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ARTICLE FROM OUT LOOK -1991
When artistes from the screen and stage courted arrest during the days of the freedom struggle in the Madras Presidency, picketing toddy shops and burning foreign textiles, they set in motion a process of interaction between the entertainment media and politics that persists to this day. The best known of that generation, singing star K.B. Sundarambal, was the first film actor in the country to enter a legislature, as a Congress candidate in 1958.
In the post-independent decades, two filmstars dominated the scene in Tamil Nadu and both started their own parties, but at different times.*
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It's crucial for an ideological homogeneity to bind the fans, not just adulation, for a star to shine in politics.
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In the wake of the split with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, M.G. Ramachandran launched his Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 1972, and Sivaji Ganesan, after being marginalised in the Congress, founded his Thamizhaga Munnetra Ani in 1988. While MGR's party is still ruling the state, Sivaji's unit has all but vanished from public memory. The only time Sivaji contested the elections—for the state legislature, from Tiruvaiyaru—he lost miserably, along with the other 50 candidates the party put up. And there is a lesson in this for the aspiring star-politician.
The tradition of fan clubs (rasigar manram) in Tamil Nadu goes back to the silent era, the late 1920s. Hollywood stars like Edie Polo and Elmo Lincoln, whose films were hugely popular in South India, had an organised fan following in TN. In the 1950s, fan clubs became a feature of the political scene in Tamil Nadu. If the star entered politics, the fan clubs, acting as a surrogate party structure, became politically active. The clubs were organised on district, taluk and block levels. At the height of his popularity, Sivaji fan clubs had 3,000 branches, which worked at promoting his image and films. On behalf of the clubs, he also published a magazine Sivaji Rasikan (The Sivaji Fan). This practice of publishing exclusive fan magazines still persists in Tamil Nadu. Some of the office-bearers of these clubs have later entered the legislature too.
MGR had a similar scaffolding of fan clubs, but in ideological profile they differed from those of Sivaji's. This distinction proved critical to their political careers. MGR's fans were steeped in Dravidian ideology and were homogenous in their political stand. Sivaji's fans were a motley group of filmgoers who admired him for his screen presence but were not committed to a single political ideology. The people who appreciated Sivaji's films and his style of acting were not necessarily supporters of his politics. His frequent shifting of political moorings, including a stint with the Janata Dal, also affected his fan following. Besides, the Congress did not have a mass following in Tamil Nadu at the time.
There was another crucial factor at work. While MGR assiduously built up a screen persona by playing only the do-gooder roles, Sivaji played different kinds of roles—the evil man, the deformed character and so on. Sivaji's heroes drank and smoked on screen, which MGR carefully avoided doing. As scholar M.S.S. Pandian says in his book The Image Trap: "MGR perceived that projecting an image was more important than demonstrating his histrionic talent on the screen but the reverse was true for Sivaji Ganesan. While MGR was as successful in politics as in films, Sivaji failed as a politician despite his well-known political ambitions and indisputable star status."
It is this factor—an ideological homogeneity that binds the fans and not mere adulation of the star—that proves critical for a filmstar trying to make an impact in the political arena in Tamil Nadu. When the fans slog during elections, they do so not only for their star but also for their principles.
You see two types of star-politicians in Tamil Nadu—those who launch their own parties and those who support an already popular party and contest elections, hitching a piggyback ride on their popularity as film artistes. S.S.Rajendran of the DMK and Ramarajan of the AIADMK belong to the latter category. Except MGR, no other star politician has been able to sustain the party he has launched. Actor-producer T. Rajender also tried, but he failed. The admiration of fans, it seems, cannot be substituted for political ideology.
There is one more reason why it will be difficult for a filmstar to emulate the achievements of MGR. I think the Tamil film audience has come a long way from the days of MGR films, from swashbuckling capers and melodrama. The audience response to movies like Autograph and Kaadhal is an indication of that distance. And contemporary stars may find it difficult to pull off an MGR-like metamorphosis, from powerless elite to political power machines.
ARTICLE FROM MR. RAKESHKUMAR -KULALAMPUR
"Irunthaalum Marainthaalum, peer solla vendum,
Ivar poola yaarendru, uur solla vendum
Ivar poola yaarendru, uur solla vendum."
My dear puratchi Talaivar,
Wherever you are, today is the day, ninety years ago (or is it?) you were born. You were sent here on a mission. A mission that you, only you, know what. We know some, we have seen some, we have read some, we have listened to some.
