imported>Editrite!: Changed to past tense

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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Muktha Srinivasan
|birth_name = Venkatachary Srinivasan
|image =MUKTA.SRINIVASAN.JPG
|image_size =
|nationality = Indian
|birth_date = {{birth date|1929|10|31|df=y}}
|birth_place =[[Malapuram]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[British Raj]]
|death_date = {{death date and age|2018|05|29|1929|10|31|df=y}}
|occupation = Film director<br />producer
|children = 3, including [[Muktha S. Sundar]]
}}

'''Muktha Srinivasan''' was an Indian film director & producer.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417181824/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=17 April 2007 |title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A celebrated veteran of the south Indian film industry. He expired on 29/05/2018.|date=15 April 2007 |access-date=14 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

== Personal life ==
V. Srinivasan was born in Malapuram on 31 October 1929 in a Tamil Brahmin family. His parents were Venkatachariar and Chellamma. He followed all Brahmin rituals sincerely throughout his life. He remained a vegetarian. His elder brother is Muktha Ramaswamy and his sister is Revathi. He married Prema in 1951. He has three children Muktha S. Sundar, also a director, Mukhta Ravi and Maya.

== Death ==
He died peacefully on 29 May 2018 at the age of 88 in his residence in T.Nagar, Chennai due to old age after suffering from various health issues.<ref name = po>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/acclaimed-director-producer-muktha-srinivasan-no-more/article24028085.ece|title=Acclaimed director, producer Muktha Srinivasan no more|date=30 May 2018|access-date=7 June 2018|via=The Hindu}}</ref>

== Career ==
V. Srinivasan alias Muktha Srinivasan entered the film industry in 1947, as Senior Assistant to [[T. R. Sundaram]], by coaching artists in dialogue delivery. As a technical helper he has worked with the then future chief ministers of Tamil Nadu [[M. Karunanidhi]] and [[M. G. Ramachandran]] in ''[[Manthiri Kumari]]'' and with major artists of the time including [[T. R. Mahalingam (actor)|T. R. Mahalingam]], [[Anjali Devi]], Madhuri Devi, [[S. Balachandar]] and [[L. V. Prasad]]. He worked with Director [[K. Ramnoth]] as assistant along with K. S. Sethumathavan. He also worked as assistant director to Yoganandh in the film Madurai veeran of M. G. Ramachandran.

Muktha Srinivasan directed his first film, ''[[Mudhalali]]'', in 1957 which was produced by Ratna Studios. Production was four months and three days in a period when films usually took more than a year to be completed.<ref name="hinduonnet2007">[http://www.hinduonnet.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm]{{dead link|date=November 2012}}</ref> The film was a success, despite its having had a relatively unknown cast. It won a National Award presented by [[Dr. Rajendra Prasad]], then President of India, in the presence of [[Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru]].<ref name="hinduonnet2007" /> Srinivasan started producing films with his elder brother [[Muktha V. Ramaswamy]] under the name '''Muktha Films''' in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com/Content/Thiraichuvai/Nov10_1_15/Potpourri_of_titbits_about_Tamil_cinema_Mukta_Srinivasan_page1.html|title=Kalyanamalai Magazine – Serial story, Thiraichuvai – Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema, 'Mukta' Srinivasan|first=Kalyanamalai – KM|last=Matrimony|website=www.kalyanamalaimagazine.com|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref> He always preferred to have music by either the duo [[Vishwanatha-Ramamoorthy]] or by [[M.S.Viswanathan]].

His first choice for hero in the sixties, was always [[Gemini Ganesan]] and directed Gemini in [[Panithirai]], [[Idhayathil Nee]], Poojaikku Vandha Malar, Thenmazhai. The 4 comedy films directed by him – [[Thenmazhai]], [[Ninaivil Nindraval (1967 film)|Ninaivil Nindraval]], [[Bommalattam (1968 film)|Bommalattam]] and [[Ayiram Poi]] are recognised as landmark films in Tamil Cinema. He directed the pair Gemini and Savithri along with Sandhya in Poojaikki Vandha Malar which was box office success. He directed actress Sandhya's daughter J. Jayalalithaa in three landmark films – [[Bomalattam]], [[Suryagandhi]], [[Anbai Thedi]] and made her do guest appearance in [[Cinema Paithiyam]]. The film [[Suryagandhi]] is considered by him as the best of all the films he directed. Suryagandhi was digitalized and re-released in September 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2016/aug/17/Suriyagandhi-An-old-classic-gets-new-life-1509952.html|title=Suriyagandhi: An old classic gets new life|website=newindianexpress.com|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref> He successfully brought in together Nagesh and Cho for 3 films [[Thenmazhai]], [[Bomalattam]] and [[Ninaivil Nindraval (1967 film)|Ninaivil Nindraval]].

