MGR was a member of the Congress Party till 1953 and he used to wear kathar and wear vibhuti on his forehead. In 1953 MGR joined the DMK. He became a vocal Tamil and Dravidian nationalist and prominent member of the DMK (Dravidian Progressive Federation). He added glamour to the Dravidian movement which was sweeping Tamil Nadu. He became a member of the state Legislative Council in 1962. He was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly in 1967. After the death of his mentor, Annadurai, MGR became the treasurer of DMK in 1969 after Karunanidhi became the chief minister.

In 1967, he was shot in the neck by fellow actor and political aspirant M.R. Radha. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and his voice damaged. He wanted the financial details of the party to be publicised which enraged the leadership of DMK and in 1972, MGR was expelled from the party. MGR then floated a new party named Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (ADMK) which was later renamed All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK), the only powerful opponent of the DMK. He became Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, and remained in office till his death in 1987. In 1979, Members of his party became the first dravidian and non-congress party from Tamil Nadu to become ministers in the Union Cabinet. It is to be noted that the AIADMK won every state assembly election as long as MGR was alive. He was the first film actor to be a Chief Minister in India.

 

In 1984, MGR fell sick and was rushed to the U.S. for treatment. Mass hysteria gripped Tamil Nadu and over 100 people attempting self-immolation. MGR died December 24, 1987 after his prolonged illness. His death sparked off an inexplicable frenzy of looting and rioting all over the state of Tamil Nadu. Shops, movie theaters, buses and other public and private property became the target of wanton violence let loose all over the state. The situation became so hopeless that the police had to resort issuing shoot-at-sight orders, something seldom seen or heard of in democratic India. The violence during the funeral alone left 23 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. This state of affairs continued for almost a month all over the state of Tamil Nadu, bringing normal life to a grinding halt and causing untold misery to millions. Around one million persons followed his remains, around 30 followers committed suicide and lakhs of people had their heads tonsured. He was worshiped human in the history of tamil nadu. Some people in southern region of tamil nadu still worship him as god. After his death, his political party, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, split between his wife Janaki Ramachandran and his political protege, J. Jayalalitha and later merged in 1988. In 1989 Dr. MGR Home & Higher Secondary School for the Speech & Hearing Impaired was established in the earstwile Ramavaram Gardens Residense as per his will dated 17 January 1986.

 

MGR made his screen debut in Ellis R. Duncan's Sati Leelavathi (1936) but his first major breakthrough came much, much later with Rajakumari (1947).

MGR's 1950s screen persona in adventure films constructed an image of political as well as physical invincibility. Often the themes of his films were derived from heroic ballads which are part of the oral tradition of rural Tamil Nadu. For example - Madurai Veeran (1956), one of his most popular films, is based on the legend of Madurai Veeran, a popular deity of Southern Tamil Nadu. His legend has been the subject of various ballads and plays and this was the second filmed version of the story.

In the 1960s MGR turned to more 'realistic' fantasies mostly in a contemporary setting often playing someone from the oppressed class - a peasant, taxi driver or fisherman. For millions of fans, his image as the knight in shining armour, saving damsels in distress and being totally dutiful towards his mother was in fact a reality. Mother tongue, motherland and motherhood were what he based his popularity on...

MGR used food, colour patterns (black and red, symbols of the DMK) and masquerades (often through double roles of oppressor and oppressed) to construct this universe. In Engal Thangam  for example, MGR playing a truck driver Thangam, fights, sings, cares for the poor and preaches against smoking and drinking.
The height of emotional response that 'MGR' could evoke was evident when in 1987 during a critical illness, 22 people committed suicide in the hope their deaths would save him! Stories of poor people selling their blood in order to get money to see his films on first release are legendary! ..When he died in 1987, his funeral procession was attended by over 2 million people! A temple has been built in Madras with MGR as deity.

