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M. G. Chakrapani

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M. G. Chakrapani
Born
Maruthur Gopalan Chakrapani

(1911-01-13)13 January 1911
Vadavannur Palakkad (Madras presidency), British India
Died17 August 1986(1986-08-17) (aged 75)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesEttan
Occupation(s)Actor, Film producer
Years active1936–1986
SpouseMeenakshi Chakrapani
Children10
RelativesM. G. Ramachandran (Younger brother)

Maruthur Gopalan Chakrapani (13 January 1911- 17 August 1986), commonly known as Ettan ("elder brother" in Malayalam), was an Indian actor and producer based in the Tamil film industry. He was the elder brother of actor-politician M. G. Ramachandran.[1]

Early life

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Chakrapani was born in Vadavannur, Palakkad (Madras Presidency now Kerala), on 13 January 1911. His parents, Gopala Menon and Sathyabhama, named him Neelakantan, but this was soon changed to Chakrapani because of his father's religious beliefs. Soon after his birth, the family migrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where Chakrapani's two younger siblings (brother M. G. Ramachandran and a sister) were born. Gopala Menon worked as a magistrate in Kandy, until he suffered an early death. Chakrapani's sister also died while they were in Ceylon.[1]

Sathyabhama took her sons to Kumbakonam to be close to her brother. Chakrapani studied at Yanaiadi School, but left after the seventh grade. His mother then enrolled him and Ramachandran in the Madurai Original Boys Company (MOBC), a professional Tamil theatre company.

Career

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Chakrapani made his Tamil cinema debut in Iru Sahodarargal in 1936. Maya Machhindra and Tamizhariyum Perumal came next, where he began to be known as a character actor. His breakout role came in 1944 with Mahamaya. His character, Neelan, is believed to have been modelled after the Indian philosopher Chanakya.[1] Though Mahamaya was a box office failure, Chakrapani's lines continue to be spoken. His acting in the role of police inspector in Malai kallan and as villain in En Thangai are notable. He had a very good role in Nadodi Mannan. His big success came some years later with Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali, where he again played a villain.[1]

Later in his career, Chakrapani transitioned from actor to director and producer, managing his brother's career. Chakrapani worked with his brother on several projects which failed to see the light of day. One such film, Bhavani had Ramachandran in the lead role. It was written by A. K. Velan, directed by Masthan, with Chakrapani producing. Years later, Chakrapani tried again, this time taking the director's seat in the renamed Arasa Kattalai. It was a success.[1]

Personal life and death

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Chakrapani was married to Meenakshi. They had 10 children together including seven sons and three daughters. Chakrapani died on 17 August 1986 at the age of 75.[1]

Filmography

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Year Film Roles Notes Ref.
1936 Iru Sahodarargal Police inspector Billed as G. Chakrapani [2]
1939 Maya Machhindra [3]
1939 Jothi [4]
1942 Tamizhariyum Perumal [5]
1944 Mahamaya Neelan [6]
1946 Sri Murugan
1947 1000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani
1948 Abhimanyu Balaraman [7]
1948 Raja Mukthi Minister
1950 Ponmudi Tribal Chief [8]
1950 Thigambara Samiar Magistrate Pattabhirama Pillai
1950 Maruthanad Elavarasee Minister [9]
1950 Ithaya Geetham Minister [10]
1951 Vanasundari
1952 Amarakavi
1952 En Thangai Rajendran's uncle [11]
1952 Kalyani Doctor [12]
1953 Naam Sanjeevi [13]
1954 Malaikkallan Sub Inspector [14]
1954 En Magal Mirasdar [15]
1956 Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum Amir Kasim Khan [16]
1957 Raja Rajan Uthselan Kavirayar
1958 Nadodi Mannan Karmegam [17]
1959 Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali Sundara Mudaliar [18]
1959 Nalla Theerpu [19]
1960 Raja Desingu Nawab of Arcot [20]
1960 Mannathi Mannan King Karikala Chozhan [21]
1962 Raani Samyuktha [22]
1967 Arasa Kattalai Also director [23]
1969 Nam Naadu Also producer
1972 Idhaya Veenai Sivaraman
1974 Netru Indru Naalai
1975 Naalai Namadhe

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Guy, Randor (16 February 2012). "Fame eluded this sibling of an icon". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 23 October 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  2. ^ "Iru Sahodarargal 1936". The Hindu. 14 August 2009. Archived from the original on 2 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  3. ^ Guy, Randor (25 January 2014). "Maya Machhindra (1939)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  4. ^ Guy, Randor (4 October 2014). "Jothi 1939". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 9 March 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  5. ^ Guy, Randor (7 May 2011). "Thamizh Ariyum Perumal 1942". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  6. ^ Guy, Randor (4 September 2010). "Mahamaya 1944". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 21 January 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  7. ^ Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "Abhimanyu 1948". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  8. ^ Guy, Randor (3 October 2008). "Ponmudi 1950". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 12 October 2018. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  9. ^ Guy, Randor (8 January 2011). "Blast from the past - Maruthanaatu Ilavarasi (1950)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  10. ^ Ithaya Geetham (song book) (in Tamil). Citadel Film Corporation. 1950. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  11. ^ Guy, Randor (28 November 2008). "En Thangai 1952". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  12. ^ கல்யாணி (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. 1952. Archived from the original on 22 December 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  13. ^ Guy, Randor (29 December 2012). "Naam (1953)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  14. ^ "Malaikkallan". The Indian Express. 24 July 1954. p. 3. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  15. ^ Guy, Randor (15 June 2013). "En Magal (1955)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 27 June 2021. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  16. ^ அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் [Alibaba and the Forty Thieves] (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. c. 1956.
  17. ^ Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). சாதனைகள் படைத்த தமிழ்த் திரைப்பட வரலாறு – நாடோடி மன்னன் பற்றி எம்.ஜி.ஆர். – வீரப்பாவை சிரிக்கச் சொல்லவில்லை! [History of Landmark Tamil Films – I never asked Veerappa to laugh!] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  18. ^ தாய் மகளுக்கு கட்டிய தாலி (song book) (in Tamil). Kalpana Kala Mandir. 1959. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  19. ^ Guy, Randor (17 August 2013). "Nalla Theerpu (1959)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  20. ^ Guy, Randor (15 August 2015). "Raja Desingu (1960)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  21. ^ Guy, Randor (28 April 2012). "Blast from the past: Mannaathi Mannan (1960)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 11 February 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Rani Samyuktha (1962)". The Hindu. 19 September 2015. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
  23. ^ Guy, Randor (23 April 2016). "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 24 April 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
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