Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema - M. R. Radha

M. R. Radha – the man created a sensation in both theatre and cinema through his individuality and histrionic talents. He was at once a comedian, villain and a character artiste. He was awarded the title ‘Nadigavel’ for his performance in the stage play ‘Porvaal’ by ‘Pattukottai’ Azhagiri.

Radha was born to the couple Rajagopal Naidu – Rajaammaal, who lived at Samy Naicken Street, Chindadripet in Chennai as their second child on 14–4-1907. M. R. Radha stands for Madras Rajagopalan Radhakrishnan. He had an elder brother Janakiraman and a younger brother Paappa. Radha’s father served in military during the World War. He died at the war front at the Russian border. Radha gave up studies when he was in the 3rd std. and started his acting career by joining various drama troupes. After gaining some experience, he started his own company and staged many plays. His plays including Rathakaneer, Thookkumedai, Lakshmikanthan, Bombay mail, Vimala, Vidavaiyin kaneer, Newspaper, Dasavathaaram, Porvaal, Keemayanam earned him fame and name. But he was arrested and jailed for some of his plays because of the reason that they contained scenes and dialogues that pointed out the mistakes of the then rulers and also propagated the revolutionary ideas of Periyaar.

Radha entered cinema in the year 1937 through his first film Rajasekharan. His stage play Rathakanner was filmed by Perumal, the producer of the film Paraasakthi. Radha did the same role which he did on the stage. The movie equally became a super hit as its stage version. Radha became extremely busy and acted in 180 films within a short span of his career. On 12–1–1967, Radha shot MGR and himself. Both recovered after intensive treatment. Radha was convicted and he underwent a sentence of imprisonment for seven years and was released in 1974. He staged his popular play Rathakanner at Kumbakonam immediately after his release. I got the opportunity to watch the play and meet him after the play was over. One of my friends Mani who was a member of Dravida Kazhagam wanted Radha’s autograph. He gave me a hundred-rupee note on which he wished Radha to give his signature. When I showed the note to Radha for autograph, Radha refused and told me angrily that already a person (Governor) had signed on the note and if Radha too signed, he would be jailed again! And, he advised that autographs should be obtained on a notebook, intended for it.

After his release, Radha acted in many films. He died on 17-9-1979 due to jaundice in Trichy, where he was staying in his own house. He had three wives – Saraswathi, Danalakshmi and Geetha. His eldest son Vasu had the voice of his father. He had also acted in many films and had staged his father’s play Rathakaneer. I helped him for staging this play in towns like Salem, Erode and Shringagiri. And, it is a matter of pride that even after his death, Radha’s son Radharavi and grandson Vasu Vikram are staging the play. Radha’s daughters Radhika and Nirosha are popular artistes even today.