R. M. Veerappan a doyen of the Dravidian movement and the founder of MGR Kazhagam, breathed his last yesterday.
He was 97. RMV was a film producer and a screenwriter and the only Dravidian leader of stature to straddle both the worlds of rationalism and faith. Veerappan was introduced to Periyar in Karaikudi by Rama Subbaiah and became an early convert to his ideology. He moved to Erode with Periyar and was there with him for some time.
Known for his organizational skills and fondness for the theatre RMV joined K R Ramaswamy’s Krishnan Nadaga Sabha in a supervisory capacity. It was during this period he became an admirer of Arignar Anna. Anna became his mentor. The company was closed in 1950 and RMV shifted to Madras.
In 1953, on Anna’s advice, RMV joined MGR’s drama troupe as manager, later becoming an executive director of the Company Em.Gee.Yar Pictures. Nadodi Mannan was the first film under this banner, released on 22 August 1958. RMV was instrumental in introducing lyricist Pattukottai Kalyanasundaram whose songs in the movie became a huge hit. The company later filmed Adimai Penn and Ulagam sutrum Valiban.
RMV’s own production house Satya Movies debut movie was “Deiva Thai,” with MGR in the lead role, was released in 1964. Director K Balachander made his debut into the Tamil film industry by writing the dialogues for this movie. Lyricist Vaali’s ‘Moondrezhuthil en moochirukum’ sung by MGR after a difference with the party leadership came in handy to patch MGR’s frayed relationship. Subsequently, Satya Movies produced Naan Anayittal, Kaavalkaran, Kannan En Kadhalan. Rickshawkaran in 1971 won MGR the National award for best performance. Idhaya Kani in 1975 took MGR’s image as a leader to the next level. RMV’s production house made films including Kadhal Parisu, Kakki Chattai, Ranuva Veeran, Moondru Mugam, Thanga Magan, Oor Kavalan, Panakaran, Baasha, Mandhira Punnagai, and Puthiya Vaanam.
RMV unified the MGR fan clubs. RMV contributed to MGR’s film and political successes and guided MGR through the political minefield. He was the sculptor who helped sculpt MGR from an actor to a political leader. No wonder when RMV left MGR briefly on a difference of view Anna was particular that RMV stayed by MGR’s side. RMV was a positive force on MGR.
When MGR was expelled from the DMK in 1972 his famous statement “Conspiracy shall befall justice, but justice shall ultimately prevail’ was crafted by RMV.
RMV was the architect behind the ADMK organization and was called as the ‘Chanakya’ of AIADMK politics in the 70’s and 80’s.
RMV served as a Cabinet Minister in five governments from 1977 to 1996, was a three-time Member of Legislative Council and a two-time member of the Legislative Assembly. He was the Leader of the House for Legislative Assembly and Leader of ADMK party of the Legislative Council.
In 1982, Jayalalithaa made a comeback into MGR’s life. RMV had once advised MGR that his intense relationship with her would hinder his political ambitions. He had introduced Manjula in Rickshawkaran. RMV led the rival camp to Jayalalithaa in the AIADMK. In 1984, as MGR’s health suffered a setback, he negotiated an alliance with Congress (I) and led the party to a massive victory even as MGR lay in a hospital bed in the US.
In 1987 after MGR’s death RMV was widely expected to become the chief minister. His rival Jayalalithaa was against it. But MGR’s widow Janaki Ramachandran threw a surprise when she said she wanted to succeed her late husband. RMV threw his weight behind Janaki but the Congress I decided to withdraw support at the last minute bringing the government down in 24 days.
The AIADMK was split into two factions: Janaki and Jayalalithaa. RMV was the force behind the Janaki faction. However, in the 1989 elections, the Jayalalithaa faction emerged as the successor to the MGR mantle. RMV and Jayalalithaa made up, and RMV served in her cabinet and was named joint general secretary of the unified party. But it was an uneasy relationship. RMV produced Basha, with Rajinikanth in the lead. It was remarkable and set box office records in all major South Indian languages. At a felicitation meeting in 1995, Rajinkanth criticised the Jayalalithaa government in RMV’s presence. Jayalalithaa took offence that RMV had sat through the comments without defending her. Soon he was dropped from the cabinet and expelled.
In the 1996 elections, RMV and Rajinikanth were expected to come together politically. It was not to be. RMV later founded the MGR Kazhagam, which, in opposition to Jayalalithaa, moved towards the DMK.
RMV kept away from active politics in the aught years and took over as president of the Chennai Kamban Kazhagam perhaps the most prestigious of the Tamil literary forums.
A man with immense self-respect and dignity, and his detract .. might add ambition, RMV remains the Dravidian movement’s Dronacharya. His protegees, most notably, S Jagathrakshagan and ninetime legislator, K A Sengottiyan, and those he had handpicked in 1977 like S Thirunavukkarasar, have had brilliant political careers speaking to RMV’s leadership.