Thirties...
1	1936	Sathi Leelavathi /Manorama Films, Ellis R.Dungan
2	1936	Iru Sahothararkal / Parameswari Sound Pictures, Ellis R.Dungan
3	1938	Thadcha Yagnam / Metropolitan Pictures, Raja Chandrasekhar
4	1938	Veera Jegatheesh / V.S.Talkies, TP.Kailasam-R.Prakash
5	1939	Maaya Machendrar / Metropolitan Pictures, Raja Chandrasekha
6	1939	Prahalaatha / Salem Sankar Films, B.N.Rao
Forties..
7	1941	Ashokumar / Murugan Talkies Film Company, Raja Chandrasekhar
8	1941	Vethawathi or Seetha Jananam / Shyamala Pictures, T.R.Ragunath
9	1942	Thamil Ariyum Perumal / Uma Pictures, T.R.Ragunath
10	1943	Thaasi Penn or Jothi Malar/ Puvaneswari Pictures, Ellis R.Dungan
11	1943	Arichandra / Sri Rajarajeswari Film Company, Nagapushanam
12	1945	Meera / Chandraprabha Cinetone, Ellis R.Dungan
13	1945	Saalivaahanan / Bhaskar Pictures, B.N.Rao
14	1946	Sri Murugan / Jupiter, M.Somasundaram-V.S.Narayan
15	1947	Paithiyakaaran / N.S.K.Films, Krishnan-Panju
16	1947	Rajakumari / Jupiter, A.S.A.Sami
17	1948	Abhimanyu / Jupiter, A.S.A.Sami
18	1948	Mohini / Jupiter, Lanka Sathyam
19	1948	Raja Mukthi / Narendra Pictures, Raja Chandrasekhar
20	1949	Ratnakumar / Murugan Talkies Film Company, Krishnan-Panju
Fifties...
21	1950	Manthiri Kumari / Modern Theatres, T.R.Sundaram- Ellis R.Dungan
22	1950	Marutha Naatu Ilavarasi / G.Govindan and Co
23	1951	Marma Yogi /Jupiter, K.Ramnath
24	1951	Ektha Raaja in Hindi/dubbed
25	1951	Sarvaadhikaari / Modern Theatres
26	1951	Sarvaadhikaari  in Telugu/dubbed
27	1952	Andamaan Kaithi / Radhakrishna Films, V.Krishnan
28	1952	En Thangai / Asoka Pictures, C.L.Narayanamurthy-M.K.R.Nambiar
29	1952	Kumaari / R.Padmanabhan-Rajeswari, R.Padmanabhan
30	1953	Genoa / Chandra Pictures, F.Nagoor
31	1953	Genoa ; in Malayalam/dubbed
32	1953	Naam / Jupiter-Mekala, A.Kasilingam
33	1953	Panakkaari / Uma Pictures, K.S.Gopalakrishnan
34	1954	Koondu Kili (1954)/ R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
35	1954	Malai Kallan (1954)/ Pakshiraja, S.M.Sriramulu Naidu
36	1955	Guleba Kaavali (1955)/ R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
37	1956	Alibaabavum Naarpathu Thirudarkalum / Modern Theatres, T.R.Sundaram.
38	1956	Madurai Veeran / Krishna Pictures, Yoganand
39	1956	Thaaiku Pin Thaaram / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
40	1957	Sakravarthi Thirumagal / Uma Pictures, P.Neelakandan
41	1957	Maha Devi / Sri Ganesh Movietone, Sundar Rao Nadkarni
42	1957	Puthumai Piththan / Sivakami Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
43	1957	Raja Rajan / Neela Productions, T.V.Sundaram
44	1958	Nadodi Mannan / M.G.R.Pictures, MGR
45	1959	Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali / Kalpana Kala Mandhir, R.R.Chandran
Sixties...
46	1960	Baghdad Thirudan / Southern Movies, T.P.Sundaram
47	1960	Mannaathi Mannan / Nadesh Art Pictures, M.Nadesan
48	1960	Raja Desingu / Krishna Pictures, T.R.Ragunath
49	1961	Arasilankumari / Jupiter, A.S.A.Sami
50	1961	Nallavan Vaalvaan / Arasu Pictures, P.Neelakandan
51	1961	Sabash Maapillai / Ragavan Productions, S.Ragavan
52	1961	Thaai Sollai Thattathey / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
53	1961	Thirudathey / A.L.S., P.Neelakandan
54	1962	Kudumba Thalaivan / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
55	1962	Maada Pura / P.V.N.Productions, S.A.Subburaman
56	1962	Paasam / R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
57	1962	Rani Samyukthaa / Saraswathy Pictures, Yoganand
58	1962	Thaayai Kaatha Thanayan / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
59	1962	Vikramaadhithan / Bharat Productions, T.R.Ragunath-N.S.Ramdhas
60	1963	Anantha Jothi / Hariharan Films (P.S.V.), V.N.Reddy
62	1963	Tharmam Thalai Kaakum / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
63	1963	Kalai Arasi / Sarodi Brothers, A.Kasilingam
64	1963	Kaanchi Thalaivan / Mekala Pictures, A.Kasilingam
65	1963	Koduthu Vaithaval / E.V.R.Pictures, P.Neelakandan
66	1963	Neethiku Pin Paasam / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
67	1963	Pana Thottam / Saravana Films, K.Sankar
68	1963	Parisu / Gowri Pictures, Yoganand
69	1963	Periya Idathu Penn / R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
