:M. G. Ramachandran

M.G.R. was born in Nawalapitiya, Kandy District, British Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in a Malayali family to Melakkath Gopalan Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama from Palakkad, in the modern-day Indian state of Kerala.{{cite book|author=Mani Shankar Aiyar|title=A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21 Century|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cpzzxxCgpbcC&pg=PT38|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Penguin Books India|isbn=978-0-670-08275-9|pages=38–}} His parents were Nairs from Palakkad district. M.G.R. further claimed to be of Tamil Kongu Vellalar descent, whose ancestors had settled in Kerala centuries ago and become nairs.{{cite web|last=Kumar|first=N. Vinoth|date=8 April 2023|title=A book sought to prove MGR was a Gounder from Kongu land; what was the aim?|url=https://thefederal.com/states/south/tamil-nadu/a-book-sought-to-prove-mgr-was-a-gounder-from-kongu-land-what-was-the-aim/|website=The Federal|access-date=5 February 2024}}{{cite news|last=Krishnamachari|first=Suganthi|date=30 April 2020|title=Inscriptions talk of fascinating Kongu connection|url=https://www.thehindu.com/society/history-and-culture/inscriptions-talk-of-fascinating-kongu-connection/article31470952.ece|work=The Hindu|access-date=17 April 2021}}:"Krishna Menon of the Valluva Nadu royal family had five sons, of whom the fourth was Sankunni Valiya Mannadiyar, born in 1832. Sankunni Mannadiyar held a judicial post in Cochin. His son was Gopala Menon, born in 1884. Gopala Menon's wife, Satyabhama, belonged to a family in Mathur, which was referred to as Vadavanur Vellalar in copper plates. To Gopala Menon and Satyabhama, a son was born in 1917, who was to become famous not only in Tamil films, but in the political scene in Tamil Nadu. That son was M.G. Ramachandran! So M.G.R. had Kongu Vellala ancestors, both on his father's side and mother's side!"{{cite book|author=R. Kannan|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2mclDwAAQBAJ&q=MGR%3A+A+Life+kannan+menon&pg=PT15|title=M.G.R.: A Life|date=28 June 2017|publisher=Penguin Random House|isbn=978-0-14-342934-0|location=India|pages=12–13}}:"MGR has said that his ancestors were originally from Pollachi, and were Mandradiyars of the Kongu Vellalars...MGR greatly resented being considered a Malayali"{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mgrs-childhood-home-in-kerala-to-become-a-cultural-hub/articleshow/62910243.cms|title=MGR's childhood home in Kerala to become a cultural hub|work=The Times of India |date=14 February 2018|access-date=10 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105205026/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/mgrs-childhood-home-in-kerala-to-become-a-cultural-hub/articleshow/62910243.cms|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=live|quote=Maruthur Gopalamenon Ramachandran, popularly known as 'MGR'.}}

Gopalan Menon died when M.G.R. was just two and a half years old. Just after the death of his father, his sister too died due to ill health. His mother had to struggle alone to bring up M.G.R. and his brother. She took the decision to return to India and went back to Kerala, where she failed to get the support of her relatives. With the support of Velu Nair of Kumbakonam, Satyabhama put both her sons in school.

It was in school that M.G.R. started his acting career and joined the Boys Company drama troupe, taking part in the rigorous training programs conducted by the troupe in the areas of singing, dancing, sword fighting, diction, and memory with active interest and involvement.

The challenges faced by him during his early life and childhood played an important role in shaping his character and political career. After a brief acting stint overseas with the help of Madras Kandasamy Mudaliar, during which he had played female roles, he returned to India, rejoined the Boys Company, and started playing lead roles for the first time.{{cite news|url=https://scroll.in/reel/826902/mg-ramachandrans-early-years-a-poor-childhood-drama-school-and-the-first-big-break|title=MG Ramachandran's early years: a poor childhood, drama school, and the first big break|last=Veeravalli|first=Shrikanth|work=Scroll.in|language=en-US|access-date=22 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822051907/https://scroll.in/reel/826902/mg-ramachandrans-early-years-a-poor-childhood-drama-school-and-the-first-big-break|archive-date=22 August 2019|url-status=live}}

In his early days, M.G.R. was a devout Hindu and a devotee of Lord Murugan and his mother's favourite god, Lord Guruvayurappan.Linda Woodhead Religions in Modern World. Fletcher, Kawanam. p. 39 After joining the DMK, he turned into a rationalist.M.S.S. Pandian (1992) The image trap. SAGE Publications. {{ISBN|0803994036}}. p. 131

