Mayavaram Krishnamurthy Thyagaraja Bhagavathar (Tamil: மாயவரம் கிருஷ்ணமூர்த்தி தியாகராஜ பாகவதர்) (1 March 1901 – 1 November 1959), also called M.K.T., was a Tamil film actor, producer and Carnatic music singer. He is considered to be one of the most successful Tamil film actors ever.
English: Mayavaram Krishnamurthy Thyagaraja Bhagavathar. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bhagavathar was born in the town of Mayiladuthurai in then Tanjore district of the Madras Presidency, British India. He started his career as a classical singer and stage artist in the late 1920s. In 1934, he made his début in films with the movie Pavalakkodi which turned out to be a hit. From 1934 to 1959, Bhagavathar acted in 14 films of whom 6 were box-office hits. Bhagavathar’s 1944 film Haridas ran for three consecutive years at Broadway Theatre,Madras and created the record for the longest continuous run at a single theatre. Bhagavathar was arrested in 1944 as one of the main suspects in theLakshmikanthan Murder Case and spent three years in prison before being released in 1947 after a re-trial found him innocent. Bhagavathar’s career declined after his arrest and though he did continue to act in Tamil films after his release from prison, none of them did well. Bhagavathar died of diabetesat the age of 58 on 1 November 1959.
Bhagavathar was acclaimed for his powerful, melodious voice and the ease with which he could sing high pitch notes. Critics and film historians acknowledge Bhagavathar as the “first superstar of Tamil cinema”.
Bhagavathar was a philanthropist and contributed for important social and religious causes. He was awarded a “Diwan Bahadur” title by the Governor of Madras for his contribution to the British war efforts during the Second World War but he turned it down.
Early life
English: Ellis R. Dungan directing S. D. Santhanalakshmi and K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in the 1937 Tamil film Ambikapathi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Bhagavathar was born “Thyagaraja” in Mayiladuthurai (then known as Mayavaram), Tanjore District on March 1, 1901. He was the eldest son of Krishnamurthy achary a goldsmith. A few years after his birth, the family moved to Tiruchirappalli (then known as Trichinopoly), where Thyagaraja was admitted in a local school.
Right from his boyhood, Thyagaraja neglected his studies. Instead, he desired to become a singer. According to a popular anecdote, Thyagaraja once ran away from home after being reprimanded by his father for his decision to become a singer as singing was not considered to be an honourable profession in the conservative Indian society of the early 20th century.
Krishnamurthy Achari, eventually, found his son in the Telugu-speaking town of Cuddapah as he was singing to a large group of admiring listeners. Krishnamurthy achary relented and encouraged his son to hone his skills. Soon, Thyagaraja began to sing Hindu religious songs or bhajans.
Early singing and stage career
English: Screen shot from 1944 Tamil film haridas. Depicts M. K. Thyagaraja bhagavathar and T.R. Rajakumari (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
F.G. Natesa Iyer, a railway officer with South Indian Railways, Trichy and the founder of an amateur theater group, Rasika Ranjana Sabha, is credited with introducing Thyagaraja to the stage. One story is that he heard Thyagaja singing at a bhajan. Impressed with his talent, F.G. Natesa Iyer offered him the role of Lohitadasa in his play Harischandra; with the permission of Thyagaraja’s father. Thyagaraja, who was ten at the time, agreed, and the play was a success. He also started getting trained under the guidance of theater veterans at that time in Trichy. However, Thyagaraja concentrated more on singing than acting and took a six-year training in Carnatic music from Madurai Ponnu Iyengar, an acclaimed violinist.
Early films
S. S. Mani Bhagavathar as Lord Krishna and M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar as Arjuna in the 1934 Tamil film Pavalakkodi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In 1934, businessmen Lakshmana Chettiar and Rm Alagappa Chettiar and film director K. Subramaniam happened to watch a Hindu mythological play called “Pavalakkodi” in which Bhagavathar played the lead role of Arjuna. Thoroughly impressed with the performance, Chettiar planned to produce a movie based on the same story with Bhagavathar playing the lead role. The film was shot in Adyar and was a success. It helped launch Bhagavathar’s career in films.
Bhagavathar’s second film Naveena Sarangadhara (1935) was again directed by K. Subramaniam and was based on a play called Sarangadhara.
