, a Music director to break his head to get an appropriate tune …..

But if the MD happens to be Mellisai Mannar , do we need to say anything further about his credentials ??

SO WHAT HE DOES HERE IS TO COIN THE SWARAS AND MERGE WITH THE LAUGHTER…….

Whatever JJ laughs, NT responds by churning out swaras ………

And a lovely worded beginning to a song…. SIRIPPIL UNDAAGUM RAGATHILAY ….PIRAKKUM SANGEETHAMAY ….. ADHU VADIKKUM KAVIDHAI AAYIRAM AVAI ELLAM UN ENNAMAY ….KANNAY POO VANNAMAY !!

Captivating lyrics ……perfect understanding of the situation and what a melody this song ultimately turned out to be….

During the laughter , swara exchange, it will look as if TMS and PS are in for a big challenge to out perform ! such will be the intensity

The melody king MSV didn’t miss the opportunity ….and its yet again a classic from his repertoire

MSV had also given a thought provoking song for MGR in Naan yaar naan yaar nee yaar in Kudiyirundha kovil , a song sequence during which MG will be briefly insane…..

Though the body language and expression of NT will be funny, the sweet melody makes up and acts as nice balancing factor to give glory to the song situation……

The prelude comes in the form of a sweet humming from TMS followed by MSV’s customary sitar …….( but this humming was edited by Chennai vanoli nilayam )

The flute interludes before the first charanam will take us to a dream world

I have observed MSV switching over to tabla support often during the charanam ( umpteen number of songs …..list is exhaustive ) this could be his style of structuring a song ……

The second interludes are a mix of group violin and sitar ( with drums support )…..and finally PS resumes with NILAVENA VALARATTUM KAVITHAI VELLAM….

Its yet another TMS-PS wonder !! another song wherein TMS breathes like Shivaji


This movie had other memorable songs :

1.Oray paadal unnai azaikkum – NT during the marriage reception of his lover had to sing this
2.Naan unnai azaika villai – A stage when NT pleads to JJ not to ignore him but treat him with all kindness that’s being to a kid ….MSV’s usage of Shenoy during the interludes will be nice…..
3.Kalidasa mahakavi kaviyam – a song needed to show that the 2 have understood each other and the resultant love making …. Its Seerkazi Govindarajan who sings this time…..any idea how he was roped in ?? briefly JJ also sings in between…

Finally NT comes out of the insanity but a rude shock for JJ as he could not recollect his past days …besides no other member of the family comes to her rescue….what further adds fuel to the fire was that JJ gets conceived which creates further mess but all ends well with another brother Muthuraman reveals the truth ( though he loves her initially, on realizing the extent of care she takes over NT , forgets and forgives ) comes to the rescue and ultimately NT accepts JJ…..

Makkal thilagam supporters used to comment about Nadigar thilagam :

MATRA NADIGARGALLUKKU ORU LATCHAM RUBAAI KODUTHAAL …AVARGAL AAYIRAM RUBAAKKU THAAN NADIPAARGAL ANAAL….. SHIVAJIKKU LATCHAM RUBAAI KODUTHAAL …….KODI RUBAAIKKU NADIPPAAR…..

And this movie was another example …..

Nadigar thilagam had to portray his character in three ways …. From a normal man to a retarded person and finally back to the normal ways…..

We have seen many such characters being portrayed by various actors ….some have gone overdrive and overacted also but here is a perfect portrayal by Shivaji who excels in his own customary manner…..

You will be stunned to see his facial expression after getting back to normalcy……when JJ appears before him , he will gently ask her ….WHO ARE YOU ??!!! with all the old maturity and graceful looks

Shocked by his response, JJ takes him to all parts of the house and shows him the various things and events happened earlier but Shivaji POLITELY says , SORRY I AM NOT ABLE TO RECOLLECT ANY SUCH INCIDENT …..

Its another splendid performance from Nadigar thilagam but IMHO, it was JJ who stole the show…….

JJ did well in Sumathi yen sundari and Savalay samaali . IMO, whenever she paired with NT, she was given some qualitative roles……

JJ had all the talent to become a good character actress but was used mostly as a glamour girl only ……its sad….. the last movie for JJ in tamil films should be Nadhiyai thedi vandha kadal

Engirundho vandhaal was directed by A.C.Thirulokchander

For Mellisai Master, its another success story of the early 70s…………. [/tscii:b9fc68b9b3]

Murali Srinivas
12th May 2006, 08:47 PM
[tscii:d42a62e8b9]NT’s political phase 1967-1971 continuation

When the results had come out it was heart breaking for NT fans and Congressmen and to the general public. The NT fans had worked so hard that it was natural. But slowly they started recouping and again tried to come to terms with reality. Though PT refused to give excuses for the dismal performance, it was a fact that bogus voting had taken place on a large scale. If you ask to what an extent, then the answer is to the extent of bogus voting even NT’s vote. Yes friends. It is true. NT after the hectic campaigning came back to Madras on the morning of elections and after a much-needed rest went to the polling booth in the afternoon along with Kamala Ammal. On entering the booth, NT found to his dismay that his vote has already been cast. You know how? His name in the electoral rolls was listed as V.C.Ganesan and some body cleverly impersonating had cast the bogus vote. In those days no ID proof was required and the electoral officer was not shrewd enough to know (or maybe he was a co conspirator) that this V.C.Ganesan is the world famous NT. But making use of the protest vote NT cast his vote and came back. If this can happen to NT, imagine the plight of ordinary people. Another logical question that went unanswered was how come Congress that could manage to win 49 seats in 1967 at the height of anti-Congress wave could win only 16 seats when the conditions were more favourable in 1971?
As elections were over, the concentration again turned to movies. As I said earlier, Arunodhayam released on election day (05.03.1971) didn’t do well but within 3 weeks, NT’s Kulama Gunama came on 26.03.1971 and the fans & family audience lapped it up. A typical KSG movie, it also had Jai, Padmini & Vanishree. Then within another 3 weeks, 2 films of NT hit the screen. They were Sumathi En Sundari & Praptham and both got released on 14.04.1971. Here one should think about NT’s self-confidence. While every star worth his salt (this refers to every star, whether he was active at that time or now) releases just 1 or 2 movies per year and is afraid of competition, NT had no such fears. As I have pointed out exclusively in 2 of my earlier posts, he released 2 of his movies on the same day on so many occasions. Here in this year (i.e.) 1971, he had Iru Dhruvam on 14.01.1971, Thangaikaga on 06.02.1971 before the above-mentioned films. That means he had six releases before April 15th. SES a full-length comedy entertainer was a super hit while Praptham a remake of Milan, which dealt with the Poorva Jenma Ninaivugal (a la Nenjam Marapathilai) was not well received. Thus the film in which NT and Nadigayar Thilagam joined together for one last time went down as a flop. In May, MGR came out with Rickshawkaran and it became a super hit. Again the cine war started between the two fans’. On this side NT had his release on 03.07.1971 and that was Savale Samali, the 150th movie of NT. It was a big hit and war of words started. I remember a poster from NT rasikar mandram, which proclaimed

Kaalathai Vendravar Irukkalam; Anal
Ganesanai Vendravar Illai.

The words itself was enough to provoke (as it made fun of Adimai Penn’s song) and there were skirmishes & clashes.

While this was happening on the cine front, MuKa was embarking upon a course of action, which would permanently alter the face of TN. Yes he was contemplating a change in prohibition policy. TN was the only state other than Gujarat that had prohibition in force from 1946 onwards. Drinking was looked down as an evil habit and the ladies of TN (I think still some percentage retain this notion) was so allergic to it and it was a shame to them that if their husband is a drunkard. Annadurai when he was alive refused to tamper with this policy (His famous quote was “ Madhuvilakkai ratthu seyvathan moolam kidaikkum panam, kustarogiyin kayil irukkum vennaikkku samamanathu”), though he was the one who introduced lottery in TN. MuKa was putting up an argument that TN is like a camphor surrounded by fire on all sides that is Andhra, Kerala, Karnataka & Pondicherry and it cannot remain long like that. MGR opposed this policy and the DMK’s General council and executive (Podhukuzhu & Seyarkuzhu) were convened at Coimbatore and after a long debate it was decided to scrap prohibition. It was announced that liquor shops would be opened in TN from August 30th, 1971. (If you remember Raja, there will be a scene where Manohar will be arrested for drinking. Chandrababu will ask him “ Permit Irrukka? “ for which Manohar will reply “athan aug 30th thirakka porangale”)

This was opposed tooth and nail by PT & Rajaji. Rajaji was so upset because he was the one who enforced prohibition in 1946 when he was the Premier of then Madras Presidency. He appealed to MuKa, and one evening Kottum Mazhaiyil Gopalapuram sendrar. But MuKa did not heed his appeal and liquor shops were thrown open to TN public on Aug 30th, 1971. Thus TN, where 2 generations of citizens were unaware of what liquor is, became a liquor hub.

If scrapping of prohibition was an assault on the social fabric, MuKa played more dangerous games that would tear it to pieces. DK’s Veeramani by this time had assumed leadership because EVR was bedridden. DK used to conduct Ravana Leela as an answer to Ram Leela conducted in North. They would carry pictures of Hindu Gods garlanded with slippers and depict Hindu mythologies in obscene manner. Such a procession used to create tension and one such thing was done at Salem. In spite of protests, Govt was giving permission and police protection to DK. Cho’s Thuglak took photographs of the procession and published it. You know what MuKa did? He seized the copies of the Thuglak saying it was creating problems. According to him, what DK did was not wrong but publishing the same is wrong. People who speak of Press freedom now from rooftops were the first (ithilum avar than munnodi) to trample it when they ruled. Same way Kumudam office was attacked when they critisised DMK.

Another assault was on unions. DMK now firmly entrenched in power wanted to control union activities. Their target was TVS groups at Padi & Simpson. Marxist union was the main one at Simpson and DMK tried its level best to gain foothold there. But it could not get much of a break through. When it failed, Kuselar of Marxist union was hacked to death and so also Kattur Gopal. Having taken over TVS buses in Madurai and Raman & Raman buses of Kumbakonam, the DMK wanted them to dance to their tunes but the industries were not game to them. So a sort of autocratic behaviour was beginning to emerge from the rulers. The people were beginning to realize that they had done a mistake.

Oct 1st was fast approaching and NT decided to go for the Mahanadu again like that of previous year and this time venue was Coimbatore. If Salem witnessed huge crowds then Coimbatore out did it. The atmosphere was electric and again it was a grand success. By this time NT’s cinema graph was again starting to peak. Savalae Samali was followed by Thenum Paalum (the only film of NT that didn’t do well at that time) and Moondru Deivangal (a remake of Hindi Teen Chor) where NT acted sans makeup & jodi and the latter made a profit to its buyers. Deepavali came and Babu was released. It was ACT’s first venture into production and his Cini Bhaarath produced the movie. Babu was a remake of Malayalam movie Odayil Ninnu done by Sathyan. Here people got to see the original Rickshawkaran, the man hand pulling the rickshaw. It clashed with Neerum Neruppum, which was a remake of MKRadha’s earlier movie produced by Gemini. Babu a black and white movie defeated Neerum Neruppum a colour movie. MGR’s Oru Thai Makkal released in Dec 1971 also fell flat at the BO.

Meanwhile unlike MuKa, Indira at the centre was gaining and scoring over her opponents. During the middle and later part of 1971, people from the East Pakistan had started coming to India as refugees because of the atrocities of Pakistan Army. The East Pakistan people now wanted to come out of the tyrannical rule of Yahiya Khan who was the military ruler at that time. The EP people under the leadership of Sheik Mujibur Rahman were fighting for freedom and Mukti Bahini, the people’s army was engaged in Guerilla warfare. When the exodus of refugees reached a flash point, India warned Pakistan and when nothing concrete came out, India declared war on Dec 3rd 1971 and on 17th Dec, Pak army surrendered in front of Manekshaw at Dakka and Bangladesh was liberated. This gave a huge platform for Indira and she was described as the Goddess Durga in Bengal and this helped her to decimate her political opponents in the assembly elections that followed. TN was in the forefront of war donation when it gave 6 crores to the PM relief fund.

MuKa was now indulging in self-ornamentary and TN was introduced to Alyura Maalai, Malar Kireedom & Sengol and with TN information bureau having started to produce Tamiziga Arasin Seithi Madal which would be shown in every theatre and people had to sit through 10 minutes of all these when the visuals of MuKa with Maalai, Kireedom & Sengol would beam at you in every function they used to show. But luckily during the first 20 days of new NT movie, we would be spared this ordeal for the simple reason this will generate an adverse reaction from the audience and theatre owners avoided it. At one point of time after the Bangladesh war, the DMK sycophants put up a poster, which proclaimed him as Thennagathin Mujibur Rahman.

Now PT having seen all that’s happening in Delhi decided to concentrate more on TN. That was good for TN as DMK was committing many mistakes. At this point of time the rulers influenced Annamalai University and news came that this varsity is going to confer an honorary Doctorate on MuKa. Unlike today when all these things have become a farce, in those days’ people protested. The Manavar Congress of Annamalai University opposed it tooth and nail and when the varsity showed no signs of retracting it’s steps, it decided to arrange a Black flag demonstration when MuKa would arrive at Chidhambaram. This was not to the liking of the rulers and the day before the function the Manavar Congress President Udayakumar’s body was found in the lake. He had been brutally murdered. The entire student community was shocked and rose as one. Worse was to follow. The parents of Udayakumar were threatened and they were forced to say that the deceased was not their son. Under big protests the convocation passed off. Once the CM left the university, the parents came out crying that indeed it was their son Udayakumar. Congress leaders consoled the family and NT gave monetary assistance to the family. People were watching all these things and the mood against the government was building up.

As all these things were happening in, it was 1972 and NT’s glorious year in cinema was there in centre stage with all majesty. Followed by Babu in late 1971, 1972 opened with Raja (100 days) then Gnana Oli (100 days) followed by Pattikada Pattanama (182 days) till May. On the other side MGR’s disastrous run at the BO continued. If Neerum Neruppum & Oru Thai Makkal in 1971 failed to make the cash registers ring, worse was to follow when the first 3 movies in 1972 namely Sangae Muzhangu, Nalla Neram & Raman Thedia Seethai failed to bring cheers to the fans. In June Naan En Piraenthen was released and again fans were disappointed when they saw their hero being a father of a 10-year-old son in the very second scene itself. In July NT’s Dharmam Engae (inspired from an English movie) was released and it was the only movie of NT in 1972 that did not run for 100 days and could do only 50 days. In July, the farmers of TN were on the protest path, as they have been demanding a wage revision for quite a long time. You know how much they demanded? Just 1 paise and the rulers could not digest even this and there was firing against the farmers. The Government justified the police firing and there was a comment “ Policeaar Thuppakkiyal Suttal Gundu varamal Poomariya Peyyum?” You know who said this? It was none other than MGR. Such was DMK’s autocratic behaviour.

Meanwhile all was not well with MGR & MuKa. MGR having seen his movies continuously bombing at the BO wanted to do something that could arrest this trend and he thought about some Puratchi. He hit upon the idea of becoming a minister. When he broached this subject to MuKa, he was taken aback. But the shrewd politician he was, he said it can be done but MGR has to stop acting, for which MGR was not ready. He wanted to simultaneously do both. To pacify MGR for the time being MuKa again used his clout in Delhi and his lobbying got MGR the best actor award (Bharath award) for Rickshawkaran. It raised a hue and cry since NT’s Savalae Samali was in the race. (Imagine Rickshawkaran’s MGR getting award over Savalae Samali NT). But MGR was not satisfied and he was pressing his demand. He had other reasons too. MuKa by this time had readied his eldest son MuKa Muthu and he produced (Anjukam Pictures) a movie Pillayo Pillai with Muthu in the lead. Muthu did a double role and the movie was released in June 1972. MGR was called for the premier show and when he arrived at Devi Paradise, he saw a banner, which welcomed all, and it was in the name of Akila Ulaga MuKa Muthu Rasikar Mandram. (Two interesting side info’ s, are again it is MuKa who was the first to start the practice of putting up Mandrams for actors even before their first film is released. As you know this practice is widely prevalent now. The second info is in the subsequent Congress conferences and meetings the slogan “Magan Nadippathu Pillayo Pillai, Appan adippathu Kollayo Kollai “ was very famous). MGR noticing all these things was putting up some calculations, which nobody was aware of. But word was fast spreading that he was not happy. At this point of time DMK organized their state conference at Madurai in August 1972. The conference was arranged on a very big scale and money was flowing like water with the strong man of Madurai DMK, Madurai Muthu in charge. I remember we 7th Std students at that time speaking with wonder about the lights, fancy globes etc that were on show on the 4 Masi streets of Madurai. There was a procession on the first day and MGR was supposed to lead it. He didn’t turn up and in his place MuKa Muthu led the procession. MGR came on the last day of the conference and he had come with a specific plan. He wanted people to believe that he will continue in DMK (of course it was a lie) and he spoke with vigour and thundered at last “ Manila Suyatchi kidaikavillai endral Ranuvathai Santhipen” a theme, which DMK spoke often. MGR had come with a definite plan and he wanted to demonstrate his strength. After his speech, he said he has to leave for Madras urgently and left. When he left, the entire crowd left the Manattu Panthal. MuKa on seeing empty chairs in front of him swooned. Later on it was described as tiredness.

While all these things were taking up the centre stage, there were behind the scene activities that were originating from Delhi and were TN centric. Of course at that point of time (i.e.) in the second half of 1972, no body was aware of it. Indira Gandhi smarting under the insult meted out to her by MuKa during 1971 elections wanted to take revenge and she wanted to make MuKa weak and vulnerable. For this she decided that breaking the DMK was the best option and she wanted it to be broken for good. In whatever ways the Central Govt scanner revolved it was pointing to only one person and that was MGR. He came under their scrutiny and people were sent to talk to him. The IT Dept and Forex Department (obviously he had overspent the amount he got for shooting abroad for USV and additional money was arranged by Idhayam Pesugirathu Manian who was the liaison officer for the entire foreign location shooting) now was putting pressure on him to come out of DMK or face charges. MGR was now in a dilemma. On the one side his archrival was scaling peaks and he couldn’t match him. He desperately wanted a hit for which even his own party was not helping him. On the contrary the party chief was promoting his son in a big manner and again his place was being threatened. On the other hand the most powerful person of India was pressurizing him to break his present political party. Though MGR was sure of his mass support, he was hesitant to openly revolt. But due to the pressure from Delhi he started arranging public meetings through his fans association and there subtle hints were thrown. He started questioning his party leaders. But again he was not ready to spill the beans because he was not sure how this would help his sagging career. To his worst discomfort, NT’s Thava Pudhalavan released in August last of 1972 was also turning out to be a hit and his own Annamitta Kai released on Sep 15th 1972 sank without a trace. To rub salt on the wound, NT’s Vasantha Maaligai released on Sep 29th 1972 was instantly declared as a Super Hit. NT, for Oct 1st this year thought of the Mandram conference and Madurai was chosen as the venue. But PT called NT and told him that Congress itself wants to do a state level conference and the venue was Madurai and they had planned it on the same dates. NT the ever-obedient soldier immediately cancelled his conference and asked his fans to work for Congress conference. Congress in fact wanted to show the DMK that it could also conduct a conference of such magnitude sans ugly expenditure and cheap frills. People witness to all tamasha of DMK gave a rousing reception to Congress & PT. The rousing welcome that NT got was the icing on the cake of continuous hits and MGR decided it is now or never.

He arranged meetings in the first week of October and he openly started asking about the assets of DMK leaders (Ella Thalivarkalum Sothu Kannakkai Katta Vendum). He said he is demanding the same, as he was the treasurer of the party. He spoke furiously in Tirukazhukundram on Oct 8th 1972 and that was the last straw on the DMK camel’s back. Their executive (Seyarkuzhu) met urgently on 10.10.1972 and the decision that was to change the face of TN politics forever was taken. Yes MGR was suspended from DMK.

Friends again sorry, this is becoming too big even for 2 installments. So with your permission again I am stopping here but will post the remaining episode (1972-1975) very shortly.


Regards[/tscii:d42a62e8b9]

tacinema
13th May 2006, 07:28 AM
Dear Murali,

Very informative posting. It is very clear that due to self-centred politics, the dravidian parties have been destroying the very base of our society. MuKa is back again, with a very fractured mandate. Let us see how he implements his "socialistics" poll promises like Color TV and Rs2/kg rice. In my recollection, even communists in WB did not make these kinds of manifesto. MuKa wants us to move away from capitalism, though whole india goes towards it.

I am afraid that this thread is moving more towards politics, though the original purpose is only about NT's films. But again, NT's film life is linked to politics, so you cannot escape from it.

Coming to movie, this shows our NT has clearly beaten MGR in BO records and quality movies. Look at the fascinating record of NT movies in 1970s, I am proud of him.

Again, beautiful narration of NT's records. A big salute to you. Please continue

Regards

joe
16th May 2006, 02:29 PM
DMK ,in their election manifesto ,they promised they will take steps to build the monument for NT as soon as possible..I hope they will keep their promise.

bingleguy
16th May 2006, 02:42 PM
Hopes are our only HOPE !

Nakeeran
16th May 2006, 04:07 PM
DMK ,in their election manifesto ,they promised they will take steps to build the monument for NT as soon as possible..I hope they will keep their promise.

Muka's association with NT is since the first movie. Definitely he will do it :thumbsup:

Shakthiprabha.
17th May 2006, 02:41 AM
Sometime back I saw a song from karnan.........

"manjaL mugam niram maari
mangai udal uru maari"

in the song, shivaji as karna, peeps in from the balcony to see the fest.

The look in his face
a mingling of

aggressive pride, greatness for his friend,
feasting the beauty of his wife,
calculating with his shrude eyes every detail
of the occasion......,
minute emotion and sentiment, which would
be well hidden by his smile.

all in a matter of 3 seconds.

VizhigaL pesa koodiya orEEEEEEE nadigar

engaL shivaji.

shivaji devotee,
sp.

umaramesh
17th May 2006, 10:03 AM
Dear Prabha

That one was fantastic scene. I bet no one in the universe will be able to show SUCH EXPRESSION . Even today I feel very bad that KARNAN failed against VETTAIKARAN. What kind of people.

ramesh

Shakthiprabha.
17th May 2006, 01:10 PM
hi Uma/Ramesh,

Thanks for replying.

Actually lets think this way.

This 'vettaikaran' movie is unheard by many belonging
to younger gen. I dont think the movie was a hit at all.
It must have run in couple of theatres and there it ended.
Nobody praises about the movie, or talks about
mgr's performance in the movie, till today.

Whereas KARNAN might not have been a b.o hit, but
it brought fame for shivaji. Even today it makes us
talk about this movie, and shivaji's performance in the movie.

Victory sometimes flashes like a lightening and vanishes quickly

Sometimes victory...... is like an eternal fame, which is spoken about for eras. :)

Shivaji has won as karna.
I am sure many of us would think of only shivaji
when we wanna picturise karna as mythological char.

:)

regards,
Prabha.

umaramesh
17th May 2006, 03:38 PM
Dear Prabha

Thanks. :clap:

ramesh

Murali Srinivas
17th May 2006, 03:46 PM
Dear Prabha,

A superb scene aptly described by you and seconded by Ramesh. When there is that closeup shot on the screen, the varigal will be

Karnan Petra Pillai Endral Karmegam Allava
Ethirkalathil Indha Deshathil Avan Karunai Seyvan Allava

Great lyrics.

Ramesh,

What you have told about Karnan- Vettaikaran dual is not correct. Karnan was a 100 day movie in many major centres and in fact as I have already mentioned, it ran for 100 days in our Madurai-Thangam theatre, the biggest in Asia and remember that less than 10 movies have run 100 days in that theatre in it's entire history of 42 years of existence and again NT's contribution is 3 films out of that less than 10.

Regards

Nakeeran
17th May 2006, 03:51 PM
Murali Srinivas

the general impression is Karnan was not that successful commercially. Is it true ?l

joe
17th May 2006, 03:54 PM
Murali Srinivas

the general impression is Karnan was not that successful commercially. Is it true ?l

That impression is because Karnan was a very high budget movie .Though it ran 100 days in many centres ,it was not a good profit for the producer as expected.

umaramesh
17th May 2006, 05:43 PM
Murali

Thanks for the clarification. We have so many scenes like this in this movie.

I think in between lyrics will be MALARGAL CHOOTI THILAGAM THETTI .superb song.

ramesh

joe
17th May 2006, 06:15 PM
Good News!

NT monument works will start soon -CM kalainjar assured.

http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/2006/may/17/2_2.jpg

Thank you Kalainjar karunanithi!

Nakeeran
17th May 2006, 06:19 PM
Good News!

NT monument works will start soon -CM kalainjar assured.

http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/2006/may/17/2_2.jpg

Thank you Kalainjar karunanithi!

I guessed it . Mukaa and NT have been thick friends ( despite political diffrences ) for long. I wish they do a proper planning and put all the best pictures right from his first movie to last
besides, the makeup things that he used, the dresses he wore

Murali Srinivas
17th May 2006, 07:02 PM
Dear Nakkeran,

As Joe had clarified, it was a hit movie but a mega hit eluded it. I have stated this in one of my earlier posts where I was putting forth the reasons for the split between NT & BRBanthulu.

Then again all the BO info about Karnan that I am putting up here is the collection of what all I have read and what all I gathered from old NT fans because when Karnan was released on 14.01.1964, I was hardly 4 years old.

Regards

rajeshkrv
17th May 2006, 11:47 PM
one humble request to all,

Please donot degrade other actors while praising NT.

I'm an ardent fan of NT at the same time other actors had certain skills too
for eg gemini had the nack of subtle expressions , others had their own style but shivaji being the top among all no doubt abt that..

it's just a suggestion

joe
18th May 2006, 07:00 AM
CM kalainjar viewed NT statue by Pondichery Govt.
http://www.dinakaran.com/epaper/2006/may/18/disp.asp?i=7_5

tacinema
18th May 2006, 08:34 AM
Joe,
Great news. It sounds like our CM is interested to commence Sivaji Mandapam work.

I would like to see NT's Mandapam coming up in a grand scale, as grand as his screen personality.

Regards

bingleguy
18th May 2006, 08:41 AM
:clap: Good News!

Murali Srinivas
19th May 2006, 06:34 PM
Dear Rajesh,

It is not anybody’s intention to down ride any other actor while discussing about NT. If something had appeared it is because the circumstances had warranted it. Starting from 3rd generation stars (i.e.) Kamal, Rajini it is easy not to bring in Rajini if you are discussing Kamal or vice versa and actors after that. But when a discussion is on NT, you cannot avoid MGR and in the same manner when you talk about MGR, NT’s name will definitely crop up. While putting up posts on NT under different headings in this forum, I have criticized MGR but let me tell you the reasons for the same.

The first point was NT’s BO success is not given the due recognition. There is a general impression that MGR always had BO success and NT excelled only in acting. This is sustained till today because of the fact MGR and his party are still in the larger picture of TN and NT has no such cushion. That was the reason that prompted me to document the true facts where NT had a clear edge even in BO. It pains when you read a person of Kamal’s caliber stating that Uthama Puthiran was a flop. Lest anybody challenge him, he says that NT himself had told this to him (Kamal). Is it possible to cross check with NT when he is no more? This is clearly an attempt by him to place himself on par with NT and to convince the people that even NT’s good films were flops, which is totally false. To equate his BO flops with NT’s films itself is condemnable. Even if you send a letter to the magazine, which published this interview, it will be confined to their dustbins. When we are unable to correct these type of wrongs, we are forced to defend our NT with statistics and if not the entire TN, I thought let me state at least some BO records set by NT in our Madurai. When such a document is posted, comparison becomes inevitable.

Again it pains when the present day media goes ga ga over some actors and their getups. I had put up a specific post regarding the makeup. The media correspondents in their 20’s don’t know anything about the history of Tamil cinema nor do they care to read about it. They simply use all sorts of Superlatives while describing about some actors and it applies to Vikram to a larger extent. I am surprised by the amount of praise that is heaped on him. Let me make it clear that I do agree that he is a good actor, but definitely not a great actor. Not yet. In my opinion till date he has done only 3 good films (i.e.) Sethu, Pitha Magan & Anniyan. (Don’t tell Kasi, because Kalabhavan Mani, basically a mimicry/comedy artist to start with, had done a much better job in the Malayalam original “Vaasanthiyum, Lakshmiyum Pinne Nzanum”) and if you could see, all the 3 are directors’ movies. Let him prove his mettle in a lesser-known director’s movie. Even his Dhil, Dhool, Gemini are commercials. He could not sustain his movie Maja in spite of media boosting, whereas Mammootty whom people thought could not deliver comedy did a great job in Maja’s original Thommanum Makkalum and the film was a runaway success. See the build up for his next film Bhima. He is playing a Don and for that the medias are going overboard. To describe Vikram as the next torchbearer by the media is taking things too far. To express my opinion on this and to tell people that how much had NT suffered for difficult makeups and that too in a period where the modern day make up materials were unheard of, I posted a topic on makeup.

Then again while documenting the events that led to the parting of ways between NT and some famous yesteryear directors, I had put up something against MGR because it was a fact and it had to be told. I had explained how APN suffered because of Navarathinam. There is an article, which is serialized in Dinamalar Vaaramalar called MGR oru Sagaptham written by one Mr.Ramalingam, a one time stunt man who doubled as a dupe for MGR and also acted as his body guard when he became the CM. Last week, he had written that MGR helped APN and he goes on to say that Navarathinam ran for 100 days. A brazen attempt to hide the truth and so since we don’t have access to mass media to deny such falsehood, at least these things can be documented here.

Another major factor that makes mentioning of MGR and his deeds unavoidable while discussing about NT is, as everybody knows NT & MGR were not only rivals in cinema but also in politics since they represented two diametrically opposite parties. When we discussed about NT’s political career, TN’s political situation took centre stage and when it came to parting of ways between DMK & MGR, one major factor that weighed heavily in favour of MGR’s decision was NT’s continuous BO success at that time and his (MGR’s) continuous failures and MGR’s step itself was to arrest the failure trend and revive his sagging career with the help of politics. So this had to be told.

So when facts are documented we cannot avoid some things. If you personally ask me whether I derived happiness when NT’s movies succeeded and MGR’s movies flopped, my frank answer would be yes till 1978, when MGR’s last movie came out because those were my school days and beginning of College and it was natural. But now the question loses its relevance. I think it is applicable to all fan fights and fans of all generation.

In future too, if somebody is faulted in this thread, please understand that it will not be wanton one. Sorry Rajesh if I had bored you by my lengthy talk.

Regards

Nakeeran
19th May 2006, 07:07 PM
Mr. Murali Srinivas

Though I am not an active participant in this great thread, I have been closely watching it and your contribution has been immense & also of Joe's and others.
You have clearly summarised your views .

Pls continue your good work.

Your postings are very informative for novices like me

rajeshkrv
19th May 2006, 11:01 PM
murali thanks for the lengthy explanation

i didnt mean you it was a generic suggestion

joe
20th May 2006, 09:11 AM
Murali,
That is really informative and interesting post..Pls continue your great work here.

rachel
20th May 2006, 12:10 PM
Murali,
That is really informative and interesting post..Pls continue your great work here.

hi..joe anna.... :|

abkhlabhi
20th May 2006, 12:23 PM
Iam a NT fan and not writing in this thread. But I used to read everyday about NT (both F& P matters) in this thread. I am collecting all these information in order. In fact if any one come forward to publish book on NT this NT thread is very useful and more imformative one. Thanks a lots everyone discussing.

abkhlabhi

abkhlabhi
20th May 2006, 01:00 PM
Not only BRP, APN, Sridhar suffered when they swiched over to MGR, the great star chandrabau and Ashokan also incurred huge loss. Chandrababu invested huge money in Madi Veetu Ezasi with MGR, but this film never seen the screen. And Ashokan lost his money in NEN with MGR. afther this film he started acting as cheap Comdian roles in tamil films. what a fall for a great villain. When we talking out BOs our NT always ahead of MGR and NT producers never lost money. Only after 1980 only he was giving flop movies.

There are so many reasons for hs death. But to my knowledge the main and ONLY reason is JJ Amma. She written the story and directed it. if she don't like any one she go to any extent t finish them. Here is the list of victims.

Our NT
Jayendra Sarawathi
Thirunavukarasu alongwith other 3 policians
Sudarakan
KK
and more

Nakeeran
20th May 2006, 01:06 PM
Not only BRP, APN, Sridhar suffered when they swiched over to MGR, the great star chandrabau and Ashokan also incurred huge loss. Chandrababu invested huge money in Madi Veetu Ezasi with MGR, but this film never seen the screen. And Ashokan lost his money in NEN with MGR. afther this film he started acting as cheap Comdian roles in tamil films. what a fall for a great villain. When we talking out BOs our NT always ahead of MGR and NT producers never lost money. Only after 1980 only he was giving flop movies.

There are so many reasons for hs death. But to my knowledge the main and ONLY reason is JJ Amma. She written the story and directed it. if she don't like any one she go to any extent t finish them. Here is the list of victims.

Our NT
Jayendra Sarawathi
Thirunavukarasu alongwith other 3 policians
Sudarakan
KK
and more

Pls refrain from dragging political names here. We wish to hear more from veterans here. Its a big learning experience for me to know about NT .

JJ has no role in this thread pls understand

umaramesh
20th May 2006, 01:08 PM
Murali

Your statement is true on media hype. people are discussing now itself about kamal movie and his makeup related things . Those days even after releasing the movie people will not get to know how much pain that particular artist has undergone.This is applicable to not only heroes but right from cameraman/music directors and other technicians also. They have done thankless job. Things have become so commercial now and one has to
take care of media hype also to survive :)

I think kamal use to have close contact with NT and I dont think it is neccessary for him to convince people in this manner. Anyway he is also ardent follower of NT and use to speak about NT acting quiet often.

Vikram just started his career and he is putting that extra effort and pain . too much hype will kill you.

ramesh

Nakeeran
20th May 2006, 01:13 PM
Murali

Your statement is true on media hype. people are discussing now itself about kamal movie and his makeup related things . Those days even after releasing the movie people will not get to know how much pain that particular artist has undergone.This is applicable to not only heroes but right from cameraman/music directors and other technicians also. They have done thankless job. Things have become so commercial now and one has to
take care of media hype also to survive :)

I think kamal use to have close contact with NT and I dont think it is neccessary for him to convince people in this manner. Anyway he is also ardent follower of NT and use to speak about NT acting quiet often.

Vikram just started his career and he is putting that extra effort and pain . too much hype will kill you.

ramesh

I think today, making a movie has become a commercial investment ( no longer an art or to convey contributions of great freedom fighters like VOC, Veera pandiya KB )
Its more of a business venture and that could be the reason why all pre release shows are being done with hype

Murali Srinivas
20th May 2006, 03:36 PM
Nakeeran & Joe

Thanks.

Ramesh,

Just as you had mentioned, Kamal who boasts of having sat on NT's lap more than Ram & Prabhu says some absurd things like this about NT, then it hurts you more. That's why I mentioned that.

Rajesh,

No issues.I took your request only in the right manner,but I wrote that clarification because even in future somebody should not mistake us.

akhlb---(Sorry I didn't get the full name)

You are welcome to the thread and some info that you have posted like that of Chandrababu & Asokan are true also, but I avoided that in my post because NT was not involved in that and we need not critisise MGR when it does not concern our NT. In the same manner just as Nakeeran had pointed out it is better not to drag JJ into all these things as present day politics has no relevance as for as NT is concerned.

tacinema
20th May 2006, 08:39 PM
Nakeeran and others,

It is not just today that a movie making has become a commercial investment. It has been always like that and a movie producer definitely wants to make money. There has always been a thought that only action-oriented movies can be BO hits. Some producers wanted to make a difference, not action movies, but still they wanted to be very successful, both in quality and in commercial sense. Thats where NT was phenomenal. NT defied the theory that only action or sterotype movies can be successful. He proved that both quality and quanity can coexist, and can still produce BO miracles. I am proud to say that till today, only NT achieved this feat. I am also very sure that in tamil cinema, in future, no other actor can beat NT in this respect.

I am sure that NT's Uththama Puthiran should have been a hit movie. I remember my grandfather used to say that he was a huge fan of Sivaji-Padmini pair that he saw this movie over 10 times. Somewhere I read that UPuthiran was the first tamil movie that ran 100 days in all 4 southern states. Murali can confirm this news. I am not sure why Kamal contradicts these facts, by saying UPuthiran was a flop movie. As Murali said, no tamil actor, including Kamal, can put him on par with NT. Common tamil people have agreed with the fact that NT has always in different league, when it comes to acting.

I always believe NT's BO record was better than MGR's. Even re-release of NT's films made better money than any other actors film. It has always been a norm that old movies run for only one week. Here again, NT proved otherwise and made history. Let me put some facts here. In my home town Madurai, in late 80s, some of NT's old films spectacular run: VPKattabomman ran over 50 days in Alankar theater, Avan thaan manithan ran over couple of weeks in Meenkshi theater, Raja ran couple of weeks in Chintamani and Vasantha maaligai in New cinema. In fact, Alankar theater was almost broken and it got a new lease of life after VPKattabomman run and this shows that they made tons of money with this re-released film. Till today, no other tamil actors, including MGR, re-released movies made this achievement. As Murali said, the tamil media distorted the history by saying MGR's BO record is better than NT's.

Murali: please continue your narration about NT's history.

Regards.

joe
21st May 2006, 10:18 AM
Dear Murali and all,
Can you provide a source on what kamal said about Uththama puthiran ..There was a old movie 'uththama puthiran' before NT's uththama puthiran .I think old 'Uthama puthiran' was started by K.A.ramasamy ,If I am not wrong .Is anything mistaken? .I couldn't beleive kamal ,such a NT devote could do this mistake.

kalnayak
21st May 2006, 02:10 PM
Joe,

Kamal mentioned about Sivaji's Uthamaputhiran(UP) that it did not do well during its release. He said that in a function (I cannot remember which function it was) when he was talking about why some of his good/different films were not doing well and this happens for all the actors. Then he said that NT's UP, a great film too was not received well by Tamil fans. I do not know whether he was correct or not, but I was in doubt because till now that film is talked for its many of its kind - NT's first dual role. His dance for 'Yaaradi Nee Mogini' song. All the songs from the film were hits. G.Ramanathan's western music for that song.

NT, Padmini pair -vow. What a great film it is! Dir. Sridhar written the dialog. Can any other actor on this earth perform like our NT's - Majestic walk, a King like beauty, Villanous smile etc. etc. Yaarum avaroda Kaal thusikku samamaagamattanga! I would like to watch this film again and again in Theatres. I happened to watch this film very lately 2 or 3 times - but enjoyed watching. Prabhu also mentioned UP as his favourite movie (for his father's different dual role- Hero, Villain, Hero acts as villain in some scenes, Villain acts as hero in some scenes). The mask, jail scenes were fantastic.

My friends and all used to say that there are heros who do not even have acted in number of films as many as NT's additional roles (Dual or more) in his films.

Once my mother told me that P.U.Chinnappa's Uthamaputhiran was a hit with the same story, but I don't know much about it. P.U.Chinnapa was the first actor to do a dual role for a Tamil film (don't know whether his UP was that one).

joe
21st May 2006, 05:07 PM
kalnayak,
Thanks for clarification ..If kamal said so ,he was wrong ,since I know for sure NT's Uththama puththiran was a massive hit.I think Kamal should have mistaken Uththama puthiran for Karnan.

Even if kamal did the mistake ,he will have no objection to regret ,since he is a die-hard NT fan like us.

kannannn
21st May 2006, 11:07 PM
Joe, I think Kalnayak is right. I don't remember which interview it was but I do remember Kamal saying that he expressed his wish to Shivaji to produce a commercial hit as different and entertaining as Uthama Puthiran. But Shivaji reportedly laughed away his idea asking him where he got the impression that Uthama Puthiran was a hit. That was when Kamal himself knew that it was not a hit. But whatever the outcome was, I for one feel that the movie is a lesson in script writing and dialogue delivery. Even today's mass movies can't stand up to the classic entertainer that was Uthama Puthiran.

kalnayak
23rd May 2006, 12:12 PM
www.maalaimalar.com
(visit Kaalachuvadugal->cinema varalaru ->Chevalie Sivaji)
website says Uthama Puthiran was hit and ran for 21 weeks in Chennai.

A review of Uthama Puthiran:
http://www.thenisai.com/tamil/movies/uputhiran.htm

abkhlabhi
23rd May 2006, 01:42 PM
I am not dragging JJ in NT thread. Ennudaiya Idyaya kumaral. Avar 100 varusham vaazavendiyavar. Avar thanudaiya Grand Daughter JJ foster sonku marriage, foster son arrest athan mulam NT patta avasthai, athanal avarudaiya health spoil ananthu. Lastly he last his breath. entha vedanaiyai enal till today thangamudiyavilai.

joe
23rd May 2006, 02:13 PM
I am not dragging JJ in NT thread. Ennudaiya Idyaya kumaral. Avar 100 varusham vaazavendiyavar. Avar thanudaiya Grand Daughter JJ foster sonku marriage, foster son arrest athan mulam NT patta avasthai, athanal avarudaiya health spoil ananthu. Lastly he last his breath. entha vedanaiyai enal till today thangamudiyavilai.

