{"id":75747,"date":"2023-01-16T01:11:42","date_gmt":"2023-01-16T05:11:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=75747"},"modified":"2023-01-17T01:30:17","modified_gmt":"2023-01-17T05:30:17","slug":"how-actor-mgr-became-chief-minister-cinematic-politics-of-m-g-ramachandran","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=75747","title":{"rendered":"How Actor MGR Became  Chief Minister: Cinematic Politics of M.G.Ramachandran"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>By<br \/>\nD.B.S.Jeyaraj<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>(This article written last year is re-posted here without any changes to denote the 106th Birth anniversary of well -known actor and Former Tamil Nadu chief minister M.G.Ramachandran on 17 January 2023)<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>India is Sri Lanka\u2019s  closest neighbour. Among the Indian states, it is the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu  that is closest to  he Island.Tamil Nadu meaning \u201cTamil Land\/Country\u201d is home to more than 72 million people.  Since 1967 ,Tamil Nadu has been ruled by political parties adhering to what is termed as Dravidian ideology. \u2018Dravidianism\u2019 in essence espouses economic development, social justice, equality, elimination of caste discrimination, women emancipation, secularism, rationalism, self-respect, greater cooperation among South Indian states, opposition to Hindi imposition and a Tamil national consciousness.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_75744\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75744\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/0E8D2C17-4236-42DA-9116-E7536CF75A78-600x465.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"465\" class=\"size-large wp-image-75744\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/0E8D2C17-4236-42DA-9116-E7536CF75A78.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/0E8D2C17-4236-42DA-9116-E7536CF75A78-300x233.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-75744\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">How Actor MGR Became  Chief Minister: Cinematic Politics of  M.G.Ramachandran. &#8211; by D.B.S.JEYARAJ<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The \u2018Dravidian\u2019 political ideology has been ruling the roost in Tamil Nadu for the past 54 years.. Either the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) or its alternative the All India Anna-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (AIADMK) have been enjoying political power in the State.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XCR7mpb2fgE?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>In spite of this \u201cDravidian\u201d heritage of rationalism and self-respect, it is Tamil Nadu that has allowed film stars to exercise political hegemony among  Indian states.  M.G. Ramachandran known as \u201cMGR\u201d became the first film star to take up chief ministership of an Indian state. MGR though ethnically a Malayalee made a name for himself as an actor in Tamil films and followed it up by becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu state.MGR the founder-leader of the AIADMK   ruled from 1977 to 1987 being elected thrice as chief minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977,1980 and 1985.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Maruthur Gopalamenon Ramachandran or M.G. Ramachandran  was born on January 17th 1917, His 105th Birth anniversary will be celebrated next Monday(17). This column therefore will focus on the cinematic politics of MGR this week.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sri Lankan Connection<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Interestingly, MGR had a Sri Lankan connection being born in Hantane, Kandy. His father was at that time teaching in an estate school in Kandy. MGR, the youngest child, was born at home in Hantane on 17 January 1917 and named  as Ramachander. He grew up in Kandy till he was two. In 1919 the family returned to India.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/vjN7rraZsRs?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>MGR known by his  given name  Ramachander joined the drama troupe \u2018Madurai Original Boys Company\u2019 as a child actor..The troupe specialised in staging plays with young boys as actors. When the film industry began flourishing, MGR  tried to become a film actor. His first film role was  in the 1936 movie  \u201cSathi Leelaavathy\u201d.MGR  acted in  20 minor roles from 1936 until he  got his major break as lead actor in  the film \u201cRajakumari\u201d in 1947. Thereafter for 30 years, he was the uncrowned king of Tamil cinema. The swashbuckling action hero gave up acting in 1977 after he became Tamil Nadu Chief Minister. His last film \u2018Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapaandiyan\u2019 was released in 1978.<\/p>\n<p>MG Ramachandran acted in 136 films from 1936 to 1978. He played minor roles in 20 and major roles in 116 films.of these wereTwelve of MGR\u2019s films were silver jubilee hits running for over 25 weeks each afer being screened.. Another 68 films ran for more than 100 days at theatres during their first screenings. Even the MGR films that did not run for a 100 days initially turned out to be money-spinners in the long run as each re-release brought large audiences to theatres.<\/p>\n<p> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7QXGVOc3JN8?