Bagavathar’s next film was his first own production film under the banner Trichy Thyagaraja Films, “Sathyaseelan” (1936). The film had the novel feature of two Bagavathars appearing on the same frame, though it was not strictly a film with Bagavathar playing a double role. Bagavathar, apart from playing Sathyaseelan, also briefly appears as a court singer himself in the film.
Rise to stardom 1937–1944
M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar with Master Sethuraman as Lord Muruga to his left (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In 1937, Bhagavathar was cast in role of Bilwamangal in the film Chintamani directed by Y. V. Rao. Chintamani was a record-breaker and became the first Tamil film to run continuously for a year. Bhagavathar’s songs in the movie were especially popular. The Tamil writer Kalki Krishnamurthy wrote that the film has made such an impact on the viewers that the housewife would sing the song Mayaprapanchattil from the movie while preparing coffee in the morning and her husband would sing Rathey unakku kobam in order to please his sweetheart. However, the songs that were featured in the gramophone records produced by Saraswathi Stores were not sung by Bhagavathar as he did not have any business understanding with the company. With the profits obtained from the movie, the owners of Rayal Talkies constructed a theatre in Madurai and named it Chintamani.
The very same year, Bhagavathar was offered the title role in the film Ambikapathy made by the American film director Ellis R. Dungan. The film was Bhagavathar’s second consecutive hit in the year and broke records set by Chintamani. Dungan was, however, heavily criticized by the conservative Hindu society for introducing controversially intimate scenes between Bhagavathar and the heroine Santhanalakshmi. Bhagavathar played the role of Saivitesaint Thiruneelakanta Nayanar in the 1939 movie Thiruneelakantar.
Career
Singing
Most of M.K.T.’s songs were devotional with a South Indian classical base. Along with lyricist Papanasam Sivan, M.K.T. composed many 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.
Acting
M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar with Serugulathur Sama and M. S. Thirupurambal in Sivakavi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
M.K.T. made his début in the 1934 film Pavalakodi; in all, he appeared in 14 movies before he died. Most of his films were record-breakers.Thiruneelakandar, Ambikapathi, Chintamani were among the first highly successful Tamil films. Haridas, released in 1944, ran continuously for three years at the Chennai Broadway Theatre.
Later years
In 1944, M.K.T., actor N. S. Krishnan, and Coimbatore – based movie studio owner Sriramlu Naidu were charged in the murder of Lakshmikanthan; M.K.T. was acquitted and released in April 1947. Prior to his arrest, he was signed up to act in 12 more films, but he lost interest and the few movies he did make after his release were unsuccessful. Nevertheless, he still drew huge crowds at his concerts. He had lost almost all his wealth in his case defense.
Colorized postcard featuring M. K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and Santhanalakshmi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Followers of the Dravidian movement, such as C. N. Annadurai (the founder of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) political party and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu), tried to entice him to their fold, but because of his convictions, M.K.T. remained apolitical and a staunch bhakta 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.
Legacy
During the Second World War, at the request of the Governor of Madras, Arthur Oswald James Hope, Bhagavathar organised concerts and plays to raise money for the British war effort. The Governor recognized his contributions by offering him a “Diwan Bahadur” title which Bhagavathar declined.
Filmography
(Source: 03/2013 – Wikipedia.org)
Siva Kavi (1943): AMBA MANAM TANINTHU… in Raga Pantuvarali
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Chintamani (1937): Rathey Unakku Kobam… in Raga Chenchuruti
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M.K.T.’s Film Songs (Source: Indian-Heritage.org)…
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aanandha Natana – Sivakami (1959) – MK Thiagaraja Bhagavathar, K V Mahadevan, Papanasam Sivan |
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aaranange nenjam nee ariyaai – Shyaamala (1953) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, G Ramanathan, C S Roya Sundaram |
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amba manamkanindhunadhu kadaikan paar – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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annaiyum thandhaiyum thaane paaril – Haridas (1944) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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araavabaranan thiruvadi marandhu – Sivagami (1959) – M K T, K V Mahadevan, Papanasam Sivan |
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arpuda leelaigalai, yaararivaar agilaanda naayagane – Sivagami (1959)- M K T, K V Mahadevan, Papanasam Sivan |
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bhoomiyil maanida jenmamadaidhumor – Ashok Kumar (1941) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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Chandra Suriyar – Ambigapathi (1937)- M K T, Papanasam Sivan (Music & Lyrics) |
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chedi maraivilae oru poongodi maraindhe maayam seivadhaen – Amarakavi (1952) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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Chidambaranaadha thiruvarul thaarai – Thiruneelakandar (1939) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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chutum vizhi chudardhaan – Pudhu Vaazhvu (1957) – M K T, Music for the film: (G Ramanathan, CN Pandurangan), Barathiyar |
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dhyaaname enadhu – Ashok Kumar (1941) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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en udal thanniloru ee moitha podhu, ungal kannil mul thaithar pol irundho – Haridas (1944) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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enna aanandham – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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gnaana kan ondru – Chintaamani (1937)- M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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gnana sabayil thillai gaanam thanil nindraadum – Sivagami (1959) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, K V Mahadevan, Papanasam Sivan |
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ingum angum – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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kidaiyaadhu vaazhvadhile – Ashok Kumar (1941) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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Krishnaa, Mugundhaa, Muraare – Haridas (1944) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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maanila vaazhvu perum aanandham – Ashok Kumar (1941), M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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maanida jenmam meendum vandhidumo – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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manam kanindhe jeeva dhaanam – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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manam ninaindhu – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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maname nee Eesan naamathai – Ashok Kumar (1941), M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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Manmadha leelaiyai vendraar undo – Haridas (1944) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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maraivaai pudaitha odu maraindha maayam edho – Thiruneelakandar (1939) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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maya prapanchathil – Chintaamani (1937) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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naatiya kalaiye…, kavalaiyai theerpadhu naatiya kalaiye – Siva Kavi (1943)- M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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oru naal oru pozhudhaagilum – Thiruneelakandar (1939) – M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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piravikkadal – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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Radhe unaku kobam aagaadhadi – Chintaamani (1937) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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Rajan maharaajan thiruvotiryur mevum thiruvaalar thiagarajan – Shyaamala (1953) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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saraasarangal varum suzhandre – Ashok Kumar (1941) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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sathva guna bodhagan – Ashok Kumar (1941), M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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sevai seidhaale – Amarakavi (1952) – M K T |
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Shyaamalaa, jeevapriye Shyaamalaa – Shyaamala (1953) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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sinam kaamam poikalavu – Ashok Kumar (1941), M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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Sivaperumaan kribai vendum – Naveena Sarangadhara (1936) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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sollu paapaa, sollu paapaa. sugam pera vazhi ondru sollu paapaa – Sathyaseelan (1936) – M K T, Janakam Kavi Kunjaram |
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soppana vaazhvil magizhndhu, Subramania Swami, unai marandhaar – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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thaen kuyil pole – Pudhu Vaazhvu (1957) – M K T, Jikki, Music for the film: (G Ramanathan, CN Pandurangan) |
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Thillaiyin nayagane Sivagamavalli manogarane – Sivagami (1959) – M K T, K V Mahadevan, Papanasam Sivan |
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ullangkavarumen – Ashok Kumar (1941), M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Papanasam Sivan |
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un azhagai kaana iru kangal podhaade – Thiruneelakandar (1939) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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unnai allaal oru thrumbasaiyumo – Raja Mukthi (1948) – M K T, C R Subbaraman, Papanasam Sivan |
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unnaiyae anbudan vaariyanaikkum – Ashok Kumar (1941) – MKT, Papanasam Sivan |
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unai kandu mayangaadha pergalundo – Ashok Kumar (1941) – MK Thiagaraja Bhagavadhar, Papanasam Sivan |
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vaazhvile oru naal – Haridas (1944) – MK Thiagaraja Bhagavathar, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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vadhaname chandra bimbamo, malarndha sarojamo – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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vallalai paadum vaaiyaal aruthalai pillaiyai paaduveno – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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van pasi pinikku unavu nam – Ashok Kumar (1941) – M K T, Papanasam Sivan |
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vasantha rudhu mana mohaname – Siva Kavi (1943) – M K T, S Jayalakshmi, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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yaanai thandham pole pirainilaa, vaanile jothiyaai veesudhe – Amarakavi (1952) – M K T, G Ramanathan, Papanasam Sivan |
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