But there is more...only you know that.
You were loved, you were respected, and you were despised. More loved than despised. Those despised you had issues, that's all. But they will agree the power you vield over millions of hearts. The power of love.
How many just wasted their life away when they learned that you are no more. Why? What have you done to them? Those flickering images on screen. The seat of power that you sat on. That smile. That graceful wave of hand. The assurance of goodwill. The assurance that all will be alright, for you are here.
And then, you were gone. Blank. Tamil nadu, Tamil film industry has not been the same again, good or bad.
My father is a poor man. He had nothing to hand to us brothers, but the love for cinema. We inherited that plus a little bit of the greatest treasure of his called, "MGR Fanatiscm".
In my teens, I was so absorbed by your films and songs. I am now a bigger fan of your 'brother' Nadigar Tilagam. But the funny thing is, now, after fifteen years, I have difficulty recalling lyrics of NT's songs, but at the snap of the finger, I can recall the lyrics of all my favourite songs of yours.
Why? Then, I was crazy of you. Now, I am intrigued by you. I grab my hand on any literature about you. I learned so much about you. But the more I learn, the more I realise that I don't know who you are.
You are, to us, what you want us to know. You kept the rest of you to yourself. And what we know is the image of one of the greatest person ever to live in this planet. That is all we know. And that is all we need to know.
Sometimes back, I swore never to write in this thread of yours...thanks to some unnecessary arguments. But I take that back. I take it back, because you wouldn't like it. You would want me to learn from others in this thread, and share my own love for the world you created for us with the rest. I shall. I abide by your often spoken rule on 'sharing'.
So, my dear Puratchi Talaivar. Many happy returns of the day. You are not here, but you are there, somewhere, watching us kids with that enigmatic smile of yours.
Happy Birthday.
Your once fan, and now, student,
Rakesh Kumar
Malaysia.
MGR - The Leader of Masses
THANKS - HARISH
I have been thinking to write something about this great personality and finally I found time to do so. M.G.Ramachandran's(popularly known as MGR) birthday falls on January 17th and so let this post be a token of respect to him.
Let me start about MGR's acting.In my opinion MGR is not a method actor like Sivaji, but still a good actor and entertainer.If you want to know what I actually mean by 'method' acting means,you have to watch movies like Deiva Magan,RajapartRangadhurai etc. Sivaji's acting will be mindblowing in these movies.But when it comes to MGR,he has not done such movies.He started off with small roles in cinema.He got his first break in the movie MandhiriKumari.After that slowly his career graph as an actor progressed well and he became an action hero.
The moment we talk about MGR,the first thing that may come to our mind will be his movies' songs. MGR-TMS-MSV-Kannadasan/Vaali is a golden combo.MGR's movie shooting will commence only after song recording is over(this info I got from elderly people :)).Its not so easy to work with MGR.He is such an intelligent artiste.He had a thorough knowledge in almost every aspect of film-making.He will listen to the tune and lyrics.Only after he gives his nod to go ahead with recording,the song recording will be done.It is said that while working for the movie Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban(directed by MGR himself),M.S.Viswanathan told MGR that he can't work with him any more and he urged MGR to go for someother music director.Reason - MGR was not satisfied with the tunes given by MSV.But MGR had faith in MSV and he asked for better tunes.And finally the movie released and its one of the all-time top-grossers in the history of Tamil Cinema.MGR called MSV and pesonally thanked him for giving good music and told only to get the best out of him,he made him toil so much.
When he saw the preview show of the movie "Alaigal Oivathillai",directed by Barathiraja,he called the director personally and asked him that "I think you have shot an alternative climax too".Barathiraja got astonished,because none knows that he had shot another climax.He got stunned on MGR's knowledge about cinema.
He is a macho-man in real life too.He was well-versed in martial arts(sword fight,silambam etc).While shooting the song "Kashmir beautiful Kashmir",some rogues were passing silly comments on the female dancers and were teasing them.MGR performed a live stunt-show.He beat them severely and handed over to police.He has directed 3 movies and all the 3 were mega hits. Nadodi Mannan,Adimaippen and Ulagam Sutrum Vaaliban.
Many think that using his cinematic image MGR became CM easily.Of-course,his fame in cinema helped him very much,no doubt at all,but he didn't become the CM of Tamil Nadu just like that.He has gone through lot of troubles and difficult situations before becoming CM.