M.G.R.'s first marriage was to Chitarikulam Bargavi, also known as Thangamani, who died early due to an illness. He later married for the second time, to Satyanandavati, who also died soon after marriage due to tuberculosis.[http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/19000346/Marriage-qualifying-high.html திருமணமும் தகுதி உயர்வும் {{!}}{{!}} Marriage qualifying high] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007013548/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/19000346/Marriage-qualifying-high.html|date=7 October 2014}}. Cinema.maalaimalar.com (19 February 2014). Retrieved 21 May 2014. Later, M.G.R. married for the third time, this time to V. N. Janaki Ramachandran, a former Tamil film actress who was once his leading lady, and later she became chief minister of Tamil Nadu after his death.[http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/21000505/Mgr-Cinema-History.html பொன்மனச் செம்மலின் வெற்றி வரலாறு (பகுதி 5): வி.என். ஜானகியை வாழ்க்கைத் துணைவியாக ஏற்றார்! {{!}}{{!}} Mgr Cinema History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124005117/http://cinema.maalaimalar.com/2014/01/21000505/Mgr-Cinema-History.html|date=24 January 2014 }}. Cinema.maalaimalar.com (19 February 2014). Retrieved 21 May 2014. M.G.R. had no biological children from any of his marriages.{{cite news|last=Thomas|first=K.M.|date=27 April 1998|title=Family feud over MGR's property turns into public campaign against controlling authority|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/states/story/19980427-family-feud-over-mgrs-property-turns-into-public-campaign-against-controlling-authority-826242-1998-04-27|access-date=21 February 2021|newspaper=India Today}}

{{See also|M. G. Ramachandran filmography}}

File:MGR and VNJanaki.jpg (1948)|alt=|233x233px]]

Ramachandran made his film debut in 1936, in the film Sathi Leelavathi,{{Cite web |url=http://www.bookrags.com/M._G._Ramachandran |title=M. G. Ramachandran Summary and Analysis Summary |date=3 March 2009 |website= |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090303042321/http://www.bookrags.com/M._G._Ramachandran |archive-date=3 March 2009 |url-status=dead}} directed by Ellis R. Dungan, an American-born film director.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600190300.htm |location=Chennai, India |title=Americans in Tamil cinema |date=6 September 2004 |access-date=5 August 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121205171837/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/09/06/stories/2004090600190300.htm |archive-date=5 December 2012 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}} Generally starring in romance or action films, Ramachandran got his breakthrough in the 1950 film written by M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose to popularity with the 1954 film Malaikkallan. He acted as hero in the Tamil film industry's first ever full length Gevacolor film, the 1955 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for the film Rickshawkaran in 1972.

His 1973 blockbuster Ulagam Sutrum Valiban broke the previous box office records of his films. It was one of the few films filmed abroad in those days. It was shot in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. His acting career ended in 1987 with his last film Ullagam Suthi Paru, in which he acted even though he had been diagnosed with kidney failure.{{cite web |title=MGR-Sivaji-Gemini: TRINITY Album Launched |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html |work=IndiaGlitz |access-date=6 March 2012 |date=22 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709092911/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/events/25324.html |archive-date=9 July 2012 |url-status=live}} Ramachandran said there was no question of ‘retirement’ for anyone associated in whichever capacity with the cine field.{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mgr-man-of-the-masses/article22454866.ece |title=MGR, man of the masses |date=17 January 2018 |website=The Hindu |access-date=12 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425045417/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mgr-man-of-the-masses/article22454866.ece |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=live}}

File:M. G. Ramachandran in Sathi Leelavathi (1936).jpg Kali N. Rathnam, a pioneer of Tamil stage drama, and K.P. Kesavan were mentors of Ramachandran in his acting career.{{Cite news |url=http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-2/ |title=MGR Remembered – Part 4 |date=2 February 2013 |newspaper=Ilankai Tamil Sangam |access-date=17 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161118101109/http://sangam.org/mgr-remembered-2/ |archive-date=18 November 2016 |url-status=dead}}

Ramachandran was a member of the Congress Party till 1953, and he used to wear khādī. In 1953  Ramachandran joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), or Dravidian Progressive Federation, attracted by founder C. N. Annadurai. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of DMK. He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. Ramachandran became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. At the age of 50, he was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, Ramachandran became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after helped Muthuvel Karunanidhi became the Chief Minister and presidentof the party.{{Citation needed|reason=there is no citation for this complete paragraph|date=December 2016}}

The actor and politician M. R. Radha and Ramachandran had worked in 25 films together. On 12 January 1967, Radha and a producer visited Ramachandran to talk about a future film project. During the conversation, M. R. Radha stood up and shot Ramachandran in his left ear twice and then tried to shoot himself.A. Srivathsan (23 December 2012) [http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article12059018.ece The day M.R. Radha shot MGR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190821074309/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/the-day-mr-radha-shot-mgr/article12059018.ece |date=21 August 2019 }}. The Hindu

