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Both the messages were forwarded by MGR Devotee Yukesh Babu.
Another feather to MGR’s cap. Saravana theater was re-releasing MGR movies quite some time. But not continuously. From 27.11.2009 Saravana theater management planned to screen continuous 100 days with MGR movies colour, black and white movies.
And the plan is working out successfully. MGR fans throng the theater to see MGR movie every week. This the 14th week of continuous MGR movie released in Saravana theater.
Next week it will be 100 days of continuous MGR movies in Saravana, the management and Kalaiventhan MGR Bakthargal Trust will celebrate the function in grand manner.
The movies released so far:
|
S.No. |
Date |
Movie Name |
| 01 | 27.11.2009 | Urimai Kural |
| 02 | 04.12.2009 | Ayirathil Oruvan |
| 03 | 11.12.2009 | Arasa Kattalai |
| 04 | 18.12.2009 | Thai Sollai Thatathay |
| 05 | 25.12.2009 | Adimai Penn |
| 06 | 01.01.2010 | Sirthu Vazha Vendum |
| 07 | 08.01.2010 | Kumarikottam |
| 08 | 15.01.2010 | Nan En Piranthen |
| 09 | 22.01.2010 | Neethiku Pin Pasam |
| 10 | 29.01.2010 | Uruku Uzhaipavan |
| 11 | 05.02.2010 | Meenava Nanban |
| 12 | 12.02.2010 | Nalai Namathey |
| 13 | 19.02.2010 | Baghdad Thirudan |
| 14 | 26.02.2010 | Anbay Vaa |
Data forwarded by MGR Devotee Venkat.
100th day will be posted next week.
Making History in Tuticorin
MGR movies are re-released in almost all parts of Tamil Nadu. Not only the then Box Office movies average movies are also re-released with support from the MGR Fans and as well as movie lovers. To create a Guinness Record for re-releasing 100 MGR movies, Tuticorin Sathyam Theater was regularly re-released MGR movies continuously from 4.3.2007. Only on Sunday three shows and some movies for one week.
Recently Kumudam Reporter have given this two page story.
Click to Read Page 1
Click to Read Page 2
Thanks to Kumudam Reporter, K.P.Ramesh, Sathya and Yukesh Babu.
These are some of the movies released in Sathya Theatre.
04.03.2007 – Ninaithathai Mudipavan
11.03.2007 – Chakravarthy Thirumagal
18.03.2007 – Dharmam Thalaikakum
25.03.2007 – Anba Va
01.04.2007 – Kudieruntha Koil
08.04.2007 – Mattukara Velan
15.04.2007 – Nam Nadu
22.04.2007 – Rickshawkaran
29.04.2007 – Netru Indru Nalai
06.05.2007 – Vivasahi
13.05.2007 – En Annan
20.05.2007 – Raman Thediya Seethai
27.05.2007 – Kudumba Thalaivan
03.06.2007 – Vettaikaran
10.06.2007 – Neethiku Thalaivanangu
17.06.2007 – Thani Piravi
24.06.2007 – Navarathinam
01.07.2007 – Ayirathil Oruvan
08.07.2007 – Kumari Kottam
15.07.2007 – Thedivantha Mapillai
22.07.2007 – Meenava Nanban
29.07.2007 – Palandu Vazhga
05.08.2007 – Nalai Namathae
16.09.2007 – Idhaya Veenai
23.09.2007 – Thalaivan
30.09.2007 – Kalathai Vendravan (MGR Documentary)
07.10.2007 – Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
14.10.2007 – Idhayakani
21.10.2007 – Madurai Veeran
28.10.2007 – Namathu Deivam (MGR Documentary)
04.11.2007 – Pattikatu Ponniah
11.11.2007 – Engal Thangam
18.11.2007 – Kalangarai Vilakkam
25.11.2007 – Thazhampoo
There is no second opinion that MGR knew the pulse of the people, their taste for entertainment. MGR movies gave them what they needed within the boundaries of Tamil culture. MGR was the foremost in Movie World in propagating two political parties through his movies.
The Flag in Emgeeyar Pictures Banner, Red and Black costumes, character names like Maran, Karikalan, Elango, Udaya Suriyan etc. Montage of Rising Sun scenes, Light rays behind him and tattooing the symbol in his chest not only catapulted the party to higher levels but also put his party to the zenith of Power in 1967. From then on in Tamilnadu no other political party except Dravidian party has taken that place. ADMK was formed when MGR was ousted from DMK in October 10th 1972.