He joined the DMK party in the beginning.He worked for the party very much.He was a close friend to Mr.Karunanithi(Tamil Nadu CM).But it was after Anna's death the political scenario changed in TN.MGR was sidelined by Kalaignar.He didn't get the much needed importance.After his expulsion from DMK,MGR started his own political party and named it as Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam(ADMK).He faced several obstacles before coming to power.
The DMK threw mic at him.MGR with frustration,threw an open challenge that he will come to the assembly only after he becomes Chief Minister.He became the CM on 30th July,1977 and he remained in the office as CM till his death.In 1979,he supported the Janata Party at the center,which is considered one of his significant political moves.He first supported Charan Singh,but later on he was ready to support 'Babu' Jagajivan Ram. When he extended his support to Mr.Jagajivan Ram,the then president of India,Mr.Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy dissolved the house for obvious reasons.
In 1980,MGR's democratically elected government was dissolved by the congress party,which gave no good reason for it.The congress was in alliance with DMK in 1980.And since the Janata Party couldn't give a stable government at center,people lost confidence on Janata Party and they voted for congress.Because of this the DMK-Congress alliance almost swept the parliament elections held in 1980.So the DMK was of the opinion that if the elections are announced in Tamil Nadu,they can win comfortably.Many predicted a land slide victory for the DMK-Congress alliance.The congress too wanted to take revenge on MGR for supporting Janata Party,so they dismissed the government and fresh elections were conducted.
People proved the predictions wrong.The MGR led ADMK won convincingly while the opposition ended up with egg on its face.In 1984,MGR didn't even visit his constituency for election campaigns.He was getting treatment in America.Some miscreants even spread rumors that MGR was not alive.Again they ended up with egg on their face,as MGR without even visiting his constituency won with a great margin.
In Tamil Nadu till today there is no naxalite problem.When MGR was in power the naxal problem surfaced in TN too.MGR gave a free-hand to police to eliminate naxalites.His bold and tough decision completely eradicated naxalism from TN.Not many politicians in India,has this much guts to fight terrorism,goondaism etc.
MGR brought the free meals scheme for children studying in govt. schools.Now it is one among the World Bank's model schemes.In MGR's rule,there was no caste based politics.He didn't abuse the media by calling it as 'paarpana oodagam'(Brahmin Media).Many use to say that you can light up your stove and then go to MGR's house to get rice(which means you will get rice from his house definitely).He gave almost his entire Ramapuram garden to blind school.
There is a complaint that he used cinema for his political advantage.Yes,he used it.His movies used to carry lot of political dialogs and most of his songs will have politically motivated lyrics too.People who complain on this should understand the very fact that every reputed hero at one point of time will use the mass media in his favor.But not many could taste success in this aspect.If MGR was able to do that successfully means,its purely his intelligence and the dialogs will be very much within the screenplay.If you watch the movie 'Nadodi Mannan',you can understand this.
MGR's roles is that of a communist in that movie(Nadodi Mannan) and accidentally he will be made the king. At that time the ministers will tell him,
"வீராங்கா நாங்கள் உன்னை நம்பி தான் அதிகாரங்களை உன்னிடம் ஒப்படைக்கிறோம்"
for which MGR will reply,
அமைச்சர்களே என்னை நம்பாமல் கெட்டவர்கள் நிறைய பேர் உண்டு நம்பி கெட்டவர் இன்று வரை இல்லை.
One more dialog in the same movie.He will reveal to the queen that he is not her husband and he is his lookalike.He will say he will quit and go,but the queen(M.N.Rajam was the actress), will urge him to continue as king,for which he will ask,
"சகோதரி இன்னும் என்னை நம்புகிறாயா"
for which she will reply,
"நான் மட்டும் இல்லை அண்ணா இந்த நாடே உங்களை நம்பி தான் இருக்கிறது".
So these dialogs are well within the story and screenplay and the political intention it was appealing to the masses too.When someone tries to copy this approach,they end up with some funny stuff.
This movie was re-released in the year 2006 and see the crowd gathered at Albert theater.
Let me type some political lyrics in his songs:
"மக்கள் நலம் மக்கள் நலம் என்றே சொல்லுவார்
தம் மக்கள் நலம் ஒன்றே தான் மனதில் கொள்ளுவார் " - from the song "Thambi naan padithen",movie Netru Indru Naalai.
"அங்கே சிரிப்பவர்கள் சிரிக்கட்டும் அது ஆணவச் சிரிப்பு" - Rickshawkaaran
The above songs were written by none other than Vaali(as I said MGR had control on songs and lyrics too,though credit goes to lyricist).
