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Muktha Srinivasan

{{Short description|Indian film director, producer (1929–2018)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Muktha Srinivasan

| birth_name = Venkatachary Srinivasan

| nationality = Indian

| birth_date = {{birth date|1930|10|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Malapuram, Tamil Nadu, British Raj

| death_date = {{death date and age|2018|05|29|1929|10|31|df=y}}

| occupation = {{Hlist | Film director | producer}}

}}

Muktha Srinivasan (1929 – 2018) was an Indian film director and producer.{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417181824/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2007 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A celebrated veteran of the south Indian film industry. He expired on 29/05/2018.|date=15 April 2007 |access-date=14 November 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}

Personal life

{{unreferenced section|date= November 2022}}

V. Srinivasan was born in Malapuram on 31 October 1929 in a Tamil Brahmin family. His parents were Venkatachariar and Chellamma. His elder brother is Muktha Ramaswamy and his sister is Revathi. He married Prema in 1951. He has three children Muktha S. Sundar, also a director, Mukhta Ravi and Maya. Muktha srinivasan is the founder of Muktha films. His elder grandson Suseendran who acted in movies like Kashmora and Echarikkai is now the Managing director of Muktha films.

Death

He died peacefully on 29 May 2018 at the age of 88 in his residence in T.Nagar, Chennai due to old age after suffering from various health issues.{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/acclaimed-director-producer-muktha-srinivasan-no-more/article24028085.ece|title=Acclaimed director, producer Muktha Srinivasan no more|date=30 May 2018|access-date=7 June 2018|newspaper=The Hindu}}

Career

{{more citations needed section|date=November 2022}}

V. Srinivasan alias Muktha Srinivasan entered the film industry in 1947, as Senior Assistant to T. R. Sundaram, by coaching artists in dialogue delivery. As a technical helper he has worked with the then future chief ministers of Tamil Nadu M. Karunanidhi and M. G. Ramachandran in Manthiri Kumari and with major artists of the time including T. R. Mahalingam, Anjali Devi, Madhuri Devi, S. Balachander and L. V. Prasad. He worked with Director K. Ramnoth as assistant along with K. S. Sethumadhavan. He also worked as assistant director to D. Yoganand in the film Madurai Veeran of M. G. Ramachandran.

Muktha Srinivasan directed his first film, Mudhalali, in 1957 which was produced by Ratna Studios. Production was four months and three days in a period when films usually took more than a year to be completed. The film was a success, despite its having had a relatively unknown cast. It won a National Award presented by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, then President of India, in the presence of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.{{citation needed|date=October 2021}} Srinivasan started producing films with his elder brother Muktha V. Ramaswamy under the name Muktha Films in 1961.{{cite web|url=http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Nov10_1_15/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Mukta_Srinivasan_page1.html|title=Kalyanamalai Magazine – Serial story, Thiraichuvai – Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, 'Mukta' Srinivasan|first=Kalyanamalai – KM|last=Matrimony|website=www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com|access-date=7 June 2018}} He always preferred to have music by either the duo Vishwanatha-Ramamoorthy or by M.S.Viswanathan.

His first choice for hero in the sixties, was always Gemini Ganesan and directed Gemini in Panithirai, Idhayathil Nee, Poojaikku Vandha Malar and Thenmazhai. The 4 comedy films directed by him – Thenmazhai, Ninaivil Nindraval, Bommalattam and Ayiram Poi are recognised as landmark films in Tamil Cinema. He directed the pair Gemini and Savithri along with Sandhya in Poojaikki Vandha Malar which was box office success. He directed actress Sandhya's daughter J. Jayalalithaa in three landmark films – Bomalattam, Suryagandhi, Anbai Thedi and made her do guest appearance in Cinema Paithiyam. The film Suryagandhi is considered by him as the best of all the films he directed. Suryagandhi was digitalized and re-released in September 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/aug/17/suriyagandhi-an-old-classic-gets-new-life-1509952.html|title=Suriyagandhi: An old classic gets new life|website=newindianexpress.com|date=17 August 2016 |access-date=7 June 2018}} He successfully brought in together Nagesh and Cho for 3 films Thenmazhai, Bomalattam and Ninaivil Nindraval.

He introduced Vaali as lyricist, actresses Devika, Deepa and others to the silver screen. He brought to light Actor-Director T. S. B. K. Mouli's acting prowess in his film Suryagandhi. Visu the dramatist became Visu the filmmaker after working in his Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum. He has received numerous awards{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417181824/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 April 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | title=A celebrated veteran of the south Indian film industry | date=15 April 2007}} and as of 2018 he was the most senior director alive and active producer in the Tamil film industry.{{cite web |url=http://tv.burrp.com/view-series.html?seriesId=41285 |title=Keezhvaanam Sivakkum | burrp!TV Guide |publisher=Tv.burrp.com |date=26 October 1981 |access-date=14 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101247/http://tv.burrp.com/view-series.html?seriesId=41285 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}

He directed Sivaji Ganesan in Nirai Kudam, Arunodhayam, Thavapudhalavan, Anbai Thedi, Andaman Kadhali, Imayam, Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum and Iru Medhaigal. He directed Sivaji Ganesan in 9 films. He directed Kamal Haasan in Andharangam and Simla Special and directed Rajnikanth in Polladhavan. He directed actors across generations – Ravichandran, Jaishankar, Muthuraman, Sivakumar, S. V. Sekhar, Pandiaraj. Out of his 45 directorial ventures, 23 were box office hits. In his films, Cho Ramaswamy, Neelu and Manorama were cast regularly throughout his career. He produced Nayakan in 1987. He produced 27 films and 19 of them were commercial success. His last and the 28th production was Vedantha Desigar made in 2018, which was not released till the time of his death and was released in Sankara TV in 2022.

