Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR (January 17, 1917–December 24, 1987) is a legend who lived amidst us. Charisma and success never eluded this rare personality and he is one of those few who made it big in his own lifetime, be it films or politics.

Today is a special day for innumerable MGR fans worldwide. For today begins the centenary celebrations of MGR.

Today happens to be MGR’s 90th birthday. In commemoration of this, a grand function will take place on the evening of 17-01-2007 at MGR Janaki Memorial School, Manapakkam, opposite Ramavaram MGR Garden.

A free medical camp was held today between 8 am to 1 pm. Specialists in ophthalmology, dentistry, general medicine, gynaecology and paediatrics attended to underprivileged patients.

This evening at 6p.m., Padmashree TM Soundararajan will be felicitated. Director VC Guhanathan will preside over this function. M. Balasubramanian of AVM studios will honour TMS, the singer with a smooth voice and immaculate diction.

Dignitaries including singer PB Srinivas, music director Shankar Ganesh, singer Seerkazhi Sivachidambaram, producer-director SM Omar, actor Vennira Aadai Nirmala, will also do the honours and share the stage

For those who know about the myriad services that MGR did, it is an event to look forward to. For others, this event will be an eye-opener to the magnetic personality that MGR was. He was a beacon and an alchemist who transformed the way people lived.

MGR was known for his good-nature and charitable activities as much as he was known for his radiating performances onscreen and a leader of repute in politics.

A small glimpse into his geniality can be had from a DVD which has been released by the Government of Tamil Nadu, which speaks volumes about the greatness of MGR. This DVD throws light on the warm reception that Dr Tetsuo Kanno, a neurosurgeon from Japan had, when he visited Tamil Nadu. The welcome that he had and the reception that he received were phenomenal. The reason? He was the person who cured Dr MGR of his illness which affected him a great deal. Dr Kanno was given a warm welcome everywhere because he was the one who cured the leader of a million Tamilians- MGR. You can check out some clippings from the DVD which MGR Vijayan was kind enough to give us.Take a look at the clippings and get an insight into MGR, the man with a magical aura.

The event which will take place this evening promises to be of great magnitude and reverent nostalgia. MGR Vijayan, the son-in-law of the great legend, takes care of the function.

Indiaglitz thanks Vijaya Kumar aka MGR Vijayan for the materials provided on the great leader and we join his innumerable fans as we take a trip down memory lane, to the life and times of MGR.

We wish the function all success.