Somehow or other he will bring Anna in his songs.What is the connection between Anna and Kashmir?But he brought in Anna's name in the song describing Kashmir as follows:
"அண்ணாவின் பேர் சொல்லும் காஞ்சியைப் போல்
நேருவின் புகழ் சொல்லும் பூமி இது "
The above song was written by Pulamaipithan.
Its really sad that TN is yet to get such intelligent,pro-poor,truly secular,development minded leader as CM.
Finally MGR died on 24th December,1987.
A
"இருந்தாலும் மறைந்தாலும் பேர் சொல்ல வேண்டும்
இவர் போல யாரென்று ஊர் சொல்ல வேண்டும் "
Posted by Harish.M
வினோத் போன்று அர்ப்பணிப்பு உணர்வுடன் கூடிய ரசிகர்கள் இருக்கும் போது நூறு என்ன ஆயிரம் கூட தாண்டும். பாராட்டுக்கள். விநோத் சார் மற்றும் நண்பர்களுக்கு.
இனிய நண்பர் திரு ராகவேந்திரன் சார்
மக்கள் திலகம் mgr பாகம் -3 நூறு பக்கங்கள் தாண்டியதற்கு தாங்கள் அனுப்பிய வாழ்த்து செய்திக்கு மிக்க நன்றி .
உங்களை [ நடிகர் திலகம் ] போன்றோரின் அன்பும் ஆதரவும் மக்கள் திலகம் திரிக்கு பெருமை சேர்ப்பதாக உள்ளது .
பொன்மனச் செம்மல் எம் .ஜி .ஆர்
தனித்தமிழ் ஈழத்தை ஆதரித்த
தனிப்பெரும் தலைவர் எம் .ஜி .ஆர்
ஈழத்திற்கு நிதி உதவி தந்து வளர்த்தவர்
ஈழத்தமிழரின் நெஞ்சம் நிறைந்தவர்
சிங்களக் கொடுமை உணர்ந்தவர்
சிங்களம் வீழ்ந்திட விரும்பியவர்
மதிய உணவை சத்துணவாக விரிவாக்கியவர்
மாணவர்கள் பள்ளி வரக் காரணமானவர்
கோடிகளைக் கொள்ளை அடிக்காதவர்
குடும்பத்திற்குச் சொத்துச் சேர்க்காதவர்
திரையில் மட்டுமே நடித்தவர்
நிஜத்தில் என்றுமே நடிக்காதவர்
விலைவாசியை கட்டுப்பாட்டில் வைத்தவர்
விவேகமாகச் சிந்தித்துச் செயல்படுத்தியவர்
அவரால் வாழ்ந்தவர்கள் கோடி
அவரால் வீழ்ந்தவர்கள் மிகச் சிலர்
உலகம் வியக்கும் வண்ணம் மதுரையில்
உலகத் தமிழ் மாநாட்டை நடத்தியவர்
உயிருள்ளவரை முதல்வராய் இருந்தவர்
உன்னத ஏழைகளின் இதயத்தில் வாழ்பவர்
--
நன்றி
அன்புடன்
கவிஞர் இரா .இரவி
thanks ravi sir
Thanks - nellai kannan - kavidhai about periyaar- mgr
பெருமை ஆனார் பெரியார் எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.
மக்களின் வாழ்க்கைக்காக வாழ்ந்தவர் இருவர் இன்று
மக்களின் நெஞ்சுக்குள்ளே மாறாத மணமேயானார்
பொக்கை வாய்ப் பெரியாரோடு பொன்மனச் செம்மல் என்னும்
தக்கவர் இருவர் ஆமாம் தமிழர் தம் பெருமை ஆனார்
Thanks - nellai kannan sir
எம்.ஜி.ஆர்.
ஏழைகளின் மனத்தினிலே ஒரு தலைவன்
இன்றைக்கும் என்றைக்கும் இருக்கின்றானே
கோழைகளாய் அசிங்கமாக அவனைப் பேசி
கொலு வீற்றிருந்தார்கள் தன்னையெல்லாம்
மோழைகளாய் வீழ்த்தி அவர் தம்மின் முன்னால்
முதல்வரென ஏழைகளால் அவன் இருந்தான்
நாளை எந்த நாளும் அந்த எம்.ஜி.ஆராம்
நாயகனே ஏழைகளின் ஒரே தலைவன்