He introduced [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] as lyricist, actresses [[Devika]], Deepa and others to the silver screen. He brought to light Actor-Director [[T. S. B. K. Mouli]]'s acting prowess in his film ''Sooryakanthi''. [[Visu]] the dramatist became Visu the filmmaker after working in his Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum. He has received numerous awards<ref name="hindu.com">{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070417181824/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/15/stories/2007041514070200.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=17 April 2007 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | title=A celebrated veteran of the south Indian film industry | date=15 April 2007}}</ref> and as of 2018 he was the most senior director alive and active producer in the Tamil film industry.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://tv.burrp.com/view-series.html?seriesId=41285 |title=Keezhvaanam Sivakkum | burrp!TV Guide |publisher=Tv.burrp.com |date=26 October 1981 |access-date=14 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101247/http://tv.burrp.com/view-series.html?seriesId=41285 |archive-date=11 November 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

He directed Sivaji Ganesan in Nirai Kudam, Arunodhayam, Thava Pudhalvan, Anbai Thedi, Andaman Kadhali, Imayam, Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum and Iru Medhaigal. He directed Sivaji Ganesan in 9 films. He directed [[Kamal Haasan]] in [[Andharangam]] and [[Simla Special]] and directed [[Rajnikanth]] in [[Polladhavan (1980 film)|Polladhavan]]. He directed actors across generations – Ravichandran, Jaishankar, Muthuraman, Sivakumar, S. V. Sekhar, Pandiaraj. Out of his 45 directorial ventures, 3 were box office hits. In his films, Cho Ramaswamy, Neelu and Manorama were cast regularly throughout his career. He produced [[Nayakan]] in 1987. He produced 27 films and 2 of them were commercial success. His last and the 28th production was Vedantha Desigar made in 2018, which was not released till the time of his death.

The film ''[[Andha Naal]]'', in which he assisted [[S. Balachander]], was the first film without songs that was made in Madras and it was his first film where he started his career as an assistant director.<ref name="hindu1">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/12/12/stories/2008121250381600.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081218090117/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/12/12/stories/2008121250381600.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 December 2008 |title=Cinema Plus / Columns : Andha Naal 1954 |date=12 December 2008 |access-date=14 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> This became a hit.<ref name="hindu1" />

Srinivasan was one of the founders of, and served as President for, the Tamil Film Producer Council.<ref name="hindu.com" /> He served as President of the South Indian film chamber of commerce.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/22/stories/0222000e.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111101352/http://www.hindu.com/2001/07/22/stories/0222000e.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=11 November 2013 | location=Chennai, India | work=[[The Hindu]] | date=22 July 2001}}</ref> He was Chairman of Film City, owned by the state government of Tamil Nadu.<ref>http://expressindia.indianexpress.com/ie/weekly/19961230/MAY/mad08may.htm#Film</ref> He was also Member of Award Films Committees and a Board Member of the Film Censor Board.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906461200.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050211140211/http://www.hindu.com/2005/02/09/stories/2005020906461200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2005 |title=Front Page : Censor Board reconstituted |date= 9 February 2005|access-date=14 November 2012 |work=[[The Hindu]] |location=Chennai, India}}</ref>