After forming ADMK MGR needed the flag and symbol to be projected in the movies. His strategy though simple and different from what he used when he was in DMK. The character name did not changed, nor tattooed the symbol instead MGR used the border colour of the costume was different as in movies like Urimal Kural, Uzhaikum Karangal etc. placed the Election symbol Two Leaves in the Doors (Neethiku Thalai Vanangu) in his stick (Uzhaikum Karangal) oars (Meenava Nanban). Within 5 years he tried every possible chances in projecting the Party Flag and symbol and MGR triumphed.
This song clip is a classic example how MGR knew the pulse of his fans and how to motivate them. The song “Nalai Ulagai Ala Vendum” see the opening words how carefully he has choosen the words. Opting K.J.Yesudas instead of T.M.Soundararajan for this song. I feel that MGR at that time was the Leader of Political party he choosed K.J.Yesudas for his solo and philosophical songs to show the graceness in voice too.
Song Clip
The whole song, little slow has no dance number just everybody working in the field. But in the second stanza of this song “Vidiyum velai vara poguthu Dharmam theerpai tharapoguthu” the tempo of the song increases, the camera shows ADMK flag flying over a tree, the shot was so fast that the scene lasts for a second, but the appearance of party flag in midst of the song and appropriate line provoked enthusiasm for his fans. I experienced it! Watch MGR when he says these words he holds a bent stick a messiah like posture proclaiming that this truly will happen a kind of prophecy saying.
MGR was greatest technician there is no doubt this song is just an example to show his power and how he used the media.
MGR was the best action Hero in Indian Cinema. He performed stunts since in his first leading role in “Rajakumari”. That involved real hanging scene, swashbuckling in “Sarvathikari”, aerial rope climbing in “Malai Kallan” etc. are performed with precision by MGR. Yes we can take it as done by MGR in his young age. What about MGR doing same kind of stunts when he was above 50 years. When MGR was responsible for the lives of more than 1000 families and numerous producers. His life is worthy than the stunts he performed in movies.
Below is clip from the movie “En Annan” released in 1970, MGR performing acrobatics with Justin, who is a professional stunt man. MGR’s age was 53 years and having cataract at that time.
This fight scene takes place during the eve of MGR’s marriage ceremony. I edited the whole fight scene into under 15 seconds clip so as to show the real time involvement of MGR doing his stunts without stunt double.
First part is the fight scene, MGR performing a somersault with two shots, the first shot MGR getting up placing his hands lifting his body, second shot completing the somersault and cat life reflex holding Justin and suplexing.
Second part MGR getting up on Justin and performing half somersault and bringing Justing down with wrestling techniques. Look closely how MGR holds Justin with his legs. A typical MGR technique.
You can pause the clip and find out for yourself MGR’s expertise in fighting.
Hoarding placed by Ponmanachemmal Sri MGR Bakthargal
A special vinyl banner indicating the pathetic condition of New released films and the success of MGR movies re release in 2007.
The Banner placed in the Movie Hall
Image showing a Lady performing Pooja to MGR
Cricket Fever Hoarding placed by MGR Devotees from East Tambaram
Movie Records
Ponmanachemmal Sri MGR Bakthargal have placed photos and paper cuttings of old news Papers the success of Matukara Velan.
Matukara Velan
MGR’s Dual Action movie Jayanthi films “Matukara Velan” was released in Natraj Theater this week (14.3.2008) Ads were placed in Daily Thanthi on Friday. In 14.1.1970 Matukara Velan was released in Plaza, Broadway, Krishnaveni and Sayani (Chennai).
As usual MGR Devotees have fixed vinyl hoardings and garlanded and decorated MGR images. A Fan has kept a MGR picture and performed pooja. Anaithulaga MGR Pothunala Sangam welcomed MGR Fans and issued special notice about Matukara Velan records and various MGR film records and the movies which are released in 1970.
Various MGR Fans Association came to show their respect to MGR. They performed Poojas to cut outs and Banners of MGR. Even women fans and children were in large number.
Indian Cricket Team had won the mighty Australian team in their soil the fever is still felt. A group of MGR Devotees from East Tambaram have place a hoarding that MGR is still not out batsman.
When the function began cracker and applause was non stop. Then Police came in and made order. Four police men were kept near the counter to maintain order. The film was house full. The Theater management has decorated the Movie hall with colourful lights, and also placed a focus light for MGR’s Big picture which is kept in the middle of the entrance.
I thank Ponmanachemmal Sri MGR Bakthargal and Anaithulaga MGR Pothunala Sangam helping me to take pictures and videos and Yukesh Babu protected me from the crowd.
