MGR Memorial: Difference between revisions

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}

'''M.G.R Memorial Complex''' is a memorial complex built on the [[Marina beach]] in [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. Spread over 8.25 acres, the memorial is located adjacent to the [[Anna Memorial]].<ref name="DC_MGRMemorialGetsMakeover"/> It was built in memory of former chief ministers of [[Tamil Nadu]] who died in office, [[M. G. Ramachandran]] and his protégé [[J. Jayalalithaa]], whose bodies were buried at the site on 26 December 1987 and 6 December 2016, respectively.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-cm-jayalalithaa-dies-at-68-to-be-cremated-at-mentor-mgr-s-memorial/story-3Y7UWyIbxGrfLb9bdq9M7H.html | title=Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa dies at 68, to be buried at MGR's memorial site | date=6 December 2016 | first1=Aditya | last1=Iyer | first2=KV | last2=Lakshmana | newspaper=Hindustan Times | accessdate=31 July 2018 }}</ref>

The memorial was built in 1988 and inaugurated by [[V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]], wife of M. G. Ramachandran, in May 1990.<ref>{{cite web

   | accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref> The memorial was remodelled and the complex was laid with marble and opened in 1992 by J. Jayalalithaa who had become the chief minister of the state of Tamil Nadu in the previous year. When J. Jayalalithaa died on 5 December 2016, she was buried next to MGR. This structure was designed by architect K. Ramachandran, retired chief architect of PWD.  Between 1996 and 1998, the mausoleum was again renovated at a cost of about {{INR}} 27.5 million.  When the [[2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami|Indian Ocean tsunami]] struck the seafront in December 2004, the memorial was damaged. Repair works cost approximately {{INR}} 13.3 million.<ref name="Hindu_8_90CroreForRenovation">{{Cite news

   | date = 30 January 2012 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2843039.ece

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

   | date = 10 December 2012 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/two-leaves-adorns-facade-of-renovated-mgr-memorial/article4181848.ece?homepage=true

   | accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref> This renovation included a new entrance with the AIADMK party's two-leaves symbol and [[Pegasus]], the horse from [[Greek mythology]], landscaping of the open area around the memorial using Korean grass, and the planting of exotic, decorative plants such as palmyra alpha, [[date palm]], [[spider lily]] and [[adenium]]. Also included were a granite pathway shaped like a guitar, stainless steel handles around the memorial, a fountain in the middle, waterfall at the rear, decorative lamps, and an overhead tower with lights both at the entrance and on the arch.<ref name="DC_MGRMemorialGetsMakeover">{{Cite news

   | date = 10 December 2012 | url = http://www.deccanchronicle.com/121210/news-current-affairs/article/mgr%E2%80%88memorial-marina-gets-makeover

   | accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news

   | date = 9 December 2012 | url = http://news.webindia123.com/news/Articles/India/20121209/2116329.html

   | accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref> Two pergolas 18 metres wide were also constructed, in addition to ramps for the physically challenged.<ref name="Hindu_TwoLeavesAdornsFacade"/>

   | date = 3 December 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-03/chennai/35570019_1_mgr-death-anniversary-r-s-bharathi-c-n-annadurai

| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref> A public interest petition was filed in the Madras High Court in October 2012 against the erection of the two-leaves insignia,<ref>{{Cite news

   | date = 13 October 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-13/chennai/34430278_1_mgr-renovation-pil

| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref> but was dismissed by the court.<ref>{{Cite news

   | date = 16 October 2012 | url = http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1301567.ece

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news

   | date = 16 October 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-16/chennai/34497532_1_mgr-pil-political-affiliations

| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

 

Until 2012, the facade of the memorial was a tall entry arch with folded hands which was replaced with a concrete replica of the two-leaves emblem, the symbol of the AIADMK party founded by M. G. Ramachandran. The facade was also given a Grecian touch with the erection of a 12-foot-high bronze sculpture of [[Pegasus]], the winged horse of Greek mythology.<ref name="TOI_NewLookWithAddedWings"/> The 3.75-[[tonne]] sculpture, by architect R. Ravindran, a sthapathi from [[Mamallapuram]], is set on a 4.5-metre-high pedestal.<ref>{{Cite news

   | date = 2 December 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-02/chennai/35547913_1_pegasus-panchaloha-idols-valour-and-energy

| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]

   | accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

   | date = 12 September 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-12/chennai/33788221_1_structure-pegasus-wings

| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]

   | accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref>

A museum on M. G. Ramachandran's life is located within the memorial at the northern side of the campus.{{fact|date=October 2021}}

{{wide image|A_panoramic_view,_MGR_Memorial.jpg|900px|align-cap=center|A panoramic view of the MGR Memorial}}

File:A general view of the MGR Memorial.jpg|A view of the MGR Memorial

File:MGR Statue at the MGR Memorial.jpg|Bust of MGR

File:The ever-burning lamp at the MGR Memorial.jpg|The [[eternal flame]] at the memorial