Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Sivaji statue unveiled

— Photo: S. James.

TRIBUTE TO A LEGEND: The statue of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan, which was unveiled on Melur Road in the city on Sunday.

MADURAI: A life-size bronze statue of Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan was unveiled by M. K. Alagiri, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers, on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Road in the presence of actor Kamal Haasan and a galaxy of film stars here on Sunday.

Addressing a meeting after unveiling the statue, Mr. Alagiri recalled the thespian’s close friendship with the Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and cited a few incidents turning the pages of nostalgia.

He said that Sivaji was not the first choice for the film Parasakthi, but after a few hindrances and with the support of Mr. Karunanidhi, who was the scriptwriter, got the chance.

Even for the ‘Sivaji Kanda Hindu Rajiyam’ drama penned by the late Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, it was not Sivaji (V.C. Ganesan then), but M.G. Ramachandran who was the first choice. Later, it turned out to be a path-breaking experience for V.C. Ganesan who earned the name Sivaji, which entered the annals of the film history, he said.

Citing an instance of Sivaji’s acting, Mr. Alagiri said that during the shooting of the film ‘Kuravanji’ that had fire spitting dialogues written by Mr. Karunanidhi, Sivaji chose to wear a gunny sack instead of the woollen clothes to connect with reality of the character of a tribesman.

The Statue stands eight-and-a-half-feet and is sharing the space just behind the statue of Congress leader P. Kakkan. It has Sivaji striking a gentle pose, which is different from the bronze statues installed in Puducherry, Chennai and Thanjavur.

Delivering the presidential address, Mr. Kamal Hassan said that Sivaji lived a complete life and “We are following in his footsteps.”

He also said that his living room has two portraits — one is of M.K. Gandhi and the other is Sivaji.

A few demands were made to the Union Minister like naming a road after Sivaji in Madurai, to have a wax statue of the actor at The Madame Tussad Wax Museum. The idea to install the statue was mooted by former Chairman, Board of Trustees of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, V.N. Chidambaram, a close friend and associate of the actor.

D. Napoleon, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, Information Minister, A. Tamilarasi, Minister for Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, and film personalities, including G. Prabhu, addressed the meeting.

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