Potpourri of titbits about cinema - M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagwadar thyagaraja

Superstar forever>

Kalidas, the first talkie in Tamil was released in the year 1931. Pavalakkodi, with M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagwadar in the lead role was released after three years. This super hit film contained sixty songs! MKT’s next film, Naveena Sarangathara was also a super hit. At this point in time, MKT founded his own production company Thyagaraja Films and produced the movie Sathyaseelan. And, he gave G. Ramanathan, a harmonium player for stage plays, the opportunity to score the music for the film. Though the movie had only lukewarm response, all the songs became hits. The total cost for the production was Rs. 52,000. The year 1937 was a milestone in the career of MKT. His two films Chintamani and Ambikapathy, both became super hits. They proved to be turning points in his film career and shot him up to the status of a superstar. Madurai Royal Talkies, which produced Chintamani, built a cinema theatre in Madurai with the money they got as the profit from this film and named it Chintamani Theatre. Ilangovan was the dialogue-writer for the film Ambikapathy. He also reached dizzy heights through this film. The movie was directed by Ellis R. Duncan, an American.

The MKT-starrer Haridas, released on the Diwali day on 16-10-1944 ran for 110 continuous weeks and created a buzz in the film world. MKT’s other films including Thiruneelakandar, Asok Kumar and Sivakavi were also block-busters. MKT was born to Krishnamoorthy Acharya – Manickathammaal. He had two younger brothers and one younger sister. Bhagwadar was crazy about S. G. Kittappa’s plays. He looked upon him as his ‘guru’. Before entering cinema, MKT was a stage artiste.MKT underwent imprisonment along with N. S. Krishnan for his alleged involvement in the Lakshmikanthan murder case. But, the final verdict delivered by the Madras High Court on 25-4-1947, acquitted and released both of them. But, it is saddening that they underwent punishment without committing any wrong. MKT started giving stage programs after his release and kept away from films for some time. But, subsequently, he produced the film Rajamukti in which he did the main role. Then followed his next production Pudhu vaazhvu. When Sivakami, his new venture was nearing completion, he was admitted to the hospital for high levels of blood pressure and sugar. He died on 1-11-1959 without completing the film. The movie too saw a tragic end with the hero dying. His body was laid to rest at a ‘samadhi’ next to his father’s at Sankiliyandapuram in Trichi. Though he had acted only in thirteen movies, he continues to remain a superstar in the minds of the people even after his death.