உங்கள் வேதனையில் நானும் பங்கு கொள்கிறேன் .ஆனால் என்ன செய்வது .அதைப்பற்றி பேசுவதை விடுத்து நடிகர் திலகத்தின் நல்ல நினைவுகளை அசை போட்டு மனத் திருப்தி அடைந்து கொள்வது தான் நல்லது.

Murali Srinivas
23rd May 2006, 08:23 PM
[tscii:e7a935c232]NT’s political career II Phase-1967-1975 Continuation
(Oct 1972- Oct 1975)

When the news spread that MGR had been suspended, tension mounted and MGR himself was in a shooting. When informed about the developments and asked about his reaction, he replied “ Indru Paayaasam Kudithen”, again a clear indication that he wanted the suspension to happen. The MGR fans clearly came out in large numbers and in every city/town/village there were rallies, which culminated in violence. Law & Order completely broke down and it was free for all. All educational institutions were closed indefinitely and protests were happening everywhere. MGR launched his ADMK (later to change as AIADMK) on Oct 17th and some leaders from DMK like KAKrishnaswami, Nanjil Manoharan joined him. DMK unleashed violence on MGR’s supporters and they retaliated back. Within 3 days of his launching ADMK, MGR released his Idhya Veenai on Oct 20th. The movie not a great one was caught in a trap. Because of the Law & Order situation the crowds were less and secondly fans were more eager on the political arena. The expulsion and subsequent launching of the new party helped the movie to sustain for 100 days. At this time any act by both the sides sparked off violent clashes. Madurai Muthu, the Madurai Dist Secretary and the most vocal critic of MGR had wantonly conducted a meeting in Madurai Thilagar Thidal also known as Sandhai on the 3rd day of Iveenai’s release (i.e.) 22nd Oct and the movie was playing in the nearby Sri Devi Theatre. The people coming out of the theatre and going to the theatre had to go through the side street of the meeting ground and police diverted all the crowds through another way. Still violence erupted and spilled over for a week. Nanjil Manoharan had planned a trip to Delhi and he was attacked at the Chennai airport itself. At this point of time the entire Chennai city was in the hands of the fans and it became an unwritten rule that all vehicles should carry a pasted notice proclaiming “MGR Vazhga”. It is rumoured that once even MuKa’s vehicle was stopped in the beach road and when the security police accompanying him tried to disperse the crowd, it seems that MuKa prevented them and the protesters pasted the notice on the car without knowing that MuKa was inside. All these things helped MGR to the maximum. The public was turning against the government and years of toil by PT & Congress workers were beginning to bear fruit when MGR came and simply reaped the harvest. To put it simply, he hi-jacked the agenda of Congress. Here it must be said that Congress in TN, caught unexpectedly in the midst failed to take charge and except Kannadasan’s remark about ADMK “Ithu verum oru 100 naal padam”, Congress did not even officially respond to the situation and MGR the clever strategist he always was, made use of the situation to the hilt. Only after a month or so when a media correspondent asked about the new party did PT gave his, ever-famous quote, “Rendum Ore Kuttaiyle Oorina Mattainen”. After this clarification Congress circles caught in a dilemna whether to support MGR or not, came out against both Dravidian parties.
Meanwhile NT’s dream run was continuing and in spite of the troubled times NT came to Madurai on 29th Oct for the 177th day celebrations of Pattikkada Pattanama and that Sunday witnessed overwhelming crowds in the Central Cinema, which was screening the movie. Another proof that NT’s films were doing excellent business even in that troubled times was the continuous 100 Housefull shows in Madurai New Cinema that Vasantha Maaligai had completed on the previous day (i.e.) 28th Oct. When the Central theatre could not entertain the huge crowd that had come for Morning and Matinee shows, NT along with other artists were taken on a procession in an open jeep that started from the Theatre to Pandiyan Hotel where he was staying. Though this was not in the agenda, the crowds thronged the entire route and I was an eyewitness to the procession and reception. In December NT had another release Neethi and again it was a hit (100 days run in Devi Paradise & Salem).

In the political arena, hot things were happening and DMK was committing mistake after mistake. They tried to put down all protests by force and that was complicating matters. Just because a College Professor in Palayamkottai by the name Srinivasan supposed to have supported MGR in the class, he was attacked inside his house and his house ransacked. The students again erupted all over TN. Worst was to follow. In Tiruchy, there is a hostel called Clive Hostel and the inmates of the Hostel were brutally attacked. Reason was the students had allegedly eve teased the daughter of DMK minister Anbil Dharmalingam. But insiders had another story (i.e.) students supported MGR. (Probably Tiruchy people will remember this incident). Mathialagan (brother of KAK) who was earlier a minister in MuKa’s cabinet was now the Speaker of TN Assembly. He had switched over to ADMK and in this atmosphere the assembly was convened. MuKa the manipulator he is decided on another course when he saw Mathialagan would support MGR. The Deputy Speaker at that time was Virudhunagar P.Srinivasan (the same person who defeated PT and who is now a major contributor to AIADMK’s official organ Namadhu MGR) and MuKa brought in a motion, which expressed no confidence in Mathi & made PS as the Speaker. Mathi refused to budge from the Speaker’s seat and PS also went and started conducting proceedings. Mathi asked MGR to speak on the no confidence motion that he had moved and MGR began to speak. PS asked a ruling party MLA to speak. There was pandemonium all around. MGR was hurling corruption charges from one side and the DMK members were shouting at him. MuKa made a signal to the Assembly staff and MGR’s mike was switched off. MGR continued to speak without mike and Chappals and mikes were thrown at him. At that point MGR stopped and proclaimed the famous quote “ Sattasabai Sethuvittathu” and walked out. He was to return to the same assembly only as CM of TN in 1977. Since assembly forum was not available to him, MGR along with M.Kalayanasundaram (the veteran CPI leader) prepared the corruption charges and went to Delhi and gave it to the then President V.V.Giri. The President sent the same to Union cabinet, which sent it to the TN Ministry for its comments. When enquired about this MuKa remarked “ Paarthen, Padithen, Rasithen” in his own style, but of course it is another story that the Sarkaria Commission that probed the corruption charges against the DMK ministers in 1976, took MGR’s memorandum as the basis.

As all these things were happening, normalcy slowly returned to TN and all the three major parties were charting out their own course. At that time the Parliament member of Dindigul (if my memory serves me right it was Rajangam of DMK) passed away and by-election was announced. MGR announced that ADMK will contest the election and rumours were doing round that Mrs.Rani Annadurai was going to be its candidate but MGR announced the name of Maya Thevar. Congress put up NSVChithan and DMK’s candidate was Pon.Muthuramalingam. Indira Congress also decided to put up its own person and Karu.Seemaichamy filed his papers on behalf of IC. It was a no holds barred campaign as stakes were high. MGR had another duty to fulfill and that was the release of Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban, which he had put on the cold storage. Starting from January
1973, he was totally involved in the shooting and post production works of the film. He wanted the film to get released before the election. Simultaneously he was doing both the film’s work and election campaign. DMK leaders had ridiculed the movie and said it will never see the light of the day. Madurai Muthu went one step further and declared he will wear a sari, if at all the movie released. So it became a prestige issue for MGR. He finished the movie and got it censored. At that time MuKa put up another hurdle. His Government raised the tax on posters in Chennai and the amount was huge. MGR decided not to put up posters. Another factor was the largest circulated daily Dina Thanthi was against MGR as SiPa Adhithanar was a minister in MuKa’s cabinet and MGR decided to give the release ads only in Dinamani & Dinamalar. That was unheard of because a cinema release without Thanthi ad could not be thought of in those days. The movie was released on 11th May 1973 and that went on to become the biggest hit of MGR’s career. That also immensely helped ADMK in Dindigul by-election. Coming to NT and congress, both PT & NT put their heart and soul in the campaign for NSVChithan. The election took place on May 20th and the results were declared on the next day. ADMK won by a huge margin and the votes were like this.

Total Votes Polled –5,05,000
ADMK - 2,60,000
Congress - 1,19,500
DMK - 93,000
Indira Congress - 11,000

ADMK polled more than 50% votes and it became certain that ADMK is here to stay. Though disappointed PT said that he would continue to serve the people. MuKa on his part said “ Oru Paanai Sotrukku Oru Soru Patham endra pazhamozhi itharkku porunthathu” and went on to add that the candidate selection was not right and the District Secretary (M Muthu) should realize this. That started the sidelining of Muthu in DMK, which eventually culminated in his exit.

Before this, starting March 1973, TN experienced a severe draught and Load shedding for hours together was the order of the day. The situation was so worse that Kanji Thottis were opened in Ramnad District. This also worked against the Government. Before May NT had two releases. NT’s Raja Raja Chozhan was slated to release on March 31st and the producer Anand Theatre Umapathy had charted Theatres all over TN. At this time ACT announced that his Bharatha Vilas would release on 24th March. Fans were taken aback. RRC was the much-expected film and another NT film just 1 week before that was suicidal, they felt. At that point of time they had no hopes on BV. But NT and VCShanmugam gave the go ahead to ACT and how wrong the fans were. ACT proved that a good film could withstand any competition and BO wise BV collected more than RRC. RRC also had a decent run (97 Days in Madurai). After this the Dindigul election came and days after the Dindigul election, the Union Minister Mohan Kumaramangalam representing Coimbatore Parliament constituency died in a plane crash. So another by-election was on the cards. But in those days the State Government can decide on the dates and MuKa fresh from the defeat postponed the by election.

So TN politics progressed without any dramatic incidents except for the murder of two ADMK workers Poolavari Sugumaran & Vathlagundu Arumugam. In the former Veerapandi Arumugam was the prime accused and of course after a long drawn out legal battle he was acquitted. Of course Press was under constant attack and during this period Makkal Kural & Alai Osai offices were brutally attacked and in fact Vellore Narayanan the editor of Alai Osai had suffered multiple injuries. The reason was they wrote against DMK. So the terror, which started in 1971, continued unabated.

In June, July NT had 2 releases. Ponnoonjal was released on 15th June, but since it was in production for long and had a weak story line, it failed to hit it big. The songs were the high points and that helped the film to a certain extent. Engal Thanga Raja hit the screens on 14th July. Produced by Telugu Producer/Director VBRajendra Prasad this was a hit from day 1.It was in this movie that NT extensively used the name of PT & his photo and the fans/congress workers were delighted. In fact the song Kodiyil Oruvan Piranthu Vandhan in the film was very much used when PT passed away. The movie ran up to Deepavali. MGR’s USV was cruising, but his Pattikattu Ponniah (last MGR-JJ film) released on 31st August bombed at the BO. NT for Deepavali had Gowravam (no need to explain) and in December 1973, NT again had two releases. Dec 7th saw the release of Manitharil Manickam (guest role for NT) and on 22nd Rajapart Rangadurai hit the screens. RR did well but again it was not so big. Here again the movie for a major part projected Congress and PT in good light. The song Inquilab Zindabad done by emotionally charged NT drew a great applause and it was a regular in Congress meetings.
On the political side Periyar EVR passed away on Dec 24th, coinciding with the death of Rajaji who breathed his last on Dec 25th, a year before.

The dawn of New Year 1974 saw the arrival of Sivakamiyin Selvan on Jan 26th. A remake of Aradhana, the most popular Hindi movie of that period, SS still was nice and the songs by MSV were simply superb. The movie, which had a great opening, faltered after 60-70 days mainly due to the negative word of mouth regarding some song sequences, which people felt were sexy. Considering that the director was CVR, it was to be expected, but still the scenes were not accepted.

By this time the by election to Coimbatore Parliament & Coimbatore West Assembly seat were announced and it was to coincide with Pondicherry Assembly election. For the first time after the Congress split good sense prevailed in both Congress camps and an alliance between Congress (O) & Congress ® came up. By this Congress (O) would contest in TN and both the parties would contest equally in Pondicherry. People were very happy and it was widely believed that this might lead to the merger of Congress factions at least in TN. Cho’s Thuglak was in the forefront in advocating such a course. ADMK along with CPI was on one side and again DMK was the third front. CPM, which had supported ADMK in the Dindigul by election, had wanted to contest Coimbatore but MGR gave it to CPI’s Parvathy Krishnan. So CPM put up its own candidate Ramani there. Congress had put up S.V.Lakshmanan (who was later the President of Janata in the name of SVElakuvanar). The contest was tough and again NT campaigned hard. Indira Gandhi came up for campaigning and a joint meeting was addressed by her and PT in which our NT also participated. (Some people may remember the famous photograph in which NT is seen walking behind IG & PT). Unlike Dindigul, which predominantly was rural, this was urban area and that showed. Though Parvathy Krishnan won, the margin between her and SVL was barely 2000 votes. In Coimbatore West, ADMK’s C.Aranganayakam (who was later to become a minister in both MGR’s & JJ’s cabinet) scrapped through a slender margin of 500 votes. In Pondicherry, ADMK won 12 seats, Congress –12 (IC-7 + OC –5), CPI-2, DMK-2 & Independents –2. The results showed that with a little hard work Congress could make a successful comeback. ADMK staked its claim to form a ministry in Pondicherry with the support of Independent. Ramasamy became the CM. But MGR’s political in experience showed. He had nominated his own man as Speaker. That reduced ADMK’s strength by 1. Within 21 days of swearing in, there was a big uproar in the assembly when the opposition leaders waved a copy of Budget papers before it was presented by the Government and in the subsequent no confidence motion the Government was defeated by 15-14. Even if the Speaker in a total strength of 30 members were to cast his vote still the votes would have been just equal and thus the Government fell and President’s rule was proclaimed. It was a bitter lesson for ADMK & MGR. But for Congress, there were reasons to be optimistic regarding the future. DMK was nowhere in the scheme of things.

NT’s Thai (last B/W film of NT) was released in March 1974 with JJ as heroine. A dance drama song in the movie was all praise for PT and that was the only worth remembering from that movie. On April 12th, Vani-Rani (remake of Seetha Aur Geetha) was released. Though a heroine oriented film, NT did a sort of comical role but the film was loaded heavily in favour of Vanishree. Still it ran 100 days in Madurai-New Cinema. Come June 1st, Thangapathakkam hit the screen. A top-notch quality movie, which rewrote BO records. At this time TN politics again became hot but for different reasons. Sathiyavani Muthu, Minister for Backward Classes had remarked that Gandhiji didn’t do anything great for Dalits and this sparked a furore. Congress strongly condemned this and MGR also joined the bandwagon. If you remember an entire saranam in Naan Padichen Kanchiyele Netru was devoted to this controversy. The saranam starting with the line
“Indhyavin Thanthai Endru Gandhi Irunthar” will end with the line
“Indru Esuvorgal Avaralthan Padhavi Adainthar.”
Another controversy that broke out was the DMK’s allegation that MGR had spoken ill of womenfolk. Of course it didn’t cut ice with the public. The DMK wanted to be in the limelight, as it clearly knew that the fight was between ADMK & Congress. Even in Thangapathakkam, the second Cho character (Vyyapuri aka Vaigai Valavan) was entirely used to make fun of MGR’s Annaism & DMK’s populist schemes. As the above-mentioned controversies were happening, MGR asked Vaalee to write the song Naan Padichen and it was immediately composed and picturised for Netru Indru Naalai. The song came out and there was widespread talk that a lot of political digs were there in the film. There were reasons too. The Madras Corporation under DMK had indulged in a big corruption, which was popularly known as Muster Roll Oozhal and this also found mention in that song. (Veetukellam Velicham Poda Kudtha Panathile, thangal Velicham Pottu Vazhunthu Vittar Nagarasabhaiyile). All these made DMK panic and again the DMK threatened to disrupt the screening of the film. The film was slated for release on 12th July 1974 and two days before, in Madurai, DMK people led by Pazhakadai Pandi (who later became the Madurai District Secretary of ADMK) climbed the wall of Chinthamani Talkies, where the movie was charted, after the night show and tore the screen. But the movie managed to get released on the release day itself and theatres all over TN had to put up additional police protection. The DMK’s panic gave publicity to the movie and this helped to stretch it for 100 days. Left to itself the movie would have hardly made an impression because the songs were the only saving grace. Having lost face, the DMK government again came out with a draconian announcement and that was the hiking of Entertainment Tax to nearly 70% in TN. The whole industry revolted against the move and first time in the annals of TN, all the cinema halls were closed for 5 days from 15.08.1974 to 19.08.1974. Never before or Never after had the theatres remained closed for 5 consecutive days. NT was the President of Nadigar Sangam at that time and a delegation of film people under NT went and met MuKa. After a long negotiation MuKa agreed to bring down the Tax. It was clear that MuKa was targeting the whole film industry because of his personal clash with one individual. In fact NT’s own En Magan was scheduled to release on 15th August, but that was postponed and it released on Aug 21st. A remake of Hindi Be-Imman, this Balajee movie went on to complete 100 days in our Madurai- New Cinema. MuKa’s Government smarting under its own failure then sent a circular to all theatres which had requested and got the police protection for NEN, to pay the entire cost incurred to the Government for giving police protection. It is the duty of the Government to give protection and for that it demanded the reimbursement of expenses incurred. Such was the attitude.

After this there was not much political activity and Deepavali came. Both NT & MGR had releases though there was a week’s gap between Urimaikural & Anbai Thedi. After a long time NT’s Deepavali film didn’t do well and UK became a Super Hit. Surprise of surprises MGR had another release in the same month, Sirithu Vaazha Vendum, a remake of Amithab’s Zanjeer. It did average business and in Madurai it ran for 100 days. On the film front, in the months that followed, MGR had Ninaithathai Mudippavan (a remake of Saccha Jutha and took a long time in the making) in May 1975(average), Naalai Namadhe (remake of Yaadon Ki Baarat) in July 1975(Flop), Idhyakani in August 1975 (the last Super Hit of MGR) & Pallandu Vaazgha (remake of Shantaram’s Do Ankhein Baara hath) in Oct 75(Deepavali- Average). NT on the other hand had Manithanun Deivamaagalam for Pongal 1975 (Flop), Avanthan Manidhan (175th movie) in April 75 (Hit), Mannavan Vanthanadi in Aug 75 (Hit) & Anbe Aruyire in Sep 75 (Flop).

On the political arena, TN was again facing hardships and a severe draught was sweeping TN. Again Kanji Thottis were opened and Madras city was experiencing its worst summer. That was the time the MuKa government was involved in wasteful expenditures like sprinkling Silver Iodide from helicopters to bring artificial rain. Its much-publicized Veeranam scheme became synonymous with corruption and the pipes were just lying on the outskirts of Madras. People’s ire was uncontrollable. At this time braving the hot and humid weather and defying his age, PT took a whirlwind campaign across the state and people simply thronged his meetings. Such was the response that Kalki began serializing the tour under the caption Vaadiya Payirukku Vanmukil Kamaraj. Meanwhile all of a sudden Delhi politics turned topsy-turvy on a singe day. Rajnarain the Socialist party candidate against Indira Gandhi in Rae Barielly way back in 1971 had filed a case against her and suddenly the Judgement by Justice Sinha of Allahabad High Court was pronounced on June 12th 1975, which set aside the election of Indira. All hell broke loose and the entire opposition had come together under JP (Jayaprakash Narayan). JP in the previous year (74) had successfully organized an agitation in Bihar against the Congress ministry headed by Jagannath Mishra. In 1975, Gujarat was continuously placed under President’s role and for conducting an election Morarjee Desai had undertaken a fast. The Central Government had to give in at last and elections were held and it threw up a hung assembly and this was in May-June. As usual Indira tried to put up her party in power there in Gujarat. So when the Judgement too came up, the entire opposition joined together. Indira took the unprecedented step of proclaiming Emergency on the night of June 25th and all opposition leaders were arrested in a midnight operation. Only PT was spared. Meanwhile PT who had undertaken a tour in May-June fell ill and he had to cancel all his programmes. If an intensive tour affected his health, the proclamation of Emergency and arrest of his long time associates broke his heart. NT had not conducted the annual conference for 1973 & 1974 and so the fans had arranged a function to celebrate his 175th movie. That was to be held along with PT’s birthday on July 15th. But the sudden turn of events and PT’s ill health forced the organizers to cancel the celebrations. Slowly central Government had assumed ominous roles and Press censorships were introduced. It was so authoritarian that Thuglak suspended its publication for 2 months (4 issues). PT was slowly regaining health. Come October 1st, NT celebrated his birthday and PT even with his failing health turned up at Annai Illam to wish NT. NT was overwhelmed with emotion and little did he realize (or for that matter all of us) that this would be one last time that he will be seeing his leader in flesh and blood. That ominous October 2nd dawned and Congress workers under the TNCC President PaaRaa (P.Ramachandran) paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi & LB Sasthri. PT who had a normal day till the forenoon ate his lunch of Thayir Satham with Keerai and retired to bed. He asked his assistant “ Lightai off paanitu po”. The servant obediently did what his master ordered without realizing that the Light of TN is going to get switched off forever. After an hour or so when he came back to the room, he found something uneasy and called up the Dr. immediately. The Dr. came rushing in and found that the Light had indeed gone off. PT had suffered a low BP, wherein the pressure comes down to Zero which in turn will stop the function of the heart. Yes PT the Ezhai Pangalar passed away without any pain or discomfort. For NT this was more than anything he could stand and his grief knew no bounds and he swooned repeatedly. Thus a great chapter in TN history came to an end on that black Thursday and it also brought to end the most active part of NT’s political career.

We will see the remaining phases in NT’s political life in the coming days.


Regards[/tscii:e7a935c232]

joe
24th May 2006, 07:04 AM
[tscii:e966b153f9]Murali,
Again an excellent summary.

// He asked his assistant “ Lightai off paanitu po”. The servant obediently did what his master ordered without realizing that the Light of TN is going to get switched off forever.//

This made me in to tears.[/tscii:e966b153f9]

umaramesh
24th May 2006, 12:07 PM
[tscii:ecc05ef0f6] He asked his assistant “ Lightai off paanitu po”. The servant obediently did what his master ordered without realizing that the Light of TN is going to get switched off forever.//

I think shivaji used this dialgoue in AVANTHAN MANITHAN in the last scene.

PANNAJALI UNNIDATHIL SELAI KETTAL
ANTHA PAARTHAAN AVAN UNNITADTHIL KEETHAI KEETAN
NAAN IRUKKUM NELAILIYIL UNNAI ENNA KETTPAEEN
INNUM NANMAI SEIDHU THUNBAM VANGUM ULLAM KETTPEN

KAALIL VILANGUMITTOM
KADAMAI ENNA AZHAITHOOM
NAALU VILLANUGU GALIL THINNAM
NATTIYA MADUGIRUM

great acting /great song/great music/great voice.

SHIVAJI/KD/MSV/TMS :thumbsup: [/tscii:ecc05ef0f6]

S.Balaji
24th May 2006, 04:02 PM
[tscii:9b6b7a8469] He asked his assistant “ Lightai off paanitu po”. The servant obediently did what his master ordered without realizing that the Light of TN is going to get switched off forever.//

I think shivaji used this dialgoue in AVANTHAN MANITHAN in the last scene.

PANNAJALI UNNIDATHIL SELAI KETTAL
ANTHA PAARTHAAN AVAN UNNITADTHIL KEETHAI KEETAN
NAAN IRUKKUM NELAILIYIL UNNAI ENNA KETTPAEEN
INNUM NANMAI SEIDHU THUNBAM VANGUM ULLAM KETTPEN

KAALIL VILANGUMITTOM
KADAMAI ENNA AZHAITHOOM
NAALU VILLANUGU GALIL THINNAM
NATTIYA MADUGIRUM

great acting /great song/great music/great voice.

SHIVAJI/KD/MSV/TMS :thumbsup: [/tscii:9b6b7a8469]

Dear Ramesh,

NT was always attached to Kamarajar . Infact , he slightly touched his name in 2 songs :

1. Barathamay en arumai barathame

Ingay oru Gandhi irukindrar avar vazga. Therkey oru Gandhi varuginrar avar vazga

2. Thangangalay , nalai thalaivargale

Palli chalai thandhavan ezai thalaivanai dhinamum ennungal



Murali Srinivas,

You know, I am taking copies of all your posts and showing it to my friends and family members ! so informative you are !

Pl continue your excellent work

joe
24th May 2006, 06:14 PM
Today ,through Governer's spech ,TN govt announced that NT's statue will be opened at Merina Beach on his Ninaivu Naal July 21.

http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/2006/may/24/disp.asp?i=3_3

Thanks again kalainjar!

selvakumar
24th May 2006, 06:24 PM
Today ,through Governer's spech ,TN govt announced that NT's statue will be opened at Merina Beach on his Ninaivu Naal July 21.

http://epaper.tamilmurasu.in/2006/may/24/disp.asp?i=3_3

Thanks again kalainjar!


:clap: Nice one .. Thanks to KaLaigNar.. !
But anyhow... I think someone have already opened the statue before (I think it is PANDICHERRY people) :roll: We are a bit late in this one. :evil:

Murali Srinivas
24th May 2006, 07:05 PM
Dear Joe,

When you read about PT's death you were moved to tears. While I recollected that part of history and typed it here, I felt a lump in my throat, the same feeling I had when I heard the news at around 3.30 PM on that Oct 2nd,1975 when I was a school student.

The second part is though I have a lot against MuKa, he deserves our heartiest thanks for putting up NT's statue in Beach road.

Dear abkhlabhi,

I too share your feelings and when I read your emotional outburst, I was moved. But we could not have helped much because if you start doing post mortem of all that happened, there will be some bitter unpleasent things that will come out which again will show our NT in poor light and for that matter, I said let us not talk.

Dear Ramesh,

NT used this dialogue in Deepam and not in Avanthan Manidhan. But still the two songs which you have mentioned (Aatuvithal & Manithan Ninaipathundu) are gems in all respects as you had mentioned.

Dear Balaji,

Long time no see. Thank you so much for being so nice to me by your deeds. Thanks a lot. In the song Inquilab zindabad, there is another line also which will say,
Ellorukkum Vazhvennum Karma Veerar Pinnalae;
Innatin Ilangargal Ezha Vendum

Even Naatai Pidikira Poren song from Mannavan Vanthandi and Nallavar Kuralukku Mathipirukkum Indha Naatilae from Dr.Siva will also have mention of PT.

Regards

joe
24th May 2006, 07:34 PM
Murali,
Thanks! Though I have a soft corner for Kalainjar for other various reasons ,the leader admire most is PT .It may be because I am from Nagercoil ,where PT was crowned as king twice .When PT dead ,I was 3 years old kid .so I had no chance to see his politics ..But from my childwood ,I heard a lot about PT and I love him for his love for people ..I watched the movie 'Kamaraj' many many times and each time I moved into tears ,especially when Ilayaraja sings "Naadu Paarthathunda ? Intha naadu Paarthathunda"..I felt angry with this TN people for defeating him ..I don't think we will have another leader equal to kamarajar ..Vazhga kamaraj pugazh!

umaramesh
25th May 2006, 01:41 PM
Joe
True. Very simple man. Believe me I use to see THALIVAR sitting in normal chair gretting visitor by himself while passing Thirumalaipillai road with my father. He use to have only one security guard outside.Such a simple man.

People from village use to shout from outside AYYA UNGALE PARKANAM. He will immediately come out and meet them. He solved most of the problems immediately and even use to follow with the person regularly whether he got the help from officials.

He even ignored Non-veg meal due to cost factor. Use to travel by train and he will send his driver after 6.00 PM as he will not use car for personal use. I heard he was force to accept (gifted by someone) as he refuse to buy car for himself. GOLDEN ERA.
We cannot even dream of such things nowadays. VAZKHA KAMARAJAR.
ramesh

abkhlabhi
26th May 2006, 12:20 PM
[tscii:8d6346a24d]Let’s keep off NT politics some time. Let us talk about his acting. Every scene a great treat for his fans. But I admire, used to watch the following scenes very often.

1) Gowravam : On judgement day, NT told to Pandaribai. (in low voice) Enaikku Judgement day, judgement vasikaraneram, Kannana ? Barristar Rajinikanthannu Thirppu solaraneram, then in a soft voice he said a cat on the wall. Finally pandaribai told that Yanaikum (elephant) adi sarukum, then NT slowly raised his voice and said yanaikum adi sarukuma ? Yani keze vizhuntha ena agum theriyuma, athanale Ezuthirika mudiyathu. Athandi Enga eloorum ethirparkura. Nadakathadi nadakathu. Then in High pitch, I prepare to face anybody challenge I am Barrister RK. In this particular scene, you can see his voice variation, acting, style, etc

2) Vasantha Maligai : When NT and vanishri went to VM . NT described about VM. In a very low and soft (I don’t know how to express in words) “Ethu En Kathalikaga kattapatta Vasantha Maligai. Ethu Samadhi alla Sannathi. Enaku mattum parakum sakthi erunthal Agayathil irrukum nachathirangalai kondu vanthum ingu thoranagala thongavitturiupen..…………… …………………………………(I don’t know full dialogue)

3) Rajapat Rangadorai: In one particular scene, Sashikumar 2nd marriage scene. Entha sceneil no acting,/overacting, no dialogue, no body movements and no eye raising or rotation. NT sat in a chair in Kalayan Mantap. In front Shasikuamr ready to tie knot (thali). Here NT never move form his place, no words, just simply looking shashikumar. This scene run almost 5 minutes. Without moving his eye ball , NT expressed so many things and create a revolution in acting. (Ananda Vikatam in its review, particularly pointed out this scene and reviwed this scene fully).

4) Deiva Magan : This scene when Father NT meets Major . After a long time Father NT came to Major House to see his first son Kannan. NT sat in a Sofa and Major was standing at the top the staircase. When Major came down step by step in staircase, the Camera will not show Major walking from the staircase. Instead Both ACT and Cameraman used NT eyes as a Camera in this scene. NT slowly rotate his eyes in full circle (from top to bottom) (sorry I don’t know how to express ) If you watch this scene only you will know the impact and quality of NT eyes.

5) Vietnam Veedu : I don’t know which scene I have to tell. Whole movie itself a treat to watch. Particularly, after retirement, NT came to house and spoke in front of mother’s photo. Oh What a acting.

The NT film I hate most is after 1985 movies.

[/tscii:8d6346a24d]

S.Balaji
27th May 2006, 07:53 PM
Murali,
Thanks! Though I have a soft corner for Kalainjar for other various reasons ,the leader admire most is PT .It may be because I am from Nagercoil ,where PT was crowned as king twice .When PT dead ,I was 3 years old kid .so I had no chance to see his politics ..But from my childwood ,I heard a lot about PT and I love him for his love for people ..I watched the movie 'Kamaraj' many many times and each time I moved into tears ,especially when Ilayaraja sings "Naadu Paarthathunda ? Intha naadu Paarthathunda"..I felt angry with this TN people for defeating him ..I don't think we will have another leader equal to kamarajar ..Vazhga kamaraj pugazh!

Joe dear

I was fortunate enough to meet Perumthalaivar . My distant relative was close to him a freedom fighter & PT attended my cousin's wedding also. At that time he was free from all politics and was resting back home....
You will be stunned by his simplicity. Anyone can see him without any formality !
I fondly recollect his famous moustache and Kadhi white shirt and dhoti
I think in a short span of time 3 personalities passed away in 70s... I mean PT, Rajaji and Periyar

S.Balaji
27th May 2006, 07:57 PM
Murali Srinivas & Joe

Have you met Nadigar thilagam ? & spoken to him ? How was the experience . Pl narrate .

S.Balaji
27th May 2006, 08:07 PM
Murali Srinivas,

Looking forward to the next phase of NT. Pls share with us

S.Balaji
28th May 2006, 01:55 PM
Another question ........... why NT didnt pursue with singing ? If you recollect the old days , I mean MKT, PUC etc, both male and female stars pre-requisites were singing and acting
Even TR Mahalingam followed that theory...
May be Gemini and NT changed the scenario.... not sure but......

or because he got TMS and hence never thought about singing...

umaramesh
29th May 2006, 04:12 PM
Another question ........... why NT didnt pursue with singing ? If you recollect the old days , I mean MKT, PUC etc, both male and female stars pre-requisites were singing and acting
Even TR Mahalingam followed that theory...
May be Gemini and NT changed the scenario.... not sure but......

or because he got TMS and hence never thought about singing


Balaji

Good questin(vadivelu style). Leave alone TMS , NT prefer to accept SPB/KJY for some change, he not even think of using his voice.
After seeing ENGEY NIMMADHI/SATTI SOOTHADA/POOMALAYIL OOR MALLIGAI/MUTHUKALLO KANGAL/PAATUM NAANAY (I need more pages to write) no one would have dreamt to look for a option.

ramesh

S.Balaji
29th May 2006, 06:31 PM
Another question ........... why NT didnt pursue with singing ? If you recollect the old days , I mean MKT, PUC etc, both male and female stars pre-requisites were singing and acting
Even TR Mahalingam followed that theory...
May be Gemini and NT changed the scenario.... not sure but......

or because he got TMS and hence never thought about singing


Balaji

Good questin(vadivelu style). Leave alone TMS , NT prefer to accept SPB/KJY for some change, he not even think of using his voice.
After seeing ENGEY NIMMADHI/SATTI SOOTHADA/POOMALAYIL OOR MALLIGAI/MUTHUKALLO KANGAL/PAATUM NAANAY (I need more pages to write) no one would have dreamt to look for a option.

ramesh

True Ramesh ! Add one more : Andha naal nyabagam :D
You know for Devanay ennai parungal, the sentence ....OH MY LORD PARDON ME .....
they tried various voices & it seems they first approached NT himself ... all along TMS was maintaining a studied silence!
finally they went to him and look at the impact !

S.Balaji
29th May 2006, 06:49 PM
Murali Srinivas,

Upon circulating your posts to my friends and relatives, I have received so many queries :

1. Pallandu vaazga , Naalai namadhey, netru indru naalai - Is it not commercially successful
2. MGR movies in general during the phase you have covered - probably his movies would have ran for 50 to 75 days across TN ( not necessarily 100 days ) which might have made the distributors happy
3. What was NT's reaction during the emergency. Did he oppose or because of his loyalty to Indira Gandhi, he kept quiet
PT opposed emergency & in that case , how NT reacted ?
4. Do you mean to say that MGR was forced to use his bramastra ( that of questioning Mukaa on finances & wealth of ministers etc etc
5. MGR , was he failing those days on Box office . Do you mean to say that he was not that successful commercially ?
6. You have not covered much of NT's political activity as compared what you have described about the overall scenario.... Indeed you have covered at the national level parallely and extensively covered TN politics in main focus but the detailed manner you have covered Mukaa and MGR , you havent covered much about NT
7. Simpson chennai - What happened to Gurumurthy, who was also a union leader ?


ABOVE ALL, THE GENERAL PERCEPTION IS , MGR WAS MORE POPULAR WITH THE MASSES WHEN COMPARED TO NT ...... WHY ?

Also, when MG was so popular with the masses, how come his movies failed as per you , because the fans & followers would have ensured that the movies ran well

Was it the losing grip over film industry made him to come out of DMK and look for other options ?

Awaiting your response

mohanraman
29th May 2006, 11:35 PM
Hey Guys,
Hello all after a long time.Let us not compare and contrast MGR and NT. Each had his great qualities....without these qualities they could not have ruled cinema let alone the state and our hearts.....Let us keep this thread alive by dissecting the acting of NT and not the politics.I too admire Kamaraj but my political and religious views are purly personal and need not find an outlet through this forum.One more song that is attributed to kamaraj was written by kannadasan....purely as a personal appeal.....andha sivakami maganidam sethi solladi...serum naal paarka solladi...this was when kamaraj did not reply to kavignar's appeal to join the congress......so goes this apocryphal story...maybe murali and co can check if the dates tally.....could you also let us know of the date of release of "aalaya mani " and when kannadasan actually resigned from the dmk....then if there is some nearness in the dates I have another story to share....since it is supposed to have happened in my house I would like to be doubly sure of the contents....I was witness to one half of the story........but the poetry is something others told me had happened.

Murali Srinivas
1st June 2006, 06:12 PM
Dear Balaji,

Sorry.I saw your posts only today. Work pressure had kept me tied up. I will be definitely posting the remaining phases shortly. Regarding the questions that have come up, quite an interesting list. I will definitely try to provide answers. Give me some time.

Dear Mohanram Sir,

How are you? Not definitely comparing NT with MGR, but as I have aready pointed out it becomes ineveitable at times. Not airing our political leanings but just to find out why NT's political innings was not that much successful, we are reviewing the political scenario that prevailed in TN & India at that time. It will finish very quickly and we will be back to NT's movies.

Regarding the querries, Andha Sivakami Maganidam was from Pattanathil Bhootham released in 1967 and as you suggested, it was something to do with the merger of Tamizh Desiya Katchi with Congress. Alayaa Mani was the last movie of NT for the calender year 1962 and it was NT's 83rd movie. Kannadasan came out of DMK in 1961.

Regards

PS: Balaji, great still from PP ( I remember reading that it was your most favourite NT movie)

great
1st June 2006, 06:17 PM
yesterday Raj Tv telecasted Karnan movie :) , it was really good to see that movie that too without any commercials in between.

acting wise i dont need to say about Shivaji. what a towering personality.

I wish the movie can be remade now or may be they use some digital technologies like what they have done for mughaal e azaam :D

selvakumar
1st June 2006, 06:24 PM
Great,
In "KARNAN", everyone did well.. But NT was terrific :clap:
Apart from NT,
I liked
Asokan and NTR's acting.
Asokan's expressions during the "EDUKKAVOE KOERKAVOE" scene was truly amazing.

&

I loved NADIGAR THILAGAM's acting in which INDRA will be BEGGING his KAVASAM. Truly an amazing one

:clap:

&

Songs were mindblowing. I love "ULLATHIL UYARNTHA ULLAM KALANGAATHU, KARNAA... VALLAVAN VAGUTHATHADA" :clap:

Nice philosohical song. :D

great
1st June 2006, 06:30 PM
Thats one of my favourite song !!!

I used to play this song continously .

Perfect starcast Muthuraman, ashokan ,saavithri :D

Shakthiprabha.
1st June 2006, 07:46 PM
yup

S.Balaji
3rd June 2006, 03:51 PM
Dear Balaji,

Sorry.I saw your posts only today. Work pressure had kept me tied up. I will be definitely posting the remaining phases shortly. Regarding the questions that have come up, quite an interesting list. I will definitely try to provide answers. Give me some time.

Dear Mohanram Sir,

How are you? Not definitely comparing NT with MGR, but as I have aready pointed out it becomes ineveitable at times. Not airing our political leanings but just to find out why NT's political innings was not that much successful, we are reviewing the political scenario that prevailed in TN & India at that time. It will finish very quickly and we will be back to NT's movies.

Regarding the querries, Andha Sivakami Maganidam was from Pattanathil Bhootham released in 1967 and as you suggested, it was something to do with the merger of Tamizh Desiya Katchi with Congress. Alayaa Mani was the last movie of NT for the calender year 1962 and it was NT's 83rd movie. Kannadasan came out of DMK in 1961.

Regards

PS: Balaji, great still from PP ( I remember reading that it was your most favourite NT movie)

Murali Srinivas Anna ( from now Anna only :D )


Yes, I love PP NT because of the Doctor etiquette that he maintains all through the movie ! even during the song Naan pesa ninaipathelaam !
We are lucky that we lived during his times :D

Apappa ! what a character study he must have made to come out with a precise presentation, especially with the hands inserted on the big Doctor's waist packets , casually browsing the patients' chart and giving instructions to the staff behind him !
That warmth and gentle approach to patients !

I believe when he went for a medical treatment , one Doctor wondered how did he do this role ? within few minutes, NT acted like that Doctor who queried him ! & the doctor was stunned !

100 pakkam ezudhalam MS Anna !!

Mr. Mohanram had already mentioned earlier that BARRISTER RAJINIKANTH IS AN INSPIRATION FROM HIS FATHER !

Looking forward to your next post on his political career and replies to my queries

Mr. Mohanram , pls visit once in 3 days and share your association with NT

Joe Anne, enge allai kanum ?

Murali Srinivas
3rd June 2006, 05:43 PM
Murali Srinivas,

Upon circulating your posts to my friends and relatives, I have received so many queries :

1. Pallandu vaazga , Naalai namadhey, netru indru naalai - Is it not commercially successful
2. MGR movies in general during the phase you have covered - probably his movies would have ran for 50 to 75 days across TN ( not necessarily 100 days ) which might have made the distributors happy
3. What was NT's reaction during the emergency. Did he oppose or because of his loyalty to Indira Gandhi, he kept quiet
PT opposed emergency & in that case , how NT reacted ?
4. Do you mean to say that MGR was forced to use his bramastra ( that of questioning Mukaa on finances & wealth of ministers etc etc
5. MGR , was he failing those days on Box office . Do you mean to say that he was not that successful commercially ?
6. You have not covered much of NT's political activity as compared what you have described about the overall scenario.... Indeed you have covered at the national level parallely and extensively covered TN politics in main focus but the detailed manner you have covered Mukaa and MGR , you havent covered much about NT
7. Simpson chennai - What happened to Gurumurthy, who was also a union leader ?


ABOVE ALL, THE GENERAL PERCEPTION IS , MGR WAS MORE POPULAR WITH THE MASSES WHEN COMPARED TO NT ...... WHY ?