After the operation, Ramachandran's voice changed. Since he had been shot in his ear, Ramachandran lost hearing in his left ear and had ringing problems in the ear. These further surfaced in 1983 when he had kidney problems. When Sinnappa Devar paid his first visit to see Ramachandran at the hospital after the shooting incident he paid Ramachandran an advance for Ramachandran's next film. After getting released from the hospital and finishing Arasakattalai, Ramachandran acted in Devar's film Vivasaayee against doctors' advice. Due to the operation, Ramachandran's speaking parts in the film Kaavalkaaran were reduced. This was the only film in which Ramachandran spoke with old and new voices between scenes: Ramachandran was acting in the film Kaavalkaran in 1967 opposite J. Jayalalithaa when the shooting occurred.{{Citation needed|reason=there is no citation for this complete paragraph|date=December 2016}}

Petralthaan Pillaya was the last film of Ramachandran-M. R. Radha together. Shooting ended just few days before Ramachandran was shot. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. Within hours of the shooting, some 50,000 fans had gathered at the hospital where Ramachandran had been taken. People cried in the streets. For six weeks, he lay in the hospital as fans awaited each report of his health. He was visited by a steady stream of commoners and luminaries of film industry, polity and bureaucracy. From his hospital bed, he conducted his campaign for the Madras Legislative Assembly. He won twice the number of votes polled by his Congress rival and the largest vote polled by any candidate for the Assembly.{{cite book |author=Selvaraj Velayutham |title=Tamil cinema: the cultural politics of India's other film industry |publisher=Routledge |location=New York |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-415-39680-6}}

In 1972, DMK leader Karunanidhi started to project his first son M. K. Muthu in a big way in film and politics, around the same time Ramachandran was accusing that corruption had grown in the party after the demise of C. N. Annadurai. Consequently, Ramachandran was expelled from the party. Upon his ouster from DMK, his volunteer Anakaputhur Ramalingam started a new party called the Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. Joined as a member of that party and became its leader and general secretary.{{cite web |url=https://www.vikatan.com/government-and-politics/politics/48-years-history-of-admk-party |title=எம்.ஜி.ஆரை நீக்கியதன் விளைவை தி.மு.க சந்திக்கும்!" அப்போதே எச்சரித்த ராஜாஜி #48YearsOfADMK |website=Vikatan.com |date=20 October 2019}} later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He mobilised between 1972 and 1977 to spread and preach his party ambition with films like Netru Indru Naalai (1974), Idhayakani (1975), Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga (1977), etc.{{Citation needed|reason=there is no citation for this complete paragraph, the ouster from DMK especially needs a citation|date=December 2016}}

{{See also|First Ramachandran ministry}}

The AIADMK contested the 1977 Tamil Nadu Legislative. The election was a four cornered contest between the AIADMK, DMK, the Indian National Congress (INC) and the Janata Party. The AIADMK allied itself with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM), while INC(I) and Communist Party (CPI) contested as allies. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)and Janata Party (JNP) contested the elections alone. The AIADMK did not field any candidate in the Usilampatti Constituency in support of the All India Forward Bloc leader P.K. Mookiah Thevar. Similarly, the AIADMK also supported the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) candidate M. Abdul Latheef in the Vaniyambadi Constituency. In the parliamentary elections that occurred just three months prior to these elections, there had been two major alliances – the AIADMK led AIADMK-INC-CPI coalition and the DMK led DMK-NCO-JNP-CPM coalition. But in the months that followed the parliamentary election, these coalitions fell apart. The AIADMK alliance won the elections by winning 144 seats out of 234 and Ramachandran became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. Upon winning the 1977 state elections, Ramachandran became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on 30 June 1977, remaining in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, members of his party Satyavani Muthu and Aravinda Bala Pajanor became the first non-Congress politicians from Tamil Nadu to be ministers in the Union Cabinet. The AIADMK won every state assembly election as long as Ramachandran was alive. Although Annadurai and Karunanidhi had acted in stage plays in trivial roles, in their younger days, before becoming chief minister, Ramachandran was the first popular film actor to be a Chief Minister in India.

{{See also|Second Ramachandran ministry}}

File:Sedpatti Muthiah with M.G.Ramachandiran.jpg

All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam allied with Indian National Congress (Indira) in the 1977 parliamentary election. However, when Janata Party won the election and Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister, Ramachandran extended unconditional support to the Janata party Government. He continued his support to the Charan Singh Government in 1979. After the fall of the Charan Singh government, fresh parliamentary elections were conducted in 1980. Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam struck alliance with INC(I). AIADMK and Janata Party alliance won only 2 seats in Tamil Nadu in that parliamentary election. INC(I) won the election and Indira Gandhi became the Prime Minister.

Congress-DMK victory in the 1980 parliamentary election emboldened their alliance and made them think that people lost their faith in Ramachandran government. DMK pressed the central government to dismiss the Tamil Nadu government using similar allegations used by Ramachandran to dismiss DMK government in 1976. The AIADMK ministry and the assembly were dismissed by the central government and fresh elections conducted in 1980.