The film Andha Naal, in which he assisted S. Balachander, was the first film without songs that was made in Madras and it was his first film where he started his career as an assistant director.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/12/12/stories/2008121250381600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218090117/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/12/12/stories/2008121250381600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 December 2008 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Andha Naal 1954 |date=12 December 2008 |access-date=14 November 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}} This became a hit.

Mukta has produced several films most popular one being Nayagan where the former had a fallout with Kamal Hassan, the writer and the lead actor.{{Cite news |author=Staff Reporter |date=2018-05-30 |title=A quarrel with Kamal |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/a-quarrel-with-kamal/article24040633.ece |access-date=2024-04-20 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Srinivasan was one of the founders of, and served as President for, the Tamil Film Producer Council. He served as President of the South Indian film chamber of commerce.{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/22/stories/0222000e.htm |title=Sivaji, an actor nonpareil | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101352/http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/22/stories/0222000e.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 November 2013 | location=Chennai, India | work=The Hindu | date=22 July 2001}} He was Chairman of Film City, owned by the state government of Tamil Nadu.{{Cite web|url=http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/weekly/19961230/MAY/mad08may.htm#Film|title=Latest News, India News, UP assembly Election News, Breaking News, Today's News Headlines Online}} He was also Member of Award Films Committees and a Board Member of the Film Censor Board.{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906461200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211140211/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906461200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2005 |title=Front Page : Censor Board reconstituted |date= 9 February 2005|access-date=14 November 2012 |work=The Hindu |location=Chennai, India}}

Filmography

{{unreferenced section|date= November 2022}}

class="wikitable sortable"
rowspan="2" style="width:35px;"| Year

! rowspan="2" style="width:250px;"| Film

! colspan="3" style="width:195px;"| Credited as

! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:250px;" class="unsortable"| Notes

style="width:65px;" | Director

! width=65 | Producer

! width=65 | Screenplay

1957Allavudheenum Arputha Vilakkumstyle="text-align:center;"|{{y}}
1957Mudhalalistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1959Thamarai Kulamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1959Naalu Veli Nilamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1959Odi Vilaiyaadu Paapastyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1959Panchaalistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1961Panithiraistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1963Idhayathil Neestyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1965Poojaikku Vandha Malarstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1965Magane Kelstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1966Thenmazhaistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1967Ninaivil Nindravalstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1968Bommalattamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1969Aayiram Poistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1969Nirai Kudamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1971Arunodhayamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1972Thava Pudhalvanstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1973SuryaGandhistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1974Anbai Thedistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1975Cinema Paithiyamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1975Andharangamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1976Perum Pugazhumstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1977Balaparitchaistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1978Andaman Kadhalistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1979Imayamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1979Sri Ramajayamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1980Avan Aval Adhustyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}25th Film
1980Polladhavanstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1981Keezh Vaanam Sivakkumstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1982Simla Specialstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1982Paritchaikku Neramaachustyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1983Sivappu Sooriyanstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1983Thambathigalstyle="text-align:center;" |{{y}}
1984Iru Medhaigalstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1985Oru Malarin Payanamstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1986Kodai Mazhaistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1987Nayakanstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1988Kathanayaganstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1989Vaai Kozhuppustyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1989Chinna Chinna Aasaigalstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1990Ethir Kaatrustyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1992Brahmacharistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1994Rajapandistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
1998Kangalin Vaarthaigalstyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}
2013Pathayeram Kodistyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}{{cite news|last=vivek|first=The Times of India|title=pathayeram kodi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/18217463.cms?prtpage=1|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India}}
2015Sivappustyle="text-align:center;"| {{y}}50th Film (Producer)
2018Vedanta Desika style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}Sanskrit film

Awards

  • Recipient of National Award for the film Mudalalihttp://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm5thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=5NFA.pdf/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105900/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm5thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=5NFA.pdf%2F |date=4 March 2016 }}>
  • Best film 1977–78 Balaparitchai by Tamil Nadu state government
  • Best Science Fiction film Avan-Aval-Adhu State Award{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
  • Best film 1981–82 keezh vanam sivakkum State Award
  • 1982-83 Paritchaikku Neramaachu – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director

Politics

{{more citations needed section|date=November 2022}}

Srinivasan was attracted to politics from the age of seven when he carried the flag of the Symbol of Congress and went to various places around his village. This was the first instance of him canvassing for Congress and his relatives asked him to concentrate on studies and stopped him from canvassing due to the age factor.