70	1964	Theiva Thaai / Sathya Movies, P.Madhavan
70	1964	En Kadamai / Nadesh Art Pictures, M.Nadesan
71	1964	Padahotti / Saravana Films, T.Prakash Rao
72	1964	Panakkara Kudumbam / R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
73	1964	Thaayin Madiyil / Annai Films, Adurthi Subba Rao
74	1964	Tholilaali / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
75	1964	Vettaikkaaran / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
76	1964	Aasai Mugam / Mohan Productions, P.Pulliah
77	1965	Aayirathil Oruvan / Padmini Pictures, B.RPanthulu
78	1965	Enga Veetu Pillai / Vijaya Combines Productions, Sanakya
79	1965	Kalankarai Vilakkam / Saravana Films, K.Sankar
80	1965	Kanni Thaai / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
81	1965	Panam Padaithavan / R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
82	1965	Thaalam Poo / Sri Bala Murugan Films, S.Ramadas
83	1966	Anbe Vaa / AVM, A.C.Tirulokachandar
84	1966	Naan Aanaiyittaal / Sathya Movies, Sanakya
85	1966	Muharaasi / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
86	1966	Naadodi / Padmini Pictures, B.R.Panthulu
87	1966	Chandrothayam / Saravana Films, K.Sankar
88	1966	Parakkum Paavai / R.R.Pictures, T.R.Ramanna
89	1966	Petraal Thaan Pillaiyaa? / Sri Muthukumaran Pictures, Krishnan-Panchu
90	1966	Thaali Paakiyam / Varalakshmy Pictures, K.B.Nagabhushanam
91	1966	Thani Piravi / Devar Films, N.S.Varma
92	1967	Arasa Kattalai / Satyaraja Pictures, M.G.Chakrapani
93	1967	Kaavalkaaran / Sathya Movies, P.Neelakandan
94	1967	Thaaiku Thalaimagan / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
95	1967	Vivasaayi / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
96	1967	Rahasiya Police 115 / Padmini Pictures, B.R.Panthulu
97	1968	Ther Thiruvizah / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
98	1968	Kudiyiruntha Koyil / Saravana Screens, K.Sankar
99	1968	Kannan En Kaathalan / Sathya Movies, P.Neelakandan
100	1968	Oli Vilakku / Gemini, Sanakya
101	1968	Kanavan / Valli Films, P.Neelakandan
102	1968	Puthiya Bhoomi / J.R.Movies, Sanakya
103	1968	Kaathal Vaahanam / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
104	1969	Adimai Penn / M.G.R.Pictures, K.Sankar
105	1969	Nam Naadu / Vijaya International, Jambu
Seventies...
106	1970	Maatukaara Velan / Jayanthi Films, P.Neelakandan
107	1970	En Annan / Venus Pictures, P.Neelakandan
108	1970	Thalaivan / Thomas Pictures, P.A.Thomas
109	1970	Thedi Vanda Maapillai / Padmini Pictures, B.R.Panthulu
110	1970	Engal Thangam / Mekala Pictures, Krishnan-Panchu
111	1971	Kumari Kottam / Kay Cey Films, P.Neelakandan
112	1971	Rikshawkaran / Sathya Movies, M.Krishnan Nayar
113	1971	Neerum Neruppum / New Mani J.Cine Productions, P.Neelakandan
114	1971	Oru Thaai Makkal / Nanjil Productions, P.Neelakandan
115	1972	Sange Muzhangu / Valli Films, P.Neelakandan
116	1972	Nalla Neram / Devar Films, M.A.Thirumugam
117	1972	Raman Thediya Seethai / Jeyanthi Films, P.Neelakandan
118	1972	Annamidda Kai / Ramachandra Productions, M.Krishnan
119	1972	Naan Een Piranthaen? / Kamatchi Agencies, M.Krishnan
120	1972	Ithaya Veenai / Uthayam Productions, Krishnan-Panchu
121	1973	Ulagam Suttrum Vaalipan / M.G.R.Pictures, MGR
122	1973	Paddikaatu Ponnaiah / Vasanth Pictures, B.S.Ranga
123	1974	Netru Inru Naalai/ Amalraj Films, P.Neelakandan
124	1974	Urimai Kural/ Chitrayuka, C.V.Sridhar
125	1974	Siriththu Vaazhavendum / Uthayam Productions, S.S.Balan
126	1974	Ninaithathai Mudippavan / Oriental Pictures, P.Neelakandan
127	1975	Naalai Namathe / Gajendra Films, K.S.Sedhumadavan
128	1975	Pallaandu Vaazhha / Uthayam Productions, K.Sankar
129	1975	Ithaya Kani / Sathya Movies, A.Jeganathan
130	1976	Neethikku Thalai Vanangu / Sri Umaiyambikai Productions, P.Neelakandan
131	1976	Uzhaikkum Karangal / Kay Cey Films, K.Sankar
132	1976	Oorukku Uzhaippavan / Venus Pictures, M.Krishnan
133	1977	Inru Pola Enrum Vaazhha / Subbu Productions, K.Sankar
134	1977	Navarathnam / C.N.V.Movies, A.P.Nagarajan
135	1977	Meenava Nanban / Muthu Enterprise, C.V.Sridhar
136	1977	Maduraiyai Meedda Sundara Paandiyan (1978)/ Soleeswar Combines, P.Neelakandan