Despite their victory at the 1980 Lok Sabha polls, DMK and Indira Congress failed to win the legislative assembly election. AIADMK won the election and its leader and incumbent Chief Minister, M. G. Ramachandran was sworn in as Chief Minister for the second time.

{{See also|Third Ramachandran ministry}}

Indira Gandhi was assassinated on 31 October 1984. During the same time, M. G. Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure and admitted into a hospital in New York City. Rajiv Gandhi assumed office immediately and this required a fresh mandate from the people. Indian National Congress (Indira) and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam formed an alliance and contested the election. M. G. Ramachandran was confined to the hospital. Video coverage of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital along with Indira Gandhi's assassination were stitched together by the AIADMK man in charge of campaigning, R. M. Veerappan. The video was distributed and played across all over Tamil Nadu. Rajiv Gandhi visited cyclone-hit areas in Tamil Nadu, which also boosted the alliance. The sympathy wave created by Indira's assassination, Ramachandran's illness and Rajiv Gandhi's charisma helped the alliance sweep the election.DMK leader M. Karunanidhi did not contest this election, due to the fact that the AIADMK leader Ramachandran was admitted to a hospital in the U.S. and Indira Gandhi being assassinated. It was a landslide victory for AIADMK-Congress combine which won 195 seats in assembly polls. The electoral victory proved the undying charisma of Ramachandran upon the masses. His actress Jayalalithaa also extensively campaigned for victory.

File:S.S.R with M.G.R.jpg]]

Karunanidhi claimed on 1 April 2009 and again on 13 May 2012 that Ramachandran was ready for the merger of his party with the DMK in September 1979, with former chief minister of Odisha Biju Patnaik acting as the mediator. The plan failed, because Panruti Ramachandran, who was close to Ramachandran acted as a spoiler and Ramachandran changed his mind.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/01/stories/2009040159630800.htm |title=Tamil Nadu News : AIADMK came close to merging with DMK: Karunanidhi |date=1 April 2009 |access-date=3 January 2013 |location=Chennai, India |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917103916/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/01/stories/2009040159630800.htm |archive-date=17 September 2011 |work=The Hindu |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/karuna-recalls-biju-s-bid-for-dmk-admk-merger_775093.html |title=Karuna recalls Biju's bid for DMK-AIADMK merger |publisher=Zeenews.india.com |date=13 May 2012 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723002916/http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/karuna-recalls-biju-s-bid-for-dmk-admk-merger_775093.html |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/how-biju-patnaik-nearly-pulled-dmk-and-aiadmk-merger-41911 |title=How Biju Patnaik nearly pulled off a DMK and AIADMK merger |publisher=The News Minute |date=20 April 2016}}

File:Hindustan Ambassador Mark III of M.G. Ramachandran.jpg

Even after his death, Ramachandran proved to be very popular in the state and his rule has been cited by many of his contemporaries as best in the country.{{cite web |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2006/12/20/polls-show-mgr-as-the-best-cm-of-tamil-nadu-1166621843.html |title=Polls show MGR as the best CM of Tamil Nadu |date=20 December 2006 |work=news.oneindia.in |access-date=28 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228200419/http://news.oneindia.in/2006/12/20/polls-show-mgr-as-the-best-cm-of-tamil-nadu-1166621843.html |archive-date=28 December 2013 |url-status=live}}{{Citation needed|date=April 2020|reason=This is not a reliable source need better source}} However, his rule is not without criticism. Economic data under his rule showed that annual growth and per capita income was lower than the national average and the state went from being second among 25 industrialised states in development after Kamaraj's rule to tenth. This decline, according to critics has been due to shift of government resources from power and irrigation to social and agriculture sector according to Madras Institute of Development Studies reported in 1988. In addition, the emphasis on "welfare schemes" such as free electricity to farmers, mid-day meal schemes, etc. has been seen by many as taking money away from infrastructure development that could have benefited the poor. In addition, the liquor tax imposed during his rule was considered to contribute to a regressive tax mostly affecting the poor.{{Citation needed|reason=more citation are needd for the claims in this paragraph, a few peacock words without justification|date=December 2016}}

Other criticisms have been on Ramachandran's centralised decision-making, which many blame for inefficiency and corruption taking hold of his administration. Some examples stated by the critics include Goondas act in 1982 and other acts that limited political criticism in the media, which led to a "police state" during his administration. While these criticisms have been in the minority, supporters of Ramachandran counter that most of these problems were a result of the party members serving Ramachandran rather than the leader himself. While he is not considered a divisive figure in the state, critics and supporters alike agree that his charisma and popularity trumped policy decisions that led to his eventual success during his tenure as chief minister.{{cite journal |url=http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/st/article/view/2939 |author=Ingrid Widlund |title=A Vote for MGR Transaction and Devotion in South Indian Politics |volume=96 |issue=3 |year=1993 |journal=Statsvetenskaplig Tidskrifts |pages=225–257 |access-date=28 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228220416/http://journals.lub.lu.se/index.php/st/article/view/2939 |archive-date=28 December 2014 |url-status=live}}