Also, when MG was so popular with the masses, how come his movies failed as per you , because the fans & followers would have ensured that the movies ran well

Was it the losing grip over film industry made him to come out of DMK and look for other options ?

Awaiting your response

Dear Balaji,

Before answering the 7 questions that you have asked, let me answer the earlier question of yours (i.e) whether I have met NT & talked with him. I have seen him in person on numerous occasions but never had the opportunity to talk to him. And that will remain one of the bitterest disappointments of my Life.

Then coming to your questions
Naalai Namadhe: As you know it was a remake of the evergreen hit Yaadon Ki Baarat. YKB was making waves all over TN in 1973-74. Sethu Madhavan of Malayalam film world (A great director who had done some excellent films in Mal. Also directed some Tamil films, the last of which was Nammavar) got the remake rights and approached MGR. The initial plan was MGR will do Dharmendra’s role, Sivakumar will do Vijay Arora’s role & Kamal for Tariq’s role. But MGR again as his wont did not accept and he dictated his own terms and made it happen. Since the eldest did not have Jodi and songs, he took the second son’s role also and brought Chandramohan (Sankarabharanam fame- though it was released much later 1979) for Tariq’s role. This clearly affected the movie and moreover when it was released on 4th July 1975, YKB was still fresh in the minds of the people and if you remember NN had no such elements that would satisfy a MGR fan. The supposedly long run of MGR’s films in normal circumstances can be contributed to another factor. The Gap between two MGR films will be big and for hard-core MGR fans who used to repeatedly view the movie, they had no other go and this helped the movies to run for more days. Compared to this NT’s movies always had a short gap between them. In the case of NN, the MGR fans had nothing to cheer about and moreover on 22nd August 1975 (just after of 49 days of NN’s release), Idhyakani was released and so MGR fans dropped NN and it bit the dust at the BO. After it’ release (it was not announced before) the ad came out stating that NN is MGR’s 125th movie, but it did not help.
NIN: You should be aware that was produced by Asokan. It took unusually long time for even a MGR movie to complete. That was due to the serious differences that cropped between MGR and Asokan and Asokan was in big trouble. The Distributors used to lap up MGR’s movie even on Pooja day but the amount they paid was locked up due to the delay. When it was ready for release, the political problems also threatened it (which I have explained earlier). So though the movie ran for 100 days, the delay happened put the burden on the distributors. Moreover the MuKa government collected the charges for deploying the police for protection and for this the theatre owners wanted the Distributors to share the same. All this put together created problems for the Distributors. For Asokan it was a financial loss and for the Distributors, though it was not to the extent of NN, still it hurt them
PV: Again this was a remake of Shantaram’s Do Ankein Baara Hath (about which you have given a lucid analysis in MGR’s thread) and as you know it was not cut out for a MGR film as it lacked the BO elements. Another point was miscasting. Thengai & VKR as hardcore criminals was hard to digest (Here again because of NIN, MGR refused to take Asokan in). To make up for this, MGR went for glamour and all the three duets (Poi Vaa, Indru Sorgathin, Enna Sugam) had a heavy dose of glamour. But one advantage for PV was it was made in quick time. MGR always had a soft corner for Manian and the entire cast & crew camped near Mysore in March-April 1975 and completed the movie. But still the movie was released on 31st October 1975 (i.e.) 2 days before Deepavali. The movie didn’t do any wonders at the BO, but compared to the above-mentioned films, it did better.

2. Yeah, I do agree that no of days doesn’t matter and because of mass support it would have made profit. But the thing was in that period (especially after he founded ADMK) he had only 3 Super hits (i.e) USV in 1973, UK in 74 & IK in 75 and hits such as SVVendum, PV, IPEVazgha & Meenava Nanban. There were BO disasters like Pattikattu Ponniah, NN, Uzhaikkum karangal, Oorukku Uzhaipavan & Navaratnam. There was another category like N Mudipavan & MMSP, which because of high budget and shooting delays made distributors suffer. Another movie that scrapped through in this period was N Thalai Vanagu. The reasons for this were after entering active politics MGR didn’t get stories to his liking and most of them were remakes. Another factor was Emergency. After 1975 June, the censorship laws were tightened in such a way that fights in cinema was curbed to a great extent and showing of blood stained fights were totally prohibited. If you could see those films especially Oorukku Uzhaipavan you cannot watch usual MGR’s dishum dishum. He will simply rotate the villains with a screen or with his hands. NTV, where in the initial part, he will behave like a villain and this also didn’t go down well with the masses. So in general distributors did not have a field day like they used to have earlier.
3. When Emergency was proclaimed, NT had no connection with Indira. PT was alive at that time and unlike modern times, not everyone will comment on issues like that. The media persons too will ask for comments only from politicians and as for as I knew, NT didn’t say anything on this subject. But of course when he joined IC, he supported Emergency but that was in the later days to come.

The answers for questions 4 & 5 can be combined
4. I had written in my post that MGR was forced to use this asthra. But the reasons were manifold. His movies were not doing commercially well. If you look in detail, after Rickshawkaran (release date: 21.05.1971) his films were like this till his suspension from DMK that happened on 10.10.1972
a. Neerum Neruppum (RD: 18.10.1971)
b. Oru Thai Makkal (RD: 10.12.1971)
c. Sangae Muzhangu (RD: 04.02.1972)
d. Nalla Neram (RD: 10.03.1972)
e. Raman Thediya Seethai (14.04.1972)
f. Naan En Piranthen (RD: 09.06.1972)
g. Annamitta Kai (RD: 15.09.1972)

If you observe, Sollikollumpatiyana hit enbathae illai endru unaruveergal. Not only that except NN & RTS and to a lesser extent NEP, others were disasters. At the same time NT in the same period also had seven releases starting from Babu to Vasantha Maaligai and except Dharmam Engay all others were Hits/Super Hits. Another reason was MGR to make up for this, wanted ministerial berth to which MuKa refused to oblige. Moreover he was promoting his son MuKa Muthu in the film world and MGR saw sinister moves behind this. Then Indira wanting to break DMK and to teach MuKa a lesson put enormous pressure on MGR and for that she used IT Department & FERA authorities. MGR even after becoming CM never crossed Delhi Badhushaws in the wrong way whoever it may be like Indira, Morarjee, Charan Singh & Rajiv. Therefore it is no wonder that MGR succumbed to the pressure. He needed to break the party. What reason will he tell? It should be convincing and so he hi-jacked the agenda of PT & Congress.

Regarding the political activity of NT, I have covered whatever that had happened in those times. Plus he had been using his cinemas to convey messages like I said in Thangapathakkam & En Magan (Neengal Athanai Perum Uthamarthana). Shall I take the liberty to give a detailed reply for this and to another earlier question of yours (Why NT did not contest any election other than 1989 General election) at a later stage after all the phases are over?

Balaji, as I told you, whatever I had been narrating is from my memory alone and I don’t have any materials to fall back upon. So at times some incidents might skip my memory. For example when I wrote the first phase, Annadurai’s election to Rajya Sabha got skipped and I included that in the Second phase. Same way casting NT’s vote by bogus people came in the third post. There is also another extreme that even when I remember something that I forgot, like MGR’s election as MLC and his subsequent resignation in the mid 60’s, I choose not to narrate because I thought it became irrevalant. This long explanation is for Simpson Gurumoorthy. Though the name does ring a bell, I am unable to put my finger on the pie. If something comes across, I will definitely write that.

In the overall perspective, MGR was more popular than NT. The reasons are not hard to find. His films, the ways in which his character was presented, the messages he used to convey through his songs and dialogues, the valour that his characters showed, the designing of songs and fights to attract the youth, his ability to reach the hearts of women and plus his undeniable charisma contributed to his popularity. He always choose his characters in the same mould (i.e.) a good Samaritan role that will always stand by the poor. Any film you choose, you will find only MGR. On the other hand you could only remember Gunasekaran, Manoharan, Parthiban, Vikraman, Kattabomman, VOC, Karnan, Prestige Padmanabhan, Barrister Rajinikanth, SP Chowdry & Periya Thevar. That should be self-explanatory.

In spite of having this great mass, still MGR started losing commercially and this had happened to all matinee idols. You can look at Amithab, NTR, Rajini and all have suffered this at one time or another. This along with the reasons stated above did force MGR to take that decision.

Regards

S.Balaji
3rd June 2006, 06:21 PM
[tscii:0db2c99bf6]
Before answering the 7 questions that you have asked, let me answer the earlier question of yours (i.e) whether I have met NT & talked with him. I have seen him in person on numerous occasions but never had the opportunity to talk to him. And that will remain one of the bitterest disappointments of my Life.

Me too. Though I have seen him, it was one of my unfulfilled dreams :cry:


Then coming to your questions
Naalai Namadhe: As you know it was a remake of the evergreen hit Yaadon Ki Baarat. YKB was making waves all over TN in 1973-74. Sethu Madhavan of Malayalam film world (A great director who had done some excellent films in Mal. Also directed some Tamil films, the last of which was Nammavar) got the remake rights and approached MGR. The initial plan was MGR will do Dharmendra’s role, Sivakumar will do Vijay Arora’s role & Kamal for Tariq’s role. But MGR again as his wont did not accept and he dictated his own terms and made it happen. Since the eldest did not have Jodi and songs, he took the second son’s role also and brought Chandramohan (Sankarabharanam fame- though it was released much later 1979) for Tariq’s role. This clearly affected the movie and moreover when it was released on 4th July 1975, YKB was still fresh in the minds of the people and if you remember NN had no such elements that would satisfy a MGR fan. The supposedly long run of MGR’s films in normal circumstances can be contributed to another factor. The Gap between two MGR films will be big and for hard-core MGR fans who used to repeatedly view the movie, they had no other go and this helped the movies to run for more days. Compared to this NT’s movies always had a short gap between them. In the case of NN, the MGR fans had nothing to cheer about and moreover on 22nd August 1975 (just after of 49 days of NN’s release), Idhyakani was released and so MGR fans dropped NN and it bit the dust at the BO. After it’ release (it was not announced before) the ad came out stating that NN is MGR’s 125th movie, but it did not help.

True, NN when compared to YB was a disaster only and the only redeeming feature were terrific songs . No remix and all originals


NIN: You should be aware that was produced by Asokan. It took unusually long time for even a MGR movie to complete. That was due to the serious differences that cropped between MGR and Asokan and Asokan was in big trouble. The Distributors used to lap up MGR’s movie even on Pooja day but the amount they paid was locked up due to the delay. When it was ready for release, the political problems also threatened it (which I have explained earlier). So though the movie ran for 100 days, the delay happened put the burden on the distributors. Moreover the MuKa government collected the charges for deploying the police for protection and for this the theatre owners wanted the Distributors to share the same. All this put together created problems for the Distributors. For Asokan it was a financial loss and for the Distributors, though it was not to the extent of NN, still it hurt them

I too heard that Asokan lost heavily & later started playing roles which were really really unfortunate. From a hero, he was reduced to .............. Once again, the splendid songs came to the rescue .



PV: Again this was a remake of Shantaram’s Do Ankein Baara Hath (about which you have given a lucid analysis in MGR’s thread) and as you know it was not cut out for a MGR film as it lacked the BO elements. Another point was miscasting. Thengai & VKR as hardcore criminals was hard to digest (Here again because of NIN, MGR refused to take Asokan in). To make up for this, MGR went for glamour and all the three duets (Poi Vaa, Indru Sorgathin, Enna Sugam) had a heavy dose of glamour. But one advantage for PV was it was made in quick time. MGR always had a soft corner for Manian and the entire cast & crew camped near Mysore in March-April 1975 and completed the movie. But still the movie was released on 31st October 1975 (i.e.) 2 days before Deepavali. The movie didn’t do any wonders at the BO, but compared to the above-mentioned films, it did better.

romba clinical analysis panni irukeenga Murali Anna ! Unmai dhaan. I think MG lost his image a bit by acting with heavy dose of glamour



2.Yeah, I do agree that no of days doesn’t matter and because of mass support it would have made profit. But the thing was in that period (especially after he founded ADMK) he had only 3 Super hits (i.e) USV in 1973, UK in 74 & IK in 75 and hits such as SVVendum, PV, IPEVazgha & Meenava Nanban. There were BO disasters like Pattikattu Ponniah, NN, Uzhaikkum karangal, Oorukku Uzhaipavan & Navaratnam. There was another category like N Mudipavan & MMSP, which because of high budget and shooting delays made distributors suffer. Another movie that scrapped through in this period was N Thalai Vanagu. The reasons for this were after entering active politics MGR didn’t get stories to his liking and most of them were remakes. Another factor was Emergency. After 1975 June, the censorship laws were tightened in such a way that fights in cinema was curbed to a great extent and showing of blood stained fights were totally prohibited. If you could see those films especially Oorukku Uzhaipavan you cannot watch usual MGR’s dishum dishum. He will simply rotate the villains with a screen or with his hands. NTV, where in the initial part, he will behave like a villain and this also didn’t go down well with the masses. So in general distributors did not have a field day like they used to have earlier.

You are right . Besides, some of the movies like Uzaikkum karangal were stereotype MG movies and no wonder they didnt succeed....



3.When Emergency was proclaimed, NT had no connection with Indira. PT was alive at that time and unlike modern times, not everyone will comment on issues like that. The media persons too will ask for comments only from politicians and as for as I knew, NT didn’t say anything on this subject. But of course when he joined IC, he supported Emergency but that was in the later days to come.

True. Probably only CHO came out openly & the Janata dhal group opposed staunchly.



The answers for questions 4 & 5 can be combined
4. I had written in my post that MGR was forced to use this asthra. But the reasons were manifold. His movies were not doing commercially well. If you look in detail, after Rickshawkaran (release date: 21.05.1971) his films were like this till his suspension from DMK that happened on 10.10.1972
a. Neerum Neruppum (RD: 18.10.1971)
b. Oru Thai Makkal (RD: 10.12.1971)
c. Sangae Muzhangu (RD: 04.02.1972)
d. Nalla Neram (RD: 10.03.1972)
e. Raman Thediya Seethai (14.04.1972)
f. Naan En Piranthen (RD: 09.06.1972)
g. Annamitta Kai (RD: 15.09.1972)

If you observe, Sollikollumpatiyana hit enbathae illai endru unaruveergal. Not only that except NN & RTS and to a lesser extent NEP, others were disasters. At the same time NT in the same period also had seven releases starting from Babu to Vasantha Maaligai and except Dharmam Engay all others were Hits/Super Hits. Another reason was MGR to make up for this, wanted ministerial berth to which MuKa refused to oblige. Moreover he was promoting his son MuKa Muthu in the film world and MGR saw sinister moves behind this. Then Indira wanting to break DMK and to teach MuKa a lesson put enormous pressure on MGR and for that she used IT Department & FERA authorities. MGR even after becoming CM never crossed Delhi Badhushaws in the wrong way whoever it may be like Indira, Morarjee, Charan Singh & Rajiv. Therefore it is no wonder that MGR succumbed to the pressure. He needed to break the party. What reason will he tell? It should be convincing and so he hi-jacked the agenda of PT & Congress.

True again ! Probably Makkal thilagam took the best decision which turned the political tables and the history of TN !even when his govt was dismissed, he appeared in TV with a sobre look and asked the public WHAT WRONG DID WE DO TO BE DISMISSED. Is it for having given a corruption free govt ??
I still remember that evening in Dhoordharshan when he made his party's political speech .



Regarding the political activity of NT, I have covered whatever that had happened in those times. Plus he had been using his cinemas to convey messages like I said in Thangapathakkam & En Magan (Neengal Athanai Perum Uthamarthana). Shall I take the liberty to give a detailed reply for this and to another earlier question of yours (Why NT did not contest any election other than 1989 General election) at a later stage after all the phases are over?

Yes, I will await .



Balaji, as I told you, whatever I had been narrating is from my memory alone and I don’t have any materials to fall back upon. So at times some incidents might skip my memory. For example when I wrote the first phase, Annadurai’s election to Rajya Sabha got skipped and I included that in the Second phase. Same way casting NT’s vote by bogus people came in the third post. There is also another extreme that even when I remember something that I forgot, like MGR’s election as MLC and his subsequent resignation in the mid 60’s, I choose not to narrate because I thought it became irrevalant. This long explanation is for Simpson Gurumoorthy. Though the name does ring a bell, I am unable to put my finger on the pie. If something comes across, I will definitely write that.

Murali Anna, you have a splendid memory. Some of the incidents which you have narrated - mid 70s really come to me like a flash back !
All the ones prior to that were all confirmed by my Uncles!



In the overall perspective, MGR was more popular than NT. The reasons are not hard to find. His films, the ways in which his character was presented, the messages he used to convey through his songs and dialogues, the valour that his characters showed, the designing of songs and fights to attract the youth, his ability to reach the hearts of women and plus his undeniable charisma contributed to his popularity. He always choose his characters in the same mould (i.e.) a good Samaritan role that will always stand by the poor. Any film you choose, you will find only MGR. On the other hand you could only remember Gunasekaran, Manoharan, Parthiban, Vikraman, Kattabomman, VOC, Karnan, Prestige Padmanabhan, Barrister Rajinikanth, SP Chowdry & Periya Thevar. That should be self-explanatory.

Absolutely true ! the way MG presented before audience was the deciding factor between his charisma and that of NT's
I recollect what Mr. Mohanram mentioned earlier :

Pochuda , en padatha thaan papaanga , enna namba matanga polirukku !



In spite of having this great mass, still MGR started losing commercially and this had happened to all matinee idols. You can look at Amithab, NTR, Rajini and all have suffered this at one time or another. This along with the reasons stated above did force MGR to take that decision.

Idhuvum mutrilum unmai unmai unmai :clap: :thumbsup:

Thanks a lot for giving a clinical analysis and reply.

PL CONTINUE WITH YOUR NEXT PHASE
[/tscii:0db2c99bf6]

S.Balaji
5th June 2006, 05:50 PM
[tscii:01733d9729]
We have discussed at length Nadigar thilagam songs but the focus was mainly on those which he himself sang or along with others……

Wish to pick one of my favourite actress & A DIFFERENT SITUATION SONG from another NT movie

Sowcar Janaki , acknowledged by all as a veteran , smart, intelligent, versatile artist . The movies she had paired with NT were all gems like :
1.Pudhiya paravai
Who can forget the flashy, stylish, arrogant lady who sways NT during the song Paartha nyabagam illayo

2.Motor Sundaram Pillai
A loving wife , grooming a big family

3.Paar magalay paar
A low profile character, a devoted wife

4.Paalum pazamum

Second wife , tries her best to convince NT and forget his past life with Sarojadevi but finally gracefully withdraws

Sowcar also plays a very interesting role as second wife in UYARNDHA MANITHAN ( though she comes to know the truth during climax )…..

Actually Sowcar character is shown at length when both NT and Sowcar reach the 50s age group

While Sowcar is full of enthusiasm and youthfulness in her traits and approach, much to her disappointment and frustration , she finds her loving hubby NT in a different league of his own

A very dominating wife , a perfectionist to the core, also expects the same levels from others including her hubby NT !

While NT dwelves ( a dignified rich business man ) , repenting & recollecting with bitter memories of his past love life with Vanishree, poor Sowcar unaware of his history, tries to imbibe discipline and youth into his life & in the process tries to dominate his day to day life on every aspect which irks NT…..

One day NT finds it a bit too much , loses control and slaps her and leaves the house……

( Despite his past life being a miserable one, NT tries to behave normally and be good with Sowcar but for once he finds her dominance frustrating )

Shocked by this , she becomes restless ………however while meeting her women’s club friend, she realizes what love life is all about

Returns back home with the same cheerfulness back , she now takes the slapping as a happy moment & sings a classic from PS :

ATHANIN MUTHANGAL ATHANAYUM MUTHUKKAL
AZAGANA KANNATHIL ADAYALA CHINNANGAL

I presume the lyrics must be Valee’s as Andha naal nyabagam was by Valee only !

Looking at a table top framed photo of NT ( a majestic looking ! ), Sowcar enjoys every moment now , eagerly awaiting the return of NT in the evening….

The ultimate MD for usage of Piano, once again takes off with Piano preludes & PS has thoroughly read the situation ! listen to the soft & sweet manner she starts in a low tone …… Athaanin muthangal ……athanayum muthukkal…….azagaaaana kannathil…….adayaala chinnangal……. ( here MSV adds his customary melody by a subtle improvisation , repeats the same words ) Azagana kannathil, adayaaala chinnangal !

This is another song where Piano dominates totally & the interludes are no exception….Its piano everywhere


THUYILVADHUPOL ORU BHAVANAI
THODUMVARAYIL SIRU VEDHANAI
ANUBAVITHAL ADHU OODALO
ADHAN PINNAL SUGAM KOODUMO

MSV does a new experiment here ….. he makes PS just sing first without BGM support & then repeats the same with bangoos support !

Great !! how did he learn all these nuances ! & improvisation ?


ENGENGE THOTTALUM THITHIKKUM ENNANGAL
ANGANGE SORGTHAI SANDHIKKUM ULLANGAL

MSV never spares his tabla …he switches over to tabla for the above 2 sentences ……….and comes back to bangoos for the pallavi again !

The lyrics are poetic :

MALARANAYUM AVAN NENJAMO
THALAYANAYUM IRU KAIGALO
SILAYAZHAGUM ANGU KONJUMO
KALAYAZHAGUM ADHAI MINJUMO
PATTADAI MOODI VARA
PALLAKKU AADI VARUM
KANNANA KANNANIDAM
SALLABAM THEDI VARUM

A common reader of the above lyrics without knowing the situation will interpret it as somewhat vulgar but if one sees the movie and the situation wherein the song is positioned, it looks poetic !

When we compare the 2 legends NT and MGR, UM could is a classic example for the difference in the kinds of themes MGR and Sivaji chose . While MGR was the one who could never even think of something wrong , this movie portrays NT as a someone who is unable to even save his own wife and spends his life repenting for it despite being forced to marry another woman.

Featured galaxy of stars like Asokan, Vanishree , Major Sundarrajan , V.K.Ramasamy, Barathi and a young and aspiring candidate Shivakumar !

ABOVE ALL SPLENDID SONGS BY MELLISAI MANNAR.
The movie runs at a nice pace. A young NT’s romance with VS, his shortlived married life , VS’s death and NT’s marriage with Sowcar …. All move at hectic pace and before we know it, some 20 years passes by ! It is only after the meeting between Sivaji and Sivakumar ( NT’s son through VS ) that the movie slows down a bit .
Nadigar thilagam character , inspite of being the hero, has his flaws and it is surprising to see him being subdued by his father's vice like grip and autocratic approach . The movie also shows the social imbalances despite his continuing friendship with childhood friend Major Sunderrajan, the car driver who was forbidden to attend school by Ramdas ( NT’s father ) illustrates his character well. Asokan , the doctor friend who ( loves VS ) hides his own feelings for the sake of his friend.
The married life of Sivaji and Sowcar Janaki is one of the highlights of this movie …very well depicted . Her concern / care for her perfectionist way of living and later happiness at being slapped by Sivaji are quite interesting characterization .
NT makes a very classy rich business man, proves his class during the climax when he breaks down on seeing VS’s photo with Shivakumar
The movie is studded with some outstanding songs :
1.Andha naal nyabagam – fond recollection of past life by two 2 childhood friends
2.Velli kinnam dhaan – NT with VS during a brief honeymoon ( top 100 of TMS )
3.En kelvikenna badhil – Shivakumar & Barathi
4.Naalai indha velai paarthu – PS solo for VS , got national award & it says all

Superb portrayal by Nadigar thilagam once again , allowing himself to be underplayed & dominated by Sowcar Janaki but shows his class in the climax....

Andha naal nyabagam song....this type of songs are reserved exclusively for Nadigar thilagam only
[/tscii:01733d9729]

nilavupriyan
5th June 2006, 06:38 PM
Great,
In "KARNAN", everyone did well.. But NT was terrific :clap:
Apart from NT,
I liked
Asokan and NTR's acting.
Asokan's expressions during the "EDUKKAVOE KOERKAVOE" scene was truly amazing.

&

I loved NADIGAR THILAGAM's acting in which INDRA will be BEGGING his KAVASAM. Truly an amazing one

:clap:

&

Songs were mindblowing. I love "ULLATHIL UYARNTHA ULLAM KALANGAATHU, KARNAA... VALLAVAN VAGUTHATHADA" :clap:

Nice philosohical song. :D

the scene where bheeshma announces karnan as artharadhan and shivaji's reaction to it!

marvelous scene..!the most stylish performance in have seen regarding kings play!

kalnayak
6th June 2006, 07:34 AM
Hi Balaji,

Your narration is very good. Sowcar Janaki was in NT's political party too.

OK. How can you forget a film like 'Padikaatha Medhai' in which Sowcar acted very well with NT? Who will forget the popular songs - Ore oru oorile ore oru Raja ...
Engiruntho vanthaan, Idaichathi naanendran ...
A rare combination of Bhimsingh and K.V.Mahadevan in a Pa series film with NT.

Some one told that in NT's film songs they portrayed well about Perunthalaivar. This film name 'Padikaatha Medhai' also portrays about PT. Ayyo, I remember the film name 'Padithaal Mattum Pothuma?' also here.

mohanraman
7th June 2006, 09:24 PM
Ironically NT first refused the movie, i mean Uyarntha manithan....he had a tiff with Panchu of Krishnan Panchu and did not want to work with him....AVM Saravanan went on behalf of his father and spoke to NT,asked him to see the Bengali original and decide,chettiar wanred the 125th film of NT's to be an AVM film.NT was pacified and agreed but only wanted to do Ashokan's role...he felt it was a great role....they assured him that the screenplay will be totally different from the bengali one and that his role will be suitably redone to bring out his best...and boy it did.During the shooting I believe NT used to act out every line of Asokan's character...telling Asokan that "he" would have done it this way....Asokan gave a lovely performance and we know the reason why...though those who watched NT's version of asokan's role on sets say that he barely reproduced 10% of what NT did....such a great man...he never hesitated to teach his co actors if he found them to be grappling with the nuances required....he never went overboard,always put people at ease by saying...."payapadatheenga...dhairiyama nadinga...neenga nalla panna thaan scene nalla varum."What a contrast to most others."
He was so sure of his abilities that he did not fear that others would upstage him.Keep upyour postings.I will try to visit as often as possible but I have been busy shooting and in fact opened my mailbox only now after a week.
MANIMANDAPAMUM VARUTHU. Must thank MU.KA

Murali Srinivas
10th June 2006, 07:33 PM
[tscii:52f23be0c7]
A phase that should have been the most active and decisive part of NT’s political innings but that didn’t turn out that way. Rather it became an anti climax.

When PT passed away, suddenly everybody felt a void in TN Politics. PT was unlike other leaders. He strode like a colossus in the political arena of TN for more than two decades except for a brief period of 3 years when he was the AICC President. But he had groomed the younger generation in taking up leadership responsibilities. There were quite a few people like Kumari Ananthan, Nedumaran, Thanjai Ramamoorthy, Dhandayuthapani, Kudanthai Ramalingam who had come up well in the party hierarchy. Not to forget PaaRaa (P.Ramachandran), a low profile man but nevertheless he was doing a good job as TNCC President. But still when PT left, a vacuum was felt as it is bound to happen when such a tall leader falls. Doubts begin to rise in the minds of people whether the party can sustain itself in the absence of PT. Added to this, journals like Kumudham started writing editorials that the Congress in TN should merge with Indira Congress as it was futile to continue alone, it argued.

There was divided opinion on this issue. A section of the people wanted Congress to maintain its identity and moreover they were opposed to Indira Gandhi for bringing in the Emergency and arresting all opposition leaders. So they ruled out merger. The other section was for joining Indira Congress. They were arguing that in the absence of PT and with two strong political personalities (i.e.) MGR & MuKa around, Congress will have a tough time to survive and sustain. If the Central Government headed by Indira also becomes hostile, it would become difficult. They said that Emergency has done no harm to TN and PT was not arrested. Indira Gandhi sensing her chance now put her men on move. This was the juncture that would have been the most defying moment of NT’s political career had he heeded to the wishes of majority of his fans.

The simmering and the dual between the pro and anti merger groups stared to come out openly and people were seen identifying with the group of their choice. PaaRaa was firm in keeping the identity intact and Kumari Ananthan, Dhandayuthapani and likes joined him. Nedumaran, Thanjai Ramamoorthy etc were for merger and this group openly revolted against the official party and they started working as a separate group under the leadership of Mahadevan Pillai, a Congress leader from Kanyakumari District.

The million-dollar question was what NT is going to do? There were no firm answers from him. To his credit, NT was totally dumb struck in the initial days. He cancelled all shooting for13 days at the time of PT’s death and was down with a somber mood. Since Deepavali came immediately afterwards (Nov 2nd), he had to finish his commitment as two of his films (Dr. Siva & Vaira Nenjam) were scheduled to release for Deepavali. Close on the heels of Deepavali he had another film Paatum Bharathamum that was nearing completion and NT had to finish that also. That got released on Dec 5th. By this time the battle lines were clearly drawn and fans and public wanted to know on which side will NT take guard. Both the factions wanted NT on their side and both the factions were claiming that NT indeed is with them. The fans were confused. There was another news that was doing rounds. NT is not at all interested in politics and he is quitting. He would allow fans to choose as per their wish. But fans were not for this. Majority of the fans were of the view that NT should be in the faction that opposed Indira Congress. Somehow the fans couldn’t digest Indira’s brand of politics and they were ready to carry over from where PT had left. There was another section of Fans who maintained that they would abide by any decision that would be taken by NT. Still no clear signals were forthcoming from NT. He had to start shooting for Balajee’s Unakaaga Naan and moreover, like every previous year he had started viratham for Sabari Malai. When fans who had been meeting him in stream and trying to find out what lies in his mind, persisted with the question, NT replied that he would announce his decision after coming back from Sabari Malai. The tone and tenor of his wordings hinted that NT would remain with PaaRaa. He had traveled by train and when he reached Madurai (Quilon Express), a section of the fans met him and handed over a letter which stated that they would abide by his decision and it was signed in BLOOD.

In the mean time all the Prime Minister’s men had been moving around and they were meeting and convincing cats on the wall. Some special people were deputed to meet some important figures of Old Congress and our NT was also targeted. The man on the mission was Maragatham Chandrasekar. The grand old lady of Congress who was close to Indira met NT and till today what transpired between them and what made NT to choose Indira Congress has not fully come out. In fact NT after coming back from Sabari Malai had left for Delhi along with MC. Only when the photo and the news came out that he had met Indira Gandhi and pledged support to her, the fans and the public came to know of it. It was heart breaking for the fans and coming close on the heels of PT’s death, it was a twin blow. Most of the fans did not accept the decision and this was the first failure for NT in the political arena. Unlike MGR fans who had whole-heartedly supported his political move, NT’s fans were a thinking lot and they did not endorse his move. That was a major setback and this indecisiveness proved costly for his films. I had myself personally heard fans saying that they still continue to be NT fans but when it comes to politics, they have their own way. In fact I remember, when we had gone to see Unakaaga Naan on the opening day (i.e.) Feb 12th of 1976, there was this Indian News Reel shown before the movie started. There was a news item that showed Indira laying wreaths on the Amar Jawan memorial (normally done on Jan 30th,Gandhiji’s death day) and inside the theatre the fans had divided themselves into two groups wherein one was clapping for and the other was shouting against Indira.

Meanwhile arrangements were going on full swing for the merger of Congress faction with Indira Congress and the date had been fixed as 15th Feb 1976 at Marina. Before this another incident that shook TN had happened. Yes, the DMK government of MuKa was dismissed on Jan 30th 1976. Even prior to this Indira had decided on this but due to the unexpected demise of PT and the subsequent developments delayed this move. DMK unmindful of the public ire against it was again acting in an authoritarian manner. On the eve of dawn of 1976, DMK conducted a conference in Coimbatore on Dec 30 & 31st and the expenditure was so heavy. Again scant respect was shown for public feelings and the callous nature that was evident in their behaviour was the last straw on the camel’s back. The Governor KK Sha was contacted and the report against the Government was obtained and by using article 356, the Government was dismissed and MuKa’s government bagged the dubious distinction of being the first government to be dismissed in TN and that too for corruption charges. The memorandum given by MGR way back in 1972 was dusted and taken up and a Commission of Inquiry was set up under Justice Sarkaria to probe the charges of corruption based on MGR’s memorandum. There was large scale of arrests under MISA (Maintenance of Internal Security Act) and many DMK men were put under arrest and that included MK Stalin. DMK’s top-level leaders were spared. Seeing the writing on the wall many DMK men began denouncing their party affiliations. There was a group that was contemplating to resign from the party.

The Congress (both the factions) was not exactly sure how to react to the Government dismissal. MGR welcomed the move and said it had vindicated his stand. The Indira Congress also welcomed saying that PT had fought for the removal. Congress (O) reaction was muted. In this background the merger took place on Feb 15th and Indira Gandhi had flown in to attend the meeting. Our NT was there but as usual reserved and away from centre stage. Indira spoke of PT and the threat to the country and TN and the reasons that prompted her to dismiss DMK government. Everybody was awaiting one announcement and that came at the end. Indira announced that GK Moopanar would be the new TNCC President. Moopanar was the DCC President of Tanjore at that time and he was hardly known outside Tanjore District. That was sad news for some aspirants and on that day the seeds of factionalism in TN, that today’s Congress is famous for, was sown and it continues till date. NT who always said that he would be a loyal soldier of the party said that he would strive for its pre eminence.

Congress (O) by now had chalked out its strategies and it organized a conference in Cuddalore. The mammoth crowds that it drew surprised many and the fact was the mass mainly composed of NT fans. In that meeting the group’s leaders pledged to dedicate
themselves for fulfilling PT’s dream. In between there was another issue that was bone of contention between the two factions. It was none other than Satyamoorthy Bhavan. The Congress (O) was occupying the Bhavan and Indira Congress was staking its claim. PaaRaa thundered in that meeting that even if Satyamoorthy Bhavan were to be taken away from them, he would run the party sitting under a tree. Actually Satyamoorthy Bhavan belonged(s) to Congress Trust and it had several members on it. The trust members were divided and it continued to remain with Congress (O) though the property was under dispute. The clamour for the property was also another reason for Indira to say yes to the merger. Mohanlal Sukadia as Governor replaced KK Sha.

After the spate of events that happened, TN politics continued to remain as it was and the only scene of activity was the hearings of Sarkaria Commission. News was coming out how corruption was carried out in Veeranam Scheme, Nathan commission giving Diamond necklace for showing favours to them for printing School Books, the illegal transport of Rice from Tanjore to Kerala on a single night by relaxing rules and reinforcing them after the entire quantity was shifted, the selling of Samayanalloor coal based power project to private sector etc. Other than these not much of a political activity was taking place. The political parties were also not sure when the elections would take place as the emergency was in force.

On the movie front MGR had a disastrous calendar year in the sense that all his three films Neethikku Thalai Vanagu (March 1976), Uzhaikkum Karangal (May 1976) and Oorukku Uzhaippavan (Nov 1976) met with Luke worm response. Only NTV was somewhat able to scrape through and the other two sank without a trace.

NT on the other hand had a mixed response. He had 6 releases. His change of political affiliation also affected the BO success. His films were like this.

Unakaaga Naan – 12.02.1976. Remake of Namak Haram (*ing Rajesh Khanna & Amithab) which itself was inspired from Becket (English movie). Great acting by NT with coloured wig and contact lens and good songs failed to carry the movie.

Grihaprevesam – 10.04.1976. Nice family story with KRV as heroine and which also had Sivakumar & Jaya was a successful NT movie after a gap of 8 months and 5 films.

Satyam – 06.05.1976. Again a family story in the rural background saw NT & Devika coming together after a long time and so was NT- Kamal combo after Paarthal Pasi Theerum. But all this along with great songs by KVM failed to make the cash registers ring. Sort of disappointment crept through fans who had expected something special.

Uthaman – 25.06.1976. Remake of Aaa Gale Lag Jaa, this VB Rajendra Prasad movie was an instant hit. Songs by KVM were hit and the movie had a 100-day run.

Chitra Pournami – 22.10.1976 (Deepavali). This movie, which was in the making for a long time and its story out of tune with the times failed. Again good songs were the saving grace. Statistically speaking, this was the last movie in NT-JJ combo.

Rojavin Raja – 24.12.1976. Also in the making for a long period this movie because of screenplay and great NT acting, got lifted and it was successful commercially and appreciated for its content. Superb songs by MSV [the unforgettable Alangaram Kalayatha Silai & Janakin Magalai (Balaji & Ramesh- expecting your comments)] made the film a memorable one.

Thus 1976 which ushered in many political changes came to rather a tame end and
On the political end, one was only hearing the 20-point programme of Indira Gandhi and the 5-point programme of Sanjay Gandhi. Sanjay the second son of Indira had shot into prominence with his promise of 1 Lakh car had by now firmly settled in his political role and there were news leaks of his extra constitutional role in the affairs of Government. In TN, significant happening was the renaming of ADMK as AIADMK. There was a rumour that all regional parties were going to be banned and MGR added All India. Another move by MGR that drew widespread protest was his diktat to his followers that they should inscribe the party flag in their hand (Pachai Kuthuthal). It was one rare occasion that many MGR followers failed to obey their leader. Other than this, the death of DMK functionaries Chittibabu & Sattur Balakrishnan in prison who both were detained under MISA was the other political news that led to debates.

1977 dawned without anyone realizing that this is going to be a watershed year for India and TN. No one was sure when things will normalize. By a constitutional amendment (if my memory serves me right it was 42nd amendment) by which the term of Parliament had been extended to 6 years from 5. So it was to expire by 1977 but still there was no hope for an early election and many thought the term of Parliament may be further extended. Suddenly on Jan 19th, Indira Gandhi took everyone by surprise when she announced that Parliament is being dissolved and fresh elections were ordered. She also said that all political leaders were being released. Suddenly India came alive.

Before going into the political happenings let us briefly see the cine front. NT before elections had 2 releases and both were in January. Avan Oru Sarithiram was released on Pongal (14.01.1977) and as you know it failed. A movie which was more political in nature with NT playing as collector, failed to enthuse fans and again lovely songs [Vanakkam, En Manathu Ondruthan (though it appeared in another movie) etc] were the saving grace. Another NT movie that was released on 26.01.1977 was Deepam and it needs no explanation. Great story and acting was the hallmark of this movie and statistically this 100-day movie was the first movie of NT for which IR scored music. MGR had only one release Navarathinam in March and it was a flop.

Again on the political front, all opposition leaders were released and they decided to join hands together. JP (Jayaprakash Narayanan) was the pivotal in which all forces rallied round. The conglometer of parties, which comprised of stalwarts like Morarjee, Vajpayee, Charan Singh, George Fernandas, H.M.Patel, LK Advani, was named as Janata Party. Suddenly as a bolt from the blue, Jagajeevan Ram the veteran politician from Bihar and champion of downtrodden resigned from Congress and joined the opposition. Though this man was famous for his quote of forgetting to pay the income tax, his was a welcome addition for the opposition. The incumbent President at that time Mr.Fakrudin Ali Ahamed who signed the infamous midnight proclamation of Emergency passed away and the President election was also necessitated.

In TN, as expected Indira Congress alligned with AIADMK. But the Congress (O) had to take a tough decision. If it had to allign it had to do with DMK and for this the Congress was very much hesitant. But finally it had to give in. While the Janata Party contested on a common symbol (Err Uzhavan), the Congress (O) was allowed to contest in women with Charka symbol. From the point of electioneering interest, the meeting addressed by Indira and MGR at Madurai Tamukkam drew mammoth crowd and till today it is described as one of the biggest crowd ever to have assembled for a meeting. On his part NT addressed a meeting with Indira in Tiruchy. The other interesting bit was the coming together of NT & MGR on the same political stage and the joint meeting addressed by them at T.Nagar took a place in the record books.
The election was held in March 1977 and when the results came out it sent shock waves throughout. Indira and Sanjay were defeated in their own constituencies [in fact Congress failed to win a single seat in UP and Bihar. (85 + 54 seats)] and Janata Party was swept to power. In TN, the ADMK- Congress- CPI alliance swept the polls. Out of 40 seats the alliance captured 36 seats. Only Congress (O) candidates PaaRaa at Central Madras, Kumari Ananthan at Nagerkoil and Dhandayuthapani were successful and AVP AsaiThambi of DMK won from North Madras defeating Nanjil Manoharan of ADMK.

The assumption of power by Janata saw the dismissal of Congress ministries in 8 states in one go and elections were ordered and along with them TN & Jammu Kashmir was also scheduled to go for election. The elections were to take place in June and now with Janata in power at the centre, MGR detached Congress by offering them nominal seats and he had an alliance with communist parties. So Congress went alone and now Congress (O) in power did not need DMK also went alone and so DMK also contested alone. The elections were held in June and its result was a foregone conclusion. ADMK captured power with 126 seats, Congress (for which NT campaigned in select constituencies) won 27, Janata took 10 seats but he surprise packet was DMK which contrary to all expectations won 48 seats. MGR after completing his pending shooting works for Meenava Nanban & MMSP became the Chief Minister on 30th June 1977.

Friends again break and will continue.

Regards


[/tscii:52f23be0c7]

groucho070
12th June 2006, 12:19 PM
My fellow Sivaji fans.