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! rowspan="2" style="width:35px;"| Year
! rowspan="2" style="width:250px;"| Film
! colspan="3" style="width:195px;"| Credited as
! rowspan="2" style="text-align:center; width:250px;" class="unsortable"| Notes
|-
! style="width:65px;" | Director
! width=65 | Producer
! width=65 | Screenplay
|-
|1957 ||''[[Mudhalali]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1959 ||''[[Panchaali]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1959 ||''[[Naalu Veli Nilam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1959 ||''[[Thamarai Kulam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1959 ||''[[Odi Vilaiyaadu Paapa]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1961 ||''[[Panithirai]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|-
|1963 ||''[[Idhayathil Nee]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1965 ||''[[Poojaikku Vandha Malar]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1965 ||''[[Magane Kel]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1966 ||''[[Thenmazhai]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1967 ||''[[Ninaivil Nindraval (1967 film)|Ninaivil Nindraval]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1968 ||''[[Bommalattam (1968 film)|Bommalattam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1969 ||''[[Aayiram Poi]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1969 ||''[[Nirai Kudam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1971 ||''[[Arunodhayam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1972 ||''[[Thavapudhalavan|Thava Pudhalvan]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1973 ||''[[Suryakanthi|SuryaGandhi]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1974 ||''[[Anbai Thedi]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1975 ||''[[Cinema Paithiyam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1975 ||''[[Andharangam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1976 ||''[[Perum Pugazhum]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1977 ||''[[Balaparitchai]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1978 ||''[[Andaman Kadhali]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1979 ||''[[Imayam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1979 ||''[[Sri Ramajayam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || || ||
|-
|1980 ||''[[Avan Aval Adhu (1980 film)|Avan Aval Adhu]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||25th Film
|-
|1980 ||''[[Polladhavan (1980 film)|Polladhavan]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1981 ||''[[Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1982 ||''[[Simla Special]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1982 ||''[[Paritchaikku Neramaachu]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1983 ||''[[Sivappu Sooriyan]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1983 ||Thambathigal|| style="text-align:center;" |{{y}} || || ||
|-
|1984 ||''[[Iru Medhaigal]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||
|-
|1985 ||''[[Oru Malarin Payanam]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||
|-
|1986 ||''[[Kodai Mazhai]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1987 ||''[[Nayakan]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1988 ||''[[Katha Nayagan (1988 film)|Kathanayagan]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || ||
|-
|1989 ||''[[Vaai Kozhuppu]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||
|-
|1989 ||''[[Chinna Chinna Aasaigal]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1990 ||''[[Ethir Kaatru]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} ||
|-
|1992 ||''[[Brahmachari (1992 film)|Brahmachari]]''|| style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}} || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}||
|-
|1994 ||''[[Rajapandi]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|1998 ||''[[Kangalin Vaarthaigal]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||
|-
|2013 ||''[[Pathayeram Kodi]]''|| || style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||<ref>{{cite news|last=vivek|first=The Times of India|title=pathayeram kodi|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/18217463.cms?prtpage=1|access-date=15 January 2014|newspaper=The Times of India}}</ref>
|-
|2015 ||''[[Sivappu]]'' || ||style="text-align:center;"| {{y}}|| ||25th Film (Producer)
|-
|}

== Awards ==
*Recipient of National Award for the film ''Mudalali''<ref><http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm5thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=5NFA.pdf/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304105900/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm5thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=5NFA.pdf%2F |date=4 March 2016 }}></ref>
*Best film 1977–78 ''Balaparitchai'' by Tamil Nadu state government
*Best Science Fiction film ''Avan-Aval-Adhu'' State Award{{Citation needed|date=January 2011}}
*Best film 1981–82 ''keezh vanam sivakkum'' State Award
*1982-83 ''Paritchaikku Neramaachu'' – [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director]]

== Politics ==
Srinivasan was attracted to politics from the age of seven when he carried the flag of the Symbol of Congress and went to various places around his village. This was the first instance of him canvassing for Congress and his relatives asked him to concentrate on studies and stopped him from canvassing due to the age factor.

After completing school he met Somu Rao who influenced him to follow the Communist ideology. He became close friends with Manali Kandasamy, Amirthalingam, Bala Dandayutham, and P. Ramamoorthy, which finally led him to meet Comrade Jeevanandham. They became close friends and together organised meetings in Tamil Nadu. It was at this time that the communist party was banned. Srinivasan, who at that time had been working in a government office at Selam in 1946, lost his job and was arrested. His brother Muktha Ramasamy, who was working with modern theatre, approached his boss and sought his help to release Srinivasan from jail. His films such as Mudalali, Naalu Veli Nilam & Thamarai kulam were influenced by the Communist ideology. When disputes started arising in the Communist Party he lost his interest.<ref name = hi /> At this stage Srinivasan was an avid reader becoming inspired by Gandhian principles and he joined Congress in 1961. While working with Sivaji Ganesan he started organizing meetings. He canvassed for the 1962 elections and gave speeches supporting Congress under the leadership of K. Kamaraj.<ref name = po />

He used to follow "Mouna-Viradham". He would not speak and would have only water on holy days.<ref name = hi>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080813920600.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113164828/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/08/08/stories/2005080813920600.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A Congressman invokes Gods|date=2005-08-08|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref> In his early days he used to spin his own clothes with a Raatai chakkaram (Hand machine).

