MG Ramachandran - MGR Madurai

Remembering the late Tamil Nadu leader MG Ramachandran on his birthday.

Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran (Tamil: மருதூர் கோபால இராமச்சந்திரன்; Malayalam: മരുതൂര് ഗോപാല രാമചന്ദ്രന്) (January 17, 1917 – December 24, 1987), popularly known as M. G. R. (Tamil: எம்.ஜி.ஆர்; Malayalam: എം.ജി.ആര്) or Puratchi Thalaivar (Tamil: புரட்சி தலைவர்; English: Revolutionary Leader), was a Tamil film actor and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 until his death.

The magical word MGR had unprecedented mass appeal in Tamil Nadu though he was not a Tamilian by birth. He was the uncrowned king of all spheres he touched and his political appeal had rocked even the rulers at the centre in New Delhi. He identified himself with the poor masses and tried his best to live up to their aspirations. Here is a man whose cult image will stay for ever in India and especially in Tamil Nadu where he is treated as a demigod even today and influence the politics. MGR was above board during his rule, a rare quality among the politicians and certainly lives forever in the hearts of 100 million Tamils spread all over the world, though his name is synonymous even today with thrills and action in movies in entire southern India.

We need such leaders for another revolution. He is notably remembered for his free meals at school programme.