M. R. Radha

In this Indian name, the name Madras Rajagopal is a patronymic, not a family name, and the person should be referred to by the given name, MR Radha.

Madras Rajagopala Radhakrishnan Naidu
Born	February 21, 1907( 1907 -02-21) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Died	17 September 1979 (72 age) Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
Other names	Nadiga vel
Occupation	Actor
Religion	Atheist

Madras Rajagopala Radhakrishnan Naidu (Tamil: மெட்ராசு ராசகோபால ராதாகிருட்டிணன் நாயுடு) (21 February 1907 - 17 September 1979), popularly known as M. R. Radha (Tamil: எம். ஆர். ராதா), was an Indian Tamil film actor and politician. He was given the title of "Nadigavel" for his acting prowess. After a successful career on stage in his early years, he acted in films from the 1930s to the 1970s, and then, giving up films, he went back to his first love, theater.

Career

Radha was a popular theatre artist who made more than 5000 stage shows. Starting at the age of 10, where he appeared in small roles, grew to a level that stories for dramas were custom made for him. Radha gained popularity with the success of his stage play Ratha Kanneer. When he acted in the film version of the play, he quickly gained star status. Ratha Kanneer gave Radha international recognition and an award. Recently, Ratha Kanneer has been remade by Upendra from Karnataka.

With his versatile acting, Radha played roles of both villains and comics. After the 1950s, film-makers created roles especially for him, and he often stole the limelight from other actors. He was an active member of the Dravidian movement, and was known for his atheistic views. Towards the end of his career, however, he started acting in Hindu devotional movies like Velum Mayilum Thunai. He often used to ridicule atheism in these movies.

Personal life

His children are actor M. R. R. Vasu, Radha Ravi, Rashia, Rani and Rathe. By his second wife he has Raadhika Sarathkumar, Nirosha and Mohan Ratha.

Incidents

On the 12th of January 1967, M.R.Radha shot actor M.G. Ramachandran in his neck. The bullet was permanently lodged in his neck and M.G.R's voice was permanently damaged..

Death

Radha died of jaundice on 17 September 1979 in his residence in Tiruchirappalli.

Filimography

• Ratha Kanneer
• Aayiram Roobai
• Kaikodutha Deivam
• Paava Mannippu
• Chithi
• Pudhiya Paravai
• Bale Pandiya
• Petraldhan Pillaya
• Thaikku Pin Thaaram
• Kavalai Illaadha Manithan
• Kumudam
• Karpagam
• Thayai kaatha thanayan
• Paasam
• Paalum Pazhamum
• Pattinathar
• Padithal Mattum Podhuma
• Naanum Oru Penn
• Koduthu Vaithaval
• Aalayamani
• Santhanathevan
• Velum Mayilum Thunai
• Rathinapuri Ilavarasi

External links

• M.R. Radha at the Internet Movie Database
• A news item on a special postal envelope released in his honour
• A scene from "Paava mannippu"
• A scene from Rattha Kanneer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CW-5gM0J_Jk

Persondata
Name	Radha, Mohan
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	21 February 1907
Place of birth	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Date of death	17 September 1979
Place of death	Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India