The first time I heard the crystal clear voice of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR was the BBC Tamil Oosai interview he had given to Mr.Krishnamurthy in London and the same was published in our MGR Blog during September 23rd 2009.

I do not have enough information like where the interview took place and the exact date of the interview like wise. Till date the interview was heard by 238418 people in youtube. The same was copied by others and posted and it also made some staggering hundred hits per day.

Recently Mr.Ramesh sent me a message on seeing the interview of MGR and told me that he had been in tears on hearing the interviewer’s voice, because he is the son of Mr.Krishnamurthy, the interviewer, who worked in BBC Tamil Oosai as a freelance contributor in the late 1950s, then became Head of the BBC World Service Tamil Section in the 1960s, and after that contributed again on a freelance basis, until he sadly passed away in February 1974.

Ramesh asked me to forward the whole 17-minute MGR – Krishnamurthy Interview, and I emailed him with one condition not to pass this on the internet. Because I have not posted the second part so far and I am working on it. And Mr.Ramesh has sent some pictures to share in our MGR blog. One photo is MGR speaking with other members of BBC Tamil Oosai in the BBC Bush House, Strand, London, WC2B 4PH, where World Service (including Tamil Section) was housed. The place where the interview took place.

Mr.Krishnamurthy came to London in 1951, and his family moved on to United Kingdom in 1953. Mr.Ramesh lived in Chennai (Madras, as many people called it in those days) from 1959 to 1961 and that time he watched some Tamil and many Hindi movies with his cousins, but he cannot remember which MGR movies he saw. He also came to India again in 1973 and returned in 1974 a week before his father’s death.

Here comes the date part. I am not sure exactly when this interview was recorded. I have mentioned that on returning from the Moscow Film Festival MGR had been interviewed and I safely put the date to 1974. But Mr.Ramesh informed me that his father has left this earth in early Feb 1974. And we know that the Moscow film festival was held on 10th to 23rd July 1973. Fortunately, Mr.Ramesh has sent me the BBC Bush House office photo, where a Tamil Calendar showing July 1973 can be seen hanging behind MGR. that gives us the exact month, so the interview should be July 1973 and the date? It should be after 23rd July. Since both MGR and Mr.Krishnamurthy are no more and we still cannot get the exact date of this interview, but only Actress Latha can.

Mr.Ramesh further told me that he cannot understand the interview in detail because he remembers only a little Tamil from his childhood. He did study Tamil later, during 1978-80 with Dr John Marr at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies), London University, but that was only Classical (Sangam) Tamil poetry.

For persons who thinks that this photo of MGR and Krishnamurthy (Tamil Calendar behind) must be in Tamil Nadu.

(Please see:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-radio-and-tv-17198031

which states that World Service was in Bush House from 1940 to 2012.

Anyone who worked in the World Service would recognize that the office

in the photo was in Bush House)

Ramesh has given me 3 more photos of his father, one taken in the BBC Bush House Studio, one with 2 kathakali performers in London, and one with the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Michael Ramsey.

Ramesh was working as a University Lecturer until he retired last year, and now he is an amateur actor.

The above post was corrected by Ramesh.

More about Ramesh

http://www1.aston.ac.uk/lss/staff/krishnamurthyr/

And his career history below

http://www.btinternet.com/~ramesh28/

As usual MGR movies re-released in Chennai city alone comes to 40 and the 40 movies were released in 89 centres. Emgeeyar Pictures Nadodi Mannan was released in 24 centres all over Tamil Nadu and the same movie was released in 9 centres in over 7 weeks.

Below is the list compiled by MGR Devotee Venkat.

MGR Re-Release movie in year 2011.

