The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Fans pay tribute to Gemini Ganesh

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 11, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Fans pay tribute to Gemini Ganesh

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 10. A host of senior film and stage artistes, led by the director, K. Balachander, today paid tributes to Gemini Ganesh, who died last month. He was one of the celebrated triumvirate of Tamil actors.

The speakers described the late artiste as a "multi-faceted personality" and a "humane person" and praised him for his paternal wisdom and the guidance he offered to his children.

They were addressing a meeting organised by the Gemini Ganesh Fans Club here.

Presiding over the function, Mr Balachander said his association with Ganesh was professionally enriching to him as he made "the finest of films" together with the actor. The actor demonstrated in films including "Kaviya Thalavi," "Naan Avanillai" and "Punnagai" that he excelled not only in the role of a romantic hero, but in other roles too.

In a voice choked with emotion, the director said, "he had always called me `Anna' (elder brother) though I was younger to him by 10 years. This only showed how much respect he had towards a film director. "

Calling the artiste a "true gentleman," Mr Balachander said Ganesh might have had some failings but he never caused harm to anyone or offended the sentiments of others through words or deeds.

Comedian Nagesh, who performed with Ganesh in several films, said the artiste's cool composure in trying moments was remarkable. Though the active phase of his career coincided with those of M. G. Ramachandran and "Sivaji' Ganesan, two others of the triumvirate, Ganesh carved out a niche for himself and captured an important place in the Tamil film industry.

P.B. Sreenivos, playback singer and chairman of the Eyal, Isai and Nataka Mandram (the State Sangeet Nataka Akademi), said Ganesh's skills in singing were not well-known. He had a fine sense of humour.

The Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu , N. Ram, referred to the late artiste's interests in a variety of subjects such as cricket and dogs. He said Ganesh had "tremendous gifts and talents." Though he avoided political controversies, he did not remain apolitical. His achievements should be celebrated and highlighted, Mr Ram said, adding that the recollections of the film doyen in his memoirs were noteworthy for their colour, nuance and details.

Manorama, veteran comedienne, and Gemini Mahalingam, who worked as the secretary of the late artiste for decades, said Ganesh broke the tradition of only stage artistes becoming film actors. The comedienne said Ganesh's wife, Bobji Amma, had always been supportive of her husband.

V.S. Raghavan, senior film and stage artiste, said Ganesh was a simple man.

S. Charuhasan, another senior actor, said he was proud to call himself a "friend of Gemini Ganesh." The stage artiste, A.R. Srinivasan, popularly called ARS, recalled how Ganesh, as a member of the Madras film stars' team, played brilliantly in cricket matches in the 1950s against the Bombay film stars' team.

S.Ve. Shekhar, actor, said the late artiste had a strong and longstanding band of fans.

Kamala Selvaraj, Ganesh's daughter, said that for her and other members of her family, "Appa still lives with us."

T.M. L. Narasimhan, president of the Club, said the meeting was organised to enable Ganesh's fans to pay homage.

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