File:M g .r நினைவு இல்லம் முகப்பு தோற்றம்.JPG]]

Natwar Singh in his autobiography One Life is Not Enough alleges that Ramachandran covertly supported the cause of independent Tamil Eelam and financed the LTTE and their cadres were being given military training in Tamil Nadu. He also alleges that Ramachandran considered Jaffna an extension of Tamil Nadu and without informing the Indian Government at the time, had gifted {{Indian Rupee}} 4 crore rupees to the LTTE.{{cite book |author=K. Natwar-Singh |title=One Life is Not Enough: An Autobiography |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_FG4oQEACAAJ |year=2014 |publisher=Rupa Publications India |isbn=978-81-291-3274-1}}

Ramachandran has been accused of being intolerant towards the media. In April 1987, the Editor of Ananda Vikatan S. Balasubramanian was sentenced to 3 months in jail by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for publishing a cartoon, depicting government ministers as bandits and lawmakers as pickpockets, though specific legislature was not specified. But due to media outcry, he was released and Balasubramanian later won a case against his arrest. Earlier, Vaniga Otrumai editor A.M. Paulraj was sentenced to 2 weeks imprisonment by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly for his writing.{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arrest-of-ananda-vikattin-editor-another-press-vs-ramachandran-government-battle/1/336963.html |title=Arresting affair Arrest of Ananda Vikattin editor another press vs Ramachandran Government battle |work=S.H. Venkatramani |date=30 April 1987 |access-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125145/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/arrest-of-ananda-vikattin-editor-another-press-vs-ramachandran-government-battle/1/336963.html |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2003/11/16/stories/2003111602121000.htm |title=A trophy to remember |date=16 November 2003 |access-date=17 October 2015 |last1=Ramachandran |first1=K. |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2003/11/16/ |newspaper=The Hindu |url-status=live}}

File:MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial.jpg]]

After his death in 1987, he became the third Chief Minister from the state of Tamil Nadu to receive the Bharat Ratna after C. Rajagopalachari and K. Kamaraj. The timing of the award was controversial, due to the fact that it was given so quickly after his death and he was elected as Chief Minister only 11 years before the award. Many opponents, mostly outside Tamil Nadu, criticised then ruling party INC, under Rajiv Gandhi to have influenced the selection committee to give the award to help win the upcoming 1989 Lok Sabha election. The ruling party forming a coalition with J. Jayalalithaa, the successor to Ramachandran at that time, were able to sweep Tamil Nadu, winning 38 out of 39 seats, INC were however unable to win nationally.[http://www.merinews.com/article/bharat-ratna--isnt-the-arbitrary-selection--politics-making-this-highest-civilian-award-controversy-prone/15892132.shtml Bharat Ratna- Isn't the arbitrary selection & politics making this highest civilian award controversy prone?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228143130/http://www.merinews.com/article/bharat-ratna--isnt-the-arbitrary-selection--politics-making-this-highest-civilian-award-controversy-prone/15892132.shtml |date=28 December 2013 }}. Merinews.com (20 November 2013). Retrieved 21 May 2014.

To commemorate Ramachandran's Birth centenary in 2017, the Ministry of Finance, Government of India decided to issue ₹100 and ₹5 coins that would bear his image as a portrait along with an inscription of "Dr. M. G. Ramachandran Birth Centenary".[http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centre-to-mint-5-100-coins-to-commemorate-mgrs-birth-centenary/article19672634.ece Centre to mint ₹5, ₹100 coins to commemorate MGR's birth centenary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912182912/http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/centre-to-mint-5-100-coins-to-commemorate-mgrs-birth-centenary/article19672634.ece |date=12 September 2017 }}. The Hindu. 12 September 2017

He personally offered relief in disasters and calamities like fire, flood, drought, and cyclones. He was the first donor during the war with China in 1962 (Sino-Indian War), donating Rs. 75,000 to the war fund. He was the founder and editor of Thai weekly magazine and Anna daily newspaper in Tamil. He was the owner of Sathya Studios and Emgeeyar Pictures (willed to charity) which produced many of the films he acted in. He had gifted a golden sword weighing half a Kilogram to Mookambika temple in Kollur, Udupi district.{{cite web |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2004/07/31/stories/2004073102520400.htm |title=The Hindu : Karnataka News : Jayalalithaa offers prayers at Kollur temple |publisher=Hinduonnet.com |date=31 July 2004 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100822055235/http://hinduonnet.com/2004/07/31/stories/2004073102520400.htm |archive-date=22 August 2010 |url-status=usurped}}

File:MGR Memorial 9 December 2007.jpg at Marina beach, Chennai]]