When [[G.K. Moopanar]] started the Tamil Maanila Congress in 1996 he appointed Srinivasan as General Secretary.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.webindia123.com/news/articles/India/20141110/2492066.html|title=Vasan holds meeting with supporters, EVKS to tour TN districts|website=news.webindia123.com|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eci.nic.in/archive/ge1999/pollupd/pc/candlwc//tmc(m)pcnst.htm|title=General Elections 1999 Statewise Contestants in TAMIL MAANILA CONGRESS (MOOPANAR)|website=eci.nic.in|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref>

Srinivasan has held the positions of District Congress president, Vice-President Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) and Gen-secretary Tamil Maanila Congress (Gk moopanar).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/12/stories/2005091208760400.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141113164820/http://www.thehindu.com/2005/09/12/stories/2005091208760400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 November 2014|website=[[The Hindu]]|title=Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Congress leaders vow to make party number one in Tamil Nadu|date=2005-09-12|access-date=7 June 2018}}</ref>

== Bibliography ==
Mr. Muktha Srinivasan has written many books and short stories on cinema, history, science, literature, and spirituality in both English and Tamil. He compiled an Encyclopedia of Tamil Cinema in 1994, ''Tamil Thirapada varalaru'', which was published in "Thuglaq".
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*''Irupadam Noorrandin Kathaigal'' Part I -V
*''Thejasvi''
*''Thalaimurai Kathaigal''
*''Uthami''
*''Thandanikku Thappiya Kutrangal''
*''Manu''
*''Mukthavin Sirukathaigal''
*''Athma Vendradhu''
*''Sollatha Rakasiyam''
*''Thirumanam Punidhamanathu''
*''Mana Santhippu''
*''Manushya Dharmam''
*''Koothukaran Thopu''
*''Mukthavin Katturaigal''
*''Manitha Neya Kathaigal''
*''Edhir Veettu Hema''
*''Kaala Vellam''
*''Parampariyam''
*''Ulagathin Sirantha Kadaigal'' Part – I & II
*''Ilakkiyathil Inaiyum India''
*''Tamil Thiraippada Varalaru''
*''Tamil Thiraippada Thayarippalargalin Varalaru''
*''Kalainjargalodu Nan''
*''Kathasiriyargalodu Nan''
*''Arinjarkalodu Nan''
*''Ninaivu Edugal''
*''Kopamum Sirippum''
*''Samooga Nidhi Porattangal''
*''Manudam Kanda Maga Gyanigal''
*''Inaiyatra Sadanaiyalargal'' Part I – V
*''Noolgal Tharum Nunnarivu'' Part I & II
*''Ramayanathil Thunai Kadha pathirangal''
*''Manavarkalukana India Suthanthira Porattam'' – Tamil
*''Manavarkalukana India Suthanthira Porattam'' – English
*''Barathiyin Gyana Semmal''
*''Tamil Thayaripalargal Varalaru'' Part I & II
*''Film Chamber Varalaru'' – in Tamil and in English
*''Kalidasanin Megadhoodam''
*''Vada Mozhi Ilakkiyam''
*''Nan Santhitha Kalaijargal''
*''Raghu Vamasa Maha Kaviyam''
*''Innum Sila Kadaigal''
{{div col end|3}}

== References ==
<references />

== External links ==
*[http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/gallery/events/11968.html Indiaglitz.com]
*[http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Iru-Methaigal-with-English-subtitles Rajshritmil.com – Iru Methaigal]
*[http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Aayiram-Poi Rajshritmil.com – Aayiram-Poi]
*[http://www.rajshritamil.com/Movie/Andaman-Kaadhali Rajshritmil.com – Andaman-Kaadhali]
*[https://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=14515&id=139452802756886 Facebook.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110708165829/http://www.clickindia.com/eventdetail.php?id=35558 Clickindia.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160422025004/http://muktha.co.in/ Muktha.co.in]

{{Muktha Srinivasan}}
{{TamilNaduStateAwardForBestDirector}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Srinivasan, Muktha}}
[[Category:2018 deaths]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil film directors]]
[[Category:Tamil Nadu State Film Awards winners]]
[[Category:People from Thanjavur district]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian dramatists and playwrights]]
[[Category:Film directors from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Film producers from Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil screenwriters]]
[[Category:Tamil film producers]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Tamil Nadu]]

Muktha Srinivasan - Revision history

imported>Editrite!: Changed to past tense