A Technician was moved to tears

The name MGR moved millions like a mantra. His transformation from an uncrowned monarch to an absolutely undisputed leader of the masses happened like magic. He could keep the masses on his side always and could win elections, even when he was hospitalised in an alien land. His glory was always at the zenith. Even years after his death on 24th December 1987, it continues to be so.

The masses loved him because he loved them. 'Good-natured; vallal' will invariably be the response that you would get, when you utter his name. And all of us know that it is not an exaggeration. He was known for his humanity and love for fellow human beings. The following incident is only one of thousands of others, when his good nature came to the fore.

One of the technicians on the sets of Urimai Kural got the message of the death of his mother. He informed MGR and was about to leave for performing the last rites. MGR was moved to tears. He held the technician by his hand and consoled him. His quality of helping the distressed surfaced immediately and gave Rs.10,000/- to meet the expenses. The technician hesitated. 'Please give me this opportunity of partaking in your grief. I am doing this as a matter of filial duty to your mother,' said MGR. The technician was moved to tears. Was it due to this nice and timely gesture and the kindest of words or was it due to his personal loss, is anybody's guess.



Years rolled past and MGR became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. The same technician had come to see him. MGR was leaving for the Secretariat, in his car. There was a big crowd at the gate and the technician could not reach him. The car had already started rolling. Fortunately, MGR chanced to see him and stopped the car. He called him to his side. The technician handed him an invitation for his son's marriage and requested his presence. MGR was all smiles and assured him that he would attend, if time permitted. He gave him a bag as the car accelerated. The technician could not believe his eyes when he saw that it contained one lakh! After all, he came to meet MGR and invite him. Nothing more than that. He did not even imagine that he would receive such a huge amount. He was ever more grateful when MGR attended the marriage to bless the couple.
His colourful life was full of such incidents. He believed strongly in helping the masses, the oppressed and the distressed. The reason why he is loved by the masses and even worshipped. Kind-heartedness and love for fellow human beings are becoming rare qualities. No wonder his memory is celebrated to this day.


By S. Vijayan
Translated by Hari Krishnan

Experience with M G Ramachandran

One day, our late chief minister M G Ramachandran called me over and asked me to sing the song 'Vizhiye Kadhai Ezhudhu'. I was elated and thrilled. My happiness doubled when the song became a hit.
MGR is a mahaan. I came to know about him at a later stage. He not only gave importance to music but more to the art itself. His character was such that he turned even his foes into friends. For example, at a time when he had difference of opinion with Kannadasan politically, he was not satisfied with the lyrics for a particular song. Finally, he himself suggested that Kannadasan be called to write the lyrics. Others around him were hesitant but MGR was firm. He told them that Kannadasan had no equal and asked them to approach him for the lyrics. Kannadasan also obliged and the song was 'Odum Megangale' for the film 'Aayirathil Oruvan'. Enmity vanished... and art gained importance.


Article From: Chennaionline website

TEMPLE FOR MGR- by roop kumar

While I was in final phase of writing down how Google Search Engine helped me to increase the traffic, and in the leisure I was reading Mannathi Mannan MGR magazine in that an article touched my heart, my eyes glistened. Here is the article:
A temple for MGR was erected by Kantha Srinivasan in the campus of the High Court of Madras, in the year 1984.
She is now 50 years old, her occupation was selling flowers, cool drinks in the High Court campus. Kantha Srinivasan and her family are faithful MGR devotees. She says MGR is her God. She has seen MGR thrice in her life time.

On one occasion in a meeting Kantha Srinivasan touched MGR and gave him a Cool drink. MGR drank half of the content and handed over the remaining to her, which she drank in front of him, and MGR smiled back she was in tears and uncontrollable

In the end of 1984 MGR was admitted in Apollo Hospital like thousands of MGR fans she and her husband also stranded in front of the Hospital to know the condition of her God. She also prayed like others but she did not stop with prayers, she went on to erect a shrine on 19.12.1984 with help from Kalikambal temple priest. And the temple was named as "Neethi Karumariamman Alayam" and placed a MGR photo inside the sanctum. She along with others started to pray regularly. MGR fans prayer was answered MGR returned safely to India and took charge as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the 3rd time. Returning to the Office MGR thanked all his Fans and well wishers for their prayers.

After MGR left Earth, Kantha Srinivasan performs special prayers and functions on MGR birth day also. She is eager to erect a Idol of MGR inside the sanctum, and has a plan to consecrate the shrine by Amma (Jayalalithaa).

Is MGR dead? I think not, he is still living in the hearts of poor. There is no end to MGR's fame, his fame will last to infinity. There is no end to MGR.

Long Live MGR's fame.
The Guardian of the Downtrodden and Oppressed.
God of the Poor.
Hope for the downhearted.
LONG LIVE MGR.

Article Wrote by Roop Kumar

(MGR Fan also writing about Thiru MGR)

( http://www.mgrroop.blogspot.com/ )

50 yrs of Nadodi Mannan -Part 3

The movie meant everything to MGR and he invested heavily on the project. Justifying his decision to produce the movie himself.MGR wanted the best and got it too. The amounts that were being expended towards the project were simply mind-blowing. The industry was agog with speculation at MGR nonchalantly putting all his eggs in this basket. His well-wishers were filled with anxiety, for if the movie did not fare well, MGR would be facing financial ruin. Commenting wryly on the title, MGR is said to have confessed that if the movie did well, he would be a King; if it flopped, he would be a homeless nomad. The movie was some years in the making . MGR had initially requested the brilliant K. Ramnoth to direct the movie, and the venerable veteran had accepted the offer with pleasure. But fate willed otherwise- K. Ramnoth passed away on 4th Octoer 1956. Not wanting to give the responsibility to anyone else, MGR took upon himself the responsibility of directing the movie. All dedicated members of MGR’s entourage were put to work night and day on the project. With characteristic foresight, MGR ensured that no other movie of his was released in 1958, so that his fans would wait eagerly for ‘Naadodi Mannan’ and ensure its success. His last movie immediately preceding ‘Mahadevi’ was released on 22nd November 1957 and his next movie after ‘Naadodi Mannan’ was ‘Thaai magalukku kattiya thaali’, released on 31st December 1959. He put all other projects on hold, so that he could devote all his time and attention for ‘Naadodi Mannan’.

courtesy: dhool

(to be contd)