File:The ever-burning lamp at the MGR Memorial.jpg]]

In October 1984, Ramachandran was diagnosed with kidney failure as a result of uncontrolled diabetes, which was soon followed by a mild heart attack and a massive stroke.{{cite news |last1=Venkatramani |first1=S. H. |title=M.G. Ramachandran's kidney ailment remained a well-kept secret |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19841115-m.g.-ramachandran-kidney-ailment-remained-a-well-kept-secret-803467-1984-11-15 |access-date=4 April 2020 |work=India Today |date=15 November 1984 |language=en |archive-date=5 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205105325/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19841115-m.g.-ramachandran-kidney-ailment-remained-a-well-kept-secret-803467-1984-11-15 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871225&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=MGR DIES OF HEART ATTACK |date=25 December 1987 |work=The Indian Express |access-date=4 March 2020 |url-status=live |pages=1 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163259/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19871225&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}} He was rushed to the Downstate Medical Center in New York City, United States for treatment, undergoing a kidney transplant. Despite his poor health, he did contest the assembly election held later that year while still confined to the hospital, winning from Andipatti. During the election, photos of Ramachandran recuperating in hospital were published, creating a sympathy wave among the people.{{Cite web |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/wheres-the-personal-doc/299400 |title=Where's The Personal Doc? | Outlook India Magazine |date=5 December 2019 |website= |access-date=28 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205105325/https://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/wheres-the-personal-doc/299400 |archive-date=5 December 2019 |url-status=dead}} Ramachandran returned to Madras on 4 February 1985 following his recovery.{{cite news |last1=Sethi |first1=Sunil |title=Tamil Nadu CM M.G. Ramachandran returns home, health speculations laid to rest |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/special-report/story/19850228-tamil-nadu-cm-mg-ramachandran-returns-home-health-speculations-laid-to-rest-769833-2013-11-26 |access-date=12 October 2023 |work=India Today |date=28 February 1985}} He was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for the third consecutive term on 10 February 1985. The next two years and 10 months were spent in frequent trips to the United States for treatment.

Ramachandran never fully recovered from his multiple health problems and died on 24 December 1987 at 3:30 am in his Ramavaram Gardens residence in Manapakkam{{cite web |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/m.g.-ramachandran-death-marks-the-passing-of-an-era-of-stability-in-tamil-nadu/1/328814.html |title=M.G. Ramachandrans death marks the passing of an era of stability in Tamil Nadu |date=15 January 1988 |access-date=22 May 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/cover-story/story/19880115-m.g.-ramachandran-death-marks-the-passing-of-an-era-of-stability-in-tamil-nadu-796866-1988-01-15 |url-status=live}} after his prolonged illness. He was 70 years old. His death sparked a frenzy of looting and rioting over the state. Shops, cinemas, buses and other public and private property became the target of violence. The police resorted to issuing shoot-at-sight orders. Schools and colleges immediately announced holidays until the situation came under control. Violence during the funeral alone left 129 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. Young and married women allegedly shaved their heads bald and dressed like widows. Men whipped themselves until they bled to death. There were some extreme instances of people burning themselves to death and burning villages.{{cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73864408.html?dids=73864408:73864408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=DEC+25%2C+1987&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Popular+Tamil+Leader+Dies+in+India%3BRioting%2C+Suicides+Follow+Death+of+Tamil+Nadu's+Chief+Minister&pqatl=google |title=Popular Tamil Leader Dies in India;Rioting, Suicides Follow Death of Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister |publisher=Pqasb.pqarchiver.com |date=25 December 1987 |access-date=3 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624093420/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/73864408.html?dids=73864408:73864408&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=DEC+25%2C+1987&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post&desc=Popular+Tamil+Leader+Dies+in+India%3BRioting%2C+Suicides+Follow+Death+of+Tamil+Nadu's+Chief+Minister&pqatl=google |archive-date=24 June 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36DA04F1B596C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |work=Chicago Sun-Times |title=Tamil leader's death stirs India riots |date=26 December 1987 |access-date=19 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070323114837/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB36DA04F1B596C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=23 March 2007 |url-status=live}}

His body was kept in state at Rajaji Hall for two days for the public to pay their respect. On 25 December 1987, his remains were buried at the northern end of Marina Beach, now called MGR Memorial, adjacent to the Anna Memorial.{{Cite news |last=Tripathi |first=Ashutosh |date=6 December 2016 |url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/rajajai-hall-a-witness-to-history-and-events-in-tamil-nadu-1319885.html |title=Rajaji Hall: A Witness to History and Events in Tamil Nadu |work=news18 |access-date=7 July 2022}}

This state of affairs continued for almost a month across Tamil Nadu. Around one million{{cite news |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6C28AE8FBD0C1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |title=One Million Indians Mourn Tamil Leader |newspaper=Charlotte Observer |date=26 December 1987 |access-date=19 September 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070324125936/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CO&s_site=charlotte&p_multi=CO&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB6C28AE8FBD0C1&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |archive-date=24 March 2007 |url-status=live}} people followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and people had their heads tonsured. After his death, his political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, was split between his wife V. N. Janaki Ramachandran and J. Jayalalithaa; they merged in 1989.

