M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

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M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar

Born Mayapuram Krishnamurthy Thyagarajan
January 3, 1909(1909-01-03)
Mayavaram,Tamil Nadu, India
Died November 1, 1959 (aged 50)
Other name(s) MKT
Years active 1934-1959

Mayapuram Krishnamurthy Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (b.3 January 1909 d.1 November 1959), also called MKT, was a Tamil film actor and Carnatic singer. He acted in 15 films overall, of which six were very successful. His 1944 film Haridas created a record of sorts by becoming the first Indian film to run continuously for three years at a single cinema theatre. Convicted in the Lakshmikantan murder case, Bhagavathar was arrested along with comedian N. S. Krishnan and spent four years in prison before being acquitted in 1948 when a retrial found both Bhagavathar and NSK innocent. However, the movies he acted in after his release from prison did not do well in the box office. He died on 1 November 1959 due to cirrhosis. MKT is widely regarded as the first superstar of Tamil cinema.

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[edit] Early life

Thyagaraja Bhagavathar was born at Mayavaram (now Mayiladuthurai) in Tamil Nadu, India, in a family of goldsmiths and grew up in Trichy.

[edit] Acting and singing

Most of MKT's songs were devotional with a South Indian classical base. Along with lyricist Papanasam Sivan, MKT created many superhits songs, including "Unai Alaal", "Neelakanta", "Amba Manam Kanindhu", "Soppana Vazhvil Makizhndu", "Maraivaai Maraitha Odu", "Gyaana Kann", "Sathva Guna Bodhan", "Rajan Maharajan", "Krishna Mukunda Murari", "Naatiya Kalaiye", "Radhe Unaku Kobam Aagadadi", "Vasantha Ruthu", and many others.

He is considered the first superstar of Tamil cinema (Kollywood). His first movie was 1934's Pavalakodi; he appeared in another 14 movies before he died. Most of his movies were record breakers. Thiruneelakandar, Ambikapathi, Chintamani were among the first highly successful Tamil movies. Haridas, released in 1944, ran continuously for three years in Chennai Broadway Theatre.

[edit] Later years

In 1944, MKT, comedian N. S. Krishnan, and Coimbatore-based movie studio owner Sriramlu Naidu were charged in the murder of Lakshmikanthan; MKT was acquitted and released in 1946. Prior to his arrest, he was booked to make 12 more movies, but he lost interest and the few movies he did make were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he still drew huge crowds at his concerts. He spent his last years quietly, having lost almost all his wealth in his murder defense.

Followers of the Dravidian movement, such as C. N. Annadurai (the founder of the DMK political party and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), tried to entice him to their fold, but because of his convictions, MKT remained apolitical and a staunch Bhakta (Devotee of God) until his death. It is believed that his absence from the film industry provided a window for the Dravidian atheist movement to move in and establish themselves in the Tamil film industry.

[edit] External links

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