I have read all 75 pages and was bloody amazed. Esp posts by one Ms. Sarada, Balaji, and most importantly Mr. Murali Srinivasan. Murali sar, I have collected all your posts and have printed them for my library.

To say that I am a Sivaji fan would be redundant. Any fan of old Tamil movies have to be Sivaji fan or they have just been wasting their time.

It is also heartening to note that this thread is alive and just as long or longer than the threads of other contemporary actor.

I like Murali sar's explanation on the BO. I also agree with him that when detailing NTs political and cinematic life, you can't but include his peers, rivals and others. You can't separate MGR from Sivaji. In fact, one is, directly or indirectly, been influential in the other's best works.

There is so much more I want to talk.

Yesterday night I watched Deiva Magan and two things struck me.

One, the final shootout scene. I think it was well done for its time. Kudos to NT and ACT.

Secondly, in a not so subtle way, I find the film is doing what I call "self-stabbing". Up to then preferences for heroes has always been the skin beauty. Whether the actor is fair skinned or not, he'd be as white as Japanese ghosts in movies. Of course, they are exception with NT himself (Nenjirukkum Varai, Mundru Theivanggal). Tamil cinema then is guilty of that. I think Deiva Magan addressed that issue.

So, more inputs will come soon. But I am eager to hear from Ms. Sarada, Balaji, Murali sar and the rest of the gang.

Also, really appreciate Mr. Mohanram's participation. Thank you.

groucho070
12th June 2006, 01:10 PM
Also I find this coincidence fun to note.

Both Sivaji and Rajinikanth are not the real name of the stars.

Sivaji played Rajinikanth in Gouvaram.

And Rajinikanth will be playing Sivaji in his next movie.

Thanks to Shankar/Rajini, the name Sivaji is getting further boost.

groucho070
12th June 2006, 01:15 PM
Sorry for this overenthusiasm. One of NT stories I found on the net. Hope its not a repost.

groucho070
12th June 2006, 01:16 PM
The link:
http://www.sangam.org/taraki/articles/2005/12-19_Lesson_in_Gratitude_from_Sivaji_Ganesan.php

groucho070
12th June 2006, 01:22 PM
Here I go again. Sorry I keep bugging you guys. I wrote this for my website (now not so active) a year after his passing. I see plenty of errors now, but let it be:

http://rakeshkumar7.tripod.com/id46.html


(Yes, that's my real name)

joe
12th June 2006, 02:20 PM
groucho070,
Warm welcome to hub ,especially to this thread dedicated to our Nadigar Thilagam.

Pls continue to contribute more and share your joy of being a NT Fan .

Murali Srinivas
12th June 2006, 03:56 PM
Dear Rakesh aka grouch070,

A very hearty welcome to you. Just as Joe had mentioned come and share your thoughts about NT. On the personal front, thanks for your kind words and deeds of taking the printouts of my posts and keeping it for your library.I am flattered. Again thanks and welcome.

Joe,

Seeing your avatar and Mr.Grouch070's side by side (I think his avatar is from Selvam) will itself give everybody an idea, how NT had differenciated even in his wigs from one film to another.

Regards

groucho070
12th June 2006, 04:09 PM
Thank you sar.

Waiting for your followup on NT's political phase.

In the meantime, I have thousands of questions regarding NT and his acting technique's, but I shall not bug you for now. You have the task of completing the political stuff remember?

I suspect the next one will be a bit dull because there was when NT found his ultimate failure in politic.

I remember watching TV (Malaysia) where NT gave an interview about err...10 years ago I think.

The interviewer asked about his politics and competition with MGR (in politics).

He answered (in English to the non-Tamil interviewer): "He was successful, and I missed the bus".

Very calm. Very cool. And a hell of a sense of humour. Maaan, you should have seen that.

joe
13th June 2006, 07:45 AM
<dig>

பெருந்தலைவர் காமராஜ் அவர்களின் அருமை பெருமைகள் இன்றைய இளைய தலைமுறைக்கு தெரியாமல் இருக்கலாம் .பெருந்தலைவர் பற்றிய சுவாரஸ்ய துளிகளை நண்பர் ஒருவர் தனது வலைப்பதிவில் தொடராக எழுதி வருகிறார்

http://kamaraj101.blogspot.com

படித்து தெரிந்து கொள்ளலாம்.
</dig>

groucho070
13th June 2006, 09:10 AM
Thanks Joe.

Have you seen the Kamaraj movie? I am trying to get it. I heard that it is damned good.

joe
13th June 2006, 09:12 AM
Thanks Joe.

Have you seen the Kamaraj movie? I am trying to get it. I heard that it is damned good.

Yes..I have VCD (bought in singapore) with me and watched it many times .Each time I moved into tears.

joe
13th June 2006, 09:48 AM
//Uthaman � 25.06.1976. Remake of Aaa Gale Lag Jaa, this VB Rajendra Prasad movie was an instant hit. Songs by KVM were hit and the movie had a 100-day run.//

Murali,
I have seen few websites where 'Uththaman' is mentioned as silver jublee movie ,not just 100 days.isn't it true?

groucho070
13th June 2006, 03:30 PM
Wow. Its awfully quiet in here.

Let me kick start something. Tell the forum what NT flick you find most underrated.

As for me, I'd like to remind you guys about the little gem called Lakshmi Kalyanam.

Yes, this is one of Kannadhasan's failed production (Balaji/Murali sar please confirm this).

It has a simple storyline - get a mappilai for Lakshmi. Forgot who played her, but in this movie NT does not have a pair...unless you count the climax.

NT gets great support from VKR and Nambiar. NT and VKR is constantly teasing and getting into hot soup win Nambiar and some of the scenes are laughout loud funny. We know how funny NT and VKR can be, but you should check out Nambiar's Suruttu Sundharam Pillai. There is even a song dedicated to him "Theerodum Veethiyilee".

Speaking of songs, this film also features "Yaaradaa Manithan Inggee", which reminds me a story. I'd appreciate if any one of you can correct me.

During the same time, MSV was composing for MGR/Valee couple for err...Oli Vilakku I think. MGR happened to hear about "Yaaradaa" and found it to be similar to "Thaiyriyamaaga Sol Nee Manithanthaanaa" in Oli Vilakku. He asked MSV to drop Yaarada.

MSV went to Kannadasan/NT couple and explained his dilema. Kannadhasan/NT said no, let it stay. Somehow MGR agreed as well and turned out both songs were super hit.

Please correct the story if its inaccurate.

Lakshmi Kalyanam is one of the rare forgotten gems that we need to dust and put it back for show.

umaramesh
13th June 2006, 03:55 PM
We have two great songs in this film by PS.

BRINDAVANATHUKU VARUGINREN/RAMAN ETHNAI RAMANADY

and THERODUM VEETHIYLE OORGULAM.

Not much scope for NT. Average movie with fine songs.

ramesh

Murali Srinivas
13th June 2006, 05:25 PM
Dear Joe,

Uthaman was a greater hit in Ceylon (SriLanka) and if my memory serves me right ran for 175 days there and that's how it is called a Silver Jublie hit.


Groucho070,

As you had mentioned, yes it was Kannadasan's production. As for as the story of competition between Yaarada & Dhariyamaga Sol, I am hearing this for the first time. There is a possibility that this may be true, because both OliVilakku & Lakshmi Kalyanam got released at the same time (i.e.) 1968 November. LK's release date was 15.11.1968 but I am not sure of Oli Vilakku, but it was November.

As you had said fans didn't have much expectation at that time because it was in the making for long and NT had no jodi. He also appeared sans make up in that film. But still he would be so good looking. Another factor that went against LK was, it was caught between Enga Oor Raja (NT's 123rd movie released for 1968 Deepavali) & Uyarndha Manidhan, NT's 125th movie released on 29.11.1968. See the gap between LK & UM was just 2 weeks.

Later when we saw the movie, we realised its worthiness. Just as Ramesh had mentioned, very nice songs were there. Vennira Aadai Nirmala played as Lakshmi with Sowcar as mother.

Regards

abkhlabhi
13th June 2006, 05:53 PM
Dear FH Friends,

I am hereby produce the articles written by Mr.R.Mahadevan in Dinakaran. Whenever you are free, read and comment. An interesting articles on our All Time Great Actor Sivaji. This article includes his various photos. I am unable to send photos. I will try to send it in near future.

Thanks

abkhlabhi





Maha Thoughts
-By R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-1)
Chevaliae Sivajikku
Oscarum Varum
(Oscar Too Would Adorn Sivaji)

( Chevaliae Sivaji Ganesan, the Tamil film artiste, is undoubtedly the greatest cine actor the world has ever seen. He passed away on 21-07-2001, in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India. The present writer of this web article [ R.Mahadevan] has already written a book in Tamil, in print medium, which bears the title: "Chevaliae Sivajikku Oscarum Varum". It means: Oscar Too Would Adorn Sivaji. It was published on 20-12-1995. Earlier, the French Government had awarded Sivaji one of it's most prestigious awards: 'Chevalier in the Order of Arts and Literature [Chevalier De L'Ordre Des Arts Et Des Lettres]. The following is the translated version of the excerpts from that book)



Oscar is considered to be the highest award of World Cinema.
Some years back Oscar Special Award (Honorary Oscar) was awarded to the Indian film director Sathyajit Ray and the Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, who were worldwide considered to be geniuses of cinema world. In recognition of these two giant personalities' life-time contribution to cine field the special award was presented to them in the name of Honorary Oscar.
While announcing this award to them the Oscar Committee also came out with a self-explanatory statement. In it, the following explanation was given by the Committee: At times even Oscar Committee has committed some mistakes. One of them is that so far it hasn't given due recognition to such geniuses like AkiraKurosawa and Sathyajit Ray. To remedy this we have now given Oscar Special Award to them in recognition of their life-time contribution to Cinema. So went the explanation.
If we see things in this light, we could come to the conclusion that the one world great cinema artiste who hasn't so far fallen within the purview of Oscar Committee's attention is the ever green Tamil Cinema Mega Star 'Nadigar Thilagam' Sivaji Ganesan.
On account of Sivaji Ganesan's total and life-time achievements in and contributions to Cinema, he certainly deserves to be awarded Honorary Oscar. If that isn't done, perhaps the Oscar Committee would be blamed once again for committing the same mistake, as in the cases of Sathyajit Ray and Akhiro Kurosawa---for having failed to give due recognition to the world's greatest actor Sivaji Ganesan! So it's the opinion of the critics that the Committee should remedy it's mistake in the matter of Sivaji Ganesan too, as it did in the cases of Ray and Kurosawa earlier.
The 'Chevaliae Award', which is one of the highest Awards of France and which, in terms of reputation, is considered to be equal to Oscar, had earlier been awarded to the only Indian Sathyajit Ray. Recently the Chevaliae Award was given to Sivaji Ganesan!
When Sivaji Ganesan's name had been nominated for Chevaliae Award and while it was still under the consideration of the Chevaliae Committee, do you know whom the committee approached for the answer to the question: 'Whether Sivaji Ganesan stood qualified enough to receive this highest award---'Chevaliae'? It approached only the former recipient of this award in India, Sathyajit Ray!
Ray, who was then the president of Indian Film Federation, is said to have given the following reply to the Committee: 'There isn't a more apt personality in Indian Cinefield to-day to receive this award other than Sivaji Ganesan'.
But there is a small difference between the Chevaliae award that Ray had already received and the recent one awarded to Sivaji. The Chevaliae award presented to Sivaji is said to be comparatively or gradewise a bit superior to that awarded to Sathyajit Ray.
Ray's films have won so many awards in International Film Festivals. He was ranked as one among the top 10 directors in the world. He was keeping up that level of world fame and distinction till the end of his life.
England's Film Institute at a particular period of time had awarded it's most prestigious award only to two world great cinema men. One was Charlee Chaplin. And the other was Sathyajit Ray.
This much popular Ray couldn't go to France in person to receive the Chevaliae Award! At that time Ray had been hospitalized in Calcutta and was undergoing treatment. During then the French President gave an official visit to India. The President, while in India, made a slight change in his official tour programme and himself went to the Calcutta hospital, met Ray there and gave away the Chevaliae Award to the latter in person.
As we indicated earlier, the Chevaliae Award received by Sivaji Ganesan is said to be a bit superior, in terms of it's grade, to that received by the great Sathyajit Ray. Now it could very well be understood that the achievement of Sivaji Ganesan as a cinema man is in no way inferior to that of Ray!
The same Ray, who got the Chevaliae Award first, received his Oscar Special Award at a later period..Therefore it's only logically correct to insist that Sivaji Ganesan who has received a bit superior grade of Chevaliae than Ray himself should also be duly or accordingly honoured by the Oscar Committee also, by giving him the Oscar Special Award!
Were Sathyajit Ray to remain alive to-day he himself might havedefinitely recommended Sivaji Ganesan's name for Oscar Special Award! What more would be needed by the Oscar Committee than the very recommendation of Sathyajit Ray, who himself happens to be an Oscar Special Award recipient!

By way of giving substantial proof in justification of such a recommendation, one could cite the examples of the rich varieties that abound in the multi-different character roles Sivaji has done, right from his first film "Paraasakthi" to "En Aasa Rasaave"! Sivaji Ganesan has infused life into such character roles which profess to the world the virtuosity and the universality of his great art of matchless acting! The way in which he has acted in these roles define the ABC of acting . It's the Grammar of acting.
Even to-day it is not too late. Chevaliae Committee, having the list of nominations of world great actors at hand, only after 6 years of strenuous efforts and fact-finding research work, finally selected Sivaji Ganesan for the award for the particular year! If that is so, the same, complete data that this Committee collected in the course of 6 years relating to Sivaji Ganesan may very well be made to reach the hands of Oscar Committee also. If that could be accomplished successfully, Sivaji Ganesan, who has so far climbed up 99 steps by winning the Chevaliae Award, may very soon be enabled to put his feet upon the 100th step also. If the right people choose the right course of action we could soon be able to felicitate Oscar Sivaji!

( To be continued)











Maha Thoughts:
--By R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-2)

His Original Way Of Acting
Fetched Him The Chevalier Award
The following explanation was given by the Chevalier award committee as to why this award was presented to Sivaji Ganesan:

The Chevalier award has been given to Mr. Sivaji Ganesan in recognition of one of the most original ways of acting and expression of emotions in Indian films.

This Chevalier committee has accurately evaluated what's Sivaji's greatest plus points and strength.....
It's only Sivaji's priceless trait of originality in acting, which has made him turn into an epoch-making personality and has enabled him to stand as an ever-lasting source of inspiration, for generation after generation, to hundreds of artistes. He ever remains an idol to them.
The meaning of the term originality could be more clearly understood when we corroborate it with terms like sincerity, creativity, individuality etc.
The vast significance and greater veracity of his qualitative trait called originality has been fully felt and thoroughly understood by the French people. Hence they have given him the Chevalier award.
Likewise, all the international awards and titles presented to Sathyajit Ray had been possible only because of his originality, creativity, individuality and his inherent quality of native genius.
Sathyajit Ray's first film won international award at the first ever international film festival it participated in...The same film won a few more awards at the subsequently held international film festivals.
Ray's second and third directional ventures also won awards in respective international film festivals.
Seeing this, some of the North Indian film makers made their trips to Hollywood to get first-hand knowledge of the modern film-making techniques used there. They wanted to produce their own films in India using those techniques and thereby hoped to win international awards and accolades! But what they saw abroad made them feel still more frustrated. A sense of inferiority complex started haunting them. Like them, Ray didn't try just to imitate foreign film makers. Rather he followed only the dictates of his own mind.
When he entered film-making he was a new-comer to the field. He didn't have prior experience. He invested what he had been keeping as his personal savings, as his initial investment, and started film- shooting as only a part-timer. He shot his film during week-ends. On weekly working days he continued to attend his regular office work as usual.
He chose only newface artistes as actors and actresses for his film. He selected them from among people he met in everyday life. There was no special make-up too, for the artistes.
The cinematographer, whom Ray chose for his film, was also a newface technician with no prior cinema experience. He was only an ordinary still-photographer.
Thus, in spite of having fixed only newface people for all these works, Ray managed to win international recognition and fame, that's also through his first ever film itself! He entered into film-making relying only upon his own creativity, individuality and sincerity. He never backtracked afterwards from his forward journey.
The French government presented Chevalier award to Ray as it recognized his positive qualities of individual genius, creativity and sincerity. In the same manner it has awarded Chevalier award to Sivaji Ganesan because it has taken into account his (Sivaji's) positive traits of originality, creativity and sincerity in his profession of acting.
There are numerous examples that speak volumes on Sivaji's great traits of individual talent, originality and passion for acting. We can cite one particular example here: Sivaji Ganesan had given an interview to a popular English daily. One of the questions put to him in the course of the interview read like this: 'You are said to indulge in over-acting ... What do you say about it?' For this Sivaji gave the curt reply: 'Whenever I start playing a role, I just get myself psychologically and fully converted into that character itself. Once getting converted so, where's the scope for doing over-acting or under-acting?'
Both Sathyajit Ray and Sivaji Ganesan are unparalleled geniuses. They are the beacon lights that show the path to others. The international awards are nothing but a recognition given for such a guidance!
(To be continued).























Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan.
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-3)
The Quintessence Of His Uniqueness

Only when one gets deserted in the scorching sun that he comes to feel what a heaven it is on earth to get sheltered under the pleasant coolness of the breezy shadow afforded by the wayside, benevolent tree! Like that, only when a film actor faces the challenge of acting in more than one character role in the same film, not only the film-goers but that very actor himself come to feel what an unfathomable genius among geniuses Sivaji Ganesan, the veritable cine actor is!
(It's this very idea which was explained in so many words by Malayalam super star Mammootty at the Chevalier award presentation function that was held in Chennai, in which the then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu Ms. Jayalalitha, the French Ambassador, all India film personalities and thousands of cinema fans had participated. In this, Mammootty spoke like this: "Sivaji has acted in dual roles in the film 'Uththama Puththiran'---in one of these he has played the character role of a good man and in the other that of a bad person. It's the unimitable, unique speciality of Sivaji Ganesan that in his depiction of these two different roles, his style of acting in one role won't get reflected in the other! This talent is a distinctive quality of him which can't be found in [lesser] artistes like us").
People have compared Sivaji Ganesan with different artistes at different times. As far as the artistes of foreign conutries are concerned, our people have compared him with Marlon Brando. When considering our North Indian artistes, people have initially compared him with Dhileep Kumar and subsequently with Sanjeev Kumar.As far as our Tamil film artistes are concerned, people have compared Sivaji with Ranga Rao, M.R.Radha, T.S.Balaiah, S.V.Subbiah, Chandrababu and so on. It seems that those people who have compared him like this have forgotten the following important truth: Whatever character roles that used to have been created and enacted on screen in different parts of the world could perfectly suit Sivaji Ganesan! Such was his natural facial get-up and bodily stature. Make-up suitability and physical appearance are God-given attributes to Sivaji Ganesan that no other cine artiste on earth can even dream of matching him as far as these two, natural aspects are concerned! For instance, had a real Indian prince seen Sivaji Ganesan's princely get-up in "Uththama Puththiran", he would have certainly exclaimed out of envy: 'Wow...We ourselves aren't this much beautiful as this Sivaji appears in this role"! ("Devar Magan" award distribution function was held in Chennai. In this "Uththama Puththiran" film clippings were screened. Seeing prince Sivaji on screen, actor Dhileep Kumar, who had been seated next to Sivaji Ganesan on the function stage, exclaimed to him: 'How beautiful you are!').
Not a single artiste among the personalities mentioned above including Ranga Rao, M.R.Radha, T.S.Balaiah, Chandrababu and so on, is so suitable to this princely get-up as Sivaji Ganesan is. Perhaps, even Marlon Brando couldn't compete with Sivaji in this test of who suits exactly well and who looks more beautiful and gracefully stylish in this princely get-up. If one wants to ascertain the truth of this view he has to simply see the film "Uththama Puththiran". If he does so, he can have the first hand knowledge that would substantiate this viewpoint. But princely get-up is just only one of countless other character roles in which Sivaji has proved his native attribute of most perfect suitability---a suitability of facial get-up and bodily stature! These two aspects have lent hundred percent co-operation to Sivaji as no other actor on earth has been so richly and naturally equipped with these positive qualities as inborn traits! Most of the above-said artistes would have acceded their 50% defeat in the very make-up and costume suitability test itself when they compete with Sivaji on this ground. And all world-renowned artistes have to face the same fate if they are made to stand the test of make-up and costume suitability with regard to 90% of total, possible character roles.
(To be continued).






















Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-4)
The Quintessence Of His Uniqueness


Sivaji Ganesan's physical features of beautiful face and excellent body stature were God's gifts, which he inherited right from his birth! No actors could artificially develop and nurture these qualities. Not only here but in the entire world, for that matter! First and foremost, it's his external look, form and style, which are the in-born qualities of him, that make him specially distinctive among world class cinema personalities.
Secondly, Sivaji Ganesan had the inborn gift of excellent voice,whose magical charm could enthrall and captivate the hearts of millions and millions of people across the world! It's a voice with a sea of potentials for voice modulations, which are of infinite variety, that could be adjusted and made suitable for whatever type of character role on earth! He can deliver the dialogue, while acting in front of the camera, and the dialogue may be as long as a 200-page-long written script and one can witness and hear his dialogue delivery that turns into a 'spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings', with corresponding expressions on his face and related jerks and vibrations all over the body. Sivaji, who can roar like a lion can also melt our hearts through his soft-spoken words of breezy nature that sooths us as if being brushed up with feather-like tenderness. In between these two degrees of dialogue delivery, which are poles apart, there are innumerable levels of voice modulation loaded with multi-different patterns of rhythmic variations! As in acting, in this art of voice modulations also, Sivaji Ganesan is the prime source of inspiration to other artistes. This is history.
Those artistes, who, by birth, are endowed with 'screaching' voice can't roar like a lion as Sivaji does. So when these artistes appear on screen and play roles which demand a voice like the roaring of a lion, these artistes would be reduced to the ridiculous condition of laughing-stocks. This kind of lack of voice suitability leaves a great number of artistes disqualified to play certain vital roles! This inability is prevailing among artistes that make them potentially inadequate and professionally incomplete! This pathetic condition is a stark reality that prevails not only here in Tamil film industry but it's an indubitable fact that's taking it's toll all over the world in respective film industries!
Thirdly, Sivaji Ganesan's exceptional talent for acting enabled him to stand out from others. In whatever role he might be acting, his enactment of the role has proved to be belonging to a far superior and distinctive category than that of any other artiste, who might have played the same role in a different film. None dares comparing himself with Sivaji Ganesan as far as acting is concerned! Even the real-life greats and V.V.I.P.s, whose character role is depicted on the screen by Sivaji Ganesan, will definitely exclaim on seeing it on screen, saying: 'Oh, how accurately and gracefully Sivaji Ganesan has depicted my own caharacter and personality on the screen.....In fact Sivaji has really outwitted me in his physical get-up as well as his acting style that he has actually defeated the original by making the imitation look more beautiful and praiseworthy.' Such personalities would actually feel envy of him!
This acting talent too is a God given gift to him. None can achieve this feat simply by mere hardwork and training!
Film director 'Vietnam Veedu' Sundaram once narrated the following incident: One day Sundaram had told Sivaji Ganesan, 'Your mother has given life to you for the express purpose of (acting in) drama and cinema'. To this Sivaji had asked: 'Why do you say so?'. Instantly came the reply from Sundaram: 'It's because you have a cinematic face and a bodily stature that's perfectly suitable to the camera in all it's angles and a 'golden' voice that perfectly 'agrees' with all the possible levels of the mike!'
(To be continued).


































Maha Thoughts:
By- R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-5)
No 1 Ranking Actor
"Six crores of people are living in Tamilnadu. In this, only 6 persons are leading film heroes in Tamil. I feel very proud of myself that I too am one among the six heroes" so said actor Sathyaraj.
There are 700 crores of people in the entire world. Is itn't the rarest of distinctions for actor Sivaji Ganesan for having been the No 1 ranking artiste in the whole world in terms of talent, merit, in-born features and qualities?
Some time back, the present writer had the opportunity to converse with a V.I.P.. The V.I.P. said: "I have been seeing both Tamil and English films for the past 30 years. As far as I know, any character role fits in well only with two artistes among all the artistes of the world! One of them is our Sivaji Ganesan. The other one is the British actor Alex Guinness.
"This Alex Guinness is an excellent actor. He has acted in "Lawrence Of Arabia" as the Arab king. He changed even his English pronounciation in the film, speaking it with the accent of a real Arab man! He used to stun the audience by making them feel 'Is it Alex Guinness? Actually he looks like as if he's taken a re-birth in the film'! Like this he has also played other roles in different films, in which instances also, he hasn't merely acted but has virtually lived as the very character he plays on the screen!". So said the V.I.P..
As the V.I.P. related this, a truth dawned upon the present writer's mind. It's this: Sivaji Ganesan belongs to this class of rarest of artistes, who are all capable of taking any number of re-births by way of living the very lives of the characters they portray on the screen. In this he could be likened with Alex Guinness.
Yet, there's an important difference between the two. The cinema-goers or the fans got themselves spell-bound when they saw, how, in every one of Alex Guinness' films, he managed to turn himself to be the very character he played in it! But when Sivaji Ganesan took re-births by way of living the lives of the very characters he played, not only the audiences but even the respective field's real-life geniuses, whose life-styles and professional mannerisms were more than portrayed, with unmistakable exactness, by Sivaji Ganesan, felt completely overwhelmed as if thunder-struck when they came to understand the tremendous acting potential and the dramatic calibre of the versatile and unmatchable artiste-genius called Sivaji!
The real-life geniuses of different trades are those who have entirely submitted themselves to their respective professions, who have made those very professions their only life-interest! When Sivaji Ganesan portrays those geniuses' life-styles on screen, he never fails to register, as he goes on performing, even the minute details pertaining to that particular character he portrays! Above all, he adds extra gracefulness and gives a touch of perfection, which have become the two unmistakable hallmarks of his portrayls! Such a touch of perfection may be missing even in the real life models whom Sivaji imitates on screen but Sivaji's character-depiction is always flaw-free and remains perfect to the core!
The Doctor's role he played in "Navaraaththiri" is an example! Even real-life, doctor-experts can't show that much professionalism in their movements and gestures as Sivaji does in the film! The stage-performing folk-artiste's role in the same film is yet another example! The prince's role in "Uththama Puththiran" is an one more sample piece! His role as Kambar's son Ambigapathy in the film "Ambigapathy", his Police officer's get-up in "Thangappathakkam", Sikkal Shanmugasundaram's role as depicted by Sivaji in "Thillaanaa Mohanaambaal" and finally his depiction of a rich man's stylistic mannerisms in films like "Paar Mahalae Paar", " Uyarntha Manithan" and "Paasa Malar" actually have left such experts and professionals awestruck that they even developed a sense of envy as they come to see before their very eyes how beautifully and more than truthfully their own life-styles are perfectly portrayed by Sivaji Ganesan, the giant among actor-geniuses!
(To be continued).

























Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-6)
No 1 Ranking Actor

Sivaji Ganesan sings a Carnatic song in a scene in the "Thavapputhalvan", as he participates, in the film, in a competition meant against Hindustani music. Carnatic music world's living giant Chemmangudi Seenivaasa Iyer, once saw this picture on screen. While seeing it, he's said to have exclaimed: "I myself have come to understand only aftter seeing Sivaji Ganesan's'bhavas' and 'abhinayas' that he's giving expressions to through his facial and bodily gestures, as he is singing the carnatic song in the film, that a song like this could be sung by the carnatic singers on stage with this much grace and beauty!"
Ex-Inspector General of Police F.V.Arul, after seeing "Thangappathakkam", expressed his felicitations by saying that "An ideal police officer should be exactly like what Sivaji Ganesan is in the film 'Thangappathakkam', in which he plays the role of Chaudri, the Superintendent of Police"!
Indian independence struggle hero, nationalist and patriot V.O.Chidhamabaram's son Subramaniam saw the film "Kappalottya Thamizhan".Having seen Sivaji Ganesan playing V.O.Chidhambaram's role in the film, Subramaniam, later met Sivaji Ganesan and fell oblong at the latter's feet, saying, "I saw only my father in you in the film! It's absolutely the most perfect, life-like portrayal"!
On one of those days, Arignar Annadurai, accompanied by his colleagues, had gone to a cinema theatre to see the film "Kauvery". On their way home, after the show, Anna had been all praise for Sivaji Ganesan, eulogyzing him for hours together, in a non-stop fashion, this time appreciating Sivaji's style of acting and at other his way of dancing in the film!
We know that only after witnessing the stage drama "Sivaji Kanda Indhu Samrajyam", in which Sivaji Ganesan played Sathrapathy Sivaji, the great social reformer and thinker Thanthai Periyar Ramasamy conferred the title "Sivaji" on Ganesan, who, from then onwards, came to be known as 'Sivaji' Ganesan!
After seeing the special screening of the film "Sampoorna Ramayanam", in which film Sivaji had played Bharathan, Mootharignar Rajaji spelt out his most celebrated acclamation: "I saw only Bharathan in the film. I couldn't see Sivaji Ganesan in it"
"Sivaji Ganesan is an artiste endowed with God's blessings......... 'Acting' means Sivaji Ganesan", said 'Perunthalaivar', Kamaraj. "Hereafter no actor with as much acting potential like my brother Sivaji Ganesan can come to live upon this earth", remarked the late actor and ex-Chief Minister M.G.R.
It was the point of time when Sivaji Ganesan's name had been nominated for Chevalier Award. Then, so it's said, "Navarathri" film, in which Sivajihas played a record number of 9 different character roles, was screened exclusively for the special audiences consisting of French film directors and cinema personalities. Some of those audiences couln't believe at all that only a single artiste called Sivaji Ganesan had played 9 different character roles in it ("Navarathri")! For, audiences were of the opinion that an artiste could, at the most, play a maximum of only three different charater roles in a film! They continued to argue that, perhaps, Sivaji Ganesan's brother, if there's one, having the most exact resemblance of him, might have co-acted with Sivaji in it! Or, so they added, make-up experts might have altered Sivaji's face using plastic surgery technique!
Finally,their doubts were cleared and they all accepted that the particular 9 roles in the film were all enacted by Sivaji Ganesan alone! They got themselves fully convinced only after a thorough computer-aided analysis and verification. It's said that one of the big directors, who attended the show, then raised the question: 'Why hasn't this acting genius been awarded Oscar yet?'
Tamil actress Lakshmi, who has been awarded Best Actress National Award on 3 occasions, once, when she met Hindi actor Sanjeev Kumar, had asked him: "I heard that you are only doing the 9 roles in the Hindi version of the Tamil film "Navarathri", in which originally Sivaji Ganesan had done those 9 roles....". For that Sanjeev Kumar had given the instant reply: "Sivaji is an artiste of Himalayan stature...Please don't compare us with him".
Some years back an international film festival opened in Mumbai.Sivaji Ganesan, who participated in it as a special guest, inaugurated the festival. The then Chief Minister of Maharashtra,Sarath Pawar spoke in praise of Sivaji Ganesan at the function. He remarked: "We can never forget your performance in which you portrayed our Marathi Sivaji". Like this, Sivaji Ganesan has inexplicably stunned the entire class of geniuses and giants of all walks of life by his extraordinary acting talent and competence!
To conclude, Sivaji Ganesan's rare qualities of physical features that enable character-suitability, perfect voice-modulation that exactly suits each and every character role he plays and finally his remarkable acting potential----are all natural gifts attained by him by birth. Qualities like these have made him the No1 ranking actor in the world!
(To Be Continued)



































Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-7)

Sivaji-Steven Spielberg
-A Comparison
A popular Tamil actor was once acting in a Tamil film directed by a Malayalam director. As this film's shooting was in progress, one day, a particular scene saturated with emotions, was being shot by the director. The above-said actor, who was acting in that scene, had, in the midst of action, made one of his cheeks quiver or throb as a sign of expressing deep-felt emotion!
Immediately, the director had shouted "cut". As the camera stopped shooting, the director had started advising the actor thus: "Why do you show expressions like this....? While you act, imagine that foreigners are witnessing your action! If you do so, you could act in a natural way". The directorhad said so.
If we analyse our own filmfield or any other filmfield in the world including the Hollywood, we would be able to conclude that all the artistes could be classified into various categories and subsequently, they could be grouped together in a hierarchical manner! If we do so, 50% of the total world cinema artistes would fall into the category of 'very ordinary type' of artistes. Of the remaining 50%, 20 to 40% of artistes would belong to the category of 'average type'. A 5 to 6% of artistes would stand at a 'slightly higher level above this average category'. This slightly higher level artistes could be rated excellent, talent wise!
Only just 2% of the world artistes could be justified to be called 'geniuses of acting'.
But, only occasionally, 'the unparalleled and the rarest type of genius, who could be described as 'the genius of geniuses' comes to live on this earth.
Such a rarest kind of genius would come into being only very, very rarely, at some corner of the earth and not everywhere, only at some point of time in the history of the world and not always!
The above-said Malayalam director's advice can be applicable only in case of average level of artistes as well as the above-average category of artistes!
But such a 'grammar' as 'taught' by the Malayalam director won't apply in the case of genius artistes nor could it impose it's own rules of restrictions as far as these genius artistes are concerned. Such genius artistes can be likened to a piece of poetry that exceeds the limits and boundaries of grammar!
World's No.1 ranking dramatist Shakespeare's poetical writings at times exceed grammatical limits and rules. Those pieces of his writings are accepted as 'good text' in the name of 'poetic licence'. Like that, it's inevitable that the geniuses in the field of acting exceed the limits of grammar! So to say, the concept of the people like the above-mentioned Malayalam film director regarding acting is different from how 'acting' has been viewed by the rare geniuses in the field of acting like Sivaji Ganesan! Specifically speaking, as far as Sivaji is concerned, he happened to be the genius of geniuses!
The French people, who recognized how great a genius Sivaji Ganesan is, and the members of Chevalier Award committee are all none but foreigners! 25 geniuses belonging to different walks of life are members of this committee. Only these members had selected Sivaji Ganesan for this Chevalier award!

Those who awarded the 'Afro-Asian Best Actor'award to SivajiGanesan are also only foreigners!
So, the belief that foreigners won't like this and won't like that is nothing but a mirage! Sivaji has shattered the crooked circle that we had put around ourselves and has succeeded in traversing the narrow boundaries!
There's a remarkable similarity between this much great Sivaji and the Hollywood great and the ever-green film director Steven Spielberg....
(To be continued).












Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-8)


By virtue of his directional venture "Jaws",Hollywood film director Steven Spielberg earned worldwide fame overnight!
He won 3 Oscars for his "Jurassic Park". He walked away with 7 Oscars for his "Schindler's List".
He's supposed to be the No.1 ranking film director today in Hollywood.
In handling both the most advanced scientific techniques in film-making on the one hand and the most intriquing human emotions in his films on the other, Spielberg remains unparalleled and he's been successfully juxtaposing the latest cinema techniques with the deepest human emotions which are made to mix up in novel proportions in unimaginable ways in his films that go to make up his visual extravaganzas that turn into some of the finest creations of celluloid magical shows ever created that excitingly end up as great commercial hits!
In his film "Jaws", apart from his employment of the most modern scientific techniques, the way in which he portrayed his filmy characters, who live and move with the daunting fear phobia that resides within every human being's heart and psyche and the haunting feeling of suspense that make them tremble and shiver as they are led to waver hopelessly in the deep sea, had spoken volumes about Spielberg's unrivalled talent that didn't spare even the passively sitting audiences, who in turn get terrorized as if they themselves are driven into the sea along with the very characters they are witnessing on the screen, and subsequently they are forced to move to the edge of their seats as they are viewing the super-suspense thriller in the theatre!
In "Jurassic Park" also, the audiences quite often forget to breathe even, as shock waves seize them one after the other and they feel equally helpless like the leading characters themselves in the film, viz: the hero, heroine, the small boy and the small girl, who virtually don't know at what moment they might get swallowed up by the giant dino!
Even this much reputed Spielberg, though he remains a mega technician with immeasurable wealth of talent making use of all such modern, scientific advancements in his chosen field of film-making, ultimately aims only to arouse human emotions and targets to induce the 'Id', which is described as the sea of amoral and which forms the substantial part in the viewers' psyche!
What emotive outburst, what a tempestuous state of mind and what complex perplexity the human heart is upto that Spielberg is able to create using all his scientific techniques, sharks and dinosaurs, Sivaji Ganesan, as a lone man and putting up an 'one-man-show' like performance, has succeeded in creating the same (effects) all by himself on the silver screen!
Through his sheer acting, by blasting like a whirl wind, roaring like a lion, bursting out like a volcano and displaying an emotive state that seems to glow like fire, Sivaji has reached the boundaries of acting, showing to us the
multifarious sides of human life!
(To be continued)

























Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-10)
The Hollywood Film World
Did Get Defeated


The Hollywood film field, though it's weilding it's power as if it is the undisputed leader and the sole emperor of world cinema, by pushing to the background, in the process, all other cine fields of the world, has got defeated, in one respect, in the hands of Tamil film field----it's only in the case of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan!
The science of cinema realized the worth and the meaning of it's very birth because of the artiste called Sivaji Ganesan too!
Had only Sivaji Ganesan, who has shown on Tamil screen thousands of styles in acting, born in the Hollywood film world, he would have certainly created, true to the spirit of the Western and American cultures, thousands of new styles in acting on the Hollywood screen also! By doing so, he might have stunned all the Hollywood actors without a single exception and might have established a new tradition and milieu in which no Hollywood actor could ever remain untouched and get unswayed by the sweeping influence of the most original ways of Sivaji Ganesan's great acting!
One of the two great Indian film artistes, either Dileep Kumar or Nageswara Rao has once stated that he could, if so he tried, imitate the acting style of Marlon Brando and act like him on screen. But, so he added, he could never get near even the shadow of Sivaji Ganesan'sacting style! 'Paerarignar' Annadurai said the same thing but in different words. He said: "Sivaji Ganesan can act like Marlon Brando....But Marlon Brando has to see how far it's possible for him to act like Sivaji Ganesan".
Sivaji Ganesan's beautiful, physical features, his ability for excellent dialogue delivery and his potentials for marvellous acting are all inborn qualities!
These three aspects have been present in him 100%, that no other world actor has inherited them with so much flawless perfection as Sivaji Ganesan has!
The two times Oscar award winner Marlon Brando, one time Osacr winner Alec Guinness, more than once Oscar recipient Dustin Hoffman and other Oscar winning great actors like Yule Brynner, Clark Gable, Charlston Heston, Rex Harrison, Paul Neuman, Sydney Poitier and the like, without exception, didn't possess equally beautiful physical features, a remarkable talent for showing infinite variety in dialogue delivery and finally and more importantly a competence inexhaustible for exhibiting the best ever kind of acting as Sivaji Ganesan does!
Sivaji Ganesan can act and speak like all of these actors! But these actors can't act and speak like him. There's no other actor in India who's competent enough to play the 9 different roles in the (Tamil) film "Navaraathri" so gracefully and wonderfully as Sivaji Ganesan has done in it! Sanjeev Kumar, who acted in the Hindi version of "Navaraathri" has acknowledged his comparative incompetence by saying: "Don't compare me with the Himalayan-statured actor Sivaji Ganesan. His matter is entirely different! It's an unique one that stands beyond any comparison!".
Likewise, Nageswara Rao, acted in the 9 roles in the Telugu version of "Navaraathri". But he couldn't act so marvellously and beautifully like Sivaji Ganesan in those 9 character roles! He can't also deliver dialogue so gracefully like Sivaji. This much incompetence is to be seen not only here in India. The same condition prevails in cases of all the world-renowned actors also!
Had they produced this "Navaraathri" in English, no competent actors would have been available in Hollywood too! The Hollywood greats listed above couldn't have performed like Sivaji in the English version of "Navaraathri" had they produced it!. "Variety and Beauty, thy name is Sivaji Ganesan".
(To be continued).















Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-11)

A Recommendation
To The Oscar Committee
Tamil film director R.V.Udhayakumar oncewrote a poem in praise of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan. He wrote in it: "Any award that hasn't yet come to you (Sivaji), isn't an award at all. If your actual potentials are taken into account, Chevalier Award isn't that much a great thing at all"!
As it has now become customary to present the 'Life-Time Achievement Award' to select cinema personalities, we earlier made public our wish by extending our heart-felt recommendation that Life-Time Oscar should be presented to Sivaji Ganesan.
Now it's our bounden duty to submit one more recommendation either to the Oscar committee or the highest body of world cinema. It's this: When Chevalier award was presented to Sivaji Ganesan one might take it to mean that by winning it he has realized the meaning of his very birth into this world! But Chevalier award is nothing more than a rightful recognition given to his acting talent. Hence we don't think it's a complete award as far as Sivaji Ganesan is concerned for it can never dream of equating the great acting potentials Sivaji Ganesan!
If perhaps, Life-time Achievement Special Oscar is awarded to Sivaji Ganesan one day, that too won't be considered by us as an honour that can match his great, unique acting potentials! Going a step further, either the Oscar committee or the highest body of world cinema should create a unique, special award for presenting it to Sivaji Ganesan. This award should mean that among all the world class actors who have shone on silver screen so far and among those who are going to appear on screen in the future, undoubtedly Sivaji Ganesan is the greatest actor .... And no one else can be born into this world hereafter, who could be branded a greater performer than Sivaji Ganesan! With this idea, the most unique title "The Greatest Actor Ever Lived On Earth" should be conferred on Sivaji Ganesan!
As the Chevalier award was presented to him at a grand gala function held in Chennai in the auspecious presence of all the leading artistes belonging to the different language filmfields of India, so the 'The Greatest Actor Ever Lived On Earth' award too should be presented to him in the presence of all the leading film artistes belonging to the differnt countries of the world!
(To be continued).





Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-12)

The Best Among
Chevalier Award Recipients!
At the world level, only a few film actors have been awarded 'Chevalier Award', which is one of the highest awards being presented by the French Government. (This award is described to be an equivalent of Oscar).

Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffmann, Sivaji Ganesan and the like have been so far awarded 'Chevalier'.
Excepting Sivaji, all the other recipients of this award are all Hollywood artistes.
Among all the winners of the 'Chevalier', it's only Sivaji Ganesan who remains endowed with infinite potentials that no other world class artiste is so qualified as to stand in comparison with him! So to say, it remains to be ascertained that Sivaji Ganesan is the greatest film actor the world has ever seen!
The Hollywood cine field has the reputation of being the unrivalled leader among all the cine fields of the world. There's the Himalayan difference between the Hollywood and our Tamil film field. How great an achievement is this that hailing from the Tamil cinefield, Sivaji Ganesan has managed to win this great world class award, 'Chevalier', which, only such mega cine personalities like Clint Eastwood and Dustin Hoffmann have won, how great a feat this should be!
(To be continued).






Maha Thoughts
By-R.Mahadevan
The Gteatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-13)
One Of The Very Few 1st Ranking
World Class Achievers

Film actor Nagesh once made the following comments: 'Mahathma Gandhi of India is a world wonder. Likewise, in cinefield, there's one more world wonder in India. It's actor Sivaji Ganesan'.
The above view of Nagesh is hundred percent true!
Only very, very rarely great geniuses are born into this world.
World class achievers are there in all the fields. World renowned achievers are there as scientists, writers, social-minded intellectuals, business magnates, sports persons, artists and so on.
There have come into being, so far, hundreds of achievers like these in each and every field..... They would do so in future also. But, there is a special category of achievers within this group of world class achievers. This special category of achievers would always stand out distinctly, whom the general type of achievers themselves can't even come near, when judged in terms of merit! In that way, the special category of achievers would hold the No.1 rank, in their respective field of activity.
It's very rare to become a world class achiever.
It is rare among the rarest of events to capture the No.1 spot, which the other achievers of the same field can't even dream of getting near!
As the world class achievers differ from the ordinary masses, so the special category achievers of rarest type also differ from the general category of world class achievers.
Such a rarest and greatest genius among geniuses appear only once in a while and not always and only at some part of the world at any given time and not everywhere at the same time!
An Alexander among the kings of olden days, Socrates and Plato among the social thinkers of those days, Beethoven in music, Piccasso in painting and the like belong to this category of No.1 ranking geniuses.
In the later periods, world class dramatist Shakespeare, scientists like Galileo, Issac Newton and Thomas Alva Edison and still later, Einstein, who happened to be the greatest scientist ever, and the intellectual giant Bertrand Russell, all these personalities have proved to be unrivalled giants among geniuses!
Albert Sweitzer and Mother Theresa, in the field of social service, and a world wonder Mahatma Gandhi, in the field of spirituality--- all these people belong to the rarest kind of geniuses among the general class of geniuses. In the same way, in the field of film and stage acting the greatest ever genius has been our Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan.
There's also one more, unique, distinction as far as Sivaji Ganesan is concerned. It's this: From the date of the birth of the science called Cinema to the present day, no other actor has ever been born on this earth with so much capabilities as Sivaji Ganesan had been endowed with! Nor can anyone like him be born on this earth hereafter---in the days to come! This record of Sivaji Ganesan is a permanent one!
In other fields world records can be broken! In the field of acting Sivaji Ganesan's current record will remain for ever and will last as long as the world will do!
(To be continued).









Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-14)


The Distant Goal Has Already Been Reached!

Super actor Kamalhassan of Tamil screen and the Tamil films director Maniratnam participated in the International Film Festival held in Canada a few years ago. Films like "Nayagan" (directed by Maniratnam) were screened there.
After his return to Chennai, Tamilnadu, Kamalhassan had given an interview to a local Tamil magazine, which was published under the title: "Thottuvidum Thooramthaan" ( It means, 'The Distant Goal Could Be Reached Soon').
In the interview, Kamalhassan had indicated his avowed intentions and future hopes. He had also expressed his deep sense of displeasure by saying how in international film festivals the Hollywood and such film worlds' mega personalities used to look down upon the Tamil film world people by treating the latter in a high-handed manner as if lords would treat the have-nots!

Kamalhassan had added in his interview that the standard and quality of Tamil films had been going on improving constantly, that the films were getting closer to the international standards of world class films! Kamal had said further that the Tamils might soon reach the once-distant goal of getting international recognition and the first ever Tamil cinema personalities to achieve that feat might be either Maniratnam or it might be he (Kamalhassan) himself!
Yet, what Kamalhassan had indicated as yet-to-be-reached goal has already been reached by our Tamil film world's mega star Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan. He (Sivaji) has already won international recognition and acclaim.
Sivaji Ganesan has won even as early as in 1960s one of the most coveted awards called 'The Afro-Asian Best Actor Award', for his excellent performance in the Tamil film, "Veera Paandia Katta Pomman". Again, a few years ago, he has won 'Chevalier' award of the French Government, in recognition of 'one of the most original ways of acting in Indianfilms'. It means that International standard and recognition has already been reached, already been won, by our Tamil, mega, cine personality, Sivaji Ganesan!
(To be continued).





















Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-15)



It's A Feat Deserving To Be
A Guinness Record



'Nadigavel' M.R.Radha has acted in "Raththak Kanneer", in the role of a leper. Tamil film director Mahendran once remarked that there's no other actor in the whole world, who could be more competent than or as competent as M.R.Radha, for playing that role, with so much, flawless perfection, as he has done in that film!
Like him, there have been world class actors, who might have, in their entire acting career, created unique world record for having acted in a particular character role, or utmost in two such roles, in a most individuating and distinctive style which no other actor could ever dream of doing the same in a better style!
But, in the entire world, it's only Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan, who, in his life-time, has set the unequivocal world record of not having left out even a single character role of commonplace or of prominent nature, untouched or undone by him! Most importantly, the unique feat of Sivaji is that unlike all other world class, top-ranking actors, who have either one film or just two films to their credit to stand witness to their world best performances, Chevalier Sivaji has portrayed a countless number of character roles and those performances have proved to be the perfect models of the grammar of acting for all the players the world over! Even the real-life, original models, whom Sivaji has portrayed on screen, are themselves found to be lacking in their respective mannerisms, styles, depth and grace which are perfectly depicted by him in his silver-screen characterizations.

Thus, possessing the external, physical features that fit in well with whatever sort of costume he puts on and whatever kind of make-up he wears on, for the multi-different roles he's played so far and achieving the unique distinction of having palyed a vast majority of those roles in an unparalleled style and with an unimaginable exactitude, he has managed to create the most unique world record ever accomplished in the field of film-acting! This is the one world record that's going to last unerased and going to remain for ever unbroken as long as the human species is going to roam upon this planet!
(To be continued).














Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan


The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-16)

Sivaji-Kalaignar-Shakespeare



As there's the No.1 ranking genius, Shakespeare in the field of world drama, so there's the No.1 ranking genius called Kalaignar Karunanidhi, in the field of cinema script-writing!
Like the paradoxical axiom, whether the chick came out first from inside the egg or vice versa ---- the one question the Tamil cine-goers used to be discussing often, (subsequently after the release of the films "Parasakthi" and "Manohara"), was that whether it was because of Kalaignar Karunanidhi's written dialogue that actor Sivaji Ganesan came to get very great fame or it was simply because of Sivaji Ganesan's talented acting and his exceptional way of dialogue delivery that had elevated Kalaignar Karunanidhi to the pinnacle of fame!
To that extent, the Sivaji-Kalaignar pair created an epoch-making history in Tamailnadu in general and Tamil cinema industry in particular! Sivaji Ganesan's extarordianry genius and Kalaignar Karunidhi's brilliant dialogues, combinely revolutionalized Tamil film field and the entire cine-going people got spell-bound by the mesmerizing effects of the unparalleled works of these two mega geniuses!
Perhaps, had Sivaji Ganesan born either in England or Hollywood instead of Tamilnadu, and if Shakespeare happened to be Sivaji's contemporary, then Sivaji-Shakespeare pair too, like Sivaji-Kalaignar pair, would have created new histories and records, both in world cinema and on the drama stage, and these records might have proved that Time could never wither them!
All the minute details Shakespeare gave life to in his dramatic writings, Sivaji Ganesan might have given expressions to in his acting, had these two happened to work together!
Though Sivaji Ganesan and Shakespeare lived in different periods of Time and in different countries, as Shakespeare happened to be the No.1 ranking dramatist in the world, Sivaji Ganesan proved to be the No.1 ranking film actor in world cinema.
Both these men's feats are unparalleled. None can shatter their records too!


Maha Thoughts:
By.R.Mahadevan
The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-17)
Modesty Thy Name Is Sivaji
----------



It's one of the great wonders of Tamil film indusrty that the the greatest giant among world class actors, Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan, is also the most modest artiste among Tamil film actors. He never had indulged in self-boasting even to the least degree possible.
Sivaji had never given any interview in his life-time to any media driving home the idea that a particular role done by him in one of his films was very hard for others to do or that he did a particular role in a distinctively unique style, this and that and so on....(This praiseworthy, characteristic quality of modesty is also possessed by one other giant personality of Tamil cinema industry, Kalaignar Karunanidhi, who's one of the most renowned script-writers the world has ever known. Karunanidhi too hadn't indulged in self-boasting by way of speaking very highly of any piece of his own work, to any media, at any time! This rare quality and gesture, he's (Karunanidhi) still maintaining down to the present day).
Film director 'Vietnam Veedu' Sundaram, who was all praise for this quality that he found in Sivaji Ganesan, once cited a few instances by way of highlighting this quality of Sivaji. He said: "Sivaji won't try to own the felicitations of others, by carrying away all the praises on his shoulders alone! Instead, he would like to see that such felicitations, reach practically all those, who lent their work for the success of the film! For example, if somebody tells Sivaji, "Your dance movements in 'Uththama Puththiran', are excellent, he would instantly say, 'Heeralal taught me those things and I followed suit'. If we tell him, 'Your dialogue in a particular film was superb', immediately he would answer: 'The credit should go to the writer, who had created that piece of dialogue for me..... I have only vocally delivered it'.
"Like this, Sivaji used to share all such felicitations with all the team members", said Sundaram.
The Silver Jubilee function of the film, "Mannan", featured by Rajinikanth, and produced by 'Sivaji Films', was held in Park Sheraton hotel, Chennai.
Sivaji spoke at the function like this: "A cat was standing on a ocean shore. 'If all the waters of this ocean changed into milk, how happier would I become?', thought the cat.
"How foolish it is on the part of the cat to ponder like this? Suppose, had all the waters of the ocean changed into milk, could the cat be able to finish drinking the ocean-full of milk?
"Art is a great ocean too. If any one artist of cine field ever thinks that he has accomplished everything and realized all the goals, it's equivalent to the just mentioned cat's foolish thinking". So spoke Sivaji.
This he has spoken in spite of the fact, that, if there's really an artist in the film industry who could justifiably boast of having achieved so many Himalayan feats which, none else can even dream of, it's definitely Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan! And, if he himself speaks such humble words at the function cited above, what a modest man he is!
In an interview to "The Hindu", the way in which Sivaji Ganesan expressed his personal views speaks volumes about his modesty. He said in it: ''Perunthalaivar'
Kamarajar felicitated me saying, 'An excellent actor blessed with God's grace'. 'Mootharignar' Rajaji, having seen "Sampoorna Ramayanam", made the comment: 'I saw only Bharathan (the role played by Sivaji) in the film. I didn't see Sivaji Ganesan in it'. What more awards should I need than these two great leaders' felicitations?"
(To be continued).























Maha Thoughts:
By-R.Mahadevan

The Greatest Film Actor
The World Has Ever Seen
(Part-18)
Some Felicitations
---------


A.V.Meyyappa Chettiar, who introduced Sivaji Ganesan to the silver screen through "Parasakthi", is said to have expressed the view: "As far as I know, there's no other actor among world class actors, who is as talented as Sivaji Ganesan".
Tamil filmfield's first super star,Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, after having seen "Manohara", featured by Sivaji Ganesan, had exclaimed: "I haven't seen any other actor, apart from Sivaji Ganesan, who could evoke thundering applause from the audience in the theatre, simply by mentioning the word, 'Amma', while acting on the screen!"
Sivaji Ganesan's extraordinary acting talent has mesmerized even such giant leaders and reformers of Tamil society, namely Thanthai Periyar, Mootharignar Rajaji and Peruinthalaivar Kamarajar, who weren't that much interested either in drama or cinema and it has made them shower priceless felicitations on Sivaji Ganesan ----- a rare gesture from such towering personalities!
Paerarignar Anna said: "Sivaji Ganesan can act like Marlon Brando. But Marlon Brando has to try and see whether he could act like Sivaji Ganesan".
Whenever the best films of Sivaji Ganesan were screened to the mega stars of Hindi field, for re-making those films into Hindi, the stars have uniformly confessed thier comparative incompetence, by requesting people concerned, not to compare them (the Hindi stars) with the greatest genius of acting called Sivaji Ganesan....! Such instances have taken place there, countless number of times! Hindi super stars like 2558*
Dileep Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar are staunch lovers and fans of Sivaji Ganesan.
We have already seen that Telugu super star Nageswara Rao and Malayalam super star Mammootty have explained, on different occasions, how they had remained spell-bound and wonder-struck, by the extraordinary performances of Sivaji Ganesan, on the silver screen!

Tamil filmfield's then super star M.G.R. once remarked, "No other actor can be born in the world hereafter, who could prove a match to my brother Sivaji Ganesan".
Today's super star of Tamil cinema Rajinikanth
expressed his view: "People use to refer to me as 'the king of style'. If I could be the king, Sivaji sir is 'the emperor of style'.
Super actor Kamalhassan once remarked: "Be it today, tomorrow or for ever, Time can't wither away Sivaji sir's mega stature".
Film director A.S.Prakasam said: India's 'Best Actor Award' hasn't yet been given to Indi'as best actor. (Sivaji Ganesan).
Popular film director C.V.Rajendran made the comment: "There are two excellenrt actors in India. One is Dileep Kumar and the other is Sivaji Ganesan. Of the two, its Chevalier Sivaji, who's a little more talented than the former (Dileep Kumar)".
Director K.S.Gopalakrishnan said: "Whenever
I mentioned Sivaji Ganesan's name, while speaking with Hindi film artistes, the immediate reaction I noticed in them was this: T

Murali Srinivas
13th June 2006, 07:06 PM
Dear abkhlabhi,

Thanks for the post. Read it in one go. Thanks a lot ot Mahadevan also. Good write ups

Regards

S.Balaji
13th June 2006, 08:13 PM
Dear Murali Anna....

Great / informative post of yours as expected.......

Groucho70.... Hearty welcome to the hub..... our NT is like a goldmine..... you will get more and more as you dig deep :D . So pls come up with your thoughts & experiences ....

Abkhalabi ! Pl continue to give such links ! quite informative .......

Joe Anne, enge aalaye kanum again ?

Murali Anna, I too heard that Uthaman was a super hit ( both interms of days & commercially )

On reading your posts, I am getting a feeling of late that NT didnt have a good political advisor to guide him ..... He seemed to be emotional off screen also.......

the dividing factor as you mentioned between MG & NT seems to be the mindset of fans which proved to be decisive in NT's case :cry:

What happened to him after Maragatham CS met him continues to be a mystery only ! I think his unflinched loyalty towards Indira gandhi and her family made him to join hands with her after emergency.......

Sad to note that Moopanar was selected overlooking NT. Its apparent that he never got along well with NT.......

By the way, I vaguely recollect Indira Gandhi was assaulted in TN during an election campaign & Nedumaran only escorted her to safety ......

Looking forward to your next phase :D

joe
14th June 2006, 06:53 AM
நடிகர் திலகம் நடிப்புக் கல்லூரி -திரைக்கலை சிற்பிகள் கோரிக்கை

http://www.dinakaran.com/epaper/2006/jun/14/2_8.jpg

Balaji,
Due to work load ,I am unable to contribute much like before ,but still never fail to follow up.

groucho070
14th June 2006, 08:42 AM
Thanks for the link Joe. I am surprised that they have come to this decision only now. I am a nobody but my advice to budding actors is this: Spend your money in buying VCD/DVDs of NT and watch them on regular basis. That’s all. Interprete it in your own way. It’s a vast storage of groceries, spices and what not. Take what you need and cook it in your own way.


Thank you abkhlabhi on that wonderful writeup. At the risk of sounding arrogant, may I say that “yeah, we know that.”

At the same time there is one para that struck me. At the Mannan function NT spoke about the cat and the milk. It shows that NT himself knows his limitation.

I like to speak my mind off here, so I hope you take this with open mind.

As much as we know that NT is capable of many roles, I’d disagree that he can do ANY roles…like the article above and many others cite. He has his limitation and that is why he spoke about the cat and the ocean of milk. Again, this humility is what makes NT great.

There are examples of roles that I personally didn’t like. Like in Chitra Pournami and Pattakatti Bairavan. The latter looks like it could have been done by Rajini (at that time, not the present Rajini). And let’s not even talk about some of the horrors in the 1980s. Again, its could be because of bad script, terrible direction and poor judgement on NTs part. A good actor should also be a good judge of the projects they undertake. In this case, there is no perfect actor in the world.

On the other hand, if NT himself is limited, imagine how far behind the other actors are?

While NT is constantly compared to Brando, I am usually reserved about it. Brando is Brando. Brando is a combination of good, bad and sometimes very ugly. He is unique. And he was also a terrible waste of talent. He did some great movies and he also have done some really terrible ones. Sometimes he is totally committed to a project, and sometimes he just sleepwalks through it. His discipline is legendary…in a wrong way.

You’d either love or hate him, or both. (For the record, I love him)

I think a more appropriate comparison for NT would be Laurence Olivier. Both come from stage and both are capable of overacting, acting and underacting. Olivier made acting respectable in England and Hollywood. NT made acting respectable in Tamil Nadu, India and everywhere where there are Tamilians. Both of them are very disciplined and are very committed to their craft. Well, this and more.


The article above touched on awards, specifically Oscar.

One of Tamil movies biggest enemy (then and now) is money. Budget limitations did not allow Tamil films to be marketed heavily internationally. This is one reason why NTs work was rarely appreciated by foreign awards. I think some people took some effort to send Vkattabomman to Cairo, otherwise no one would have known about it (outside of Tamil community worldwide).

Sathyajit Ray’s films were constantly sent out by the government because the committee felt that they contained qualities that they THOUGHT would be appreciated by foreign film buffs. They were right and wrong. Right, because award people like dry, serious films like the ones Ray made. Wrong, because they also like varieties…and NTs films could have provided these varieties. If they have sent NTs film constantly, they would have easily given out awards out to NT and his best directors.

Kamal has given up wanting Oscars. He’s practically fed up. Nowadays he just says that Oscars are given out to Hollywood film, so he need not dream about it. Poor Kamal. Oscars for best actor are also given out to actors in non-English films. Roberto Benigni’s for example.

It’s all in how much exposure those people have on our film. Right now? Very little. Fans in Tamil nadu have to campaign hard to have these movies sent out. Since I am not there, I can’t comment much on this.

umaramesh
14th June 2006, 05:00 PM
P.Madhavan directed super hit movies of NT. I think he directed THANGAPATHAKAM but not able to recollect other movies.

I cant believe that he acted movie like DHARMA RAJA/EMANKKU EMMAN/HITLER UMANATH etc.

Hats off to BR for giving MUDHAL MARIYATHI during that time. I think he spent almost one month with selvakumar for getting right story for NT.

Even though NT is great actor but never interferes with director work . This good attitude made him to sign some unwanted movies.
He never asked any question to BR during MUDHAL MARIYATHAI and only question he asked is NALLA NADICHRUKKENNA .
When BR told that for entire movie his costume is shrit and dhoti he accepted by saying ENNA VENNUM NALLUM KUDU NADICHITU POOREN. GREAT ACTOR/GREAT MAN.

ramesh

groucho070
14th June 2006, 05:40 PM
Funny that you should mention Yemmenukku Yemen. This is a wickedly funny movie, if you are willing to overlook the horrible wig and fashion.

NT also takes a dig at himself in this movie. The best scene is when the human NT meets Yaman (also NT in typical stagey performance). NTs dialogue are peppered with politics and social commentary and he also poked fun at puranas. The best is when Yaman talks on top of his voice only to cough badly after that, and NT offers him a throat relief and asks Yemen to take it easy. That's a gem, he doesn't have to shout.

Some scenes work and some scene, well you just cringe. Whoever made this movie definitely has politics in his mind (care to comment Murali sar?).

Otherwise, P. Madhavan has made gems with NT. Vietman Veedu, Rajapart Ranggathurai, Avanthan Manithan (?) and others that escape me right now.

Murali Srinivas
14th June 2006, 06:45 PM
Dear Ramesh,

P.Madhavan was one of the most favourite directors of NT. He started with Maniosai with Kalyan Kumar, did Deiva Thai for MGR and came to NT fold starting with Annai Illam. He went on to make many NT films. He started his own Arun Prasad Movies under which he produced and directed Enga Oor Raja, Raman Ethanai Ramanadi & the unforgettable Pattikada Pattanama with NT. He was so close to NT & VCShanmugam that he went on to direct two home productions of NT (i.e.) Vietnam Veedu & Thanga Pathakkam. Other movies were Neela Vanam, Gnana Oli, Rajapart Rangadurai. Manithanum Deivamagalam, Mannavan Vanthanadi,Chitra Pournami & Hitler Umanath. Another interesting tidbit about PM was he was so senti about days that he always released his films on Saturdays ( For NT also Sat was lucky). The only movie that was released other than Saturday was Chitra Pournami because it was released on Deepavali day of 1976 and that October 22nd happened to be Friday.

Regarding Mudhal Mariyathai, on the first day at Mysore outdoor,NT had come with wig and make up. BR was not happy with that but he didn't tell. But his body language gave away to NT that something was bothering him. After taking some 2 or 3 shots BR said packup. After the shooting, at the hotel NT called BR and asked him what is bothering him. BR as his wont became emotional and said that he wanted to present a realistic Thevar and he expected NT to be his natural self. On the next morning NT arrived at the shooting spot with his original hair and light make up along with a Dhoti and half shirt. BR was so happy and started caning the film immediately and the rest as they say is history.

Groucho070,

Yamanukku Yaman was a remake from Telugu Yamaloka. As you said it was sort of a satirical movie. Well political dialogues, it was there but didn't create much impact. One reason was it's release timing.It was released right in the middle of one of the hottest elections of TN (i.e) 17.05.1980, when the NT fans were very much on the field to defeat MGR, whose Govt had been dismissed. (Ofcourse it didn't happen). Another factor was the much hyped own production of NT (i.e.) Raktha Paasam got released within 4 weeks of YY release. (RP got released on 14.06.1980).

Groucho070,

Avanthan Manidhan was directed by ACT and not PM. Again yesterday I made a mistake when I said that Kannadasn was the producer of LK. Actually it was his elder brother AL Srinivasan who produced LK under his banner ALS Productions.

Regards

PS: Ramesh, while typing this I noticed that Hitler Umanath is being shown tonight in Raj TV at 9 p.m.

S.Balaji
14th June 2006, 09:15 PM
Murali Anna,

Ungaludaya adutha veliyeetai naangal anaivarum aavaludan edhiparkirom !

Next phase pls ..........

groucho070
15th June 2006, 08:51 AM
Thanks Balaji sar. Yes, Avanthan Manithan was directed by ACT. And yes, that was an impressive list of films directed by PM.

One question.

What other NT movie did Vietnam Veedu Sundaram direct? Apart from Gouvaram. I vaguely recall some films in the eighties. But not sure whether he directed, he could have written the script.

As for Yammanukku Yaman, we can note that a portion of it was remade into Athisaya Piravi and another Luckyman.

I believe this film to be the father of a string of political satires we begin to see in the nineties (especially Manivannan/Sathyaraj duos, and other Sathyaraj films). You can see the lollu dialogues already mouthed by Sivaji in YY.

You are right about ALS producing LK. But if I am not mistaken, ALS gets the credit for the production Kannadhasan undertakes. Is it not? Need clarification here.

Yesterday I finished reading Manavasam, Kannadhasan's second book of the planned trilogy of his political memoir (First was the excelent Vanavasa, and the third, Anyathavasam, never materialised as he became an immortal). It is interesting and easier to read thanks having had already read Murali sar's writeup on the polical situation of the time. Like Balaji sar and the rest of NT fans, we await with excitment for your next installment Murali sar.

P.S. In both books, Kalaignar was kind of the bad guy. I was smiling when I read those. Wonder what Kannadhasan thinks up there, watching what is happening in Tamil Nadu.

Murali Srinivas
15th June 2006, 11:14 AM
Dear Balaji,

Ezuthikondirikiren (or type seithu kondirikiren?). Will come out soon.

Dear Groucho070,

The only other movie of NT that VVSundaram directed other than Gouravam wa Naam Pirantha Mann but here he had to share the megaphone with Vincent, the cameraman. As you must be aware Gouravam was produced by Hindu Rangarajan and Naam Pirantha Mann was also produced by him. VVS was the director when it started but due to some reason Vincent was also drafted in. The movie hit the screens on Oct 7th, 1977. That was a period when student unrest was at the peak, heavy rains and cyclone hit TN and it was released hardly a month before Deepavali and naturally the period film didn't do well. But the interesting irony is when Shankar remade(!) the movie as Indian, it was a smashing success.

Regards

Murali Srinivas
15th June 2006, 11:28 AM
Dear Groucho070,

I don't think that ALS undertook any Kannadasan production. KD had produced films like Maaliyita Mangai,Sivagangai Seemai, Karuppu Panam & Rathha Thilagam under different banners and ALS was busy with his own productions. There was this blow hot blow cold relationship between them. Infact there is a famous story. KD once was in badly need of money to clear some debts ( he was always like that) and approached ALS. ALS who was always non approval of KD's way of life refused to part with money. At that time Bhimsingh called KD to write a song for Pazhani and KD immediately wrote Annan Ennada Thambi Ennada , which was apt for the movie also.

Another PM directed NT movie that escaped my attention yesterday was Pattum Bharathamum.

Regards

groucho070
15th June 2006, 11:52 AM
KDs story always amused me. The version I heard was this: that he needed money to buy this expensive foreign liquor. I read this, in fact, in one of the Kannadhasan threads in this very hub.

But those who knows about KD knows this well: He was always in tons of debt.

I remember Nam Pirantha Man. Funny enough it starred Kamal as the rebelling son. Now that you mentioned I realise that it is indeed Indian's story.

Anway, thanks for clearing my doubts. Always thought that ALS and KD was working together. I got to watch those films again.

Thanks again sar. You will encounter many other errors in my posts and I will be the most grateful person on earth if you can correct me. That goes to the other NT fans too.

The clock is ticking and we are waiting for THE post, Murali sar.

groucho070
15th June 2006, 11:54 AM
To add one more.

Vincent's stamp was all over place in Gouvaram. Maybe its VVS' idea, but camerawork is given extraordinary importance in this movie. That's why it's the greatest. To me Gouvaram is Tamil films Citizen Kane.

So, I am not surprise to know that VVS shared the directorial tasks with Vincent.

Thanks again.

umaramesh
15th June 2006, 12:22 PM
Dear Murali

Thanks for the info about Director Madhavan. Oh God he gave super hit films with NT but seems to be in low profile.

To add to that list Sangeli/Lorry driver Raja kannu/Rathapasam
Vasanthathil oru naal(superb songs). NT should have rejected all these movies.

Off late only Muktha srinivasan gave decent movies like Andhaman kathali/paritchaiku neeramachu/Kizvanum sivakkum etc. All of them are successful one.

ramesh

S.Balaji
15th June 2006, 01:03 PM
To add one more.

Vincent's stamp was all over place in Gouvaram. Maybe its VVS' idea, but camerawork is given extraordinary importance in this movie. That's why it's the greatest. To me Gouvaram is Tamil films Citizen Kane.

So, I am not surprise to know that VVS shared the directorial tasks with Vincent.

Thanks again.

Groucho070

Vincent was popularly called as VINCENT- SUNDARAM ! & Sundaram is our family friend ( my Father's childhood friend ) .
Even kathillikka neramillai & many other Sridhar movies , the duo did the camera work

Vietnam veedu, Gouravam, Thanga padhakkam , gyanaoli ( remember the shadows of cloud movement passing over NT during Devane song ! ) were all creations of Mr. Sundaram only :D

I have seen the climax scene shooting of Thanga padhakkam :D
However, we could not talk to NT :cry:

Murali Srinivas Anna,

Naam pirandha mann , I enjoyed watching every scene ! it was one of those rare movies where we could see some reality those days !
NT shows his class by playing the role of a rich man but a freedom fighter in disguise ( this is first part ) & an old Father finding it difficult to control his son's anti national stance
I think Kamal also did extremely well here showing the emotions of a jobless youth

True. Shankar did a remix & Indian was successful !

S.Balaji
15th June 2006, 01:09 PM
Dear Murali

Thanks for the info about Director Madhavan. Oh God he gave super hit films with NT but seems to be in low profile.

To add to that list Sangeli/Lorry driver Raja kannu/Rathapasam
Vasanthathil oru naal(superb songs). NT should have rejected all these movies.

Off late only Muktha srinivasan gave decent movies like Andhaman kathali/paritchaiku neeramachu/Kizvanum sivakkum etc. All of them are successful one.

ramesh

Ramesh

Lorry driver RK - Directed by ACT , a movie to be REMOVED FROM NT'S LIST . ABSOLUTE DISGRACE :cry:
I believe he did it as ACT was his friend & couldnt refuse :oops:

P. Madhavan also did Ponnukku thanga manasu ( more popular for the song Then sindhudhey vanam :D )

S.Balaji
15th June 2006, 01:10 PM
Its really sad that KB didnt do any movie with NT. May be KB's style wouldnt have matched with NT ?

umaramesh
15th June 2006, 01:19 PM
Its really sad that KB didnt do any movie with NT. May be KB's style wouldnt have matched with NT ?


most of the KB film was heroine oriented and issues faced by women in middle class family(we discussed in other thread).
Like BR , KB should have made story which suits NT acting.
I think KB recently told he felt very bad that he was associated with NT. We missed BEST COMBINATION. KB/MSV/Sivaji/Kannadasan. AHA ENNA ORU COMBINATION.
IT WILL NOT HAPPEN ANYWAY :cry:

Coming back to NAAN PIRANTHA MAAN. I can recollect SPB song KAALGAL POGATTUM MAANILLE. Hope you remember.

ramesh

mohanraman
15th June 2006, 01:42 PM
KB did do a movie with NT.it did not do too well.----- ethir oli.
Kannadasan also produced kavalai illatha manithan....my dad constantly told him that his kavalai's started after this.the apocryphal story about ALS and money is true,though it wasn't for whisky,it was for some monies he had to deposit in court.I am happy that more dedicated NT fans are joining this forum,welcome.
KB has told me that he regrets not using NT's full potential........imagine Major Chandrakanth with NT.....of course we would not have got a major then...

mohanraman
15th June 2006, 01:50 PM
one more tidbit....those who saw the film on kamaraj will recall the episode of a young boy who had to go to england for an eye operation.the person was my cousin.the man who took the matter to kamaraj was my dad....so much for family history.
21st july , the day the statue is coming up is fast approaching.
catch up with you all soon.

groucho070
15th June 2006, 02:27 PM
Balaji sar,

Thanks for the info on Mr. Sundaram. I think its about time we give due credit. Those films you mentioned are blessed with great camerawork. Yes, the photography for the song Deevane is amazing. I always imagined the song was for indoors and voila! Its smack outside, under bright sun.

Usually bright sunshine is associate with happiness or comedy, but I guess this movie (And Mr. Sundaram) changed all that. Brilliant shot.

Of course, with NT you don't have to put too much hard work.

These days you need heavy camerawork to compensate terrible lack of acting capability. But lets not go into that...

Mohanram sar,

Finally get to hear from you. I read about Kavalai Illatha Manithan in Kannadhasan's own Manavasam. You dad's right. His Kavalai started after that.

As for Ethiroli, I think KB did a great job and he managed to get the most out of NT. I sometimes wonder if KB thought that NT will take the limelight away from the story, hence not working with him much. But that wouldn't be true, as NTs work with Bhim Singh, Banthulu, APN and KSG proved that story came first.

But KB, I believe, has written story and dialogue for some of NTs films. Neelavanam? My memory is bad.

And Balaji sar,

I shall stay away from Lorry Driver RK, even though the initial is same as mine.

abkhlabhi
15th June 2006, 02:50 PM
[tscii:bf758bd840]from abkhlabhi,

the following interview given by Manorama :


'He had the luck of a king'

Manorama

Manorama revered Sivaji Ganesan as an actor. She loved him like her own brother. And respected him as a senior costar.

Every word of praise from him made her immensely happy and she had no qualms in admitting that she cared a lot for his opinion.

All those who had watched the funeral procession of Sivaji Ganesan saw Manorama standing on the van, near the body, crying inconsolably.

I met her when she was shooting for a Tamil serial, three days after Sivaji’s death, she looked devastated. As she talked, she choked, tears welled up in her eyes and trickled down uncontrollably. At times, she had to pause for a second or so to control her sobs:

It was in 1955 that I first met 'Nadigar Thilakam' Sivaji Ganesan. I was acting in a drama company in Thindivanam, and Sivaji had come to watch a performance of ours.

The play was Neethipathi.

I can’t say how excited all of us were when we came to know that he would be coming to watch the play. We had seen his films like Parasakthi and were great fans of his. On that day, all I could think of was Anna’s visit. I could not even think of what I was going to say on stage.

I had a double role in the play; I was the heroine and also the villain. Anna watched the whole drama intently and then spoke.

Sivaji Ganesan He said, "The girl who played a double role in the drama acted superbly. She enacted both the roles so differently that it is difficult to find that it was the same person. I am amazed. It is not at all easy to do a double role in a drama. I can only compare her acting talent to that of Anjali Devi."

I was in the seventh heaven. Anjali Devi was the topmost heroine those days. When Anna compared me to her, I could not control my tears.

After the function, he came to me and said, “I am certain you will come up in life. You have a great future.”

That was my first meeting with Sivaji Ganesan -- an unforgettable one.

Later, I came to Madras and started acting in Kalaignar Karunanidhi’s dramas.

Anna would watch them and tell others that I acted very well. Not once did he tell me directly that I was good. Even when I gave a good shot, he would say, "It was good but you can do better."

He said so because he wanted me to excel.

But he would tell others, "There is no one who can beat Mano in emoting," and those people would come and tell me.

It was only after I did Thillana Mohanambal with Anna that people started accepting me as an actress. I was very frightened before the shoot began. The very thought of me acting opposite Sivaji made me a nervous wreck.

There was a scene in the film where I had to listen to him play the nadaswaram, and then play the same ragam. We had to compete with each other; it was a memorable experience.

Another scene will be etched in my mind always -- his line was: “We should be brother and sister not only in this birth but in all the other births too.” Then, I was to reply: “Anna, even now, I am your sister and that will never change.”

I can't forget these dialogues and the way he delivered them. You had to be there near him to enjoy his skill. I was one of those fortunate people.

Only once did he tell me that I acted well -- that was on May 26 this year. It was my birthday. And, as usual, I had gone to take blessings from my Anna. He blessed me and gave a Rs 100 note as a gift.

We started talking about various things, and his wife happened to comment about somebody else who made a mess while delivering dialogues in the Madurai dialect.

Immediately, Anna looked at me and said, "Come on, is there anybody else here who can talk in different dialects like Mano? She is the only person and she is an expert."

Those words still resonate in my ear; they transported me to heaven. That was the first time he directly praised me.

I don't want to say how good an actor he was -- everybody knows how good he was. All those who came after became famous because of his dialogues.

Even Kamal Haasan as a little boy got attention in Kalathoor Kannamma by repeating the dialogues that Anna said in Veerapandiya Katta Bomman. Why? Because Anna was the authority in acting.

He was an acting encyclopaedia.

Have you seen his introductory scene in Parasakthi?

Sivaji Ganesan S S Rajendran was trying to wake him up but he was not supposed to. When he did, you should see the way he threw away the sheet and looked at the camera! It was like a lion getting up from his sleep.

The lion which woke up from his sleep, nearly 50 years ago, never slept after that; he was roaring ever since.

Have you heard of any other actor who rose to such heights with one film? There is only one -- Sivaji Ganesan. No one else has such talent, ability and good luck.

God has given him such luck that it never left him till the last moment. I am witness to it.

After the day’s shooting at a casino in Kathmandu, we decided to try our luck out.

Anna put in a 50 paise coin and turned the knob. You should have seen the number of coins that poured out! He put one more coin. Again, there was a flood of coins.

That is why I say he was born with the luck of a king, and he remained a king even after his death.

One of my dreams was to act in a film directed by him. Unfortunately that was never fulfilled.

In real life too, he was my brother. I would enter his house and run upstairs, where he would be resting.

I shared everything, both happiness and sorrow, with Anna. He would console me whenever I was down.

Manorama He was not like my own brother; he was my own brother. When my mother passed away at 5:45 hrs one morning; Anna was at my home in fifteen minutes. He wanted me to inform my brothers and sisters. When I said, I had none, he pacified me by saying, ‘You have me, your Anna’. He immediately took charge just as my own brother would and sat outside till the body was taken to the crematorium.

How could I repay him?

He knew to act only before the camera; he never acted in front of people. He was genuine.

The moment I came to know of his death, I ran to his house and sat there near the body. I didn’t get up till his body was taken out. I refused to even to drink a drop of water.

Later on, I stood in the lorry for three hours and accompanied his body to the crematorium. The others told me to eat; but I refused. I wanted to punish my body and show my gratitude to my Anna. How else could I show my love for my own brother?

In October, he would complete 74. We wanted to have a huge celebration for his 75th birthday, but that was not to be.

I have lost my own brother. My only wish is to be born as his own sister in the next birth.

As told to Shobha Warrier [/tscii:bf758bd840]

mohanraman
15th June 2006, 06:22 PM
It is extremely fortunate that shri sundaram, affectinately called "captain" by all those in the camera and lights department is still active and shares his memories of giants he worked with...NT,Raj kapoor,guru dutt to name a few.mr.vijaykanth took the captain title later,p.n.sundaram was and will be the first captain to all the light boys and camera men..he is also extremely active in FEFSI , the film employees federation...a true master of the craft. In fact when we were shooting mr. romeo a prabhu deva starrer...he was the cameraman for all the 'double action' shots. There are not many people around with a mastery of the mitchell camera.....the predecessor to our ARRI cameras of today.Mitchell is still preferred for all trick photography........sorry for digressing, but thought must say a few words about one of the living legends of tamil cinema in a thread that is meant for the greatest of all legends.

mohanraman
15th June 2006, 06:26 PM
one small correction , they were not called vincent sundaram.... mr.vincent was always considered by pns as his "senior" and guru. they were all with even greater people like marcus bartley...sheeesh...maybe this thread will get diverted, so let me stop.

S.Balaji
15th June 2006, 06:49 PM
one small correction , they were not called vincent sundaram.... mr.vincent was always considered by pns as his "senior" and guru. they were all with even greater people like marcus bartley...sheeesh...maybe this thread will get diverted, so let me stop.

Correct Mr. Mohanram

For PNS, Vincent was his guru only . I think for Ooti varai uravu also PNS did the camera work .

Jayanan Vincent did well in malayalam movies I think

rajeshkrv
16th June 2006, 02:08 AM
KB's ethiroli with Shivaji was good but when 2 greats join it's always a problem in doing which way (KB's way or NT's way)
that's why KB refrained from both MGR & Shivaji.

P.N.Sundaram is an amazing Cameraman whose work in Nenjil or aalayam was incredible


Talking abour P.Madhavan, yes he is a great director and got the best out of NT
but still APN & BHIMSINGH are the 2 who brought all shades of NT.

Mohanram sir,

NT in major chandrakanth

Major sundarrajan equally fitted that role very well and did a great job in screen aswell

ssanjinika
16th June 2006, 02:37 AM
Its really sad that KB didnt do any movie with NT. May be KB's style wouldnt have matched with NT ?

KB did do one movie with NT called Edhiroli.A classy movie which unfortunately did not do well at the box office.
The movie is about this one man who lives by 10 rules the first of which is 'One should not lie'.He in one instance
he breaks this rule ,it leads him to break rest of the rules and throws his peaceful life into chaos.How he fights back
and brings his life back on track forms the rest of the story.An amazing movie beautifully played out by NT.I think the
heroine is KR vijaya am not sure though.Watch it if you get a chance.

groucho070
16th June 2006, 09:49 AM
KB's ethiroli with Shivaji was good but when 2 greats join it's always a problem in doing which way (KB's way or NT's way)
that's why KB refrained from both MGR & Shivaji.