After completing school he met Somu Rao who influenced him to follow the Communist ideology. He became close friends with Manali Kandasamy, Amirthalingam, Bala Dandayutham, and P. Ramamoorthy, which finally led him to meet Comrade Jeevanandham. They became close friends and together organised meetings in Tamil Nadu. It was at this time that the communist party was banned. Srinivasan, who at that time had been working in a government office at Selam in 1946, lost his job and was arrested. His brother Muktha Ramasamy, who was working with modern theatre, approached his boss and sought his help to release Srinivasan from jail. His films such as Mudalali, Naalu Veli Nilam & Thamarai kulam were influenced by the Communist ideology. When disputes started arising in the Communist Party he lost his interest. At this stage Srinivasan was an avid reader becoming inspired by Gandhian principles and he joined Congress in 1961. While working with Sivaji Ganesan he started organizing meetings. He canvassed for the 1962 elections and gave speeches supporting Congress under the leadership of K. Kamaraj.

He used to follow "Mouna-Viradham". He would not speak and would have only water on holy days.{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080813920600.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113164828/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080813920600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|website=The Hindu|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A Congressman invokes Gods|date=2005-08-08|access-date=7 June 2018}} In his early days he used to spin his own clothes with a Raatai chakkaram (Hand machine).

When G.K. Moopanar started the Tamil Maanila Congress in 1996 he appointed Srinivasan as General Secretary.{{cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20141110/2492066.html|title=Vasan holds meeting with supporters, EVKS to tour TN districts|website=news.webindia123.com|access-date=7 June 2018}}{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/archive/ge1999/pollupd/pc/candlwc//tmc(m)pcnst.htm|title=General Elections 1999 Statewise Contestants in TAMIL MAANILA CONGRESS (MOOPANAR)|website=eci.nic.in|access-date=7 June 2018}}

Srinivasan has held the positions of District Congress president, Vice-President Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) and Gen-secretary Tamil Maanila Congress (Gk moopanar).{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/12/stories/2005091208760400.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113164820/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/12/stories/2005091208760400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|website=The Hindu|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Congress leaders vow to make party number one in Tamil Nadu|date=2005-09-12|access-date=7 June 2018}}

Bibliography

{{unreferenced section|date= November 2022}}

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

  • Irupadam Noorrandin Kathaigal Part I -V
  • Thejasvi
  • Thalaimurai Kathaigal
  • Uthami
  • Thandanikku Thappiya Kutrangal
  • Manu
  • Mukthavin Sirukathaigal
  • Athma Vendradhu
  • Sollatha Rakasiyam
  • Thirumanam Punidhamanathu
  • Mana Santhippu
  • Manushya Dharmam
  • Koothukaran Thopu
  • Mukthavin Katturaigal
  • Manitha Neya Kathaigal
  • Edhir Veettu Hema
  • Kaala Vellam
  • Parampariyam
  • Ulagathin Sirantha Kadaigal Part – I & II
  • Ilakkiyathil Inaiyum India
  • Tamil Thiraippada Varalaru
  • Tamil Thiraippada Thayarippalargalin Varalaru
  • Kalainjargalodu Nan
  • Kathasiriyargalodu Nan
  • Arinjarkalodu Nan
  • Ninaivu Edugal
  • Kopamum Sirippum
  • Samooga Nidhi Porattangal
  • Manudam Kanda Maga Gyanigal
  • Inaiyatra Sadanaiyalargal Part I – V
  • Noolgal Tharum Nunnarivu Part I & II
  • Ramayanathil Thunai Kadha pathirangal
  • Manavarkalukana India Suthanthira Porattam – Tamil
  • Manavarkalukana India Suthanthira Porattam – English
  • Barathiyin Gyana Semmal
  • Tamil Thayaripalargal Varalaru Part I & II
  • Film Chamber Varalaru – in Tamil and in English
  • Kalidasanin Megadhoodam
  • Vada Mozhi Ilakkiyam
  • Nan Santhitha Kalaijargal
  • Raghu Vamasa Maha Kaviyam
  • Innum Sila Kadaigal

{{div col end|3}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20070406190500/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/gallery/Events/11968.html Indiaglitz.com]
  • [http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Iru-Methaigal-with-English-subtitles Rajshritmil.com – Iru Methaigal]
  • [http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Aayiram-Poi Rajshritmil.com – Aayiram-Poi]
  • [http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Andaman-Kaadhali Rajshritmil.com – Andaman-Kaadhali]
  • [https://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=14515&id=139452802756886 Facebook.com]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110708165829/http://www.clickindia.com/eventdetail.php?id=35558 Clickindia.com]
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20160422025004/http://muktha.co.in/ Muktha.co.in]

{{Muktha Srinivasan}}

{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestDirector}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Srinivasan, Muktha}}

Category:1929 births

Category:2018 deaths

Category:21st-century Indian people

Category:Tamil film directors

Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners

Category:People from Thanjavur district

Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights

Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu

Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu

Category:Tamil screenwriters

Category:Tamil film producers

Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu