M. G. Chakrapani

Maruthur Gopala Menon Chakrapani (13 January 1911 – 17 August 1986), commonly known as Ettan ("elder brother" in Malayalam), was an Indian actor and producer based in the Tamil film industry. He was the elder brother of actor-politician M. G. Ramachandran.[1]

M. G. Chakrapani
Born
Maruthur Gopala Menon Chakrapani

(1911-01-13)13 January 1911
Vadavannur, Kingdom of Cochin, British Raj
Died17 August 1986(1986-08-17) (aged 75)
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Other namesYettan
OccupationActor, producer
Years active1936–1986
Spouse(s)Meenakshi Chakrapani
Children10
RelativesM. G. Ramachandran (brother)

Early life

Chakrapani was born in Vadavannur, Kingdom of Cochin (now Kerala), on 13 January 1911. His parents, Gopala Menon and Sathyabhama, named him Neelakantan, but this was soon changed to Chakrapani because of his father's religious beliefs. Soon after his birth, the family migrated to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) where Chakrapani's two younger siblings (brother M. G. Ramachandran and a sister) were born. Gopala Menon worked as a magistrate in Kandy, until he suffered an early death. Chakrapani's sister also died while they were in Ceylon.[1]

Sathyabhama took her sons to Kumbakonam to be close to her brother. Chakrapani studied at Yanaiadi School, but left after the seventh grade. His mother then enrolled him and Ramachandran in the Madurai Original Boys Company (MOBC), a professional Tamil theatre company, where Ramachandran found success, but Chakrapani did not.[1]

Career

Chakrapani made his Tamil cinema debut in Iru Sahodarargal in 1936. Maya Machhindra and Tamizhariyum Perumal came next, where he began to be known as a character actor. His breakout role came in 1944 with Mahamaya. His character, Neelan, is believed to have been modelled after the Indian philosopher Kautilya.[1]

Though Mahamaya was a box office failure, Chakrapani's lines continue to be spoken. His next big success came some 15 years later with Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali, where he again played a villain.[1]

Later in his career, Chakrapani transitioned from actor to director and producer and managing his brother's career. Chakrapani worked with his brother on several projects which failed to see the light of day. One such film, Bhavani had Ramachandran in the lead role. It was written by A. K. Velan, directed by Masthan, with Chakrapani producing. Years later, Chakrapani tried again, this time taking the director's seat in the renamed Arasa Kattalai. It was a success.[1]

Death

Chakrapani died on 17 August 1986 at the age of 75. At the time of his death, he was survived by his second wife, Meenakshi Chakrapani, and their ten children: seven sons and three daughters.[1]

Filmography
Year Film Role Notes Ref.
1936Iru SahodarargalPolice inspectorBilled as G. Chakrapani [2]
1939Maya Machhindra [3]
1939Jothi [4]
1942Tamizhariyum Perumal [5]
1944MahamayaNeelan [6]
1946Sri Murugan
19471000 Thalaivangi Apoorva Chinthamani
1948AbhimanyuBalaraman [7]
1948Raja MukthiMinister
1950PonmudiTribal Chief [8]
1950Thigambara SamiarMagistrate Pattabhirama Pillai
1950Marudhanaattu IlavarasiMinister
1950Ithaya GeethamMinister [9]
1951Vanasundari
1952Amarakavi
1952En ThangaiRajendran's uncle [10]
1952KalyaniDoctor [11]
1953NaamSanjeevi [12]
1954MalaikkallanSub Inspector [13]
1954En MagalMirasdar [14]
1956Alibabavum 40 ThirudargalumAmir Kasim Khan [15]
1957Raja RajanUthselan Kavirayar
1958Nadodi MannanKarmegam [16]
1959Thaai Magalukku Kattiya ThaaliSundara Mudaliar [17]
1959Nalla Theerpu [18]
1960Raja DesinguSultan of Delhi [19]
1960Mannathi MannanKing Karikala Chozhan [20]
1967Arasa Kattalai Also director [21]
1969Nam NaaduProducer
1972Idhaya VeenaiMGR's father
1974Netru Indru Naalai
1975Naalai Namadhe

References
  1. Guy, Randor (16 February 2012). "Fame eluded this sibling of an icon". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 October 2013.
  2. "Iru Sahodarargal 1936". The Hindu. 14 August 2009. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  3. Guy, Randor (25 January 2014). "Maya Machhindra (1939)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  4. Guy, Randor (4 October 2014). "Jothi 1939". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  5. Guy, Randor (7 May 2011). "Thamizh Ariyum Perumal 1942". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  6. Guy, Randor (4 September 2010). "Mahamaya 1944". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  7. Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "Abhimanyu 1948". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  8. Guy, Randor (3 October 2008). "Ponmudi 1950". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  9. Ithaya Geetham (song book) (in Tamil). Citadel Film Corporation. 1950.
  10. Guy, Randor (28 November 2008). "En Thangai 1952". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  11. கல்யாணி (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. 1952.
  12. Guy, Randor (29 December 2012). "Naam (1953)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  13. "Malaikkallan". The Indian Express. 24 July 1954. p. 3.
  14. Guy, Randor (15 June 2013). "En Magal (1955)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  15. அலிபாபாவும் 40 திருடர்களும் [Alibaba and the Forty Thieves] (PDF) (song book) (in Tamil). Modern Theatres. c. 1956.
  16. Film News Anandan (23 October 2004). சாதனைகள் படைத்த தமிழ்த் திரைப்பட வரலாறு – நாடோடி மன்னன் பற்றி எம்.ஜி.ஆர். – வீரப்பாவை சிரிக்கச் சொல்லவில்லை! [History of Landmark Tamil Films – I never asked Veerappa to laugh!] (in Tamil). Chennai: Sivakami Publishers. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  17. தாய் மகளுக்கு கட்டிய தாலி (song book) (in Tamil). Kalpana Kala Mandir. 1959.
  18. Guy, Randor (17 August 2013). "Nalla Theerpu (1959)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  19. Guy, Randor (15 August 2015). "Raja Desingu (1960)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  20. Guy, Randor (28 April 2012). "Blast from the past: Mannaathi Mannan (1960)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  21. Guy, Randor (23 April 2016). "Arasa Kattalai (1967)". The Hindu. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
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