Nadodi Mannan was selected as the Best Film for 1958.
After Madurai Veeran, MGR Pictures Nadodi Mannan reached the 1 Crore Mark collection.
This was the first film to surpass 100 days for the second time re-release in the same theatre. Thiruvannamalai Krishna.
First and only movie released subsequently in 6 movie halls in Srilanka to cross 100 days.
On the function side, MGR was awarded from Anna Durai 110 sovereign Gold Sword. Late in 1985 he gifted the sword to Moogambigai Temple, Karnataka.
MGR is the first Director to get the Best Director award on his debut as Director.
Nadodi Mannan which was released in Salem Town is the only film which reached 25 weeks this record was unbroken until MGR became the Chief Minister.
This was the first Tamil movie screened continuously for 8 weeks in London.
Nadodi Mannan has run time of nearly 4 hours. It is the lengthiest MGR movie so far.
This movie Nadodi Mannan holds the record for the most number of Special Edition issued by 10 national Newspapers and the Indian Movie News of Singapore has also issued a Special Edition on the success of Nadodi Mannan.
And the first movie in the World to show a Political flag as a Banner.
All the Actors and Actress who participated in the film gave a memento, 6 feet Silver Cup which is now in MGR Memorial house.
Historical Movies of MGR:
This movie is the first Tamil Colour film. Alibabavum Narpathu Thirudargalum was a huge successful film. The movie has only one song for MGR and that too a duet song, anybody noticed? This picture is dedicated to Tamilan.
I was looking at this picture without blinking my eyes. MGR was very beautiful in this costume. Second time he was wearing this Roman costume other than Sathya movies movie “Kavalkaran”. To my knowledge the most expensive dress he used in “Adimai Penn”.
Baghdad Thirudan the only movie that Actress Vaijayanthi Malai starred with MGR.
Kulabaghavali film is based on Trickery and Magic. But MGR cut short all the magical essence from the story. This is a Dharbar Scene.
Movie – Kanchi Thalaivan
A portrait feature of King (MGR) the chest ornamental decoration is different and cannot be seen in other historical moive. Can I say that this delicate difference in costumes used by MGR appeases and looks good only for him? This picture is dedicated to Tamilan
Hair Style
After 1958 or so MGR used different kinds of wigs to enhance the character he acted. The wigs he used looks as original hair. Look closely all the pictures except Alibabavum Narpathu Thirudargalum and Kulabaghavali (original hair) all the pictures here are with wig. Do you see any wrinklings in the forehead, which clearly indicates the use of wig. Only two actors from the Golden Era have this distinct feature one was MGR and other was Sivaji Ganesan.
I will try to post the photos of MGR and Sivaji Ganesan starred film “Kundu Kili”
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban was released without posters because the then Government increased the Tax on posters and also increased the Entertainment Tax. (This invisible killer destroyed most of the Tamil film heroes of that time including Ravichandran, Muthuraman, A.V.M.Rajan, Gemini Ganesan, S.S.Rajendran etc. and also Mu.Ka.Muthu the most touted hero to replace MGR) the survivors were MGR and Sivaji Ganesan, who had large fan followers.
Here are few paper cuttings from 1973 giving the insight of the record created by Ulagam Sutrum Valiban.:
Eleventh Week record paper cutting:
Hail the Hero – Unparalleled in the annals of Tamil Cinema – MGR’s Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, never before such popularity.
Devi paradise 67 days or 201 all shows house full
Meenakshi (Madurai) 241 days Houseful shows
Agasthya and Uma and all over the South
Another Eleventh Week record this is from Thenagam paper dated 17.8.1973 note all the theatres mentioned here are from rest of Tamil Nadu and not Chennai.
Pandi – Thena,
Vellore – Lakshmi Theatre,
Kovai – Raja,
Erode – Central,
Madurai – Sri Meenakshi,
Dindukal – N.V.G.B.
Trichy – Palace,
Thanjavur – Raja Kalaiarangam,
Mayavaram – Gomathi,
Kumbakonam – Noor Mahal,
Karur – Thinappa,
Pattukottai – Murugayya,
Thirunelveli – Central,
Tutucorin – Charles,
Nagercoil – Pioneer Muthu,
Salem – Sangam.
Creating History in Box Office Record
11th week in Capital – Colombo, Sridhar – Yazhnagar, Vijaya – Matunagar
Magnificent Silver Jubilee movie Gloriousness of World of Tamil Cinema an Exemplar to the World MGR’s Ulagam Sutrum Valiban.
To be continued