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This was the time when the magical initials MGR comprised a household name in the Tamil-speaking homes of countries with a substantial population of Tamils, such as India, Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. MGR had a huge following of fans in Sri Lanka during the time he sparkled on the silver screen. Among his fans in the island were a large number of Sinhalese and Muslims too.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Screen Persona<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>MGR had a formula of his own in the films he acted in.  This helped build up a screen persona that immensely benefitted him in politics too . The story had to be sentimental with displays of mother-son love or brother-sister affection. Despite ups and downs and twists and turns, the good guy had to triumph in the end. Needless to say MGR was always the good guy except for a few in the early stages of his career. The films had to have a positive message imparting a lesson to the people. The hero was regularly portrayed as a paragon of virtue who fights for justice on the side of the oppressed. The hero sings philosophical songs and songs urging  social upliftment for the down-trodden masses.. Besides these features, a typical MGR film always had thrilling fight scenes and titillating love song sequences. MGR got the finest villain actors to play opposite him.PS Veerappah,T Ramachandran,Sinnappaah Devar,MR Radha, TS Baliah, MN Nambiar, SA Asokan, RS Manohar and K.Kannan were but some of the villains who clashed  with the action hero on screen.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2AACBCB3-5214-4E09-9CEA-EAF645955DF8-600x450.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-75745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2AACBCB3-5214-4E09-9CEA-EAF645955DF8.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2AACBCB3-5214-4E09-9CEA-EAF645955DF8-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Likewise MGR always had the loveliest actresses as his scintillating heroines on screen.Among actresses MGR paired with were VN  Janaki(whom he married later)  B.S. Saroja, Madhri Devi, Anjali Devi, Bhanumathy, Padmini, Vyjayanthimala, Saroja Devi, Savithri, Devika, Jamuna, Rajasulochana, K.R. Vijaya, Jayalalithaa, Vanishree, Lakshmi, Manjula, Latha and Radha Salujah. Of these stars, MGR has acted in the most number of films with Jayalalithaa as leading lady. Saroja Devi came next.<\/p>\n<p>However  it was well-known that MGR was infatuated with the alluring Jayalalithaa Jayaram  with whom he paired in 28 films. Though unmarried, \u201cSelvi\u201d(Miss)Jayalalithaa was regarded as the love of MGR\u2019s lifeJayalalithaa\u2019s passport to success in filmdom was her second Tamil film \u2018Aayirathil Oruvan\u2019 (One Man in a Thousand) where she played leading lady to MGR. Despite the 32-year difference in age, the MGR-Jayalalithaa duo was a hot pair. MGR\u2019s last film with Jayalalithaa was \u2018Pattikkaattu Ponnaiyah\u2019 (Village Rustic Ponnaiyah) made in 1973.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/7s3IzOMCq04?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/mckDnDlSjIs?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>There was a time when MGR in a movie called \u2018Thanipiravi\u2019 (Unique Being) played Lord Muruga and Jayalalithaa his consort Valli in a dream sequence. A picture of both together as Murugan and Valli was framed and worshipped by many. According to some observers MGR had  a foot fetish for Jayalalithaa. In many of the films they acted together in, there were scenes of MGR touching Jayalalithaa\u2019s feet like removing a thorn from her sole or massaging a sprained ankle. Apparently Jayalalithaa\u2019s erstwhile leading man had a fixation for her feet.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>MGR himself underwent two transformations as his acting career blossomed. Firstly he changed his name to Ramachandran from Ramachander. Nevertheless it was as MGR that he was widely known. Secondly he joined the ranks of the newly-formed Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (DMK) led by C.N. Annadurai known as \u201cAnna\u201d or elder brother.<\/p>\n<p>In Tamil Nadu it was the DMK that first attempted to use cinema for political propaganda in the post-independence years. Annadurai had once said that if it took 10,000 political meetings to convey one message, it only took one single \u2018hit\u2019 movie to deliver the same. Annadurai and his disciple Karunanidhi known as \u201cKalaigner\u201d (artiste)set out on that venture. Films scripted by Annadurai were well-received, and its political content made great impact. But it was Karunanidhi who really hit it big as script-writer. Both Annadurai and Karunanidhi became chief ministers in later years. It was Karunanidhi who enticed MGR into the DMK political fold.<\/p>\n<p> <img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B-600x450.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-75746\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B-600x450.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B-730x548.jpeg 730w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/2DC040B6-CAEE-4630-9E9F-322664E0829B.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Karunanidhi developed a writing style called \u201cAdukku Mozhi\u201d that was flowery and alliterative, and which soon became very popular. There were others to follow Karunanidhi in both content and style \u2014 Aasaithamby, Krishnaswamy, Maaran (karunanidhi\u2019s nephew) and Kannadasan.The DMK also spawned a school of actors who could effectively mouth the lines of the script writers. S.S. Rajendran (SSR) and Sivaji Ganesan in particular were able to deliver the flowery and fiery prose of Karunanidhi with great conviction and style.