Gemini Ganesan

Gemini Ganesan (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005) was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "kadhal mannan" (king of love) of Tamil Cinema for the romantic roles he played in movies, and his private love affairs also as 'Sambar' by his critics.

Biography

Birth and early days

Gemini Ganesan was born on 17 November 1920 at Pudukottai in South India to "Ramaswami" and "Gangamma". The family was a middle class smartha brahmin family belonging to Iyer community. Ganesan was the only male heir to his family.

His grandfather Narayanaswami and aunt Muthulakshmi were the source of inspiration for Ganesan in early days. Education of his grandson was the most important priority for Narayanaswami. When he was at an early age, Ganesan's education was initiated in grand style: he was sent to school on horseback, preceded by a band playing music. The teacher made him write the letter “a” in Tamil language on a silver plate with a gold coin. Ganesen’s father Ramaswami was a handsome man with curly hair, who took great care of his looks, hairstyle and attire. An expert in playing the mridangam and the flute, Ramaswami was interested in arts and music. Although Ramaswami did interest himself prefunctorily in the family farms, it was grandfather Narayanswami who took care of the family. When Ganesan was in 6th class, he lost his much beloved grandfather; later, his father Ramaswami also died. Now Ganesan with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma migrated to Madras to live under the care of aunt Muthulakshmi. Ganesan’s mother Gangamma did not take to city life. She settled down in Pudukottai.

Ganesan's aunt, Muthulakshmi, was a follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa; she admitted Ganesan into the Ramakrishna Mission home at Mylapore. There, he learnt Yoga, Sanskrit, read about Vedas, Bhagavad gita and Upanishads. Life here taught him discipline; Ganesan became an expert in Yoga. However, separation from his mother being too much for him, he went back to Pudukottai and joined high school there.

Marriage

Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor. In April 1940 he went to Trichi to see "T.R.Alamelu" (Bobji). Alamelu’s father offered Ganesan his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him, but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from Indian air force. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to Delhi. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanswami who advised him to become a teacher or a doctor. Ganesan decided to return to Madras. He was confused and decided to join as a teacher in a tutorial college run by his friend B.N.Raman.

Career

Ganesan graduated from the prestigious Madras Christian College and was one of the few graduates to enter the film world in those days. Mr. Ganesh (Ganesan) did not take the traditional route of the theatre to the tinsel world. His first job was as a Lecturer in the department of chemistry at the Madras Christian College. His first cinema-related work (Production Executive in 1947) with the Gemini Studios added the title "Gemini" to his name.

From the casting department, Ganesan got his first break in films with "Miss Malini". This was followed by "Chakravarthi", in which he played Lord Krishna. However, not until 1953, when he played the villain in the film "Thai Ullam", did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he was upgraded as a hero with "Manampol Mangalyam". The film paired him with Savithri, who became the mother of two of his children — a daughter and a son. From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of `romance' but little `action'. Ganesan was one of the "Big Three" of Tamil cinema, the other two being the late M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. Although Sivaji excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated movies with thrilling fight-scenes and, Mr. Ganesh held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.

Fondly known as "Kadhal Mannan" (King of Romance) among his fans, Ganesan had acted in several box-office hits during his heyday (1950s–1970s). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971. Gemini Ganesan's performances on the screen were enhanced by some talented playback singers like A.M. Rajah and P.B. Srinivos. P.B. Srinivos's mellifluous voice in particular complemented Gemini Ganesan. Many memorable duets with P.B.Srinivos and female playback singer S.Janaki are popular even today. The song "Kalangalil Aval Vasantham" will always be remembered and associated with Gemini Ganesan.

He had paired with many top heroines such as Savithri, whom he later married, Anjalidevi, Banumathi, Padmini, Saroja Devi, former Rajya Sabha member Vaijayanthi Mala, "Sowcar" Janaki, Vijaya, Devika, and the Former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Jayalalitha.

Later in his career, he switched to little different character roles. Notable among these was Rudraveena (remade in Tamil as Unnal Mudiyum Thambi, considered one of the best movies made in telugu ever. Another notable movie was "Avvai Shanmughi" (1996), in which, quite characteristically, he entered into the skin of an old man longing for an old maid. Towards the end of his acting career he kept himself busy with elegant roles in television serials. In his long film career spanning over five decades he had acted in more than 200 films, including a few in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Gemini Ganesan is known as the romance king of tamil films.

The person

Mr. Ganesh was a man of varied interests. In school, he was captain of the cricket team. A lover of dogs, he had a special liking for Golden Retrievers. All his life, Mr. Ganesh made it a point not to involve himself in any public controversy. Unlike Sivaji Ganesan and MGR, he kept his distance from politics. He was offered a Rajya Sabha seat by former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi but he declined to accept it. On the personal level he was friendly with many of the top personalities but then he did not like to flatter them on stage and kept away from public functions. However, he had a close circle of friends, and always remembered those who helped him in his career.

Private Life

Though there is different news about the number of wives he had, general information says that "Alamelu" (family woman), "Savithri" and "Pushpavalli" (actresses) were his wives. He is survived by eight daughters and a son. His children are: "Dr. Revathi Swaminathan; Dr. Kamala Selvaraj; Ms. Narayani Ganesh; Dr. Jaya Shreedhar;" the film actress "Rekha; Ms. Radha Usman Syed; Ms. Vijaya Chamundeswari," and "Mr. SathishKumaar Ganesan". He is the maternal grandfather of Bollywood newcomer, Naveed.

Death

His end came at 22 March 2005, 13:30 IST at the age of 84 in his residence after a prolonged illness caused by Renal Failure and multiple organ failure. He was cremated with full state honours.

Films

Some of Gemini Ganesan's famous movies include

*"Kanavane Kankanda Deivam"
*"Manalane Mangaiyin Baakyam"
*"Yaar Paiyan"
*"Vanjikottai Vaaliban"
*"Maya Bazar"
*"Kalyana Parisu"
*"Kalathur Kannamma"
*"Parthiban Kanavu"
*"Pasamalar"
*"Paava Mannippu"
*"Parthal Pasi Theerum"
* "Avvaiyyar
*"Then Nilavu"
*"Aadi Perukku"
*"Konjum Salangai"
*"Sumaithangi"
*"Iru Kodugal"
*"Naan Avan Illai"
*"Punnagai"
*"Poova Thalaiya"
*"Santhi Nilayam"
*"Vaazhkai Padagu"
*"Ramu"
*"Missiamma"
*"School Master"
*"Bandha pasam"
*"Kairasi"
*"Sangamam"
*"Aindhu laksham"
*"Avalukkendru ore manam"
*"Velli vizha"
*"kaviya thalaivi"
*"Thamarai Nenjam"
*"Unakkaga naan"
*"Ezhai pangalan"
*"Saraswathi sabatham"
*"Meenda sorgam"
*"Avvai Shanmugi"
*"Panama pasama"
*"Unnal mudiyum thambi"
*"Kandan karunai"
*"Karpagam"
*"Mugaraasi"
*"Bhagyalakshmi"
*"Seetha"
*"Poojaikku vandha malar"
*"Pathi bakthi"
*"Maaman magal"
*"Sowbhagyavathi"
*"Kuzhandhai Ullam"
*"Panithirai"
*"Pandhayam"
*"Kaathirundha kangal"
*"Then Mazhai"

External links

*
* [http://www.hindu.com/mag/2005/04/03/stories/2005040300560500.htm Article about Gemini Ganesan by his daughter Jaya Shreedhar]
* [http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2003/08/15/stories/2003081501500300.htm Star and a versatile actor]
* [http://transcurrents.com/tamiliana/archives/40 Gemini Ganesan - Romance King of Tamil Films: By D.B.S. Jeyaraj]