Main Image via Behindwoods
 
Maruthur Gopalan Ramachandran better known as MGR, was addressed with many titles such as Makkal Thilakam and Puratchi Thalaivar. M.G.R. and his elder brother M. G. Chakrapani became members of a drama troupe to support their family. After a few years of acting in plays, he made his film debut in the 1936 film Sathi Leelavathi in a supporting role. By the late 1940s, he graduated to lead roles and for the next three decades, dominated Tamil films and rose to become one of the most iconic leaders in Indian history.

 
In the honor of the late legend MRG we have gathered some rare photos and facts in memory of him.
 

 
Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran was born in Kandy, Sri Lanka, in a Malayalam-speaking Nair family. Son to Melakkath Gopalan Menon and Maruthur Satyabhama from Palakkad, India, his father Gopalan Menon died when M.G.R. was just two and a half years old. Soon after, his sister too died due to ill health. His mother struggled alone to bring up M.G.R. and his brother, eventually making the decision to return to India. There, they and went back to Kerala where she failed to get the support of her relatives. However with the support of Velu Nair of Kumbakonam, Satyabhama found employment as a housemaid and put both her sons in school with her humble earnings.
 

 
Ramachandran made his film debut in 1936, in the film Sathi Leelavathi, directed by Ellis R. Dungan, an American-born film director. Generally starring in romance or action films, MGR got his breakthrough in the 1950 film Manthiri Kumari, written by M. Karunanidhi. Soon he rose to popularity with the 1954 film Malaikkallan.
 
 

 
He was also the fist actor to act in a full-length Tamil Gevacolor film, Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum. He rose to become the heartthrob of millions of fans with films such as Thirudadhe, Enga Veettu Pillai, Aayirathil Oruvan, Anbe Vaa, Mahadevi, Panam Padaithavan, Ulagam Sutrum Vaalibhan and many more.
 

 
During his days of struggle as an actor, MGR endured poverty and starvation. He then went on to play similar real life characters in films, which instantly clicked with the audience and made him the people’s voice.
 

 
In October 1984, MGR was diagnosed with kidney failure as a result of diabetes, which was soon followed by a mild heart attack and a massive stroke. He was rushed to the Downstate Medical Center in New York City, United States for treatment, and underwent a kidney transplant. The next two years and 10 months were spent frequenting the United States for treatment.
 

MGR never fully recovered from his multiple health problems and died on 24 December 1987 at 3:30am in his Ramavaram Gardens residence in Manapakkam, India. He was 70 at the time, just a month away before his 71st birthday. His death shocked the world.
 
 
Today, MGR is still remembered and loved by millions for his amazing performances on-screen and his contributions as a remarkable leader of the era. We at RAAGA honour the legend on his 104th birth anniversary.
 
Info via Indian Express
 
By Thineshkan