MGR Samadhi & Anna Samadhi near Marina Beach in Chennai
MGR Samadhi
M G Ramachandran (Called MGR) is the former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (1977-1987). There is a beautiful memorial built for his Samadhi near Marina beach, which is visited by a lot of people every year.
It seems, MGR was the first prominent film personality to be elected as a Chief Minister in India. He was earlier with the DMK and then formed his own party ADMK afterwards. Under MGR, ADMK won all the elections it contested in Tamil Nadu.
The entrance for MGR Memorial has been beautifully constructed (above photo). MGR was a huge film hero of his times. Though I have watched some of his movies, I am not very familiar with his films. It seems, during the introductory songs in his movies people were not able to hear anything in the theatres – the sound was so deafening!
MGR has acted, produced and even directed movies. It seems he was responsible for popularizing the free mid day meals for children who attend corporation schools, which led to a remarkable increase in the number of school enrollments. MGR was awarded the Bharat Ratna award posthumously.
Anna Samadhi
Peraringar Anna Durai, popularly called as Anna (Meaning Elder brother in Tamil) was the first Non-Congress Chief Minister of any state in India, which had its own majority. He was also the founder of the Dravidar Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party. Before founding the party, he was a member of Dravidar Kazhagam (DK) party headed by Periyar. But since Periyar decided not to contest in elections, Annadurai split from DK to form DMK.
Anna was a popular script writer (in Tamil movies) and he has also written a lot of books. He is a very famous orator and was the editor of few magazines. Anna was fluent in both Tamil and English. Both the political parties in TN (DMK and AIADMK) consider Anna as their mentor.
Anna (and DMK) opposed the move to make Hindi the official language and to be taught compulsorily in all schools. He adopted a two language formula when elected as Chief Minister (1967-1969). He was also responsible for changing the name of Madras State to Tamil Nadu.
Lot of institutions / public utilities are named after him. For example, the Anna Salai (previously called as Mount Road), Anna Nagar (Residential area), ADMK/AIADMK (Political party), Aringnar Anna Zoo, Anna University, etc. Perhaps no other leader in Tamil Nadu has so many things named after them!
Destination Infinity
As always a very informative article…. The monument looks beautiful ..The construction is very modern and artistic 🙂
Yeah the construction is quite artistic. It has become an important tourist spot.
Destination Infinity
WHO IS the architect designed this marvel.. do mention his name..
nice photo of samadhi
Thanks, SM.
Destination Infinity
supper friend
Tamil Nadu surely has had some very iconic people who’ve turned from actors and writers to politicians!
Yeah, the trend seems to be continuing!
Destination Infinity
I have heard about MGR but never knew there was a memorial in his name. Havent heard about Anna though. Nice pics!
Even I don’t know much about Anna, but his name is very popular here in TN. So, I thought why not atleast read Wikipedia article on him 🙂
Destination Infinity
Though most of tamils knew these facts, it’s very informative for non tamils.
Pics are nice, I’ve never seen these places in night.
I actually went twice – once in the day and once in the night in two weeks. So, I got night pictures as well.
Destination Infinity
lovely pics.. and I got to know something which i had no clue about ..
Thanks
Bikram’s
Half of what is written here, even I myself was clueless about (prior to writing)!
Destination Infinity
I have seen these samadhis from outside but never went near them!
Have you noticed? People remove their chappals and go near MGR samadhi and some people tonsure their heads also and offer the hair to him, I have heard! He is a semi god for many rural people!
Nice photoes! I am knowing more about Chennai through you!
OMG, I went there around 12:00 PM in May afternoon – Imagine if someone had come there without chappals! Going there with chappals itself is an achievement at that time 🙂
Destination Infinity
Hi,
You may like to read this post.
Comparison of countries ,Capacity of Nuclear Reactors, Nuclear fuel and liability.
http://realityviews.blogspot.com/2010/08/comparison-of-countries-capacity-of.html
I had heard of him but had no idea that he was so big as to have such a memorial!
Anna? I think you should be knowing about MGR – he was quite popular.
Destination Infinity
this refreshed my memories of my recent visit there
yes so many institutions/places named after him
Yes, both of them are very popular here and people love putting up statues, etc for them!
Destination Infinity
Anna and mgr memorial was simply superb that was a example of our art design.the both leaders are still alive in our hearts
MGR was god in human mask. The place is like in heaven
உலகில் மிக அழகான நீண்ட,கடற்கரை நம் மெரினா
I like merana beach
i love chennai
it was amazing
Both these landmarks on Merina were designed and built by Kalignar M.Karunanithi during his tenure as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1969 and 1989 respectively.