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71366\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71366\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/TH31_MGR-600x416-1-600x416.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"416\" class=\"size-large wp-image-71366\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/TH31_MGR-600x416-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/TH31_MGR-600x416-1-300x208.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71366\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGR<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Personal differences arose between Sivaji Ganesan and Karunanidhi, and the actor crossed over to the Congress party. To make up for Ganesan, Karunanidhi, whose dialogues were increasingly getting political, weaned an actor from the Congress camp into the DMK fold. This was none other than M.G. Ramachandran. When the DMK began using actors for political propaganda, the Congress leader Kamaraj dimissed them derisively as \u201cKoothaadigal\u201d (performers). But the Congress had to soon change stance and rely on people like Sivaji Ganesan and lyricist-script writer Kannadasan who had crossed over from the DMK.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71368\" style=\"width: 490px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71368\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-J-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"480\" height=\"340\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71368\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-J-1.jpg 480w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-J-1-300x213.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71368\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGR and Janaki<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Even as film stars were used for political propaganda, the film stars in turn were using politics for their personal advancement. M.G. Ramachandran himself began constructing and consolidating a personal political base. Even when he starred in films not written by DMK ideologues, the lines he delivered on screen carried hidden political meaning. An example was the constant reference to the morning sun (Udhaya Sooriyan), the DMK symbol.<\/p>\n<p>In colour productions, MGR would wear the party colours, black and red. He also sang songs on screen pledging sweeping social reforms that would remove socio-political inequalities. Gradually, MGR\u2019s screen persona started reflecting the DMK\u2019s image. The difference between reality and make-believe blurred, while he continued to pull crowds. As Annadurai once said of MGR, \u201c Avar Sollukku pathu latcham. Avar Mugathukku muppathu latcham.\u201d (One million votes for his speech. Three million for his face.)<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-4ddj500kXU?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe> <\/p>\n<p>In his roles, MGR always fought for the underdog against tyranny and injustice. He took special care to project a social message in most songs, and took care to act in different roles so that different segments of the population could relate to and identify with him. The movies, titled simply but astutely, in which he played lead roles include \u2018Padagotti\u2019 (Boatman), \u2018Meenava Nanban\u2019 (Fisherman Friend), \u2018Thoilaali\u2019 (Worker), \u2018Vivasayee\u2019 (Agriculturist), \u2018Rickshawkaran\u2019 (Rickshawalla) and so on. These occupational groups began treating MGR as one of their own. Two other aspects of his film titles were  references to mother like \u201cTheivath Thaai\u201d(Divine Mother) andusage of maxims like \u201cNeethiku Thalai  Vanangu\u201d (Bow down to Justice)<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u201cRasikar Mandrangal\u201d (fan clubs.)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A unique feature of the relationship between the movie stars of Tamil Nadu and their fans was the proliferation of \u201cRasikar Mandrangal\u201d (fan clubs). These clubs would hold special pujas in temples whenever a new movie of their matinee idol was released. Milk would be poured on cut-outs of actors and camphor lit. M.G. Ramachandran probably encouraged the phenomenon of fan clubs from late 1940s onwards, and the clubs ended up as a well-knit federation that counted its membership in the millions.<\/p>\n<p> <iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/yfWqsHwwe_4?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The clubs held annual conventions and also participated in social service projects. It was estimated that the MGR fan club network  consisted of 35,000 clubs with a membership of two million.When MGR entered active politics, his fan clubs were in turn politicised and soon became an indispensable component of the DMK propaganda machine. In MGR\u2019s case both spheres mutually reinforced each other \u2014 film popularity providing political mileage and political positions strengthening film popularity.<\/p>\n<p> MGR was  soon rewarded with political office by the DMK.He was made first an Upper House member of the state legislature. Later MGR contested the State Assembly elections directly and won continuously in each election from 1967 to 1984 until his death in 1987. The DMK formed the administration in Madras state re-named by the party as Tamil Nadu in 1967. Some weeks prior to the election MGR was shot and injured by fellow actor MR Radha due to a personal dispute.It was a case of life imitating art. The DMK pasted posters of an injured MGR lying upon a hospital bed. There was a he sympathy wave that boosted the DMK\u2019s electoral fortunes.MGR himself won  with a sweeping majority without  attending a single meeting in his Constituency.