I think the question did not arose as to whose way the film was. It went both ways. NT is always great when playing a conflicted man, and KB manged to squeeze the last acting juice out of NT. Ethiroli has both the echoes (intended) of NT and KB. It's like Thalapathi which looked like both Manirathnam and Rajini movie.

But seeing that KB never worked with NT again, I feel maybe KB felt it was better to work with lesser actors. I recall that he prefers most performances to be just how he wants it, ie. he acts it out and the others just follow. I think that is why he never worked with Rajini and Kamal the latter day. Exception is made to Kamal when he did Punnagai Mannan and Unnal Mudiyum Thambi when he was at his peak.

Ethiroli, in closer analysis, is just as great of any other great NT films. The character is very three dimensional.

This is where usually NT and KB are SUPPOSED to overlap each other. Both are adept in portraying characters that we normal mortal can relate to. But how unfortunate, both could have gone on forever...

Now that you guys mention it, I'm gonna look for the DVD or VCD of the movie today and have a nice NT filled weekend.

groucho070
16th June 2006, 10:02 AM
And Balaji sar, you Avatar...is it from Motor Sundram Pillai?

Murali Srinivas
16th June 2006, 11:56 AM
Dear Balaji,

When you mentioned about Mr.Sundaram, I was wondering who that person was? Only when Mohanram Sir mentioed about his initials, it struck me. PNS was a cameraman of great standing. See how initials can differenciate a person. But one correction. For Ooty Varai Uravu, camera was by N.Balakrishnan.

Than again LDRajakannu, NT did not do it for ACT but for AVM Rajan. He was the producer and the movie was a remake of Driver Ramudu, a NTR starrer. Rajan was also the producer for Oorum Uravum, that came along with P.Neramatchu. OU was a better film.

Groucho070,

Balaji's avatar is from Uyarntha Manidhan. Regarding Edhir Oli, if you could watch, NT underplayed that role in a superb manner. As you had mentioned the emotional conflict was beautifully portrayed. But it came at a time (1970) when the Fans had begun to expect a hero oriented stories from NT ( I had mentioned this earlier that in the late 60's and early 70's the fans expected aggressive roles) and it didn't do well. Also I felt that casting of SSR etc gave the film a old look (ie) it looked like a film in the early/middle 60's.

Ramesh,
Vasanthathil Oru Naal was not a bad movie. Remake of Hindi hit Mausam (* ing Sanjeev Kumar & Sharmila Tagore), it gave more scope for the heroine (Sripriya). Again our fans mindset refused to accept that the daughter of the hero is a call girl by profession spelt the doom in the same manner that happened to Kavari Maan (where fans couldn't digest the fact that NT's wife character going astray)

Regards

PS: But Balaji & Ramesh, do you know that LD Rajakannu was a 100 day movie? It ran 100 days in Salem.

Murali Srinivas
16th June 2006, 12:00 PM
Dear Balaji & Groucho070,

The next episode is on its way.Right now I am in the hang over of Aalaya Mani, which was telecast last night by Raj Digital.

Regards

groucho070
16th June 2006, 12:04 PM
Dear Balaji & Groucho070,

The next episode is on its way.Right now I am in the hang over of Aalaya Mani, which was telecast last night by Raj Digital.

Regards

Haha. How alike we are. I bet you want to write a whole new analysis of that movie. I read somewhere along the thread on split personality element found in this movie. Brilliant. Nowadays you have split personality where the character can automatically grow/straighten/dye hair or lose weight when it goes through that moment.

I expect a hangover after this myself.

I am going to come back from weekend with Ethiroli en kathile etherolittukondu.

Murali Srinivas
16th June 2006, 12:14 PM
Dear Groucho070,

The post on split personality in this thread was put by me. When media/people overdid Anniyan, I felt that I should write about Aalaya Mani. But yesterday, unfortunately the scene I mentioned (Saroja Devi with a Pattu Sari coming out from the room when SSR would gape at her. The change of emotions on NT's face, wow!) in the thread got cut due to Ads.

Regards

groucho070
16th June 2006, 01:25 PM
Ah, it was you. Am not surprised. Once in a while we need to bring down these people who talakkaalu puriyama nadakkirathu. Bring them back to earth, tell them don't get excited, it has been done before.
Murali sar,

Sad that present day media has no idea about the history.

One of things I want to know was how in the name of Paul Muni did he do the old man make up. It still baffles me. It is 177% times better than Kamal's makeup in Indian.

Take your time. Take it easy. Have a good weekend.

groucho070
16th June 2006, 01:26 PM
Sorry the make up in Thiruvarutchelvar, I mean. Sorry again.

abkhlabhi
16th June 2006, 05:33 PM
[tscii:f4db440c99]


'I have lost my brother'
S Balaji

The father-in-law of Malayalam superstar, Mohanlal, Balaji has the distinction of producing the maximum number of Sivaji films and acting as Sivaji’s brother in many films.

"With his death, I lost my own brother,” said Balaji, his eyes moist:

I still remember I had to stand in a queue for two days to get a ticket of Sivaji’s first film, Parasakthi. He was amazing in the film. People talked only about him those days. He was a craze in Tamil Nadu.

At the time, I was working as a production assistant at Narasu’s Studio. When I heard that my boss Narasu had booked Sivaji for A S A Swamy's Thulivisham, my happiness knew no bounds. Ever since I saw Parasakthi, I was eager to meet him.

When Sivaji came to the studio, Narasu introduced us. What I liked most about him was that he did not behave like a star. When he came to know I was also interested in acting, he asked the director to give me a role too. That's how I got a small role in the film. It was another matter that only one scene of mine escaped the editor’s scissors.

Even though he had become a major star acting in all the major production companies, Sivaji was extremely friendly with everyone.

Whatever I have achieved in life is thanks to three people: my schoolmaster S S Subbaraman (who made me act in school dramas), Gemini Ganesan (who introduced me to films and is like a godfather to me), and Sivaji Ganesan. Gemini Ganesan had given me a chance to act in Avvayyar in 1950.

In 1952, I was introduced to Sivaji.

He and I were not in touch between 1954 and 1960. In 1960, Gemini was to act as Sivaji’s brother in Padithal Mattum Potuma, but was not very keen on it. So he asked me to step in. When he introduced me to Sivaji after a gap of six years, Sivaji said, "As if I do not know Balaji! I know him very well!"

My role in the film was a major one, and the film became a huge hit in Tamil Nadu. Afterwards, Sivaji started recommending me if there was a second role in any of his films.

That was the beginning of our friendship. It strengthened further when I started producing my own films.

I made my first film in 1965 with Gemini Ganesan. It was my way of thanking him and showing my gratitude.

My second film was Thangai with Sivaji. Do you know how I signed him? One day I met him at Gemini studios and said, "Annai, I am producing a film and you should act in it."

Immediately, he brushed me aside, saying, "Poda, you a producer? You must be joking!"

He did not believe me. But when he realised that I was serious about making a film, without even batting his eyes, he said, “Get a good story and a director, and I'm in!"

The funniest thing was that Thangai was an action film. Sivaji was known as an emotional hero. It was M G Ramachandran who did all the fights in his films.

Sivaji was very sceptical about the action scenes. But I assured him the film would give him a new image. He agreed reluctantly. He was so sure that people would not accept him as a fighting hero.

Fortunately, the film was ame a big success! Till then, only MGR was applauded when he fought, but with Thangai, Sivaji also started getting credit for his fight scenes. After that, every film of his had at least one fight!

As an actor, he was phenomenal. He would ask me whether he had performed well after each shot. Was it necessary for a person of his stature to ask me that question? Still, he wanted assurance from the producer.

Sometimes I used to say, "No, that was not good. We will have one more take."

Immediately, he would say, “Balaji didn’t like the shot. Let me do it again." He wanted everything to be perfect.

I am also a perfectionist. That was why he liked me as a producer. All the 16 films that we made together were successes. He used to do two films a year for me, while other producers had to wait for years to get his dates. That was not because he considered me his friend or a brother; it was only because I am a disciplined and meticulous filmmaker.

Later, I made films with Kamal Haasan and Rajnikanth. That did not affect our friendship. He knew I am a producer and I had to make films. He was very understanding and open-hearted. Soon, I stopped production because of ill health. He, too, stopped acting.

The beauty of our relationship is that it went beyond films and production. Whenever he passed my house, he would drop in. The truth was he just couldn’t pass by without coming home. I would also visit him regularly.

We are on poda-vada (informal) terms! He was a very reserved person, and friendly, too. He was one of my closest friends. We were always there for each other. He was by my side when my wife passed away. He took control of the situation and saw to it that everything was done properly.

Whenever he introduced me to some overseas dignitary, he would say, "Meet Balaji, my boss." The moment they left, he would tell me, “Now, don’t think too much of yourself just because I called you my boss."

I never thought that he would leave this world so soon.

Just two days before his death, I met him at the hospital. He was reluctant to get up. Then his wife said, “Your friend has come. Won’t you get up?”

He just looked at me and said, “I can’t, my friend.” I felt very bad. To cheer him, I said, "Annai, you are okay and you are getting up and talking to me."

He asked the nurse to prop the bed, and the first thing he asked me was, “Did you drive?” He knew I always drove my vehicle, and he objected to me driving after my two kidney transplants. That day, we talked for a very long time about the good old days.

I used to pick him up every day when he was shooting for my films -- I enjoy driving and he enjoyed sitting in the car when I drove!

I still remember once we were going to shoot the film Neethi in Mysore. We flew from Madras to Mysore and my car was waiting for us at the airport. As usual, I drove. Sivaji's wife was also there.

Suddenly one of the tyres got punctured. I was really worried. It was 2000 hrs, not a soul visible anywhere. In the car was one of the top actors and it was dark everywhere but Sivaji was calmness personified.

He got out and took the stepney and changed the tyre himself. Imagine Sivaji Ganesan changing a car tyre. Later, I used to tease him about it.

Of late, we used to talk only about the old times. During rainy days, he would call me for a drive and we would drive to the beach. We loved drinking gin mixed with tender coconut water when it rained.

Two months back ago, he called me and said it's been a long time we enjoyed the rain together.

What more can I say, with his passing away, I have lost my brother.

As told to Shobha Warrier

[/tscii:f4db440c99]

abkhlabhi
16th June 2006, 05:34 PM
'He always called me maplai'
Mohanlal

Malayalam superstar Mohanlal worked with Sivaji Ganesan in Prathap Pothen's Yatra Mozhi. He reminisces about the legendary actor, with whom he shared a deeply personal relationship:

I'd seen a lot of Sivajisir's films during my childhood days.

But the first time I saw him in person was about 20 years ago when I was shooting for a film at AVM Studios. He was seated at a distance, silently watching the goings-on.

My shot over, when I walked past him, I found him looking at me intently. I hadn't been introduced to him and didn't know whether I should go over and speak to him. I was a newcomer then. So I stayed away.

But he kept looking at me. I could never decide whether he was actually observing me or just lost in thought. I got introduced to him much later.

He was a close friend of my father-in-law (Tamil actor-producer S Balaji). When I got married, Sivajisir attended the function.

My relationship with Sivajisir was not merely professional. It was always much more than that. We were like a family. He would call me maplai (son-in-law).

I also know his son (Tamil actor Prabhu) well. We acted together in Priyadarshan's Kaala Paani.

I was supposed to act with Sivajisir in Rajeev Nair's Swarna Chaamaram but the film did not materialise.

Then we were offered Pratap Pothen's Yatra Mozhi. The story was by Priyadarshan. I played a character wanting to murder Sivajisir, who realises later that this enemy is his father. That's the only time we acted together.

Throughout the shooting, Sivajisir kept telling me that he was doing the film for me. "There's no other reason why I should do this Malayalam film," he said.

He was a totally different type of actor. His style of acting was unique. He would always tell me that an actor's job is to act. And he would want his acting to show. He believed that the audience wanted to see the acting, feel the acting.

So everything he did would stand out. His mannerisms, his walk, his dialogue delivery, everything would change according to the role. He did not believe in repeating his styles. Even if played nine different roles, he would ensure the look and talk of each character would differ. That's why he was held in such high esteem.

For people who grew up watching him, he was not just an actor. He was not merely a film star. I hadn't met him for quite some time. The last time I'd met him, some months ago, he wasn't well. I was in Bombay shooting for Ramgopal Verma's film, Company, when news of his death reached me.

I wanted to go there for his funeral, but could not. I couldn't break my commitments in Bombay...

As told to Anjum Nair

umaramesh
17th June 2006, 11:28 AM
Hi abkhlabhi

Thanks for sharing NT relationship with balaji. They were too close and shivaji acted in balaji production in the later stage also.
I think most of the films were super hit.

Thangai
Raja
En Thambi
Engirthu vanthal
Thirudan

I could not recollect some other movies. They had very good understanding . I think NT maintained very good relationship with most of his associates and we never heard from producer that because of NT shooting got delayed/budget exceeded etc.
He had glorious chapter in acting as well as in personal front.

ramesh

Murali Srinivas
17th June 2006, 01:01 PM
[tscii:fb16d8c204]NT’s Political Career – Phase III – 1975 Oct to 1988 Jan Continuation

Before continuing the political saga, let us quickly look in to the movie releases of NT & MGR that happened in between Parliament & Assembly elections of 1977 (i.e.) between March & June. Each had one release. MGR had Indru Pol Endrum Vaazgha and NT had Ilaya Thalaimurai. Both were in May. IPEV was a remake from Manojkumar’s Hindi starrer and it did reasonably well. On the other hand IT was produced by Yogachitra Dharmaraj (he was the person who started producing Unnai Vida Maaten, a film that MGR announced that he will act while continuing to be the CM but which never progressed beyond Pooja and song recording by IR) and it was supposed to release on Deepavali day of 1976 along with Chitra Pournami. But due to financial problems the movie’s release was delayed and finally it hit the screen in May 28th 1977. NT did a role of Professor/ Warden of a college and this was average grosser.

People who are following these phases might wonder why I gave a short narration of happenings for the assembly election of 1977. As for as I know it was the most lackluster election of TN in recent times. There were reasons to it. Parliament elections of 1977 were of high voltage since the stakes were high. Once the results were out, it became significant in the sense that for the first time a non-congress government assumed power in 30 years of Indian Independence. Morarjee Desai became the Prime Minister. The one point agenda of opposition parties (i.e.) removing Indira from power was achieved. Of course it was a heterogeneous combination and the likes of Charan Singh, DeviLal with their own agendas were not good omens for Janata Party. As expected it started proceedings against Indira Gandhi. The Congress had won around 155 seats and Y.B.Chavan became the Leader of Opposition. On the organizational front Brahamananda Reddy became the AICC President replacing Barooah. In TN, Congress stood behind Indira and they fondly hoped that MGR would accommodate them. Congress wanted 90 assembly seats. They had contested 15 Parliament seats and so as 6 assembly seats consisted of 1 Parliament seat, they asked for 90. MGR now knowing fully well that he can win on his own refused to give that much. This was the time Moopanar was made to wait for hours to see MGR and this hurt Moopanar and this made him anti ADMK and being the Tanjore man he had a better understanding with MuKa. Congress (O) now rechristened as Janata in TN also decided to go it alone. PaaRaa became the Union Minister and he was always uncomfortable with DMK alliance. Now they didn’t require the alliance and decided to go alone. DMK had no friends to turn round to and it also ploughed a lone furrough. So by their own choices and by choices thrust on them, all parties faced the election. The parties know, the people know that AIADMK is going to win and even the voting percentage came down when compared to March elections. As mentioned AIADMK won 126 seats, Congress got 27 and Janata won 10. But DMK contrary to all expectations won 48 seats and the highlight was, its winning of 13 seats out of 14 in Chennai. Isari Velan was the only ADMK man to win in Chennai RK Nagar. MGR assumed power on 30th June.1977.
There was a curiosity factor among most of the people, what MGR is going to do? What will happen to his films? Whether he will continue as CM or whether he will make way for someone else in the party after some time? In fact Kumudam spoke to the producers of MGR films, which were on floors at that time (Anna Nee En Deivam, Puratchi Pithan, Makkal En Pakkam, Amaithi [MGR’s own production]) and they said that he had asked them to come after 6 months. There was a talk that having achieved what he wanted, MGR was thinking of making Nanjil Manoharan as CM after 6 months. The heavy defeat that had rocked DMK led to fissures and even before Assembly elections Nedunchezhiyan and co had revolted against MuKa and they were thrown out. Year preceding this, SSR had questioned MuKa’s leadership in the Seyarkuzhu (executive) and he was attacked and literally thrown out of the meeting. Panruti Ramachandran who was minister till the DMK government was dismissed also left DMK and these people along with Madurai Muthu had joined ADMK. Now Nedu came out and started Makkal DMK (ironically it was also called MDMK). He supported MGR in the assembly election. On the day of swearing in, he announced the merger of his party with ADMK and Nedu was made General Secretary of ADMK. DMK became the major opposition party.

If MGR had nursed the idea of quitting power after a brief stint, MuKa and DMK had other ideas. They decided to make life terrible for him. Each and every move of the Government was opposed. All the sections of the society were instigated. One good thing about the Emergency was the strikes, hartals & Bandhs were totally banned. This applied to workers as well as students. For 2 years (75-77) they could not move and now it was free for all. The Government employees who were always pro DMK were the first to start and there was bus strike by workers. Then students started. The college elections had not taken place for 2 years and now they started again. So this naturally led to unrest in the campus. At this point of time MGR renamed Madurai University as Kamaraj University. The students were instigated on caste lines against this and there were protests. MGR to appease both the factions renamed the university as Madurai Kamaraj University. The students objected to the semester system that had been successfully introduced in the previous years. If students from other parts were engaged like this, Madras students were agitating for all route passes for Rs 15/. The situation took a turn for the worst when some students hijacked a bus and took inside their college. I am not sure whether it was Pachaiyappa’s or Law College but do you know who was the prime accused in that case? It was Radha Ravi, the then Law College student. Everyday papers were reporting one agitation or other. Now MGR was convinced that DMK is behind this and he started to openly accuse them. On the personal side, I had joined college in that academic year (1977 July) in American College, Madurai and so I was a first hand witness to all happenings. Our College, one of the best in TN was always considered as a no trouble zone but during that period, our College was also caught in the mess. On October 6th 1977, there was a big trouble in Madurai. Trouble started in two colleges. One spot was Madura College and the other was our College. At Madura college students of 4 colleges had assembled to go on a procession. With the police refusing to oblige, the situation went out of control and a war like situation developed there. The students had to face the barrage from both sides in the sense that both police and ADMK workers attacked them. Our college students had blocked the road. The college is situated in Goripalayam. People who are from Madurai or who know the topography of that place will realize any roadblock there will choke Madurai traffic. There again the police started charging and it was helter shelter for all students. Our College topography will be a bit confusing for a new visitor and so the police could arrest only 10 persons from our college, whereas 872 persons were arrested from Madura College campus. It was all there in the front pages of newspapers the next day. Why I am explaining this in detail because the MGR government took it very seriously and Aranganayakam the education minister came to Madurai and alleged interference by political parties. All colleges were closed indefinitely. The parents of students were asked to furnish letters that their wards would behave well in future. Now MGR was convinced that DMK is set to destabilize him.

When the MGR ministry took over, two things were widely expected from Assembly proceedings. One, MuKa with his oratorical skills will dominate and MGR not known for his speech fluency will struggle to answer him. But in reality, more than MuKa it was the trio of Durai Murugan, Rahman Khan & Subbu that really made life difficult for MGR. Again contrary to expectations, MGR proved that he is no novice and he managed to hold fort when it came to replies. In the first Independence Day celebrations of the new government held on Aug 15th 1977, MuKa participated and MGR publically thanked him for getting the right to hoist the national flag. After that relations soured.

On the day before this (i.e.) 14th, Meenava Nanban was released and again curiosity factor (a film starring CM) played a good part in making the film run. NT had a film release on 07.10.1977, Naam Pirantha Mann (widely discussed in last post). The Tamil film world at that point was totally getting a makeup change. Rajini, who had made his debut in 1975, was fast becoming popular and Kamal was also becoming a hero on his own. Bharathi Rajaa made his screen debut with 16 Vayathinile on Sep 15th 1977. During this month the entire Tamil film Industry conducted a big facilitation for MGR and NT paid glowing tributes to MGR and MGR reciprocated his love. This was also the function that people saw the biggest flower garland presented to MGR and Guess who gave it? It was Jai Shankar. 4 people carried the garland itself. It is another strange twist that soon after this MGR and Jai became poles apart. Middle of October heavy rains started to lash TN and soon it became a flood calamity. A severe cyclone also developed in Bay of Bengal and on the last minute on Oct 31st, it changed direction and hit Andhra coast near Ongole and in terms of damage this is considered to be one of the worst cyclones that have ever hit the land.

On the national scene, the rulers were making life difficult for Indira. Though it seemed that both Congress and Janata would cooperate when they choose Sanjeeva Reddy as consensus candidate for the post of President, the cooperation was short lived. A commission of Enquiry was constituted with Justice Shah as its head. Indira Gandhi was arrested on Oct first week of 1977 and there was much drama when the arrest took place. She insisted on being hand cuffed and she was taken to Haryana. She was granted bail. She, who was lying low till then began touring. Her first visit was to Nagpur. Maharastra traditionally has been a Congress strong hold and she received a tremendous reception. Then she planned a trip to TN. The dates were finalized as 29th and 30th of October. TNCC had planned a grand reception.

In the period intervening DMK government’s dismissal and Parliament elections of 1977, in addition to Sarkaria Commission, the Central Government had filed two cases against MuKa. The CBI had filed charge sheets in wheat import scheme and pesticides purchase case. When Janata came to power, the DMK had tried his best to get it withdrawn. But Morarjee, the upright man he was, was willing to withdraw politically motivated cases but not corruption cases. In fact Prabhudas Patwari who had been appointed as Governor of TN had cases against him but they were withdrawn saying it was politically motivated. JP who had a soft corner for MuKa, pleaded with Janata Party leaders but it was of no avail. At this time Indira announced her TN tour and some people of Janata (it was rumoured that it was Charan Singh) had asked MuKa to show Black Flags to Indira and asked DMK men to unleash violence. In return, with drawl of cases would be considered. DMK readily agreed for this.

Indira was scheduled to tour Madurai, Tiruchy and Chennai. MGR announced that Indira would be treated as state guest. When she arrived in Chennai, MGR was there to receive her. Indira arrived at Madurai in the afternoon of 29th October and she was given a grand reception. While coming in to the city, the DMK men were waiting at South Gate (Therku Vaasal), with Black flags and suddenly Indira was attacked. Stones, big sticks were freely used. Nedumaran & NSV Chithan who were with Indira in the open jeep covered her with pillows and stood as walls. In the melee, Nedumaran and Chithan were inflicted with bleeding injuries. The police though initially caught unawares then swung into action and rounded off people. Indira addressed public meetings. She then went to Tiruchy and then the next day to Chennai. The police had thwarted black flag demonstration at Tiruchy and at Chennai all top-level leaders of DMK including MuKa were arrested. Though people expected a law and order problem, the Government quickly put out all protests. MuKa and other leaders were denied bail and they nearly spent 40 days in prison.

Within days of this happening, TN was flooded with rains and hit by cyclone. Deepavali also came up on Nov 10th. NT’s own production Annan Oru Kovil was released. A remake from Kannada, AOK became a Super hit with nice songs. NT again proved that any number of Annan Thangai stories would be safe bet with him.

If the cup of woes were full for MGR, it started overflowing when the college teachers all over TN wanted the Government to implement UGC scales for them. MGR government did not agree and the teachers struck work. At that point of time there were only two Universities in TN, namely Madurai & Madras. So the semester exams that had already been rescheduled due to student unrest were again disturbed and in many colleges students wrote exams without their regular staff members for invigilation and University substituting some temporary employees in their place. Finally it was sorted out and exams were completed by January.

TN had suffered extensive damage due to rains and the film world on the request from MGR decided to conduct star shows and cultural programmes all over TN. NT who was then President of Nadigar Sangam staged his Samrat Asokan stage play. MGR presided over all the shows in different places and he was all praise for NT. For the public the presence of two thilagams together was a big attraction.

Again back to the national scene, Indira had a feeling that a section of Congressmen were now acting against her. She felt Congress under Reddy was not supporting her and they were inclined towards Janata. So again a split became inevitable in Congress and on Jan 1st of 1978, Indira had called for a convention of her followers and most of the Congressmen had attended the meeting barring some leaders like Reddy etc. The Janata party wanted to exploit the situation but the senior leaders who revolted against Indira had little support from the party and public. As for as TN was concerned unlike the earlier time the entire party stood behind Indira. Within a month of all these happenings, elections to Andhra and Karnataka assemblies took place. Both the factions of Congress had put up candidates and this was the time Indira Congress or better known as Congress (I) had chosen the Hand symbol. Congress (I) won both Karnataka and Andhra with the other faction getting routed. Chenna Reddy became the CM of Andhra and Devaraj Urs assumed power in Karnataka. Not only that, in a by election at Azamgargh Parliament constituency in UP, Mohsina Kidwai (who later on became the UPCC President and spokesperson of Congress) of Congress (I) wrested the seat from Janata. Now the winds of changes could be smelt. MuKa cut up with Janata for not acceding to his request, issued a statement saying that Nandri Marantha Janata Nambikaiyai Izhakirathu. For Congressmen in TN, they again started getting hopeful. But the intra party rivalry refused to go away. Right from the beginning, Moopanar and Nedumaran were at loggerheads and many a time it openly came out. But here I must record that contrary to public belief (Balaji, this is for you) NT and Moopanar were very close and NT always supported Moopanar. This will become more clearer in the following paragraphs.

While hot things were happening on the political front, let us briefly take a look at the releases of NT in the first half of 1978. He had 5 releases. They were

a. Andaman Kadhali – 26.01.1978. A Mukta production, this was a Super hit movie that celebrated 100 days all over TN.

b. Thiagam – 04.03.1978. A remake from the Malayalam Itha Oru Manushiyan, this Balajee production was a Super Duper hit which ran for 25 weeks, thus giving NT a hatrick of hits and in our Madurai it covered MGR’s USV collection wise.


c. Ennai Pol Oruvan - 18.03.1978. Produced and directed by TRRamanna, this movie was in the making for a long time, but still when it came out did well at the BO and extended the winning streak of NT. Great songs helped this movie.

d. Punniya Bhoomi – 12.05.1978. A remake of the classic Mother India that had stellar performance from Nargis and Sunil Dutt, this movie produced by NV Ramasamy (who produced Rojavin Raja) had NT and Vanishree in the lead. But the original was in the 50’s and the story set in feudal village backdrop, was alien to TN and so the movie failed here.
e. General Chakravarthy – 16.06.1978. Produced by Chinna Annamalai, this family movie went on to become a hit and crossed 100 days.

We can also record here that the last movie of MGR (i.e.) MMSP hit the screens on 14.01.1978 and it failed to make the cash registers ring. It ran max 75 days in Madurai.

During this time another incident or rather an accident happened to NT. NT had so many friends in the film world and this applies to all languages. His friends in Telugu and Malayalam cine fields would always request him to act in their languages and NT used to oblige when the story and the setup suited him. One such occasion was when he accepted to do Thacholi Ambu along with Prem Nazir. During the course of shooting for this movie, while doing a fight scene, he fell down and fractured his left hand. This happened during the first week of May 1978, and he was brought back to Chennai where a plate was fixed in his hand to set right the fracture and Doctors advised him complete rest and that extended to months. As all of his movies were doing extremely well, he had been flooded with offers and he had committed many. Now this unexpected layoff threw everything out of gear. But since nobody could help, everybody waited.

During this period, trouble was brewing in TN Janata. Kumari Ananthan who steadfastly stood for Congress (O) during Emergency was now feeling let down. He had expected that he would be rewarded but that was not forthcoming from the powers to be. He strongly suspected that PaaRaa is bent upon to deny him his dues. It was a bit shocking because till that time PaaRaa had always come out as a clean person and the talk of he sabotaging Kumari Ananthan’s chances looked a bit cooked up but as we knew strange things have happened in politics. Kumari Ananthan had organized a conference of his followers and well wishers and there he announced the launch of his new party Gandhi Kamaraj Desiya Congress. He announced that his party would be TN centric. Troubles started for Janata.

At this point of time it was brought to the notice of MGR that local body elections were not held in TN after 1969. But MGR announced elections for Madurai Corporation only. He didn’t say anything about other bodies. Again all the parties contested in the same manner as they had done during assembly election. Everybody was going alone and ADMK had the two communist parties for company. MGR, MuKa came and camped at Madurai and did the campaign work. In the ADMK circles, a section of the party was opposed to the candidature of Madurai Muthu. Their main grouse was he had been the Mayor of Madurai and he was tooth and nail opposed to MGR and ADMK cadres while he was in the DMK and now he had crossed over to ADMK and his becoming Mayor will not only deny the legitimate claims of ADMK personnel but make mockery of the sufferings they underwent for the sake of MGR at the hands of Muthu. But MGR didn’t heed their pleadings and Muthu was made a candidate for ward 10 (Anna Nagar). Congress went alone. At this point of time July 1978, Indira made a visit to TN and she also came to Madurai. Congress used her presence for the campaigning. NT who was recuperating from the injury (he had not started shooting) came for the campaigning and Moopanar accompanied him. In all the meetings Moopanar didn’t speak and instead asked NT to speak. The results were declared and again ADMK won an absolute majority on its own by winning 36 wards out of 65. Congress won 9 and DMK 5. As expected MGR declared Muthu would be the Mayor but to smoothen the ruffled feathers of his followers he announced that the term of Mayor will be 6 years and the incumbent Mayor would assume charge on a rotational basis (i.e.) after every 2 years, a new Mayor will assume charge. This to a great extent satisfied the workers. There was another twist when Congress decided to contest the election of Mayor. Though it had only 9 votes it went ahead and before the election it sought the support of DMK. DMK readily agreed and 14 votes were cast in favour of AG Subburaman who was the Congress nominee. That was sort of political coup because only some 9 months back, DMK and Congress had clashed over Black flag demonstration and an attempt to murder charges were there against all DMK leaders and the matter was sub judice. But MuKa ruled out any read between lines.

The groupism in TN Congress had worsened at this point of time and at last the High command (probably for the first time and last time till date) decided to conduct an election for the post of President. Moopanar and Nedumaran were in the fray. Both were busy canvassing. This was July end and NT was still to resume shooting. He had gone to Ooty from Madurai campaigning and was resting there. Nedumaran went all the way to Ooty and personally sought the support of NT. What transpired between them was not known and NT came to Chennai for the elections. An observer from the High command had come for the election and he conducted it. The votes were counted and the observer after the counting was over came to the mike and started like this “ May I request Mr.Nedumaran—“, before he could finish, Nedumaran supporters burst out by clapping when the observer intervened to say “ May I request Mr.Nedumaran to take Mr.Moopanar to the President’s chair as Mr.Moopanar had secured around 300 odd votes against Mr.Nedumaran’s 200 odd”. Nedumaran and his supporters were heart broken. It was clear that NT and his supporters had indeed voted for Moopanar. It shows the strong bonding between NT and Moopanar. Media as always had only highlighted the acrimony between NT and Moopanar that developed in 1982 over Rajya Sabha nomination (which we will be discussing later) but failed to record the earlier cordial period between the two.

By August 1978, NT had resumed shooting. TN politics was quite and MGR inducted SDS and KAK (surprise left outs in the first place) in his ministry. By now MGR had abandoned the idea of relinquishing the CM chair because he knew without him ADMK cannot stand against MuKa.

On the national scene, Indira felt that her presence in Parliament would make life difficult for Janata and in turn would boost her party’s chances. She was on the lookout for a safe seat and for this she decided that south was the safest place. At this time Chikmagalur in Karnataka fell vacant and with the backing of Devaraj Urs she filed her nomination from there. The former Chief minister of Karnataka and veteran Congress leader Veerendra Patil was put up on behalf of Janata. This predominately hilly constituency mainly consisting of Coffee and tea estates voted in favour of Indira. MGR had supported her candidature and sent people for campaigning. But the Janata leaders didn’t like her presence in Parliament and they brought a privilege motion against her and Indira was disqualified. She won the election in November 1978 and within a month, she was stripped of her membership. This move drew large protests and slowly the support for Indira was swelling. But the Janata Party failed to read the pulse of the people.

So 1978 came to an end. In the second half of 1978, NT had two releases. They were

a. Pilot Premnath – 30.10.1978 (Deepavali). This ACT directed Indo- Lankan co production was not only hit in TN but went on to become a Blockbuster in Sri Lanka and rewrote many records there.

b. Justice Gopinath – 16.12.1978. Nothing great to write about. The first film in NT-Rajini combination.

c. Thacholi Ambu – Malayalam – Onam 1978. Actually this should come earlier than Pilot in the chronological order as it was released in September 1978. A Super hit in Kerala.

1979 dawned. Though Moopanar had been elected as TNCC President, he was still not comfortable and he had put in his papers at least twice before. But Indira Gandhi didn’t accept and asked him to continue. But when he did it more often to score a point or two over his detractors, Indira got annoyed and accepted his resignation. In his place RV Swaminathan was appointed. Moopanar didn’t expect this but he had no other go. NT and his fans were also upset but nobody could do anything about it. At that time they had more pressing things and it was none other than the prestigious home production named Tirusoolam that was getting released as the 200th Movie of NT. The date was fixed as Jan 27th and when the film went for censor, the board headed by Veenai.S.Balachander objected and ordered some cuts. Though it caused some heartburn between NT and SB, the matter was sorted out and the movie got released as scheduled. A movie inspired from Kannada Sankar-Guru where Dr.Rajkumar played double role (both sons), in Tamil NT took the mantle of father role also and as the whole world knows it went on to become the biggest hit of Tamil Cinema and some of its BO records are yet to be broken. The fans had been pressing for a conference and NT gave the green signal. The occasion was the celebration of 200th movie and the dates were fixed as March 10 & 11 and venue was Madurai. The fans planned it big. Again Nedumaran’s services though he belonged to Madurai were not utilized and Thalapathy Shanmugam who had now replaced Chinna Annamalai as President of Akila Indhiya Sivaji Ganesan Rasikar Mandram and who also hailed from Madurai took charge. As per the old practice the first day of the conference started of with a big procession and NT watched it from a special stage erected at the junction of West and North Masi streets (Mela Masi Veedhi- Vadakku Masi Veedhi Sandhippu- near Nehru Alala Vinayakar Koil). Again customary as it was, the first day was devoted to Congress Party. RVS the TNCC President and Nedumaran did not turn up and Moopanar was presiding over the meeting. NT had not publicly commented about change of guard and finally when NT rose to speak at the end of the day (Kannadasan had earlier given a nice speech laced with humour), he started addressing all present in the stage and finally said “ Endrendrum Engal Arumai Thalaivar Moopanar avargalae” and the whole gathering burst into cheers. A very clear indication where his priorities lay.
The second day was for the stars and everybody from the Tamil cinefield except Kamal and Jaishankar turned up. There was mammoth crowds for the conference and at the end NT acknowledged all praise and thanked everyone. At the close of ceremony, Major came to the mike and said that he wanted to read a message. It read “ All the best wishes for the successful conduct of your conference”. It was addressed to NT and when Major read the sender’s name as Indira Gandhi, there was deafening applause. It immediately reminded me of the scene that happened during Unakkaga Naan release and made me wonder whether that group of NT fans that was against Indira had indeed returned to this fold. No clear answers were available at that time. The conference was a big success. All papers and journals wrote about the conference. Ananda Vikatan probably summed up the whole thing in simple lines. It published photographs of the conference in two pages
It just wrote two lines.

Irunooru Moonooru Agattum; Imayam pol
Ungal Pugazh Oongattum.

Tirusoolam swept all records in front of it but it had to face opposition from NT films itself before it completed 100 days. Kavari Maan, the first film of NT that was directed by Sp.Muthuraman was released on 06.04.1979. A family flick, NT did a superb portrayal of a hurt father in a most subtle manner but unfortunately the fans and lady audience at that point of time could not digest the scenes where the wife character went astray and this affected BO performance. Hardly a month passed when Balajee released his Nallathoru Kudumbam on 03.05.1979. As usual it was a remake from Telugu. After a long time and probably for the last time the second most favourite pair for NT fans, NT- Vanishree pair came together (the most favourite was NT- Devika. May be surprise news to some NT fans/ followers who may be thinking that NT-Padmini pair is the first choice)
But NK had a storyline that had shades of resemblance with Tirusoolam and since NK came close on the heels to Tirusoolam, it ended as an average Grosser.

Friends, I wanted to go up to 1980 Parliament elections and then to break. Now we are at May 1979 and starting with June when many important hot political happenings started (like Tanjore by election) that ended up with Indira Gandhi’s return of power, it will occupy more space. Even by my standards, this particular post has become too lengthy and so let us take a break here and come back. Sorry if somebody is bored by the lengthiness.

Regards
[/tscii:fb16d8c204]

kalnayak
18th June 2006, 12:32 AM
Murali Srinivas,
A great posting as before.This is the period I also started to know about TN politics, films etc. Rajini and Kamal started to get popularity among film goers. You are mixing the NT's films not only with politics but also with Tamil Cinema History trendsetters like 16 vayathinile. Before this film my parents were allowing me watch NT films to maximum and rarely others films. You have turned my memories into my childhood.

But I am not clear why NT-Padmini pair is not the first favorite of NT fans when this pair is considered all time best pair among all Tamil actor pairs by Tamil film goers. Of course NT-Devika pair is also great. Devika has acted with NT for about 10 films I think(Paava Mannippu, Karnan, Bale Pandiya, Paavai Vilakku, Neela Vaanam, Muradan Muthu). But NT-Padmini acted together more than 50 films. And Devika has acted with other actors too and those films were also very popular (Vaanambadi, Kagitha odam, Nenjil Oar Aalyam, Nenjam marappathillai, Vazhkai padagu).

Congrats and keep writing.

S.Balaji
18th June 2006, 02:42 PM
[tscii:a0aeafa960]Murali Anna

We used to call PNS as Sundaram uncle & it came spontaneously to me :)

Another mind blowing coverage as usual ! thanks a lot for your sincere efforts to share with us . 6 pages ! Now the total pages have already crossed 20 !

Let me tell you emphatically that the future generation will benefit a lot by reading all your posts as they contain so many information , both on the political front ( covering the regional / national political scenario ) & also the events that happened in tamil cinema with the 2 giants of yesteryears.

