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M. G. Ramachandran

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M. G. Ramachandran was a very famous leader in India. Many people knew him by his initials, M. G. R.

MGR -OIL PAINTING BY RAJASEKHARAN
MGR -OIL PAINTING BY RAJASEKHARAN

He was an actor, a director, and a politician. He also helped many people through his charity work. He served as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu for many years. This is a very important role in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. People gave him special names like Makkal Thilagam, which means Jewel of the People.

MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial
MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial

His life began in 1917 in a place called British Ceylon. His family later moved to the country of India.

M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936)
M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936)

As a young man, he joined a drama group to help his family. He trained to play many different roles. He even acted in plays in places like Singapore and Rangoon. In 1936, he started his career in movies with a film called Sathi Leelavathi. He worked in more than 135 films over fifty years. He became one of the biggest stars in Tamil cinema.

Ramachandran was a very successful actor. He won a National Film Award for Best Actor in 1971.

MGR and VNJanaki
MGR and VNJanaki

He also won several state film awards and Filmfare awards. He was famous for playing action heroes in movies. In 1955, he acted in the first full-length color film in the Tamil industry. He even directed and produced his own movies. One of his most famous movies was a huge hit called Nadodi Mannan. He often acted alongside famous actresses like J. Jayalalithaa.

MGR food scheme (cropped)
MGR food scheme (cropped)

His journey into politics was also very big. He first joined a group called the DMK in 1953. After some disagreements, he left that group in 1972. He then started his own political party called the AIADMK.

AIADMK Flag
AIADMK Flag

His party won a major victory in the 1977 elections. This allowed him to become the chief minister of Tamil Nadu. He stayed in this position until he died in 1987. He led his party to win more elections in 1980 and 1984.

Even after he died, people still remember him today. He passed away on 24 December 1987. In 1988, India gave him the Bharat Ratna. This is the highest honor a person can receive in India.

MGR Memorial 9 December 2007
MGR Memorial 9 December 2007

A large statue of him was put in the Indian Parliament in 2006. Many places and even a railway station are named after him. You can also see his face on special Indian stamps. His memorial stands at the Marina beach to honor his life.

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🖼️ Images & Media (11)
File:M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936).jpg
M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936).jpg
File:MGR and VNJanaki.jpg
MGR and VNJanaki.jpg
File:MGR -OIL PAINTING BY RAJASEKHARAN.jpg
MGR -OIL PAINTING BY RAJASEKHARAN.jpg
File:AIADMK Flag.svg
AIADMK Flag.svg
File:S D Somasundaram.jpg
S D Somasundaram.jpg
File:Sedpatti Muthiah with M.G.Ramachandiran.jpg
Sedpatti Muthiah with M.G.Ramachandiran.jpg
File:MGR food scheme (cropped).JPG
MGR food scheme (cropped).JPG
File:MGR Memorial 9 December 2007.jpg
MGR Memorial 9 December 2007.jpg
File:M g .r நினைவு இல்லம் முகப்பு தோற்றம்.JPG
M g .r நினைவு இல்லம் முகப்பு தோற்றம்.JPG
File:M g .r நினைவு இல்லம்-.JPG
M g .r நினைவு இல்லம்-.JPG
File:MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial.jpg
MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial.jpg
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