<\/p>\n<p>The popularity of MGR within the DMK party and Tamil Nadu state caused major convulsions. In a bid to counteract the phenomenon, DMK chief minister Karunanidhi encouraged his son M.K. Muthu to enter movies. The father, while in office as Chief Minister, wrote the story and dialogue for Muthu\u2019s first film \u2018Pillaiyo Pillai\u2019 (Oh, What a Son). Muthu fan clubs were set up overnight, with father Karunanidhi\u2019s backing.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71363\" style=\"width: 459px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71363\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-MK-AA-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"449\" height=\"564\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71363\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-MK-AA-1.jpg 449w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-MK-AA-1-239x300.jpg 239w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 449px) 100vw, 449px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71363\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGR and Karunanidhi amidst a portarit of C.N. Annadurai<\/p><\/div>\n<p>MGR, realising what was in store, engineered a split within the party in 1972 on the grounds of corruption charges against the incumbent regime. Incidentally, MGR did not have any problems in setting up new party structures \u2014he merely converted his fan clubs into party branches.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Anna-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (ADMK)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>MGR formed the Anna-Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham (ADMK) after splitting from the DMK in 1972. In forming his new party MGR retainined the name of DMK with an added prefix \u2013 Anna derived from the DMK founder -leader C.N. Annadurai popularly called \u201cAnna\u201d.MGR later amended the Anna-DMK to AIADMK or All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham . MGR incurred much mirth among political pundits when he stated that his party ideology was a blend of \u201ccapitalism, socialism and communism\u201d. He called it \u201cAnnaism\u201d after Annadurai as in the instances of Marx -marxism or Mao \u2013 Maoism.MGR had the last laugh on his detractors when his party romped home as winners in 1977.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_72879\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-72879\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/8A6E3063-D140-486F-9712-DE50CE77FD18.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"430\" height=\"302\" class=\"size-full wp-image-72879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/8A6E3063-D140-486F-9712-DE50CE77FD18.jpeg 430w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/8A6E3063-D140-486F-9712-DE50CE77FD18-300x211.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 430px) 100vw, 430px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-72879\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MG Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa Jayaram with portrait of CN Annadurai<\/p><\/div>\n<p>MGR became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. His followers who dubbed him earlier as \u201cPuratchi Nadigar\u201d or \u2018Revolutionary Actor\u2019 now hailed him as \u201cPuratchy Thalaiver\u201d (Revolutionary Leader). MGR was elected Chief Minister again in 1980 and 1985 after his party won at the polls. During his tenure s Chief minister, the actor-politico introduced many populist,,welfare measures. Chief among them was the \u201cSathunavu\u201d(nutritious food) scheme where healthy meals were given free to students at  schools. MGR  died in harness as Chief Minister in 1987. Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi bestowed upon him posthumously the \u201cBharat Ratna\u201d which is the highest civilian honour in India.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jayalalithaa  Jayaram<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>After MGR\u2019s demise on December 24th 1987, his wife Janaki  Ramachandran succeeded him as Chief Minister for a brief spell of 24 days in January 1988. MGR\u2019s party fragmented into two with wife  Janaki leading one faction and  paramour Jayalalithaa  Jayaram the other. Later Janaki bade adieu to politics and both factions united under MGR\u2019s former leading lady. Jayalalithaa led MGR\u2019s party to victory in the elections of 1991, 2001,2011 and 2016.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71370\" style=\"width: 610px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71370\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-AIADMK-600x387-1-600x387.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"387\" class=\"size-large wp-image-71370\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-AIADMK-600x387-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-AIADMK-600x387-1-300x194.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71370\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGR and Jayalalithaa during an AIADMK event<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Jayalalithaa, symbolised the transition from the MGR era to the present. It was MGR who had, as Chief Minister, inducted Jayalalithaa into politics. She was hailed as MGR\u2019s political heir and was called \u201cPuratchi Thalaivi\u201d \u2013 the feminine equivalent of Revolutionary Leader. In later years she was known as \u201cAmma\u201d (mother\/Madam) It has been said in lighter vein that MGR was the only Tamil Nadu Chief Minister whose wife as well as paramour succeeded him s chief ministers . Jayalalithaa passed away unexpectedly in December 2016.