Wish to add my share of thoughts :

1.1976- the year is very significant for tamil film music as it signaled the grand arrival of another genius from Pannaipuram who rose to the level of Isaignyani / Raga devan , Maestro & ruled for 25 years !
2.I believe Paraa, much against the wishes of his partymen, gifted the Satyamurthy bhavan ( which is worth several crores ) to Congress
3.What I could observe is that Makkal thilagam had made some many remake movies ! why ? Is it that he didn’t have good stories or he was very particular about successful movies & hence the winning formulae
4.For Unnai vida maaten , I remember some ADMK education minister shouting loudly that our Thalaivar mudindhaal Srideviyudan nadipaar viraivil !! . I think its Raghavanandham ?
5.I remember the immediate Kumudham issue ( after the 77 elections which the congress lost ) …. Showing Indira doing some sculpturing work of India & some blood was coming out of her hands . …. A comment saying : Kavalai padaadheergal…… ungal muyarchi nichyam vetri adaiyum ( I am not able to reproduce the whole thing )…. I think Kumudham was a staunch Indira supporter . Am I right ?
6.Chikmagalur election – yes I fondly remember this incident…. My uncles ( they were all staunch Indira loyalists ) rejoicing the resounding victory & it was a moral booster for Indira. Always South was supporting Indira. One reason could be that the negative side of emergency impacted North , while the positve sides like office discipline , no strikes etc benefited South. I also remember Veerendra Patil saying in a very sportive manner…. That this election is a friendly one only !
7.DMK always have been very strong in Chennai right from day 1….. I can say that chennai is DMK’s stronghold ….the grass roots have done many services to common man & a relationship built over a period of time….. Its surprising to note that ADMK won many seats this time !
8.Moopanar – NT relationship….. Awaiting your next phase for the events which led to the rift
9.Though the entire Janata party was against Indira, one man Charan singh was hell bent on arresting her & this only enhanced her fame & public were more sympathetic soon
10. 77 assembly elections - Mukaa stood in Anna nagar & HV Hande was his opponent from ADMK… I think Mukaa won by a slender margin ! pls correct if I am wrong ? He won by around 500 + margin only ? is it this election or the next one ?
11.For MGR – RMV , SDS , KAK , KKSSR , SSR , Aranganayagam , Raghavanandham, Banrutti Ramachandran, Nedu , Musiri Buthan , Sulochana Sampath were his favourites . Sulochana Sampath is still an ADMK loyalist !
12.Why you didn’t mention anything about RMV ? probably in the next phase after MGR was in Brooklyn , he played more significant role
13. I still remember the day when MGR appeared in Mount road , after the victory in 77 , huge crowds throng to see their mass hero in his customary cooling glasses with his famous fur cap … I think the venue was very close to the statue of Mukaa in MtRoad……
14. When All India radio announced the news of Ray bareili debacle ….
Srimathi Indira Gandhi , avarudan pottiyitta Thiru Rajnarayananai vida 49,000 vakkugal vidhyashathil THOLVI ADAINDHAAR. We were shell shocked to hear this … remember , Radio was still ruling despite the arrival of Doordharshan
15.Chennai Dhoordharshan , for the first time covered election results ! I think Sashikumar ( who later started Asianet ) covered the scenario along with Shobana Ravi !
16.One man who dared to oppose MGR was Madurai Muthu …who later moved to ADMK !
17. Ennai Pol oruvan – True, probably the one movie which took the longest time to complete ! but the songs were released long back : Thangangale naalai thalaivargale , Velale vizigal ingu naal thorum isaikkum were super hits & unfortunately by the time the movie was released the songs lost their freshness
18.General Chakravarthy - I thought the movie was not that successful because we used to compare with Thanga padhakkam & for NT fans, it was disappointing to see the same pair of NT- KRV , not with the same impact . Kavitha was the daughter I think
19.Thacholi ambu was a hit movie in Kerala . You are right . I recollect NT & Prem nazir appearing in typical traditional kerala style hair dressing
20.I heard that but for Nedumaran , Indira would have lost her life that day when she was brutally attacked in TN… Sad that later Nedumaran came out of Congress & his ideals also diluted a lot
21.The talk of Chennai was that Isari Velan won that assembly election ! Such was Makkal thilagam’s mass appeal ! Wonder why he didn’t chose Nagesh ? Somehow, MG used Isari velan for movies ( like Idayakani ) who closely imitated Nagesh’s style
22. Paraa played a very significant role during the Janata period & was one of the highly respected leaders….
23.Mukaa’s ever famous pet theme to Chennai college students was : Naangal aatchikku vandhaal, Bus pass ilavasam….. Helmetai ozippom. We will not make Helmet wearing compulsory but optional ! Believe me, we found the helmet wearing so uncomfortable those days & even pillion rider was not spared ..this was one of MGR’s schemes which Chennai Public hated despite the seriousness of the scheme !
24.Pilot Premnath – It was a stage play by ARS ……I think Kanna neeyum naanuma was the starter of the series of high pitch songs for NT …. This movie had that – Who is the black sheep adhu yaar … Malini ponseka was the heroene
25.Justice Gopinath – Again , like Thanga padhakkam, we used to compare with Gauravam & obviously were disappointed…. Those days, NT’s own earlier movies became benchmarks for comparison which also dented his image in the late 70s.
26.You haven’t covered NAAN VAZA VAIPEN – NT & Rajini …. Endhan pon vanname & Thirutheril varum silayo, along with Ellorum paadungal were super hits…This movie ran well
27. 3soolam – was a super hit in Shanti , crown & Bhuvaneswari - NT’s fort !! I think it ran for more than 300 days in Shanti or may be more than that… but for true Shivaji fans, this movie was like Yannai pasikku sola pori ….. the 3rd Shivaji role could have been given to someone ….IMO, this movie ran only because it was a milestone for NT’s career
28.There is another school of thought that NT- KRV also was one of the best pairs apart from NT- Padmini & NT-Devika ! in the mid & late 70s, it was KRV who paired in most of the movies . For sometime Sujatha was there.. Somehow I am fascinated by NT- Sowcar combination though they did few numbers only
29.What about Deepam , Ratha pasam , Patta kathi Bhairavan , Vetrikku oruvan – except Ratha pasam, others were composed by IR & most of the songs were super hits


NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT PHASE . I THINK , FROM NOW , NT’S POLITICAL LIFE ASSUMES GREATER SIGNIFICANCE….PROBABLY THE REVERSAL OF FORTUNES START FROM THE NEXT PHASE


With this level of indepth knowledge & memory you have, I suggest you write a book about NT or probably we all can host a portal for NT. Already Raghu has this plans . :D
[/tscii:a0aeafa960]

groucho070
19th June 2006, 11:53 AM
Murali-sir,

The saddest part is always the last paragraph. You always leave us wanting for more. Thank you very much sir.

And Balaji sar, I agree that NT could have done away with the third role in Thirusoolam. Personally, it is one of my least liked NT movie. Apart from the songs, I don't have much to look forward for in this film.

As for NTs pairing, my favourite will always be with Devika. Of course, she is a goddess of beauty.

But I too have soft spot for his pairing with Pandaribhai. I can't remember whether they worked together apart from Deiva Magan and Gouravam. Each time I see them together I hear, "Ey, Chella!".

I am updating my website and will soon post Ethiroli review. Thanks all.

S.Balaji
19th June 2006, 12:51 PM
Grouch070

One request pls. Thayavu seidhu ennai Sir poda vendam :) Naan vayadhil siriyavan :)

NTyoda mudhal paire Pandari Bhai dhaan :D parasakthi marandhuteengalaa !

Have you forgotten Andha naal , wherein NT plays the role of a Hero cum villain ! infact one of the best movies of NT & one of the best thrillers till date . Directed by S.Balachander I think .

joe
19th June 2006, 02:58 PM
//7.DMK always have been very strong in Chennai right from day 1�.. I can say that chennai is DMK�s stronghold Its surprising to note that ADMK won many seats this time !//

Balaji,
Here is my view on this.

http://cdjm.blogspot.com/2006/05/blog-post.html

groucho070
19th June 2006, 03:19 PM
Grouch070

One request pls. Thayavu seidhu ennai Sir poda vendam :) Naan vayadhil siriyavan :)

NTyoda mudhal paire Pandari Bhai dhaan :D parasakthi marandhuteengalaa !

Have you forgotten Andha naal , wherein NT plays the role of a Hero cum villain ! infact one of the best movies of NT & one of the best thrillers till date . Directed by S.Balachander I think .


Aye, aye, sir...I mean Balaji. Dang, feels weird. I shall call you with your name.

As for Antha Naal, I can't get the movie here. Just waiting for it to appear in our satelite TV. Otherwise, I can't find VCD/DVD.

Murali Srinivas
19th June 2006, 06:31 PM
[tscii:3e9b27f3e2]Murali Anna

We used to call PNS as Sundaram uncle & it came spontaneously to me :)

Another mind blowing coverage as usual ! thanks a lot for your sincere efforts to share with us . 6 pages ! Now the total pages have already crossed 20 !

Let me tell you emphatically that the future generation will benefit a lot by reading all your posts as they contain so many information , both on the political front ( covering the regional / national political scenario ) & also the events that happened in tamil cinema with the 2 giants of yesteryears.

Dear Balaji,
My posting of events was to tell people what exactly happened and when? Even yesterday in Dinmalar Vaaramalar, in the serial of MGR, it is mentioned that Nedu joined ADMK after Dindigul By- election in 1973. Though it may not be intentional, it will confuse people.

Wish to add my share of thoughts :

1.1976- the year is very significant for tamil film music as it signaled the grand arrival of another genius from Pannaipuram who rose to the level of Isaignyani / Raga devan , Maestro & ruled for 25 years !
2.I believe Paraa, much against the wishes of his partymen, gifted the Satyamurthy bhavan ( which is worth several crores ) to Congress

PaaRaa parted with Sathyamoorthy Bhavan in early 80's when he joined Congress(I).

3.What I could observe is that Makkal thilagam had made some many remake movies ! why ? Is it that he didn’t have good stories or he was very particular about successful movies & hence the winning formulae

Yes. He was concerned about hits and his sustenance as maas hero.
4.For Unnai vida maaten , I remember some ADMK education minister shouting loudly that our Thalaivar mudindhaal Srideviyudan nadipaar viraivil !! . I think its Raghavanandham ?

Possible because he was the person who wanted Defence(!) portfolio from MGR.
5.I remember the immediate Kumudham issue ( after the 77 elections which the congress lost ) …. Showing Indira doing some sculpturing work of India & some blood was coming out of her hands . …. A comment saying : Kavalai padaadheergal…… ungal muyarchi nichyam vetri adaiyum ( I am not able to reproduce the whole thing )…. I think Kumudham was a staunch Indira supporter . Am I right ?

Yes.Kumudam(or rather SAP) was a staunch supporter of Indira.
6.Chikmagalur election – yes I fondly remember this incident…. My uncles ( they were all staunch Indira loyalists ) rejoicing the resounding victory & it was a moral booster for Indira. Always South was supporting Indira. One reason could be that the negative side of emergency impacted North , while the positve sides like office discipline , no strikes etc benefited South. I also remember Veerendra Patil saying in a very sportive manner…. That this election is a friendly one only !
7.DMK always have been very strong in Chennai right from day 1….. I can say that chennai is DMK’s stronghold ….the grass roots have done many services to common man & a relationship built over a period of time….. Its surprising to note that ADMK won many seats this time !

I don't think it is service to common man but it was a relation built over a period of time. ADMK if it had stretched a little bit would have captured 3 more seats. (Harbour, Perambur & Thousand Lights).

8.Moopanar – NT relationship….. Awaiting your next phase for the events which led to the rift
9.Though the entire Janata party was against Indira, one man Charan singh was hell bent on arresting her & this only enhanced her fame & public were more sympathetic soon
10. 77 assembly elections - Mukaa stood in Anna nagar & HV Hande was his opponent from ADMK… I think Mukaa won by a slender margin ! pls correct if I am wrong ? He won by around 500 + margin only ? is it this election or the next one ?

It was in 1980.

11.For MGR – RMV , SDS , KAK , KKSSR , SSR , Aranganayagam , Raghavanandham, Banrutti Ramachandran, Nedu , Musiri Buthan , Sulochana Sampath were his favourites . Sulochana Sampath is still an ADMK loyalist !
12.Why you didn’t mention anything about RMV ? probably in the next phase after MGR was in Brooklyn , he played more significant role

If at all there was one person who gained from MGR without losing or sacrificing for the party it was RMV. This old kanakku pillai ADMK-virku oru thrumbai kooda asaikkavillai. When KAK and SDS lost so much money during DMK rule in 72-76, by publishing Thennagam and Anna respectively, this man infact was the only person who monetarily gained by producing Idhyakani. He did not even join ADMK in 1972. He didn't contest elections but still became minister by being an MLC.

13. I still remember the day when MGR appeared in Mount road , after the victory in 77 , huge crowds throng to see their mass hero in his customary cooling glasses with his famous fur cap … I think the venue was very close to the statue of Mukaa in MtRoad……

You are correct. Crowds came all over from TN to Chennai.

14. When All India radio announced the news of Ray bareili debacle ….
Srimathi Indira Gandhi , avarudan pottiyitta Thiru Rajnarayananai vida 49,000 vakkugal vidhyashathil THOLVI ADAINDHAAR. We were shell shocked to hear this … remember , Radio was still ruling despite the arrival of Doordharshan

Only chennai had DD at that time. AIR was ruling.

15.Chennai Dhoordharshan , for the first time covered election results ! I think Sashikumar ( who later started Asianet ) covered the scenario along with Shobana Ravi !
16.One man who dared to oppose MGR was Madurai Muthu …who later moved to ADMK !
17. Ennai Pol oruvan – True, probably the one movie which took the longest time to complete ! but the songs were released long back : Thangangale naalai thalaivargale , Velale vizigal ingu naal thorum isaikkum were super hits & unfortunately by the time the movie was released the songs lost their freshness
18.General Chakravarthy - I thought the movie was not that successful because we used to compare with Thanga padhakkam & for NT fans, it was disappointing to see the same pair of NT- KRV , not with the same impact . Kavitha was the daughter I think
19.Thacholi ambu was a hit movie in Kerala . You are right . I recollect NT & Prem nazir appearing in typical traditional kerala style hair dressing
20.I heard that but for Nedumaran , Indira would have lost her life that day when she was brutally attacked in TN… Sad that later Nedumaran came out of Congress & his ideals also diluted a lot

Yes.The sad part is Nedumaran a strong nationalist groomed by PT (though he started his life in DMK) went astray.

21.The talk of Chennai was that Isari Velan won that assembly election ! Such was Makkal thilagam’s mass appeal ! Wonder why he didn’t chose Nagesh ? Somehow, MG used Isari velan for movies ( like Idayakani ) who closely imitated Nagesh’s style
22. Paraa played a very significant role during the Janata period & was one of the highly respected leaders….
23.Mukaa’s ever famous pet theme to Chennai college students was : Naangal aatchikku vandhaal, Bus pass ilavasam….. Helmetai ozippom. We will not make Helmet wearing compulsory but optional ! Believe me, we found the helmet wearing so uncomfortable those days & even pillion rider was not spared ..this was one of MGR’s schemes which Chennai Public hated despite the seriousness of the scheme !

Balaji, the Helmet problem came much later. After 1985.

24.Pilot Premnath – It was a stage play by ARS ……I think Kanna neeyum naanuma was the starter of the series of high pitch songs for NT …. This movie had that – Who is the black sheep adhu yaar … Malini ponseka was the heroene
25.Justice Gopinath – Again , like Thanga padhakkam, we used to compare with Gauravam & obviously were disappointed…. Those days, NT’s own earlier movies became benchmarks for comparison which also dented his image in the late 70s.
26.You haven’t covered NAAN VAZA VAIPEN – NT & Rajini …. Endhan pon vanname & Thirutheril varum silayo, along with Ellorum paadungal were super hits…This movie ran well

It was released on 10.08.1979. We are yet to reach there.

27. 3soolam – was a super hit in Shanti , crown & Bhuvaneswari - NT’s fort !! I think it ran for more than 300 days in Shanti or may be more than that… but for true Shivaji fans, this movie was like Yannai pasikku sola pori ….. the 3rd Shivaji role could have been given to someone ….IMO, this movie ran only because it was a milestone for NT’s career

We cannot simply say just because it happened to be a landmark movie, it became a hit. It was an entertainer aimed at a cross section of people and it hit the bulls eye. Balaji, another unbeaten BO record of Tirusoolam was in Shanthi, Crown & Bhuvaneswari, the first 1000 shows( all three combined) were House Full.

28.There is another school of thought that NT- KRV also was one of the best pairs apart from NT- Padmini & NT-Devika ! in the mid & late 70s, it was KRV who paired in most of the movies . For sometime Sujatha was there.. Somehow I am fascinated by NT- Sowcar combination though they did few numbers only
29.What about Deepam , Ratha pasam , Patta kathi Bhairavan , Vetrikku oruvan – except Ratha pasam, others were composed by IR & most of the songs were super hits

Deepam we saw in the last post(though songs were not discussed) and others are coming in the next post.

NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT PHASE . I THINK , FROM NOW , NT’S POLITICAL LIFE ASSUMES GREATER SIGNIFICANCE….PROBABLY THE REVERSAL OF FORTUNES START FROM THE NEXT PHASE


With this level of indepth knowledge & memory you have, I suggest you write a book about NT or probably we all can host a portal for NT. Already Raghu has this plans . :D
[/tscii:3e9b27f3e2]

Murali Srinivas
19th June 2006, 06:49 PM
Dear Kalnayak,

Thanks. I think not only you but many of the hubbers here will relate more closely with this period (after 1975) because many would have been in their formative years during this time.

Then coming to favourite pair, I don't deny the fact that NT- Padmini is the favourite of many. While it is true that the entire middle class families and ladies from all walks of life had a great liking for this pair, what I pointed out was the male audience other than the middle class families, which constituted the major chunk of NT fans liked NT-Devika combo. The hardcore fan found this combo as irresistable and liked it that way and second came Vanishree ( For Vanishree, Vasantha Maaligai played a crucial role). Just as Balaji had said, there were fans for NT-KRV and later NT- Sujatha but these were family crowds. See even in this forum, this very talk had thrown up different choices.

Groucho070,

I will cover whatever things I know. Wait. Then regarding Tiruvarutselvar, more than Paul Muni, I think that make up was inspired from Sankarachariyar, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswathy, whom people reverently call Maha Periyavar.

Regards

Murali Srinivas
19th June 2006, 06:53 PM
Dear Balaji,

In my reply to your post, I wanted to answer only questions that required an answer and while doing so, I sort of confused the technical part of quoting and replying. That's why it is posted in that manner. Sorry.

Regards

rajeshkrv
19th June 2006, 08:39 PM
i have a point here.

While talking about pairs

though shivaji-padmini, shivaji-devika were the popular pairs (mostly tear jerkers)
the fun filled pair was NT & B.Sarojadevi.

They first paired in Bhagapirivinai wherin BS was a new comer but later in all the movies they paired there was kurumbu in BS's character and mild romance in shivaji's character which was a visual treat

For instance,

The evergreen hit Pudhiya paravai

if you guys remember this scene it's romantic and both looked gorgeous..

Shivaji will not be able to sleep, BS would come from upstairs (in a b'ful frill gown) and will ask balu thookam varalaya and he'll reply geetha thookam varalai and then the evergreen unnai ondru ketpen(bit slow version )

there are many movies in which these 2 paired and with fun and romance

Paarthal pasi theerum (kodi asaindhadhum )

Paalum pazhamum

Vidi velli

Kalyaniyin kanavan

and many more

groucho070
20th June 2006, 08:45 AM
Very true Rajesh.

Of course, fans of earlier movies would cite NT and Banumathi.

But here's the beautiful truth. Performing with NT means you have work bloody hard to be in par with him. I don't think NT can tolerate slack performance in his partner's part.

That is why you can rarely see bad performance from the heroine.

I usually see this glitch in newcomers after the 70s. The lady in Gouvaram (forgot her name, Rama Prabhha?) who was really bad. Like reading off a teleprompter or something.

So, my point is this: Most of them are a treat to watch. For glamour (not contemporary but old fashioned), you have Devika. For fun, your have BS. For friction and tension you have JJ. For family emotion, you have Padmini and KR V, so on...

And thanks to their great performances with NT, we have our own little favourites. That is a gift NT and his co-stars have given us.

joe
20th June 2006, 09:23 AM
Marlon Brando who once said about Sivaji :
"Sivaji can act like me, but I cannot act like Sivaji!"
http://brando.crosscity.com/Brando/Main.aspx?Page=Articles/Sivaji.ascx

groucho070
20th June 2006, 02:07 PM
There can be many intepretation to that line. But knowing that usually Brando is kind to actors (and nightmare to some directors and producer) he has nothing but praise for NTs technique

He is a fan of Chaplin, Olivier, Gielgud...the latter did the entire recording of Marc Anthony's lines for the movie Julius Caesar and gave it to Brando who picked it up from there.

So, NTs stage-like performance may have captivated Brando.

Does anyone have any other news about these two geniuses meeting?

rajeshkrv
20th June 2006, 09:25 PM
i missed to add my fav iruvar ullam in the NT-BS list

groucho070
22nd June 2006, 10:00 AM
Well, its really disheartening to see NTs thread going lower and lower. No way. So, I am going to put in my thought for ten minutes and off to my work. We got to keep this thread alive while waiting for some REAL writing from the likes of Balaji, Joe, Murali sar and others.


I have been reading about Kannadhasan of late (plus having had just finished Vanavasam and Manavasam) and I am astonished to see how much NTs films have somehow (the stories, I mean) intertwined with what is happening in Kannadhasan's life.

I did some research (on the net) and found some old posts from this hub and others on Kannadhasan and the stories behind some of the songs. Yes, these stories are legendary. And it’s not enough.

Coming back to NT/Kannadhasan. Just look at some of NTs song and how Kannadhasan 'cashed' on it to throw in his own experience. This is 'method' in songwriting.

For example, when Kannadhasan (I refused to abbreviate to KD, because it sounds like Keedi) left DMK and there was an election where his pal EVK Sambath lost, he found the right scenario waiting for him in form of Bale Pandiya. Yes, the song was “Yaarai Enggey Vaippathendru”

This and more. Like when Panchu Arunachalam (his nephew/assistant) tried to undercut him in songwriting and when Kannadasan heard about it he was broken hearted. His poetic sensibility erupted in anger and voila! Gauravam was waiting for him to pen “Paalutti Valartha Kili”.

Many, many of NTs songs was Kannadasans little outlets to vent his frustration, love, hurt, dissapointment, joy (very little), regret, remorse (Nalanthana for his political foe and once political mentor, Anna), and any other emotion you can think of.

For nostalgia of his old romance there was Ennai Yaarendru Yenni Yenni. Kannadasan BECOMES NTs character. He is in love, when NTs character falls in love. He cries, when NTs character cries. In fact, when NTs cries on screen, I can feel that Kannadasan cried the loudest as you can feel the pain in those lyrics. Check out this line where even God was not left out:

(Enggey Nimmathi)

enna ninaiththu ennaip padaiththaan iraivan enbavanae?
kannaip padaiththu pennaip padaiththa iraivan kodiyavanae...
iraivan kodiyavanae!

I had always argued that on screen talent gives way to off screen talent. These days you can’t get quality stories, quality roles because the on screen talents are very limited.

There is only so much the writer can do, the director can do. That is why the films these days are beautiful to look at…because the cinematographer can do his/she best without having the onscreen talents involved. So what if the girl can’t act, the cinematographer can have a field day with his lighting, location and lenses and filters.

But poor director. He/she would want the characters to be three dimensional. No way. The actors can’t do it. Poor lyricists. He/she wants to write songs that are meant to tell what is happening to the character, but our current crop of roles sing only when they are dreaming…or doing some street dance.

Kannadasan was fortunate that talents surrounded him. Most importantly he had an actor who was able to do many, many three dimensional characters. He had an actor who could do roles that any mortals can relate to. Most importantly, Kannadasan himself was a very, very complex, complicated and conflicted…just like most of NTs characters. What a joy it must have been to be able to write so many things for NT.

Well, I guess I wrote too much and bored you guys. Just my feeling guys, just my feeling.

(By writing these, I am not belittling Kannadhasan’s rival, Vaali. Vaali is an entirely different story. He is a living legend that I hope people will cherish WHILE he’s still around.)

Murali Srinivas
22nd June 2006, 01:48 PM
Dear Groucho070,

I can understand your feelings. See, in the other threads about present day actors, the fans(forum hubbers) are students/just out of college and they are in their 20s' and early 30s'. So they will be more in nos and they also have the advantage of talking about new releases, new projects on the floor and pipeline, status of released movies and so on. But our group is different and if you could see the age group here will be matured one and the quality here will also be more than other threads. So a chat type of posting which will just consume cyberspace cannot be found here.

Coming to other points, there are so many things to be written on NT-Kannadasan combination and I fell that will flow soon. Infact Mohanram sir is having something on these lines and he will come out with it soon.

Infact, I had started to say something about Yaar Indha Nilavu from Shanthi when Mohanram sir asked me to wait. So we can expect some good news.

I started the political phase just like that but that had grown bigger than I initially expected. In the same manner a casual remark by me regarding the favourite pair had elicited responses from many people and see different choices have sprung up. There are regular people like tacinema, Shakthi Prabha,uma ramesh etc who will also come out with their views.

When you talked about NT- Kannadasn combo, I remembered a question answer that came in a Film monthly called Filmalaya that was widely read. I think this particular thing came during 1974 -75. It was called Genius Bathilgal. It was like this

Q: Tamil cinemavin inimayana vishyam enna?

A: Kannadasan paadal ezhuthi, Viswanathan Isai amaithu, TMS paadi Sivaji nadippathai vida inimaiyana vishyam Tamil cinemavil irukiratha enna?


Regards

groucho070
22nd June 2006, 02:30 PM
What an answer. Well, the golden age is gone. That is why it's a golden age. I hunger for more info on those trio (you can add KVM occasionally).

By the way, sar, I am thirty three years old. But I guess inside I have a much more matured taste.

I was never an NT fan during my younger (meaning in Teens) days. I was into MGR. Then, I stepped out into the real world and started to be interested in Hollywood. I started reading about filmmaking, both the technical side and philosophical side.

Then...slowly...interest in MGR waned (zero, except I am fascinated with him as a person, the intelligence, the shrewdness, the way he built himself). And as I began to see the more intelligent side of talents in front and behind camera, I began to appreciate NT more and more.

Now I am mad about him. Its not the fascination with acting that brought me to him. But its the immense contribution an actor has to make to give space for the director/composer/etc to fill in that fascinates me. NT gave rise to that. As I wrote in the post before this, his collaborators were at their Peak. Referring to your articles, we can easily compare the brilliance of APN, Sridhar, Banthulu when they were with NT and then with others. Never can you see creativity graph shooting down that low.


We have to keep this thread alive and afloat...so that it can attract more interested readers. Lets make this thread exclusive so that those participating will feel special being in a company full of special intelligent contributors like you and others.

Here's what I say to the others:

The likes of Vijay and Ajith are big fans of Kamal and Rajini.

Kamal and Rajini - both NT fans first- refers to Sivaji as mentor AND father figure.

That makes us rank the same as Kamal and Rajini as fans. We can sit with them and talk about NT while the others would be left out.

Damn I feel special.

Murali Srinivas
22nd June 2006, 04:06 PM
Dear Groucho070,

I am very happy to learn that a 33 year old is such an avid fan of NT. Ofcourse I know 2, 3 guys in their early 20s' (working with me) who are great NT fans courtesy their father.

It was also interesting to note that you migrated(!) from MGR to NT. Though I used to see MGR movies at the time of release, I started observing his films/songs/dialogues etc only after 1987 Dec. I had posted one detailed writing about MGR in his thread in this forum.

Don't worry.NT has the capacity to stand for centuries and the same way this thread can also go on.

Regards

PS: I liked your comment of equating Kamal,Rajini and all of us in front of NT.

S.Balaji
22nd June 2006, 05:26 PM
Dear Balaji,

In my reply to your post, I wanted to answer only questions that required an answer and while doing so, I sort of confused the technical part of quoting and replying. That's why it is posted in that manner. Sorry.

Regards

Murali Anna

Thanks a lot for your replies :D

S.Balaji
22nd June 2006, 05:42 PM
Dear Groucho070

Happy to see your presence & enthusiasm & your active participation :D

My wife was a MGR fan when I got married :)

On seeing me enjoying watching every STEP & REACTIONS of NT, she has become a full fledged NT fan now ! :D

Well as Murali Anna said, I became a fan of NT as my Father was a BIG FAN OF NT !

Those days, NT had several categories of fan following :

1. Our Father group - Those who must have crossed 75 years now !
their favourite movies were :
Parasakthi, uttamaputhiran, Andhanaal, Manohara , Thooku thooki etc
2. The famous Paa series group - The Bheemsingh movie followers

The above Paa series were liked by Our Mother group

3. Sridhar group

This is an extension from the 2nd group.

4. The end 60s and up to mid 70s - P.Madhavan, Vietnam veedu Sundaram, ACT, Muktha srinivasan group

From here most of my set of fans start

I learnt a lot from my Father about NT & his acting , especially his styles in Uthamaputhiran , Manohara etc

Can you believe this, my Father had seen Manohara more than 25 times ! and his favourite time pass during weekends was to say all the dialogues of famous NT movies !

Sadly, the entire fans lost interest virtually after the mid 70s... the reason is obvious. The age factor...
NT was not given suitable roles to get the best out of him

Ultimately after a looong time, Barathi raja gave an outstanding role ! if you observe this movie, NT would have spoken very few dialogues but look at his impact !

To summarise :

NT had / has fan following from different age groups which IMO no other artist had till date !

AND NT WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE FAN FOLLOWING FROM THE NEXTE GENERATION ALSO

Pl continue to share information with us .

Pl dont feel sad that this thread is weakening. THIS IS THE STRONGEST THREAD WHICH WILL LAST FOREVER

S.Balaji
22nd June 2006, 05:53 PM
[quote="groucho070"]
I was never an NT fan during my younger (meaning in Teens) days. I was into MGR. Then, I stepped out into the real world and started to be interested in Hollywood. I started reading about filmmaking, both the technical side and philosophical side.

Then...slowly...interest in MGR waned (zero, except I am fascinated with him as a person, the intelligence, the shrewdness, the way he built himself). /quote]

Dear Groucho070

Makkal thilagam is a true legend . Infact I love & admire him more of late than during my school days

The reasons are what you have mentioned above !

During his cinema days, MGR commanded equal respect from the audience & he never fell short of fan following .
He chose a path which was suitable to him . the greatness of MGR lies from the fact that he knew his shortcomings & hence focussed on other finer aspects of a movie & excelled in them
Today, the Makkal thilagam songs are being heard widely because of his focus on the composition & the great interest he showed in music.

Like NT, one can write an essay about MGR ! :D

Murali Srinivas
22nd June 2006, 07:04 PM
Dear Balaji,

You are right. Every NT fan would have been guided by a fan of previous generation or by a senior of his own generation. For me it was my cousin (ie) my uncle's son who is 6 years elder than me. Now a big shot in TVS Group, manning an entire state, he was the person who BAPTISED me into the RELIGION CALLED SHIVAJI. For 7-8 years we used to go together to NT movies (ie) till the end of my school days. He was,(why was), even now an unabashed fan of NT ! He used to see any NT movie twice on the releasing day itself (ie) he will see the opening show* and the same day night show. Minimum he will see 10 times. His record was Vasantha Maaligai which he saw around 30 times. Through this forum, I am thanking him.

Regards

PS: * Normally in Chennai and some other places, people use the term First Day First Show. But for people like us from down south it is a misnomer. In our areas, first show means evening show and second show indicates night show. So when you say First Day First Show, it means First day evening show, atleast for us. So in Madurai side, the term Opening show is used. It can be at any time but that will be the first show thrown open to public. When I say anytime,I remember seeing(me and my cousin) Sivakamiyin Selvan opening show at 7 am on 26th January, 1974 at SriDevi Talkies. It is another interesting tidbit that to escape from our grand father's fury, I said being Republic day,I am attending the flag hoisting ceremony in our school and that's why we are leaving early

joe
23rd June 2006, 07:55 AM
Murali ,Balaji,groucho070 and all NT fans,
I think we no need to worry about existance of this thread ,as this is the best thread in Tamil films section .I feel like NT being a role model for many actors ,this thread is a role model for other fans to learn how to discuss and share info on their favourite actors.

This thread was started on the date NT left us and this thread belongs to old Hub format ..After the new Hub format ,I personally requested moderators to reactivate this thread here..Thanks to moderators ,especially NOV.

Nice to know groucho070 and me are in the same age group .But the difference is ,from my childwood ,I have been a NT fan and nobody made me so .

Born and brought up in a fishing village ,where most of the people are stunch MGR fans ,I wonder what made me NT fan from my childwood .Even in my family no body interseted in movies at all. Infact others used to make fun on me for being crazy with NT .

In my village in various occasions ,MGR and sivaji movies used to be screened (35 MM screen) for free on open beach sand .Thus I watched almost 100 MGR movies and more than 100 sivaji movies ,without even go to theatres .

Though I am huge fan of NT ,I love MGR movie songs (thanks to Ilangai Vaanoli)

The first MGR movie I watched in theatre is 'Ulagam sutrum Vaaliban' in 1992 at trichy ,when I did my college studies ..But before that I have watched almost 100 MGR movies out of 135 ..for free..he he

Hulkster
23rd June 2006, 08:08 AM
For youths like me...we only know NT as the best actor in India but his movies..his poignance and extravagant performances were never seen by us before. Thanks to the details and analysis of his performances in this thread we could actually visualise the impact of NT's acting. Can the experts here clarify if NT has done mass movies like MGR did and what were the impact of those films on the audience?

groucho070
23rd June 2006, 09:03 AM
Can the experts here clarify if NT has done mass movies like MGR did and what were the impact of those films on the audience?


This is a question for experts.

But let this amatuer ponder at it.

I think NT would have been great as well. Remember some of the action flicks he did late sixties early seventies? Raja and Vaira Nenjam comes to my mind. I'd say that, not only they were great entertainment, they were classy entertainment.

I'd equate NTs action flicks with the works of Steve McQueen or Burt Lancaster. This is because, not only they can fill in an action genre, but they are both great actors as well. So, when you look back at those films, you don't only see an entertainer, you also see a classic.

I don't want to do comparison with MGR. They are great flicks for the time.

MGR did only one type of films. MGR films. Nothing wrong with that. There were great hunger for MGR flicks and MGR fed them well.

But NT's did not have NT films. No, they were films. They were films of variety of genre. There were dramas, action, thrillers, mythology, etc. NT's responsibility was too many, for him to just to fill in the action genre. The directors who were not doing MGR films needed him. There were not many actors that can do that. Hell, the emergence of Ravichandran and Jai Shankar were merely to fill in the MGR type of flicks (though, with all due respect, they, especially JS, have done good story oriented films).


If there were other great actors, then NT would have got comfortable in his chosen genre and worked on that. But who am I kidding. There were nobody of that calibre, and NT would have been restless as hell if he were to be caged in one type of genre.

I am going off track. If NT were to do MGR type films, yes, they would have been a great success. And if you had followed Murali sar's articles, you'd note that NT's success/box office performance, depended very much on the demand of the audience - meaning that they want him to give his best. If he were to continue to do MGR type films, the audience would have ditched him at some point. Because this happened to MGR at some point.


Joe,

Glad to note that you too did not have anyone to inspire.

In my case, my dad was a hardcore MGR fans. Of course, he did watch NTs film. Mom was more interested in smaller heroes like Jai Shanker (for looks) and Muthuraman (for performance).

My fascination grew when I stepped out and looked at other industries. But I am glad that I was a fan way before he became an immortal. Though I am a Rajini fan, I watched Padaiyappa so many times for NT - even though he was not energetic in that movie (still that scene - the avatar Mr. Mohanram uses - rocks, and shows whose the real boss [The real Sivaji The Boss]).

Now, lets see what the real expert says about your query.

Balaji sar,

I think I fall into the fourth category. The best. That period will never happen, sigh.

abkhlabhi
23rd June 2006, 10:37 AM
during my teens(ie during 1970's) I was a great fan of MGR. I never seen NTSG movies in my teens. Even my brother called, i refused to see NT movies. During Galatta Kalyanam shooting at Sathanur Dam (my brothers whent there to see the shooting) my brothers called me, but I refused. When I studying in 8th std. in TV Malai (my native place - at present settled in B'lore) one of my school friend his name is Shivaji called me to see NT's Deiva Magan. Since I was not intested to see Nt movies, he was a great fan of NT, he bought ticket for me also. So i went to see DM. After seeing this movie, I felt some thing changed within me. then slowly i stoped seeing MGR movies and only go to NT movies. Now I have NT VCD movies collection of more than 10 (selected one). Age grows, maturity also grows, I used watch kamal and Rajini movies. After 1991 I stopped seeing movies of other actors. After seeing NT acting and MGR way of picturisation and Kamal acting and Rajini style, I don't like other actors. exception vijay. Now days I used to see only NT and MGR and Telugu Comdey (particularly Rajendra Prasad movies).

umaramesh
23rd June 2006, 11:05 AM
Hi everyone

I would like to share my experience on getting attracted to NT in my childhood days. During my school days my friend( even I remember his name.Santhanam) use to see lot of NT movies as his uncle is ardent fan of NT. We group of five will assemble separately in the interval to know about movie and actors name. He will tell the story and elaborate how NT acted in particular scene/song sequence etc. Even he use to show the poster in the street corner and all these things made us to visit the theatre.We decided to see the movie and made all the arrangements in the school(for attendence) and made it. Yes the movie we saw together is GAURAVAM . That's it.

Immediate impact is we decided to start RASIGAR MANDRAM FOR NT.
We found a place in back side of our house . Luckily our house owner son also in our group and we did all the cleaning and painting by ourselves. We bought star/small lamps/posters etc from our big brothers who were running NT RASIGAR MANDRAM in big way. OH GOD. After doing all these things we came to know that our house owner is DMK follower and fan of MGR.

Our dream of opening RASIGAR MANDRAM ended abruptly but he is still in our heart. Thanks for reading/sorry if it is boring

ramesh

groucho070
23rd June 2006, 12:11 PM
Thanks for the memory.

Its nice to have some lighthearted memory such as yours. He doesn't need rasigar mandram. Rasigars will do.

S.Balaji
23rd June 2006, 05:05 PM
Joe dear

True what you said ! I could sense that this thread is being viewed by so many but as most of the dfers may be very young of the next generation, they might be having little idea on NT and his movies & hence this thread will serve them a lot :D

Unga oorla naanum pirakaama poitenay :D 100 padama paartheenga ! Thirandha velila padam paarpathu oru thani experience dhaane !
You know in Chennai, there is an open air theatre in Mamallapuram road called as ECR now ! I saw Devar magan there in 92 !
Jayaliyaa kayula tiffin ellam vachikittu saapittukonde padam paarkalam !

Joe . Ungallukaaga oru interesting link below :

http://www.geocities.com/thirunallar/sivaji.html

Lots of interesting photos of NT but dont go up to the bottom :cry:

You know what my brother commented on that fateful day ?

Indha manushan ippa irukura kolatha paartha ippa kooda edho oru cinemavukkaga nadipadhu pola irukkudaa :cry:


Ramesh,

Oho ! neenga mandram start pannum alavukku oru NT veriyaro ! Appo en vaaya kilari vitukondu irukeenga on his songs picturisation :D

Groucho070

To be honest , I was proud & arrogant once that I am the one who knew a lot about NT but on reading the posts of Murali Anna & Saradhaji, I admit my ignorance :oops:


Murali Srinivas Anna,

Ungulladuya adutha veliyeedu epozudhu ? Looking forward !

Mr.Mohanram

Eagerly expecting your weekly visit to our all time favourite thread

Abklabhi !

Enakkum Thiruvannamali dhaan sondha ooru but brought up in Chennai. I have also been to Sathanoor dam several times ! it was once a popular shooting spot ! now without water :cry:

P_R
23rd June 2006, 05:57 PM
I think we no need to worry about existance of this thread ,as this is the best thread in Tamil films section .........this thread is a role model for other fans to learn how to discuss and share info on their favourite actors. I completely agree. I just visit this thread to read and read and have absolutely nothing to add to the discussion. And I'm sure I'm not alone.

I belong to the generation that has heard a lot about Sivaji from parents and uncles and went about disciovering in reverse from Thevar Magan,Mudhal Mariyaadhai to Andha Naal. So to read this thread helps appreciate him much better. Thanks Joe, S.Balaji and all the contributors who enrich this thread. A special note of apprecaiation is due to Murali Srinivas, for his extremely well written chronicle series which puts events in perspective beautifully.

kannannn
23rd June 2006, 06:34 PM
I just visit this thread to read and read and have absolutely nothing to add to the discussion. And I'm sure I'm not alone.
PR, you certainly aren't. One of the first things I look in this section is for updates to this thread. This thread re-introduces many to NT in a whole new way. I don't think I'll ever go looking for a biography of NT, having read it all here.

Murali Srinivas
24th June 2006, 05:51 PM
Dear Ramesh,

I can feel the excitement that you must have been in while you were doing the preparatory works. It was a small but nice writeup.

Abkhlabhi,

Your friend has pulled you to the side of NT at the right time with a right movie.

It is good to see many persons from the next generation coming up and putting their thoughts here. Welcome to all.

Hulkster,

MGR type of mass movies- NT had only few. Other than what Groucho070 had stated, films like Thanga Surangam, Engal Thanga Raja,En Magan & Thirudan will come under that category. But even there it was not an out and out masala and an undercurrent of family sentiments were there.

Prabhu Ram,

Thanks for your kind words. Whenever I see your name ( even in other threads), I am reminded of NT (obviously!). Other than Sivaji Productions and Sivaji Films, there were quite a few production banners from "Annai Illam". They are, Rajamani Pictures (Paasa Malar), Kamala Pictures(Paaladai), Ramkumar Films (G.Kalyanam & S.E.Sundari), Shanthi Films (Deiva Magan & Dharmam Engae) and Prabhu Movies(Ele my friend). They floated a banner called Prabhu Ram Pictures and produced Vidivelli ( NT & Saroja Devi - directed by Sridhar). NT had a own spinning mill in the name of Prabhu Ram Mills that was functioning from Chengannur, Kerala. So your name is special. ( The only member of NT's family in whose name a banner was not floated is NT's youngest Daughter Thenmozhi).

Kannannn,

Thanks and welcome.

Balaji,

I am yet to start the next phase. Work pressure. Will make it soon.

Regards

Hulkster
24th June 2006, 06:04 PM
Sorry for the acquisition but i actually feel masala films also meant sentiments so in that case some of these films can be considered as an out and out masala film. But knowing NT and how he chooses his films even those out and out masala films will have some story and logic in them instead of the usuall good bashing evil story in those days. I enjoyed NT's role in thiruvilayaadal. He gave a royal poignance to the role of sivan when he asks the poet questions and also Nagesh. I can safely conclude that it was the style he answered Nagesh that lead to a trend in certain films whether comedy tracks or not to have such scenes. You can also add that NT is a trend starter of his dialogue delivery and body language.

VENKIRAJA
24th June 2006, 06:22 PM
NT naditha padangalil ungalukku viruppamaana 10 padangalai countdown-aaga ezuthungal.let's se how a legend of his own time owns a own position in u all.

s ramaswamy
25th June 2006, 12:39 PM
The NT thread is getting longer and longer. Good to see people ppreciating a genius actor. The nuances he had brought to his various roles are innumerable.

NT has also acted as villain quite early in his career like in Andha Naal, a traitor of the country who lets out secrets to the Jaoanese during world war two - directed by veenai s balachander, thuli visham (can anyone throw light on this movie), thirumbi paar (i think the story and dialoges were by kalaignar) and Rangoon Radha.

