Readers of the monthly magazine ‘Ithayakkani’ on MGR relive the illustrious journey of the icon
There is only one hero and that is our MGR;Thalaiwari Lives in our hearts forever – it was the collective spirit of MGR fans who recently gathered in Coimbatore to celebrate the icon and his journey. “It is a meeting of our readers after a gap of three years,” says S Vijayan, editor and publisher of ithaikkani, a monthly magazine dedicated to the late matinee idol and politician. The magazine, launched in 2000, packs in anecdotes and details about the actor’s rise to stardom, rare photographs, filmography, political life and much more. Vijayan, a self-proclaimed MGR fan since childhood, says, “We have readers from over 150 cities in Tamil Nadu, 10 cities in Kerala, Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Malaysia and Singapore. “After Swami Vivekananda, he is the only leader in Tamil Nadu who has a statue in Malaysia.”
love for coimbatore
MGR always shared a special bond with Coimbatore, says ithaikkani Editor. “His First Film” Mr. Murugani Filmed in Coimbatore studio. Their sivathandavam There was a lot of talk about acting in the film. Later on, he made several films which include Princesshandjob marmayogi And Mohini Here’s a super hit for Jupiter Films. Malai Kalan The shoot shot here at Pakshiraja studio created history.
One of his iconic songs from the film, ‘Kadavul Ennum Muthalali Kandedutha Thozhilali Vivasayi Vivasayi’ Vivashayi The shooting was done in the agricultural fields at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. “His producer, Chinnappa Thevar, (with whom he has done 16 films) managed to take an atheist MGR to the famous Murugan temple in Marudhamalai,” explains Vijayan.
warm welcome
MGR had also laid the foundation stone of Hotel Thai, the site of the recent meeting. He shares a special relationship with the RHR family, who own the Royal Theatre, RHR Hotel and Hotel Thai. G Ratnavelu of the RHR family remembers MGR who came to his house and had a meal with him. “He always kept his word. He promised to lay the foundation stone of our Hotel Thai and however did not.
Few years back when Royal Theaters got the idea of showing seven MGR movies for seven days – naam naduhandjob Adimai Penhandjob matukara velanihandjob ayrathil oruvanhandjob embodimenthandjob Miss kottam And Ann Annan, Every film was warmly received.
MGR Fans
Vijayan attributes the success of the magazine to the star’s fan base across the globe. “It is tremendous. Many of Shivaji’s fans have turned to MGR after reading about him in our magazine pages,” he laughs. In such meetings, readers share anecdotes, discuss his films and much more “Did you know that his movie madurai desolation (1956) lasted for 100 days in all the 36 movie halls that showed it?” asks Vijayan who has seen all 138 MGR movies. He has collected thousands of rare photographs of MGR – photographs from his theater days and unpublished From films, family photographs and his political life. As a part of the Life History series for the book, Vijayan visited MGR’s 200-year-old Maruthur House. taravadu (ancestral home) at Vadavannur near Palakkad in Kerala.
In order to reach out to more audiences, Vijayan has launched a YouTube channel Ithayakkani TV on MGR. “Our aim is to share only credible information about the star on social media; This is the only way to stop the misinformation that is doing the rounds online. “
Looking back on his two decades of association with the magazine, Vijayan says, “There has never been a dull moment. I have always been in awe of MGR. A man who made every minute of his existence count.”
.