No.	Date	Theater Name	No. of Shows	Name of the Movie	No. of Days
01	07.01.2011	Natraj	3	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	7
02	07.01.2011	Saravana	4	Ithayakani	7
03	07.01.2011	Radha	3	Alibabavum Narpathu Thirudargalum	7
04	14.01.2011	Natraj	11.30	Neethiku Pin Pasam	7
05	14.01.2011	Broadway	11.30	Ithayakani	7
06	14.01.2011	Saravana	4	Nan En Piranthen	7
07	21.01.2011	Balaji	4	Thozhilali	7
08	28.01.2011	Star	3	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	4
09	28.01.2011	Balaji	4	Chakravarthi Thirumagal	7
10	04.02.2011	Natraj	3	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	7
11	04.02.2011	Balaji	4	Neethiku Pin Pasam	7
12	11.02.2011	Balaji	4	Vikramadityan	7
13	18.02.2011	Natraj	3	Dharmam Thalai Kakum	4
14	18.02.2011	Star	3	Ayirathil Oruvan	7
15	18.02.2011	Balaji	4	Ragasiya Police 115	7
16	22.02.2011	Natraj	3	Kalangarai Vilakkam	3
17	25.03.2011	Balaji	3	Periya Idathu Penn	7
18	25.02.2011	Batcha	11.30	Neethiku Pin Pasam	7
19	04.03.2011	Natraj	3	Deiva Thai	7
20	04.03.2011	Balaji	4	Uzhaikum Karangal	7
21	11.03.2011	Balaji	4	Dharmam Thalai Kakum	7
22	11.03.2011	Batcha	3	Thozhilali	4
23	18.03.2011	Bharath	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
24	18.03.2011	Roopini	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
25	18.03.2011	Raj	2	Nadodi Mannan	7
26	18.03.2011	Pallavam Lakshmi	3	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	7
27	25.03.2011	Woodlands	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
28	25.03.2011	Natraj	3	Netru Indru Nalai	7
29	25.03.2011	Mahalakshmi	11.30	Ragasiya Police 115	7
30	08.04.2011	Batcha	3	Periya Idathu Penn	4
31	15.04.2011	Balaji	4	Deiva Thai	7
32	15.04.2011	Star	3	Alibabavum Narpathu Thirudargalum	7
33	29.04.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Enga Veetu Pillai	7
34	29.04.2011	Balaji	4	Vivasahi	7
35	29.04.2011	Star	11.30	Kannan En Kadalan	7
36	06.05.2011	Batcha	3	Netru Indru Nalai	4
37	06.05.2011	Balaji	4	Sirithu Vazha Vendum	7
38	15.05.2011	Star	11.30	Ithayaveenai	5
39	20.05.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Kudumba Thalaivan	7
40	20.05.2011	Star	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
41	20.05.2011	Balaji	4	Kumarikottam	7
42	20.05.2011	Batcha	3	Parakum Pavai	7
43	27.05.2011	Batcha	3	Kudieruntha Kovil	7
44	27.05.2011	Balaji	4	Ayirathil Oruvan	7
45	03.06.2011	Saravana	4	Thanipiravi	7
46	10.06.2011	Star	11.30	Uzhaikum Karangal	7
47	10.06.2011	Balaji	4	Ithayaveenai	7
48	17.06.2011	Krishnaveni	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
49	17.06.2011	Balaji	4	Kulabaghavali	7
50	24.06.2011	Star	3	Thedivantha Maapillai	7
51	24.06.2011	Saravana	4	Ooruku Uzhaipavan	7
52	24.06.2011	Iyappa	3	Nadodi Mannan	4
53	01.07.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
54	01.07.2011	Saravana	4	Thai Sollai Thatathey	7
55	08.07.2011	Saravana	4	Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga	7
56	15.07.2011	Saravana	4	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	7
57	15.07.2011	Batcha	3	Nadodi Mannan	7
58	22.07.2011	Star	11.30	Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga	7
59	22.07.2011	Saravana	4	Meenava Nanban	7
60	29.07.2011	Saravana	4	Parakum Paavai	7
61	29.07.2011	New Broadway	11.30	Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga	7
62	05.08.2011	Batcha	3	Alibabavum Narpathu Thirudargalum	4
63	05.08.2011	Batcha	4	Kalangarai Vilakkam	7
64	12.08.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Ayirathil Oruvan	7
65	12.08.2011	Saravana	4	Kavalkaran	7
66	19.08.2011	Saravana	4	Kudumba Thalaivan	7
67	26.08.2011	Star	3	Netru Indru Nalai	7
68	02.09.2011	Saravana	4	Urimaikural	7
69	09.09.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Ulagam Sutrum Valiban	7
70	23.09.2011	Star	3	Anbay Vaa	4
71	30.09.2011	Saravana	4	Nalai Namathae	7
72	07.10.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Thedi Vantha Maapillai	7
73	07.10.2011	Saravana	4	Netru Indru Nalai	7
74	07.10.2011	Star	11.30	Vivasahi	7
75	21.10.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	MGR Week	7
76	21.10.2011	Star	3	Thaipiravi	7
77	28.10.2011	Lakshmi Bala	3	Ayirathil Oruvan	4
78	28.10.2011	Star	3	Deiva Thai	7
79	28.10.2011	Batcha	3	Thedi Vantha Maapillai	7
80	04.11.2011	Saravana	4	Nan Aanai Ittal	7
81	11.11.2011	Star	3	Kavalkaran	4
82	11.11.2011	New Broadway	3	Deiva Thai	7
83	18.11.2011	Star	11.30	Neethiku Pin Pasam	7
84	25.11.2011	Batcha	3	Ayirathil Oruvan	4
85	09.12.2011	Mahalakshmi	3	Mattukara Velan	7
86	09.12.2011	Star	3	Urimaikural	4
87	13.12.2011	Star	3	Ninaithathai Mudipavan	3
88	23.12.2011	New Broadway	3	Mattukara Velan	7
89	30.12.2011	Star	3	Ithayakani	4