I believe when Kumduam kept a contest inviting readers to give their views about their favourite Sivaji Ganesan movies, the one mentioning Rangoon Radha got the prize. The story is by Arignar anna, who also wrote Velaikaari and Ore Iravu (after seeing which the great Kalki hailed annadurai as the tamil Bernard Shaw).

What many people forget is the comic roles this giant has donned, like in Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari (co stars T R Ramachandran - those popping eyes make people laugh, Padmini and Ragini), Sabash Meena (with BS Saroja Devi and Chandrababu) and later on in some Sridhar movies notably Ooty Varai Uravu and Galatta Kalyanam directed by sridhar's relative CV Rajendran). NT was superb in all of these.

I particularly remember his antics behind the great Balaiya, who is his father in Ooty varai Uravu, when the latter gets a telephone call from VKR, with Muthuraman also in the scene. It was simply hilarious.

Sivaji and Nagesh, Sivaji and Thangavelu. Sivaji and Chandrababu - have provided great combos, not to speak of another fine comedian T R Ramachandran. In Ooty Varai Uravu Nagesh is left dangling from the coat hanger by Sivaj and cooly folds his knees and starts reading a newspaper lying on the shelf nearby. A laugh riot.

As writer Sujata had written when NT passed away, he can be compared with the best in Hollywood like Robert De Nero and Al Pacino.

s ramaswamy
25th June 2006, 12:39 PM
The NT thread is getting longer and longer. Good to see people ppreciating a genius actor. The nuances he had brought to his various roles are innumerable.

NT has also acted as villain quite early in his career like in Andha Naal, a traitor of the country who lets out secrets to the Jaoanese during world war two - directed by veenai s balachander, thuli visham (can anyone throw light on this movie), thirumbi paar (i think the story and dialoges were by kalaignar) and Rangoon Radha.

I believe when Kumudam ran a contest inviting readers to give their views about their favourite Sivaji Ganesan movies, the one mentioning Rangoon Radha got the prize. The story is by Arignar anna, who also wrote Velaikaari and Ore Iravu (after seeing which the great Kalki hailed annadurai as the tamil Bernard Shaw).

What many people forget is the comic roles this giant has donned, like in Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari (co stars T R Ramachandran - those popping eyes make people laugh, Padmini and Ragini), Sabash Meena (with BS Saroja Devi and Chandrababu) and later on in some Sridhar movies notably Ooty Varai Uravu and Galatta Kalyanam directed by sridhar's relative CV Rajendran). NT was superb in all of these.

I particularly remember his antics behind the great Balaiya, who is his father in Ooty varai Uravu, when the latter gets a telephone call from VKR, with Muthuraman also in the scene. It was simply hilarious.

Sivaji and Nagesh, Sivaji and Thangavelu. Sivaji and Chandrababu - have provided great combos, not to speak of another fine comedian T R Ramachandran. In Ooty Varai Uravu Nagesh is left dangling from the coat hanger by Sivaj and cooly folds his knees and starts reading a newspaper lying on the shelf nearby. A laugh riot.

As writer Sujata had written when NT passed away, he can be compared with the best in Hollywood like Robert De Nero and Al Pacino.

P_R
26th June 2006, 12:49 AM
They floated a banner called Prabhu Ram Pictures and produced Vidivelli ( NT & Saroja Devi - directed by Sridhar). NT had a own spinning mill in the name of Prabhu Ram Mills that was functioning from Chengannur, Kerala.So your name is special. :-) Vidivelli is the movie that opens with the theft of the necklace isn't it ? I don't remember it too well. Till recently I was confusing it with Irumbuthirai which got cleared after KTV telecast Irumbuthirai last week.

Prabhu Movies(Ele my friend). What movie is this ? I don't think I got the name of the movie.

groucho070
26th June 2006, 09:24 AM
They floated a banner called Prabhu Ram Pictures and produced Vidivelli ( NT & Saroja Devi - directed by Sridhar). NT had a own spinning mill in the name of Prabhu Ram Mills that was functioning from Chengannur, Kerala.So your name is special. :-) Vidivelli is the movie that opens with the theft of the necklace isn't it ? I don't remember it too well. Till recently I was confusing it with Irumbuthirai which got cleared after KTV telecast Irumbuthirai last week..

Yes. That is Vidivelli. Its has Sridhar's trademark camera movement (Who did the camerawork, anyone?). In one scene, the camera dollies through the swinging door, goes up slightly and swoops over Ranggarao over his working desk. Absoloutely brilliant for its time...kinda like taking audience along and looking over the desk in unauthorised way.

I am not sure about others, but I remember in one Barathiraja interview who claimed that Sridhar was the first to dolly (on a movable platform with/without track/wheels; if track it is called tracking shot).

But I'm going off track.

Coming back to NT, I wonder why Sridhar abandoned the early story-heavy films to action heavy films like Sivantha Man and Vaira Nenjam?

I guess as Murali sar said, the period was audience abandoning heavy story-ladden flicks to those with action in it. Then again, Sivantha man had a strong patriotric story underneath (that, I believe, suited NT the Congress man).



Prabhu Movies(Ele my friend).What movie is this ? I don't think I got the name of the movie.

This is an English language movie, I believe. Never seen it. About Prabhu, an Elephant and a white kid. Someone here seen the movie? Do share with us. But I did not know that NTs production company was involved.

Does anyone here remember there was a serial by NTs company called Mendum Gauvaram? Both NT and Prabhu, I believe, appeared in few episodes. It will be nice if someone can talk about NTs venture in TV.

As for Venkiraja's suggestion for top ten....are you kidding me. Its going to be bloody tough. Just ten? Oru muppathu, aimbathu koodathaa?

Even in my overall top ten (http://rakeshkumar7.tripod.com/id199.html) I had problem figuring out the best. In fact, I had to restrain myself many times over from putting in NTs film. Still a few made it. In fact, I have to revise my list and safely remove NT films from there. It does not deserve to be there...its needs a top ten of its own. But that was written four years ago.

I bet the other regular NT forum-ers are scratching their head trying to figure out NTs best ten. This is tougher than figuring out nuclear science.[/url]

umaramesh
26th June 2006, 10:41 AM
What many people forget is the comic roles this giant has donned, like in Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari (co stars T R Ramachandran - those popping eyes make people laugh, Padmini and Ragini),


This film NT was so casual and he acted like supporting actor.
Nice movie. I still remember NT was chasing KUPPA LORRI to find his lover letter. :lol: so hilarious.

Balaji: Those days we use to celebrate in grand manner for NT &Kamarajar birthday. We use to tie flgas across the street in the night and and wake up with songs from NT films in the early morning (Sorgam/Gauravam/sivantha mann etc). Happy childhood days.

ramesh

groucho070
26th June 2006, 11:49 AM
Sathyaraj will be playing Periyar soon. Hope this works out, as I had always believed that Sathyaraj is a good actor. I just hope that he does not end up just mimicking Periyar.

He should take note from NT who played Va. U. Si on his own. Of course, NT did his homework, research, but he conveyed it in his own manner. The emotion was real. If he had done mimic job, it would not been real.

Incidentally, NT always wanted to play Periyar. Apart from getting the name (Sivaji, bestowed by Periyar) can anyone tell in what way NT appreciated Periyar enough to wanting to play him?

Murali Srinivas
26th June 2006, 01:45 PM
Dear Ramaswamy,

Welcome to NT's thread. I have seen your posts in POW section and song picturisation thread. We have discussed about comedy roles played by NT. I remember tacinema asking me about the same and what are all movies you had mentioned were discussed but of course not very much in detail. You can find the same in earlier pages.

NT as villain, yes as you mentioned quite a few were there. Other than Andha Naal, Thirumbi Paar, Tuli visham(KR Ramasamy as hero, I have heard NT did a great job, though I have not seen it myself) and Rangoon Radha, there was Pennin Perumai and you can also include Vikraman character of Uthama Puthiran in this category.

Prabhu Ram,

Ele my friend is a English movie which was directed by NT's younger brother VC Shanmugam's son Murali. His full name is Muralidharan and he and his elder brother Giri (married to a US girl (Linda?) are settled in US. Murali married into NT's close friend's family in Vettaikaranpudhur near Pollachi, changed his name as Dharan Mandrayar (just like Rathinam Subramanian became Manirathinam) and did this movie. It was shown in festivals. About it's theatrical release, I don't think it got released in India. He (Dharan) also recently completed a feature film about the plight of young widows of Varanasi, who are affected by child marriage and the name of the film is something like "White -- " ( I am not sure). Read a good opinion/preview in TOI/ET.

Ramesh,

Your post also takes me to my school days.

Regards

Murali Srinivas
26th June 2006, 02:05 PM
Dear Groucho070,

NT was always fond of doing real life heroes on the screen. Probably the stage experience made him like that. Till the early 60s', he did such roles. Later when the trend changed, he had only a few opportunities. Still whatever came his way, he grabbed it.

Chatrapathi Shivaji in R.E.Ramanadi, Bhagat Singh & Tiruppur Kumaran in Rajapart Rangadurai, Gautama Buddha in Anbai Thedi, Samrat Ashokan in Rojavin Raja and Vanchinathan in Cinema Paithiyam etc are some of the examples that readily spring to mind. As for as Periyar is concerned, I think the role he did in Petra Manam(1960) resembled Periyar it seems. Again I have not seen the movie but read NT's own comment that it was a chance to enact Periyar in the film. Anybody who has seen can please update.

Regards

groucho070
27th June 2006, 10:02 AM
Here’s my NT thought for the day:

I guess all praises aside, it would be nice if we analyse his career. We have analysed his greatest moments (my favourite would be late 60s and early 70s) but…

What happened in late 70s and 80s?

While Murali sar will gladly reveal the socio/political background that had influenced NTs decision on roles, let me look at the artistic side.

While it is undeniable that NT undertook some good assignments (Thiyagam, Andhaman Kathali) during those period, there were some that looked out of place for him. More on that later.

That era was welcoming an onslaught of young heroes. There were some who had been around and are making their marks, like Siva Kumar and Vijaya Kumar. There were those who were new and hungry, like Kamalahaasan (now Kamal Haasan) and Rajinikanth. The latter duo was too hungry and if you look at the number of films they were making those years…its staggering. Plus, with fine tutelage of K. Balachander and their own talents, they were also making good story oriented films.

For every Kali and Billa, there was a Mullum Malarum and Buvana Oru Kelvikuri. For every Shankarlal and Guru, there was 16 Vayathinile and Mundram Pirai. Both are not interested in filling up MGRs shoe, they are indeed filling up NTs shoe. Both are, at that time, and even now, NTs heir.

NTs peers are beginning to compete with newer talents as well. MSV had to face Shankar Ganesh and later Ilayaraja. Kannadhasan was safe, but if he was alive after 1981, he would have found a rival in Vairamuthu. And then, the directors. All the old guards…where are they? What happened to Banthulu, AP Nagarajan, Bhim Singh, K.S. Gopalakrishnan?

Even if they do make films, they were quickly getting outdated. K. Balachander and Barathiraja brought new kind of realism (not entirely realism as per Westerners view) and the old guards were not in sync with them. Exceptions can be made. Sridhar, who left behind his serious story-oriented flicks, made entertainers like Ilamai Unjaladughiradhu and Thudikkum Karanggal.

In 1977, NT was fifty years old. Its not an easy age for actors in this part of hemisphere. But that is not true as well. Let’s see what happened to the great actor in Hollywood, with whom he is always compared with.

Marlon Brando, at the age of 50 (1974) had just finished The Godfather and Last Tango in Paris. It has been downhill ever since, with occasional shots of brilliance (Apocalypse Now, A Dry White Season). Nobody knew what to do with him. There were brave, new young actors (Al Pacino, De Niro, Hoffman) who could do what he did in his younger years. There were choices for the filmmakers. With Brando, you would have a lots of expectation, and times has changed.

Likewise, with NT, there were many types of expectation. This is both blessing and a curse. There was audience for strong story-oriented flicks. There were also audience for action oriented films. NT can and have delivered both. At the same time, the other heroes were doing the same. Audiences were split. Worse, his rival, MGR has left the field and NT was left alone in the court. All this may have turned his enthusiasm down.

Late seventies saw the beginning of writer/director oriented films. Audiences can expect certain types of films with Barathiraja, Balachander, later T. Rajendar, K. Bagyaraj, Visu and Manivannan. Also, beginning the eighties, NT’s own son was entering the hero market.

If NT were to compete with the younger heroes, he would inadvertently be competing with his own son. Hence, the many films he worked with his own son. While he may have done some youthful roles in some of them, he took on patriarchal roles in many. Doing such roles is not a big transition, he had already done that long time ago.

All that, plus the quality of story telling were going down. As mentioned earlier, it became writer/directors decade. They usually impose their own stories, some good and some bad and they don’t want someone too strong like NT, whose strong performance may or not override their own story telling credits. Exception, of course, occasionally when they have used NT and turned out that NT serviced their stories and serviced them too well (Muthal Mariyathai, Thavanik Kanavugal, Jallikattu).

The biggest accusation would be against NT himself. He had done too many roles, and too many times. They simply ran out of idea what to give him. It was back to patriarchal role for him…easy way out. Tamil film industry was simply not ready for matured roles taking the lead. Still in the mentality that 50 years old are usually dads or grandads.

And, of course, the fact that he had put on weight. But that is nonsense. They could have drawn great characters. The truth is, the audiences has changed. Blame it on the Hindi flicks, which, at that time, were turning out many action-oriented flicks (some called curry-westerns like Sholay). Everyone was eager to have Tamil films the same way. Audiences were shying away from story oriented films.

Okay, I am running out of ideas for further analysis. I will continue on this. I would like responses first. Please do not hesitate disagree with me…it will give rise to healthy argument. Unlike some other hub users, NT fans are very civilised, polite and diplomatic. Still, don’t hesitate.

(Please bear in mind that this does not mean that nothing happened from late eighties onward. There were flashes of brilliance here and there, but most of the films were bad. NT can only do so much with his acting.)

tacinema
28th June 2006, 08:13 AM
Hi,

My sincere apologies that I am coming to the thread after a very long time. It is nice to see that this thread has grown to an unbelievable level and has become very informative. I have not gone thru all missing posts and just glanced few pages from backwards.

I am amazed with the information that this thread has and importantly, I would like to congratulate one very important Sivaji rasigar: Murali Srinivas. Murali: You have a very sharp memory power and giving us exact date of releases of different NT movies. BTW, are you a scientist by profession?

I have seen different hubbers narrated about how they became NT fans. For me, I am not from Sivaji prime time era. I am 30 years old and my mom and uncles are Sivaji fans. Especially, my second uncle, who was running NT rasigar mandram while he was in college. I am always fascinated by different on-screen qualities of NT, especially the follwing:

1. dedication to the roles he performed
2. strive to acheive excellence for different roles
3. versatility

These qualities made me his fan. Additionally, when you are growing in Madurai, you get to see most of NT old films, where they are always in demand and running in different movie halls. This provided me an opportunity to see some of NT evergreen hits, which made me realize that NT is the finest actor that TN has ever produced and he is in fact, comparable to any best actor in the world.

Sometimes back, I read some actor fans narrating how they celebrated their idol movie in the opening show. Can some NT fans describe how was their celebration for his movie opening show? Here it is better to elaborate NT's prime time movies. I would like to hear how NT's veriyar celebrated his movie in the opening show.

I will read the rest of the posts soon.

Those living in North America, any one attending Tamil sangam festival that is going be held this weekend in New York?

Best regards.

Murali Srinivas
28th June 2006, 03:24 PM
Dear tac,

Welcome back and thanks for your kind words. I am not a scientist by profession though I am a Science graduate (Chemistry). You have thrown up a nice option of asking us to describe an opening show of NT film. This was in my mind sometime back and I will do it soon. Before that, the task of finishing what I have started (NT's politcal innings) looms large and let me finish it. Venky Raja also had suggested to nominate 10 Top Ten movies of NT and this is sure to throw up different choices. ( I remember Top 10 of NT was discussed in this thread when someone wanted it for buying VCDs/DVDs). BTW, tac did your uncle reside somewhere in and around Meenakshi Amman Kovil ?

Regards

Murali Srinivas
28th June 2006, 04:20 PM
Thanks to Raj TV celebrating 75 years of Tamil cinema by telecasting movies daily at 9 pm(for 75 days), I could watch some great films of NT within a short span. They were

Aalaya Mani
Karnan
Vasantha Maaligai
Annan Oru Koil
Paasa Malar (yesterday).

If it was Aalaya Mani hang over 10 days back, today it is Paasa MAlar. If I start to write about all the above mentioned movies or Paasa Malar, my job at hand will be affected. Just a few vignettes here.

4 or 5 scenes that I would point out

The scene at NT's house where NT brings in Gemini for the first time. Introduces Savithiri and says "Ava Siricha Naanum Siripen; Ava Azhutha Ayyayo Ennalo Thaangave Mudiyathu" a very casual NT neverthless putting forth his powerful expression of affection.

The scene at Factory office where GG comes and argues for the dismissed employees. Before the final parting,GG will ask "Kadaiseeyaga Unnai Ketkiren! Ivargalai Velaikku thirumba edukka mudiyuma? mudiyatha?" NT out of frame till then enters and point blankedly says" No.I say No." and again gos out of the frame.

NT with anger and fury rushing to the garden with a revolver in hand on hearing that GG is talking with Savithiri will stand still and after listening to Savithiri putting him(NT) ahead of GG in her argumements will wipe the tears with the revolver from his left eye.

Vaarayo en Thozhi song; Sukumari will sing

Malaratha Penmai Malarum:Munpu
Puriyatha Unmai Puriyum
Mayangatha Kannum Mayangum:Munpu
Vilangatha Kelvi Vilangum
Iravodu Nenjam Urukatho;
Irandodu Moondru Valaratho

When the final words are sung, NT-in mugathil oru mandagasa punnagai udithu,piraku geli cheyyapaduvathi than Thangai enbathai unarthavudan thalyai lesaga kuninthukondu antha punnagaiyodu manamedaikku pakkathil povar.

(It is another story that censor officer Mr.Sasthri initially objected to these lines but on pesuasion by Bhimsingh and Kannadasan agreed

Mayagugiral Oru Madhu song:

First Night scene. Savithri will sing and GG will be with sitar. MN Rajam all shy and nervous, NT as usual with a cigarette in hand and stylish to the core. Savithri sings

Thozhigal Kathai Solli Tharavillaiya;
Thunivillaya, Bayam Vidavillaiya
Naazhigai Selvathum Ninaivillaya?

NT will be looking at MNR and on hearing the song will move away with a puff and a smile on his face.

Second saranam Savithri will sing

Paarvayil Ayiram Kathai Solluvar.
Padithavalthan Athai Maranthu vittal;
Kaadahalai Naanathil Maraithu vittal;

NT standing near the balcony will throw off the cigarette, pakkathil irukkum table-irku poyi Savithri-GG photo-vai thiruppi vaithuvittu vanthu bed-il MNR pakkam utkaruvar, antha punnagai maaramal.

Paatondru Ketten song.

NT's fingers playing on the piano like a seasoned artist while MNR sings. Of course for him it is another day at office and we have seen this in Unnai Ondru Ketpen and Ellorum Nalam Vazha songs.

Sollikonde pogalam. Normally people talk about Malarnthum Malaratha song and Kai Veesamma Kai Veesu scene when the topic is Paasa Malar and so I thought of putting up scenes where NT would have shown us the nuances of acting.

Intha scenai patri ellam ezhuthumpothu meendum paarka vendum pol irukirathu.

Regards

umaramesh
28th June 2006, 06:19 PM
Murali

You have mentioned outstanding scene(s) from PAASA MALAR.
ANNA: MSV-KANNADASAN contribution MARANTHUINGALEEEEEEE.

KANNIN MANI POOLA MANIYIN NIZHAL POOLA KALANTHU PIRANTHOOMAADA

Ever green lyrics/ever green composistion.

Why no one willing to appreciate TMS(even NT never appreciated him openly. I felt too bad about NT on this issue.)gave heart and soul to NT and MGR songs. Too bad. :(

regards
ramesh

S.Balaji
28th June 2006, 06:33 PM
Murali

You have mentioned outstanding scene(s) from PAASA MALAR.
ANNA: MSV-KANNADASAN contribution MARANTHUINGALEEEEEEE.

KANNIN MANI POOLA MANIYIN NIZHAL POOLA KALANTHU PIRANTHOOMAADA

Ever green lyrics/ever green composistion.

Why no one willing to appreciate TMS(even NT never appreciated him openly. I felt too bad about NT on this issue.)gave heart and soul to NT and MGR songs. Too bad. :(

regards
ramesh

Enakkum andha varutham undu Ramesh on whether NT or MG had openly acknowledged the unparelleled contributions from TMS but Saradhaji somewhere mentioned that NT appreciated once , highlighting Enge nimmadhi & Andha naal nyabagam !

Coming back to Kannin mani pola shot - NT will be lying flat on the floor looking at the top while that poor kid will be playing by his side !

Nadigayar thilagam scores during the stage when she will quickly change her reaction from cheer to tears - Kanavil nilayadha kadhal thirai vandhu piritha kadhai sollavaa !

Murali Srinivas
28th June 2006, 06:46 PM
Dear Ramesh,

Enna ippadi sollivittirgal?. MSV/ Ramamoorthy/Kannadasan/TMS/PS pondravargalai marakka mudiyuma? Neengal sonna varigalukku adthu varigalukku varungal

Indha Mannum Kadal Vanum Marainthu Mudhinthalum
Marakka Mudiyathada:

Indha Varigal mersonnavargalukkummattumalla indha padathirkkum 100% porunthum.

But you have not noticed what I have written; I said when people discuss Paasa Malar all the songs(not the scene of the song and NT's reaction) especially Malarnthum Malaratha and climax Kai Veesamma Kai veesu will find a prominent place.So I wanted to highlight other scenes and NT's reaction in those song sequences which are my favourites.

1 or 2 pages back, I had quoted a kelvi- badhil from Filmalaya regarding MSV/KD/TMS/NT. Ennuduya karuthum athu than.

Regards

S.Balaji
28th June 2006, 07:03 PM
Groucho070

Seems you are in peak form now ! :D great. Your share of thoughts gives a new dimension to this thread ! nice

Murali Anna,

You have almost covered a splendid song - Mayanguriraal oru madhu ! Pls add more and post it in APP thread :D
One thing I wonder in this song, rather NT's make up. The eye brows will be dark & big !

The innocent NT during the song - Engallukkum kalam varum , I mean the jumping NT with Savithri .... .will be diametrically opposite during the scene which you described with GG .....
while GG will be furious, NT will be casually sitting on his seat & reacting to all bullets DEPICTING THE MANNERISM OF A RICH BUSINESS MAN !
Vow, subtle change in behavioural pattern !

ofcourse, the most perfect portrayal of a rich businessman was Paar magale paar !

P_R
29th June 2006, 12:07 AM
Murali Srinivas, thanks for the info on Ele. I googled up for Dharan Mandrayar and even managed to see the trailer of Ele.

I was in Vellore for the last couple of days and the local cable TV channel played "Thiruvilayadal","Navarathiri",Gouravam","Paar MagaLE Paar" in the last 48 hours (not to mention Paasamalar on RajTV). Didn't have the time to catch any of them fully. Caught parts of each. (So I didn't catch the parts you are quoting Murali Srinivas, but they are noted for future reference !)

I did manage to catch my favourite part in Navarthiri: the Satyavan-Savitri Therukkoothu. Two of the best talents dishing it out. Sivaji playing the typical actor delivering the awful lines/songs with the involvement becoming of the character, while Savitri playing out the lines and dance with the studied gracelessness of a novice. The misplaced pauses, the tunes that don't match up to the epic scenario and amateurish excalmations are priceless. Together they take the sequence to be among the funniest ten minutes of all time.

My favourite is Savitri describing about how Satyavan slew the lion:
"Avar Ninru...adhai Konru, pin Senru...............vittArE" :lol:


Additionally, when you are growing in Madurai, you get to see most of NT old films, where they are always in demand and running in different movie halls. I'll exploit this opportunity to quote an example of a Kamal movie where this culture is registered.
Remember Gandhimathi telling Kamal and Abhirami in Virumaandi.
"Naan innikku rendaavathu aattam Vasantha Maaligai paaka pOren...neenga saaliya irunga" (in the background you see a Vasantha Maaligai poster with a line "Putham puthiya Copy".

rajeshkrv
29th June 2006, 04:01 AM
yes both Shivaji and Savithiri and the singer counterparts tms & ps have done a awesome job

Querida
29th June 2006, 04:28 AM
[quote] I completely agree. I just visit this thread to read and read and have absolutely nothing to add to the discussion. And I'm sure I'm not alone. I belong to the generation that has heard a lot about Sivaji from parents and uncles and went about disciovering in reverse from Thevar Magan,Mudhal Mariyaadhai to Andha Naal. So to read this thread helps appreciate him much better.

You are very right Prabhu Ram, you are not alone I too am from the same predicament....the first time i saw Shivaji's acting was in "Engal Thanga Raja" I must have watched that and "Ooti Varai Uravu" countless times...my mom would always be puzzled why if i was bored i'd pick only those two movies...it was only after getting access to the net that I realized what I was missing, even though all my relatives and parents were fans of him they never thought that I too would find interest in their old movies and old actors...now I am ever on the search for a good copy...only recently did i watch "Veerapandian Kattabomman" and the more endearing "Karnan".

tacinema
29th June 2006, 08:23 AM
Dear Murali,

My uncle family lives in Panthadi area; I hope you are familiar with this area, somewhere closer to Keezhavaasal.

Querida: Welcome to this great post. Try to get and see some of NT's b/w classics: uththama puthiran, baaga privinai, deiva magan, raman ethanai ramanadi, and so on. Great movies and you will have great time.

Somehow, I like NT's b/w movies over his color
movies.

G2g.. best regards

groucho070
29th June 2006, 08:40 AM
Like it or not, the b/w cinematography of that era is much more beautiful. NTs films do not need colour. You get all kinds of colours from performance alone. You don't need colour, elaborate set, distant location or even varieties of costume. I agree, I like B/W too. Even when colour was emerging, he did many B/W films, and the best of the later years B/W is certainly Theiva Magan. Beautiful cinematography.

joe
29th June 2006, 02:12 PM
Friends,
NT's statue work is almost completed ..kalainjar took spl attention on this .He has selected a very important place in Merina beach .

When sivaji family met kalainjar to thank him ....
'எங்கள் குடும்பத்தின் சார்பில் தனிப்பட்ட முறையில் நன்றி" என்று ராம்குமாரும் பிரபுவும் சொல்லும் போதே இடை மறித்த கலைஞர் " எனக்கு எதற்கு நன்றி ? நான் வாழும் காலத்தில் கணேசனுக்கு நான் சிலை வைக்காமல் வேறு யார் வைப்பது ? அவருடன் நான் கொண்டிருந்த நட்பு தான் உங்களுக்கு தெரியுமே.." என்று சொல்லி உடைந்து அழுதிருக்கிறார் .

பிரபு கூறுகையில் "இப்போது டி.வி யில் கணேசனைப் பார்க்கும் போது ,திரையிலேயே அவர் கன்னத்தை கிள்ளத்தோன்றுகின்றது" என்று கூறி கலைஞர் கண்ணீர் வடித்ததாக கூறினார்

More details

http://www.kumudam.com/magazine/Reporter/2006-07-02/pg2.php

Murali Srinivas
29th June 2006, 02:40 PM
Dear tac,

I know Panthadi which has many streets starting from Panthadi Mudhal Theru to Panthadi 10 vathu Theru. In and around Alankar Theatre this area is a fort of NT. The area diagonally opposite Alankar theatre ( on your left when you go to Munichalai ) is called Gandhi Pottal and the Sivaji Mandram there is still alive, vibrant and aggressive. Even now if a NT movie (old) is released, you can see this people printing welcome posters that would be pasted around the theatre that runs the movie and for the Sunday evening show they would come in large numbers and it will be a festival inside the theatre. Why I asked you about Meenakshi Amman Kovil was there was a person known to me(my cousin's senior friend) who was heading the student wing of NT fans during 69-75 and he lived in Therku Chithirai Street.

Welcome Querida.

Dear Prabhu Ram,

It was good to read your way of expressing Navarathiri song sequence. I am sure more will come.

Regards

abkhlabhi
29th June 2006, 02:56 PM
[tscii:09de34ce0d]It is very diffcult to give top 10 of NT. I tried and my favorite top 15 of NT instead of 10 (may not be in that order)

1) Vitenam Veedu – It is always my 1st favorite. Since NT makeup and walking style resembles my father. After retirement, when NT came to his house and given splendid reaction, acting, both laughing and cyring and then cried in front of his mother’s photo – Amma, Un Kuzanthaikku 55 vayasu aayiduthu. Retire aayitan. He is counting his days to the grave endru soli azumbothu - kallum karaiyum.
2) Gowravam - I prepare to face anybody challenge.
3) Pattikada Pattanama – Excellent Songs, Acting, Dance-
NT : Panchayathualla Ennakku kidacha varaverppa paartha purichipooripay.
An old lady ( I don’t know her name) – Appadiya, Nan varama poyitene. Then immediately NT replied, (vigathiyoodu , emmarthoodu,) Nan vanthirukene Uyiroodu.

4) Savale Samali - Both these two films are more or less same story.
In SS – NT is very simple, less makeup, no dream songs, no duet, no constumes, only shirt and white dothi.. Remember it is his 150th movie
5) Deiva Magan – what to tell
6) Navarathiri – no comments
7) Thiruvilaiyadal – my son used to see this movie (CD)ONLY whenever he is free from studies.
8) Thillana Mohanambal – One my friend seen this movie more than 50 times. His mother tongue is Marathi
9) Padikatha Medai – No one discuss. An excellent movie, particularly one scene, where SVRR asked NT and NT replied / refused. A treat to watch.
I have seen this movie first time in B’lore only during 80’s with my friends
10) Paasa Malar – what to tell
11) Gallata Kalyanam – Whenever I feel boring /woories and not in mood , I watch this CD to forget all my worries.
12) Uyarntha Manithan – no comments
13) Pudiya Paravi – excellent acting, songs, music
14) Babu
15) Gnana Oli


Some other movies I consider best is :
1) Enga Oor Raja
2) Raja
3) Needhi
4) Engirutho Vandal
5) Paar Magale Paar
6) Bale Pandiya
7) Thanga Padakkam
8) Vasantha Maligai
9) Kulama Gunama
10) Karnan
11) Aalaya Mani
12) Uthama Puthiran
13) Thirmal Perumai
14) Pallum Pazamum
15) Rajapat Rangadurai



Following are my collection of NT movies cds:
1) Thirvilaiyadal
2) Gallata Kalyanam
3) Raja
4) Sumathi En sundai
5) Pudiya Paravi
6) Bale Pandiya
7) Rajapat Rangadoori
8) Thirumal Perumai
9) Gowravam
10) Sivantha Man

[/tscii:09de34ce0d]

abkhlabhi
29th June 2006, 03:28 PM
[tscii:fe0691e288]There is general opinion among us that NT has not given any hit during 1980s – 1990s. I am giving the list of hit from 1975 to 1986. ( not included Dhavani Kanavugal, Padikadavan, Viduthali, etc.) I consider NT as hero and not as 2nd hero and side role here.

1975 - Avanthan Manithan (175), Pattum Bharathamum
1976 - Uthaman
1977 - Avan Oru Charithiram, Deepam, Annan Oru Kovil
1978 - Andaman Kadali, Thiygam
1979 - Thirisoolam, Iamayam, Naan Vazavaippen
1980 - Rishimoolam
1981 - Satya Sundaram, Kal Thoon, Keezhvanam Sivakkum
1982 - Vaa Kanna Vaa, Sangili, Thunai
1983 - Neethipati, Sandippu, Sumangali, Mirudanga Chakarvarthi, Vellai Roja
1984 - Vazhkai
1985 - Bandham, Mudhal Mariyadai, Raja Rishi
1986 - Sadhanai, Marumagal, Lakshmi Vandachu

During 1987, out of 10 release including two Telugu, two with Sathyaraj (Jallikattu and Muthukal Moondru), others are average hit.

In 1988, Due to political crisis, he has given only two films, ie, En tamil En Makkal, Pudiya Vanam with satyaraj. After this he slowly stopped acting in films

From 1990 to 1999 till Padayappa he acted only 12 films. Rest is the history

During 1980s directors and producers were selected only light stories and screenplay, with some good music and dance and given least importance to Acting. Naturally film goers also slowly changed according to the circumstances. Thus, scope of NT acting during 1980s is very less. Though his films boomed at BO, his acting never fails.
[/tscii:fe0691e288]

groucho070
29th June 2006, 03:54 PM
abkhlabhi,

I must congratulate you for being brave enough to list the favourites. Still, you have to add another five and further lists. You are really brave.

As for me...no way. I cannot. I will be editing the list every day. But let me tell you that whatever I had thought of putting is there in your list. I see that you do favour the late sixties/early seventies films. This is a terribly daunting task. I have no guts to do it. I am scared.

But I am very sure of my numer one: Gauvaram. Best of NTs and the best of any Tamil films. Karnan will be my number one in the historical/costume/mythology list.


And thanks for the list on his later hit films. Again, we are enlightened.

s ramaswamy
29th June 2006, 04:58 PM
Some of the nuances I have appreciated in NT's films are:

Paava Mannippu: The way NT writhes in pain when the acid is thrown at his face by MR Radha

Puthiya Paravai: NT bites his hand after realising he has killed his wife Sowcar Janaki with a heavy blow

Uthama Puthiran: The stylish manner he has essayed the villain role. Rajinikanth just followed him. An outstanding performance for the different shades of facial expressions with which he differentiates between the good son and the rogue one.

Baagappirivinai: When younger brother M N Nambiar comes back home from city and gives more attention to M R Radha and his sister M N Rajam, NT confronts him near the house well and gently chides him that he's ignoring his brother.

Vietnam Veedu: Can anyone forget his roles of Prestige Padmanabhan, a Palghat Iyer role, which he's donned to perfection.
One of his very best roles.

Ethiroli: A classic role of an upright man who succumbs to a moment's greed and is troubled endlessly afterwards for having taken T S Baliah's suitcase from the train compartment despite knowing the suitcases have been exchanged because of the train's movement, his suitcase going to Baliah.

Devar Magan: All the scenes involving NT and Kamal.

Paasa Malar: The scene where Gemini confronts him over workers' rights and the one where he overhears Savitri and Gemini in conversation and then wipes the tears with the pistol's barrel.

These are just a few scenes which I care to mention. There are
several such moments which we all cherish. Like someone has mentioned in this thread, my fav NT movies are also mostly bw ones.

abkhlabhi
29th June 2006, 05:04 PM
You may be surprised that i omitted some classic moives of NT :
1) Veerapandiya Kataboman
2) Kapalotiya Tamizan
3) Parashakthi
4) Manohara
5) Palum Pazamum, etc.

Above movies also my favourite, but I liked 15 movies which I mentioned in my previous mail. In fact Thirisoolam also one of my favourite. Since I have seen Kannada and Hindi Version of thirsoolam (Dr.Rajkumar's Shankar Guru and in Hindi Amitab)When compare with Kannada, actingwise our NT is far away from Raj and Amitab. Techically , Kannada is superb.

Recently, after Dr.Raj death, I seen Avanthan Manithan's Kannada Version. Dr. Raj is noway near to our NT. Dr. Raj has his own way of style and acting. He is mix of both our NT and MGR.

one more film, Annan Oru Kovil is also remake of Kannada. In Kannada, it is total flop. In Tamil, as you all aware of Annan Oru Kovil.

Nakeeran
29th June 2006, 05:15 PM
one more film, Annan Oru Kovil is also remake of Kannada. In Kannada, it is total flop. In Tamil, as you all aware of Annan Oru Kovil.

If you compare AOK with Pasamalar, this pales into insignificance :cry:

NT's earlier movies became a benchmark for his future movies to get compared and criticised.

I have also seen AOK. It was not an extrordinary performance WHICH WAS NORMALLY EXPECTED FROM NT .

When we talk of NT's high quality movies / standards he had set, this AOK , I dont think will be considered

abkhlabhi
29th June 2006, 05:51 PM
I am not comparing Pasamalar with AOK. These two films are completely different. I compare it with Kannada version.

abkhlabhi
29th June 2006, 06:12 PM
From: Nakeeran on Tue Jun 27 8:57:55 2006. [Full View]


Wonder why this thread is idle ! Mr. Murali Srinivas, request you flood this thread also with your informative posts

MGR is another legend . I admire him a lot


Mr.Nakeeran raised a point.

There is no doubt MGR is a legend. Mass appeal and he tasted success in politics also. Once I was a Greatr fan of MGR.

To my opinion, NT fans never change over to others camp. MGR / Kamal/Rajini etc fans are only shifted to NT after seeing his movies/acting. That's why this NT is thread is going strong every day . In MGR thead, apart from Mass appeal and Politics and his films songs no other mattes to discuss. This is my personal opinion. I was a great fan of MGR, then shifted to NT, continue to be NT fan now and forever.

Aalavanthan
29th June 2006, 09:26 PM
I was just surfing through and found this pic. Not sure whether this is posted here before. This is the statue of NT to be placed in Marina Beach..

[html:cabad5397c]http://www.maalaimalar.com/images/news/Gallery/gallery578/29ms01.jpg[/html:cabad5397c]

Sivaji = Gambeeram

[image inserted by mod]

tacinema
30th June 2006, 07:39 AM
Good news. At last, TN govt headed by MuKa is going to fulfil the dream of NT fans.

Murali: I know about that NT Mandram. You are right that I shared and enjoyed my part of NT's festivity when Alankar theater re-released many of his old movies such as VPKattabomman, Andavan Kattalai (fans whistled for devika in a big way as much as they enjoyed NT introduction in the movie) and others. I am sure you have plenty of memories of watching NT movies with fans. What is your best experience?

I would like to know, in 1960s, how did NT fans enjoy watching his movies in the opening show? Because 1960s are supposed to be NT's golden period.

tacinema
30th June 2006, 08:08 AM
This post is regarding Karnan movie. According to my view, Karnan is quite a successful movie, but it is not a blockbuster as, say Thiruvilaiyadal. Here, I am comparing Karnan with Thiruvilayadal, because both are "purana" type movies. Both movies are outstanding, with great performances from everyone involved in the movie. Karnan's production cost should have been more than Thiruvilaiyadal's cost considering Karnan has got a bigger star cast: NT, NTR, Ashokan, Savitri and Devika.

In spite of bigger budget, good story and performance, why wasn't Karnan as successful as ThiruVilayadal? When I saw Karnan, I was simply blown over by NT's performance. NTR was great in the movie as Lord Krishna and Ashokan was equally good. But, I felt the movie lacked something, may be comedy. One more aspect I did not like in the movie: NTR occupies too much time slot in the movie, his part is as lengthy as NT's part. I do not know whether NT's fans accepted this aspect and this might be one of the reasons why Karnan run was less than expected. Anyone who knows the fact can shed some light here. Or if you got any other analysis, you can post it here.

On the other hand, Thiruvilayadal was simply great; it has got all the ingradients to be a great movie. Comedy track with Nagesh was awesome and it created a history in tamil cinema. Second episode, NT fighting with Savitri was great. Next episode, as a fisherman was good (though i was not impressed with this episode, compared to the rest). Last episode, with TR Mahalingam and Balaiah was simply mind blowing; especially, Pattum Nane song. TMS just lived thru this song and watch out for NT's multiple appearance during this song. A wonderful song!! KB Sunderambal was great as Avvaiyar.

As i said above, though a great movie, Karnan lacked something. What do you think?

More later

joe
30th June 2006, 10:19 AM
Kalainjar with new NT statue

http://www.dinakaran.com/epaper/2006/jun/30/3_6.jpg

Murali Srinivas
30th June 2006, 01:11 PM
Dear Alavanthan,

Thanks. Though I have seen it in today's paper, your post gives it that Gambeeram that was lacking in today's Dina Malar print edition.

Dear Joe,

When I saw the photo of the NT statue, I thought of putting up that link here but then I realised it is your domain and as expected you have put up the same.

Dear tac,

Regarding Karnan, even the NT fans of that period (as I told you, I was 3-4 yrs old at that time) when asked about this could not give a satisfactory reply. They only asserted that it was a hit (remember it was a 100 day movie at Thangam). But my Father used to say that till that time Karnan was depicted as a villian because he was in the company of Gowravas. So when Banthalu showed Karnan in a different light , there was hesitancy on the part of the public to accept him as a Hero. Moreover my Father used to add, in order to project Karnan, Banthalu did a mis-casting of Pandavas, especially Bheema and Dharmar. Even Muthuraman was so so as Arjunan, he used to tell. I am not sure whether that was the reason but it was one school of thought. If you look at NT's own comment (remember,I talked about a book that contained NT's comments on his films, starting from Parasakthi to Raman Ethanai Ramanadi) he would have said " Brimmandamana Tayarippu; Anal Ethaiyo Kottai Vittu Vittom".

There is another misconception that Vettaikaran released along with Karnan (1964 Pongal) was a bigger hit than Karnan. According to old timers it is wrong. Even hardcore MGR fans when asked to list hits of MGR do not include Vettaikaran.

As for as opening show, I didn't have the opportunity to see opening show of any NT movies of 60s'. My first opening show was Raja and that was on 26th Jan, 1972. I will write about it later.

Regards