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_75751\" style=\"width: 296px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-75751\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/E68996D9-F1AA-463C-87A4-DA5CD85DF396.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"286\" height=\"289\" class=\"size-full wp-image-75751\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-75751\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">MGR with LTTE leader in 1985<\/p><\/div>\n<p>MGR\u2019s involvement with the politics of Sri Lankan Tamils was extremely interesting. MGR was reluctant as an actor to identify himself with the Sri Lankan Tamil cause at one point because he did not want to risk offending his Sinhala fans in the Island. He openly stated so in a meeting in London in 1973 and aroused the ire of Sri Lankan Tamils present. The very same MGR later transformed into a strong supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) led by Veluppillai Prabhakaran after \u201cBlack July\u201din 1983. He even went to the extent of openly providing crores of cash to the tigers. MGR\u2019s convoluted understanding of Sri Lankan Tamil politics and his complex relationship with the LTTE requires a more detailed analysis on another occasion.<\/p>\n<p>The MGR phenomenon of cinematic politics  was no doubt unique, and his mystique continues its hold over Tamil psyche even today. Before his death, he had come to personify the aspirations of the common people but as more than just a symbol. As political leader, he was also seen as a vehicle for realising their dreams. So powerful and lasting has been the MGR legacy that, decades after his death, the crowds cheer madly at the mere mention of his name at election meetings in Tamil Nadu.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71369\" style=\"width: 571px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71369\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-MV-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"561\" height=\"430\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71369\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-MV-1.jpg 561w, https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/MGR-JJ-MV-1-300x230.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 561px) 100vw, 561px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71369\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u2018Maatukkaara Velan,\u2019<\/p><\/div>\n<p><em><strong>DBS Jeyaraj can be reached at <a href=\"mailto:dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com\"><span>dbsjeyaraj@yahoo.com<\/span> <\/a><\/strong><\/em>   <\/p>\n<p>This  Article   Appears in the \u201cPolitical Pulse\u201dColumn of the \u201cDaily Financial Times\u201d of January 12th 2022.It can be ccessed here:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.lk\/columns\/Cinematic-politics-of-M-G-Ramachandran-MGR\/4-729074\">https:\/\/www.ft.lk\/columns\/Cinematic-politics-of-M-G-Ramachandran-MGR\/4-729074<\/a><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tY7wmv-UDGQ?controls=0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_71367\" style=\"width: 274px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71367\" decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/IMG_1676-264x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"264\" height=\"300\" class=\"size-full wp-image-71367\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-71367\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Kandy- Born Actor-Politico M.G.Ramachandran<\/p><\/div>\n<div id=\"tweetbutton75747\" class=\"tw_button\" style=\"float:right;margin-left:10px;\"><a href=\"http:\/\/twitter.com\/share?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdbsjeyaraj.com%2Fdbsj%2F%3Fp%3D75747&amp;text=How%20Actor%20MGR%20Became%20%20Chief%20Minister%3A%20Cinematic%20Politics%20of%20M.G.Ramachandran&amp;related=&amp;lang=en&amp;count=horizontal\" class=\"twitter-share-button\"  style=\"width:55px;height:22px;background:transparent url('https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-tweet-button\/tweetn.png') no-repeat  0 0;text-align:left;text-indent:-9999px;display:block;\">Tweet<\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By D.B.S.Jeyaraj (This article written last year is re-posted here without any changes to denote the 106th Birth anniversary of well -known actor and Former Tamil Nadu chief minister M.G.Ramachandran on 17 January 2023) India is Sri Lanka\u2019s closest neighbour. Among the Indian states, it is the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu that is &#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/?p=75747\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading &lsquo;How Actor MGR Became  Chief Minister: Cinematic Politics of M.G.Ramachandran&rsquo; &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[27],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75747"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=75747"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75747\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":80914,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75747\/revisions\/80914"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=75747"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=75747"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dbsjeyaraj.com\/dbsj\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=75747"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}