BAPASI conducts book fair every year in Chennai. This year was 35th in the row. More than 450 stalls with most number of stalls were by Tamil publishers.

This time there was 15 plus titles of MGR books displayed in the fair. I have purchased 10 books.

Tharani Kanda Thani Piravi MGR by A.Sankar Rao published by Nakkheeran, No.105, Jani Jahan Khan Road, Royapettah, Chennai-14. Pages 264, price of the Book is Rs.150/- The author is a Still photographer who worked with our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR for 35 movies.

Makkal Thilagam MGR Ennum Ma Manithar by Sri Shenbaga Publishers, Old No.24, Krishna Street, T.Nagar, Chennai- 600 017, pages 128, price of the book is Rs.35/-

Vaazhnthu Kaatiya Vallal MGR – Interesting anecdotes from the life of MGR remembered by Bommai Saarathi, published by Narmadha Pathipagam, Chennai-17, pages 168, price of the book is Rs.70/-

Manitha Neyathal Maraiyathavar by Peru Thulasi Palanivel, published by Nakkheeran Publications, 105, Jani Jahan Khan Road, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014. Total number of pages 104, price of the book is Rs.65/-

Varalaru Padaitha Vallal by Mekala Chitravel, Published by Vijaya Pathippagam, 20, Raja Street, Coimbatore – 641 001. Total number of pages 280, price is Rs.140/-

Makkal Aasan MGR by Rangavasan, published by Kaaliswari Pathipagam, No.4/2, Sundaram Street, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017, total number of pages 160, price of the book is Rs.50/-

Makkal Thilagam Cinemavil Ennai Vithaithavar by Director Mahendran, total number of pages 160 hardbound price of the book is Rs.125/- published by Nakkheeran Publications, 105, Jani Jahan Khan Road, Royapettah, Chennai-600 014.

Chokkath Thangam MGR by P.Angamuthu (Art Director who worked with MGR in many movies including Ulagam Sutrum Valiban) total number of pages 108, price of the book is Rs.60/- published by Annai Puthakalayam, 3, Sivagnanam Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017.

Marakka Mudiyatha Makkal Thilakam by Stunt N.Sankar (Stunt assistant to Fight Master Shyam Sundar and also worked as Fight Master for MGR movies) total number of pages 160, price of the book is Rs.60/- published by Annai Puthakalayam, 3, Sivagnanam Salai, T.Nagar, Chennai-600 017.

MGR Thamizharae by Sa.Rasu, M.A. Ph.D, a laudable work of finding the roots of MGR’s ancestry re publihsed after 26 years by Megathudan Pathippagam, No.7, Chinnappa Ravuther Street, Triplicane, Chennai-600 005. Total number of pages 240, price of the book is Rs.120/-

MGR books are present in most of the stalls our Leader MGR is ruling the Book publishing Industry also.

When MGR was ousted from DMK on 10th October 1972, his fans and public were against such an atrocious act. MGR came to understand that the people wishing him to start a party. On 17th October 1972 MGR formed Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in front of Millions.

