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M. G. R. was born in Nawalapitiya near Kandy, British Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), to Gopalan and Maruthur Satyabhama. His family was originally from Vadavannur, Palakkad, Madras Presidency (later part of Kerala), but his father had migrated with his family to Sri Lanka. After the passing away of his father MGR along with his mother and brother came back to India and settled in Kumbakonam (Madras Presidency now part of Indian State of Tamil Nadu). He studied till his third class (Five years of primary education) and due to extreme poverty had to go for work to earn a living. He joined a drama troupe called Original Boys Company. Later, he entered the world of cinema, becoming an actor, and later a director, producer and editor, acting in more than 125 movies and becoming a great actor. He went on to win many awards for his performances including the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in a Tamil Language Movie "Rikshawkaran" in 1972. He was also awarded the India's Fourth Highest Civilian Honour "Padma Shri" by the Government of India in 1960 which he declined to accept. He was initially a member of the Indian National Congress but later joined the Dravida Munnetra Kalazham (Dravidan Progressive Federation) led by Dr.C.N.Annadurai. Till 1972 he worked very hard for the success of the DMK and later founded a new political party Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) which was later renamed as All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). MGR served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu from 1977 to 1987 for three consecutive terms. He was awarded a Honorary Doctorate by the University of Madras and The World University, Arizona, USA. After his passing away in 1987, he was posthumously awarded the India's Highest Civilian honour "Bharat Rathna" in the year 1988 .
When M.G.Ramachandran died in 1987, she succeeded him as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and the Leader of the AIADMK party. Janaki Ramachandran became the Chief minister of the State of Tamil Nadu in January 1988 after her husband's death. Janaki Ramachandran gifted her property in 275, Avvai Shanmugham Salai (Lloyds Road) in Chennai to house the headquarters of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party in 1986. She gifted property worth crores of Rupees for the establishment of educational and charitable institutions in Tamil Nadu.
As soon as you enter the house you can
see the dark green coloured car bearing the number plate TMX 4777,
This memorial is really a gift of Dr. MGR to his fans. He has willed that the income from the market he owned in alandur purchased by him when he was acting in movies is to be used for the expenses relating to the maintenance of the memorial. Right from day one when the memorial was inaugurated till today thousands of people from all parts of the Tamil Nadu and even foreigners throng to see what MGR has left for them. There is a bronze bust of Dr.MGR at the entrance of the memorial. There is no entrance fee. This memorial was established and is maintained by the MGR Memorial Charitable Trust headed by our Trustee Thiru.M.Rajendran.
Contact Details MGR Memorial House 27, Arcot Mudali Street, T.Nagar, Chennai - 600 017, Tamil Nadu, India.
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Maruthur
Gopala Ramachandran (
Janaki
Ramachandran, born as Vaikom Narayani Janaki (
The
MGR Memorial house is situated in Arcot Street, T.Nagar and was opened
for public viewing in 1990 by Mrs.Janaki Ramachandran in the presence
of Dr.N.C.Raghavachari, Shri.N.P.V.Ramasamy Udayar and many well
wishers of Late.Dr.MGR. This house in Chennai was the official
residence of Late Dr.MGR and was used by him for more than two
decades. This house is open for public viewing from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
on all days except Tuesdays.
ready
to 'take-off' with the sirens glowing. Some songs featured in Late
Dr.MGR's films are being played in a low tone all along. The shields
presented to Late Dr.MGR is displayed in an orderly manner, in the
reception. Once you reach the first floor you will land in his office
room. The swords, spears, heavy wooden clubs used by him, his plate,
tumbler, telephone instrument, the shirts that adorned him, the medals
won by him, television, the books read by him, camera, trolley, the
cloth bandage that was tied on him when he was shot, photographs taken
from MGR's films, letters received by him, Dr.MGR's MLA identification
card, his famous cap and dark glasses, pen, the 'Bharath Ratna' medal
won by him, the certificate given to him when he was conferred with
the doctorate degree are all exhibited here. Actually there are lots
of photographs taken right from his first film 'Sati Leelavathi' to
his last film (About 138 films in all). Due to dearth of space certain
photographs have not been exhibited.