In 1989 Dr. M. G. R. Home and Higher Secondary School for the Speech and Hearing Impaired[http://www.mgrhome.in/ "MGR Home & Higher Secondary School for the Speech & Hearing Impaired"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030173842/http://www.mgrhome.in/ |date=30 October 2014 }}. Mgrhome.in. Retrieved 18 April 2015. was established at the erstwhile residence M.G.R. Thottam, Ramapuram, in accordance with his last will and testament written in January 1987. His official residence at 27, Arcot Street, T. Nagar is now M.G.R. Memorial House and is open for public viewing. His film studio, Sathya Studios, has been converted into a women's college in the name of Dr. MGR-Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women.{{cite web |title=Dr. MGR Janaki College of Arts and Science for Women, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |url=https://www.mgrjanaki.ac.in/ |website=mgrjanaki.ac.in |access-date=7 August 2022}}

File:MG Ramachandran 1990 stamp of India.jpg

File:MG Ramachandran 2017 stamp of India.jpg

After his electoral success with in 1977, the DMK has not yet returned to power in Tamil Nadu until his death. On 19 March 1988, Ramachandran was posthumously honoured with Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour. He is widely acknowledged as "Puratchi Thalaivar" (Revolutionary Leader) in Tamil Nadu. One of the major roads in Chennai was named in his honour, Dr. M.G.R. Salai—it was previously called Gokula Kannan Road, and a statue of M. G. Ramachandran now stands there and M.G.R. Nagar, a residential neighbourhood was named after him in Chennai, Salem Central Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Central Bus Stand and Omalur Main Road was renamed M.G.R. Salai in Salem, Tirunelveli New Bus Stand was renamed Bharat Ratna Dr. M.G.R. Bus Stand in Tirunelveli and two parks were named Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Park and M.G.R. Park in Thoothukudi.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

A life-size statue of Ramachandran was unveiled on 7 December 2006 in the Parliament House by then Lok Sabha Speaker, Somnath Chatterjee in his honour and the function was attended by the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa and notable politicians.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

The central government issued a commemorative coin of ₹ 100 and ₹ 5 denomination to mark the centenary celebrations of him on 17 January 2017 in Chennai.{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

On 31 October 2017, Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the Mattuthavani Bus Stand in Madurai as M.G.R. Bus Stand to honour him.{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/it-is-now-mgr-bus-stand-at-mattuthavani-madurai/article19957729.ece |title=It is now MGR bus stand at Mattuthavani |date=31 October 2017 |access-date=31 October 2017 |work=The Hindu |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163300/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/it-is-now-mgr-bus-stand-at-mattuthavani-madurai/article19957729.ece |url-status=live}}

On 9 October 2018, Government of Tamil Nadu renamed the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus in Chennai as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Bus Terminus to honour him.{{Cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/oct/10/cmbt-renamed-as-puratchi-thalaivar-dr-mgr-bus-stand-1883468.html |title=CMBT renamed as 'Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. MGR Bus Terminus' |date=10 October 2018 |work=The New Indian Express |access-date=3 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011114651/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2018/oct/10/cmbt-renamed-as-puratchi-thalaivar-dr-mgr-bus-stand-1883468.html |archive-date=11 October 2018 |url-status=live}}

On 5 April 2019, Government of India renamed the Chennai Central in Chennai as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station to honour him.{{cite news |last1=M |first1=Manikandan |title=Chennai Central railway station renamed after AIADMK founder MGR |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chennai-central-railway-station-renamed-after-aiadmk-founder-mgr/story-BbpgnA17d5GCUPtsFxwpIN.html |access-date=16 April 2019 |work=Hindustan Times |date=5 April 2019 |archive-date=16 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416125843/https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/chennai-central-railway-station-renamed-after-aiadmk-founder-mgr/story-BbpgnA17d5GCUPtsFxwpIN.html |url-status=live}}

On 31 July 2020, Central Metro in Chennai has been renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro by Government of Tamil Nadu to honour him.{{cite news |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/jul/31/tamil-nadu-government-to-rename-three-metro-rail-stations-in-chennai-after-late-chief-ministers-2177261.html |title=Tamil Nadu government to rename three metro rail stations in Chennai after late Chief Ministers |date=31 July 2020 |access-date=31 July 2020 |work=The New Indian Express |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803040901/https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2020/jul/31/tamil-nadu-government-to-rename-three-metro-rail-stations-in-chennai-after-late-chief-ministers-2177261.html |url-status=live}}