 

This trust started functioning in the year 1988 in memory and as per the wishes of late Dr.M.G.R (Chief Minister of the State of Tamil Nadu, India).This Trust is born out of the last registered will of Late Dr.MGR duly probated in the High Court of Judicature of Madras in OP 388/92 and since executed.The main objectives of this trust as evisaged in the will are

a) to establish and maintain a free home for the poor speech and hearing impaired in the Ramavaram Gardens (Where Late Dr.MGR was residing),

b) to establish and maintain a memorial at 27, Arcot Mudali Street , Chennai (Dr.M.G.R's Office) containing a vast collection of books and various articles and awards recieved by Dr.M.G.R during his lifetime from various organisations and people.

c) to maintain and derive income from the properties of Late Dr.MGR at Sathya Gardens, Saligramam and Sathya Studios, Adyar and use it to maintain the free home for the poor speech and hearing impaired at Ramavaram Gardens and maintain and derive income from the MGR Market, Alandur and use it to maintain the MGR Memorial House, T.Nagar

Thiru.M.Rajendran M.Tech. (chosen by Dr.M.G.R himself ) is the Trustee  of this trust.He succeeded Dr.N.C.Ragavachari, Senior Advocate who was the first executor of the will of Dr.MGR.

 

MGR Memorial Charitable Trust

MGR Memorial Building,

27, Arcot Mudali Street ,

Chennai 600017