The party was not even 8 months old when by election for Dindukal Lok Sabha Constituency was announced. MGR was in the field of releasing Emgeeyar Pictures Ulagam Sutrum Valiban. There was hurdles placed before him by the ruling party. The theater owners were threatened some withdrew from the agreement most of them stood on the side of MGR. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban was released on 11.5.1973 and the response was recorded in history.

After the stupendous success news MGR turned his attention to Dindukal Lok Sabha, he announced Mayadevar a lawyer to contest on behalf of ADMK. MGR Fans club members voluntarily entered into election campaign one such member was MGR Devotee S.Vinod, he said that people expectations were that ADMK will surely win the election, but DMK propagated false news, MGR fans did not cared they did their job with 100% dedication and lifted their Leader from an Actor to an undefeated Political Party Leader.

The election was held on 20.5.1973 and the result was announced on 22.5.1973, the seeds of victory sown by the people and the first victory of ADMK and also that this election recognised MGR as one of most important Political Power of Tamil Nadu to reckon with. It is not an easy task for a budding political party and the Party Leader MGR with one hand fighting with his film career and another contesting in this election, 8 month old ADMK against three big parties (Syndicate Congress, DMK and Indira Congress).

The DMK party printed posters before the results that MGR has suffered the defeat. But the result was different the one they imagined.

Poll Date : 20.5.1973

Total Voters : 6,43,704

Votes Polled : 5,05,253

Seemai Samy of Congress (I), Suryamuthu, Sethrama Devar, Govindasamy, Vadhadesikan lost their deposit. ADMK won the by election by a margin of 1,41,792 votes a record unbeatable by any new party in India. And it has received nearly 52% of the votes polled.

One of our regular MGR Blog reader Mr.Bali requested me to share the vote details. I have searched my collection but only able to get the actual votes received by ADMK and approximate votes of DMK and Syndicate congress. But I called many MGR Devotees across South India and they updated me within 4 hours. The actual credit goes to MGR Devotee Bangalore S.Vinod, Tirupur Ravichandran and MGCB Pradeep.

The same victory was recorded in his Movie Netru Indru Nalai for the song “Thambi Nan Padichen Kanchiyela”. This video was taken by me during the re-release of Netru Indru Nalai in Mahalakshmi theater. You can feel the enjoyment even today by the claps of people.

MGR images was given by MGR Devotee T.Nagar Ramamurthy.

Olikirathu Urimaikural Publisher Thangavel recently received the full movie Nalladhai Nadu Ketkum and released MGR appeared scenes. The duration of the clipping is 9 minutes and 30 seconds.

Embed Video

This post is possible only by the help of MGR’s Grandson MGCB Pradeep.

Below is the post he has published.

http://mgrperannews.blogspot.com/2011/11/m.html

In India Fur cap and sunglasses means MGR that become the trademark of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR. He used the fur cap from 1969. The post today is about the sunglasses MGR used in movies. Cooling glasses as most of MGR fans say, various kinds of sunglasses was used by MGR in many movies.

This image is from Ulagam Sutrum Valiban taken in Japan.

(Image sent by Sailesh Basu)

The above image is from Avasara Police 100 which was previously known as Anna Nee En Deivam.

Below image is from the 100th movie of MGR Olivilakku.

(Image sent by Sailesh Basu)

MGR with Helen in Sangay Muzhangu, in this movie MGR acts as a Punjabi.

This one is from Ithayaveenai duet song.

This still from Ninaithathai Mudipavan for the song “Oruvar Meethu” as per the scene Latha will be in another boat watching MGR.

In Raman Thediya Seethai movie MGR used dozens of costumes and half dozen sunglasses.

Wayfarer type glass used by MGR in Raman Thediya Seethai.

(Image sent by Sailesh Basu)

For the song Thiruvalar Selvi in Raman Thediya Seethai.

This sunglass was used for the same duet song.

Song from Raman Thediya Seethai. Uploaded by 89nlvv in youtube website.

Below image is also from Raman Thediya Seethai.

Below images are from Ithayakani movie.

From Neethiku Thalaivanangu.