On 17 October 2021, the AIADMK headquarters in Chennai has been renamed as Puratchi Thalaivar M.G.R. Maaligai by party leaders in memory of the party's founder.{{cite news |url=https://www.dinamalar.com/news/tamil-nadu-news/news/2868092 |title=எம்ஜிஆர் மாளிகை' ஆனது அதிமுக அலுவலகம்: பொன் விழாவை சிறப்பாக கொண்டாட ஏற்பாடு |date=15 October 2021 |access-date=15 October 2021 |work=Dinamalar}}

• Iruvar (1997) by Mani Ratnam is based on the rivalry between Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi. Malayalam actor Mohanlal played Anandan (Ramachandran).{{cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/opinion-entertainment/when-mohanlal-humanised-mgr-in-mani-ratnam-iruvar-6224060/ |title=When Mohanlal humanised MGR in Mani Ratnam's Iruvar |date=20 January 2020 |work=The New Indian Express}}
• In the 2019 streaming series Queen, Indrajith Sukumaran portrayed G. M. Ravichandran (fictional adaptation of M.G.R.).{{cite web |title=Indrajith Sukumaran to play MGR in Gautham Menon's Jayalalithaa web series |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/news/2019/mar/18/indrajith-sukumaran-to-play-mgr-in-gautham-menons-jayalalithaa-web-series-10596.html |access-date=9 February 2021 |website=Cinema Express |date=18 March 2019 |language=en}}
• In the film Thalaivii (2021), Ramachandran was portrayed by Arvind Swami.{{cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/hindi/2020/dec/24/team-thalaivi-shares-new-look-of-arvind-swami-as-mgr-on-his-death-anniversary-2240574.html |title=Team 'Thalaivi' shares new look of Arvind Swami as MGR on his death anniversary |date=24 December 2020 |work=The New Indian Express}}{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/thalaivii-was-a-huge-responsibility-says-arvind-swami/article36356551.ece |title=Becoming MGR: How Arvind Swami got into shape for 'Thalaivii' |work=The Hindu |date=8 September 2021 |last1=Ramanujam |first1=Srinivasa}}

• M. G. Ramachandran's unrealised projects
• First Ramachandran ministry
• Second Ramachandran ministry
• Third Ramachandran ministry

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Commons category|M. G. Ramachandran}}

• {{IMDb name|id=0707901|name=M. G. Ramachandran}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes person|id=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/mgr}}
• [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020908/spectrum/book4.htm M.G. Ramchandran: Jewel of the Masses]
• {{usurped|[https://web.archive.org/web/20091130100838/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/06/02/stories/2002060201871700.htm The Hindu – Politics and Suicides in TN]}}
• [http://www.puratchithalaivar.org/ All about Dr MGR]
• [http://www.mgrhome.in/ MGR Memorial Charitable Trust]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20180925010207/http://www.ithayakkani.com/ MGR monthly magazine+News portal]
• [http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/45215 Kandy-born Actor-Politico "MGR" Reigned Supreme in Tamil Nadu Cinema and Politics-by D.B.S. Jeyaraj] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120082016/http://dbsjeyaraj.com/dbsj/archives/45215 |date=20 January 2021 }}
• {{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRnbrb0S1NI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/QRnbrb0S1NI |archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live |title=Biography of M G Ramachandran |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=M. Karunanidhi|reason=President's Rule}}

{{s-ttl|title=Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu|years=1977–1987}}

{{s-aft|after=V. N. Janaki Ramachandran}}

{{s-end}}

{{All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam}}

{{Dravidian politics}}

{{Bharat Ratna}}

{{Council of Ministers of Tamil Nadu}}

{{NationalFilmAwardBestActor}}

{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestActor}}

{{Padma Award winners of Kerala}}

{{Authority control|state=expanded}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ramachandran, Mgoi}}

Category:M. G. Ramachandran

Category:1917 births

Category:1987 deaths

Category:20th-century Indian male actors

Category:Actors from Kandy

Category:Actors in Hindi cinema

Category:Actors in Tamil cinema

Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners

Category:Chief ministers from All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

Category:Chief ministers of Tamil Nadu

Category:Film directors from Chennai

Category:Film producers from Chennai

Category:Filmfare Awards South winners

Category:Indian actor-politicians

Category:Indian Hindus

Category:Indian male film actors

Category:Indian political party founders

Category:Indian Tamil politicians

Category:Kidney transplant recipients

Category:Malayali people

Category:Male actors from Chennai

Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema

Category:Actors from Thanjavur district

Category:Politicians from Thanjavur district

Category:Politicians from Chennai

Category:Recipients of the Bharat Ratna

Category:Recipients of the Padma Shri in arts

Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to India

Category:Tamil film producers

Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1967–1971

Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1971–1976

Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1977–1980

Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1980–1984

Category:Tamil Nadu MLAs 1985–1989

Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners

Category:Tamil-language film directors