MGR's birth anniversary celebrated

The 92nd birth anniversary of AIADMK founder and later chief minister M G Ramachandran, popularly known as MGR, was celebrated across the state today.   

The star-turned-politician's evergreen numbers, most of which preach ethics and self-discipline, echoed through the street corners of Chennai and other cities in the state through loud speakers erected by his die-hard fans and AIADMK workers.

AIADMK general secretary J Jayalalithaa has yesterday urged her party workers to celebrate in a grand manner the birth anniversary of her mentor and the party's founder exhorting them to use the occasion to gear up for the coming Lok Sabha elections and work for the party's victory.

In the cinema and political history of Tamil Nadu, MGR had carved a niche for him and enjoyed as much success in politics as a "mass hero" in Tamil cinema, and was elected chief minister thrice, after he founded the AIADMK in 1972 following his exit from the DMK over differences with chief minister M Karunanidhi.   

While most Tamil actors aspire to rise to his levels of unmatched popularity, actor-politicians such as DMDK founder-leader Vijayakant, much criticised by Jayalalithaa and a fast emerging rival to both the Dravidian parties, pronounced their respect and devotion to the late leader.