Question is from which movie did MGR used sunglasses? you can send your comments and other facts to replytomgr@live.in

Rest of the images forwarded by MGR Devotee Tirupur Ravichandran.

Puthiya Thalaimurai Tamil Weekly magazine recently published a cover story titled Maraiyatha Sooriyangal Olirum Natchathirangal.

The topic about MGR was written by one of MGR’s cabinet Minister Thirunavukarsu.

Click the image to read.

Click to view the image.

Click to read.

The above images were forwarded by MGR’s Grandson MGCB Pradeep.

Microphone or mic or mike has extensive use in media, a microphone is a device which converts acoustic power into electric power. Microphones convert sound waves into electrical voltages that are eventually converted back into sound waves through speakers. They were first used with early telephones and then radio transmitters.

Subsequently in dramas and in cinemas microphones are used. The voice of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar MGR is heard today, it is because they were recorded with use of microphones.

MGR Devotee Tirupur Ravichandran has forwarded a post about MGR using the microphone in political stages, Cinema and other functions. Some of the images are scanned by him and some are taken from India glitz website. I am using it without their consent.

The above images are from MGR and Jayalalitha in Mattukara Velan outdoor shooting. The other image is a speech given by MGR when he was in DMK.

Dramas, Cinemas and stages everywhere many leading personalities have used the microphone to express their ideas, MGR is no different but the only difference is what he spoke through the mic was truth and mesmerized the people.

MGR as the Chief Guest giving a speech about the Drama.

This image is from an United States visit by MGR not as an Actor but as a Politician. He was lecturing about the economic conditions in Tamil Nadu and how he will change when his party gets elected, this was taken in Mount Senario College, Wisconsin.

Another political stage speech of MGR.

Kids are seen near MGR, see the reaction of the kid near MGR.

Two are different images but looks as one.

As the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MGR giving out speeches to the public functions.

Watch the size of the microphone you can see the growth of the technology.

The above image is MGR giving a speech over All India Radio.

In Government Function.

This is the swearing in ceremony of MGR as the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, an Actor who successfully became the Chief Minister and ruled Tamil Nadu for 11 Golden Years.

Puratchi Thalaivar MGR is a great music lover everybody knows that he selects a particular tune for his songs which are still remembered by his fans and music lovers.

One month ago MGR Devotee Tirupur Ravichandran gave an idea of posting about the musical instruments that MGR used in his 115 Hero movies. Then he started to send various images of our beloved Leader Puratchi Thalaivar Ponmanachemmal MGR with musical instruments.

I categorised into two segments one is Western and another Indian musical instruments.

Below are the images forwarded by Tirupur Ravichandran to share this in our MGR Blog.

In the movie Ninaithathai Mudipavan MGR uses lots of musical instruments, trumpet, clarinet, band etc. The above image is the musical instrument of clarinet family.

MGR using double bass in the movie Kannan En Kadhalan.

Guitar appeared in many movies above image is from Vettaikaran.  Below image is from Oru Thai Makkal.

Using of Piano appeared in many MGR movies such as Thedi Vantha Maapillai, Kannan En Kadhalan etc. In Thedi Vantha Maapillai MGR disguises as a old man and teaches music to Jayalalitha the song Thotu Katava he uses the piano like a professional and tap dances.

The video was uploaded by istream.in, in youtube website.

Another piano song from Kannan En Kadhalan watch how MGR plays the piano.

This video was uploaded by newtw10 in youtube website.

The Western instrument used by MGR will continue. We srimgr.com team requests MGR Fans to forward images of MGR using musical instruments from movies and your suggestions to replytomgr@live.in email.

Pesum Padam is a Tamil cinema magazine, in March 1966 the issue came with MGR photo on the cover. The same magazine was preserved and shared in our blog. Mrs.Prabha who forwarded the scanned copy to Bangalore Vinod and Tirupur Ravichandran, to share this article in our Blog.

Tirupur Ravichandran sent this cover photo and an article that have appeared in Pesum Padam March 1966 issue.

The article titled Deiva Manam states that in Annamalai University function an orator was speaking with students about how well they should study and come up in life. The orator donates Rupees Twenty five thousand for Annamalai University. And finally the article ends up saying that the orator is none other than Makkal Thilagam MGR.

The article is about the unique philanthropic nature of MGR.