MGR Memorial

2022-06-16T07:35:12Z

217.165.89.43:

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2018}}
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[[File:MGR Memorial 9 December 2007.jpg|thumb|right|[[M. G. Ramachandran]] Memorial]]
'''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>

==History==
The memorial was built in 1988 and inaugurated by [[V. N. Janaki Ramachandran]], wife of M. G. Ramachandran, in May 1990.<ref>{{cite web
| last =
| first =
| author-link =
| title = MGR Memorial
| publisher = Chennai.com
| date =
| url = http://www.chennai.com/MGR_memorial.html
| doi =
| 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
| last =
| first =
| title = Rs. 8.90 crore for renovation of Anna, MGR memorials
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| date = 30 January 2012 | url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article2843039.ece
| accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Dr MGR Memorial in Kamarajar Promenade.jpg|thumb|MGR Memorial in Kamarajar Promenade]]
[[File:எம்.ஜி.ஆர் நினைவிடம்.jpg|left|thumb|MGR's tomb and memorial at [[Marina beach]] before renovation]]
In 2012, the memorial was again renovated at a cost of {{INR}} 43 million, including {{INR}} 34 million for remodelling the facade and the surrounding wall.<ref name="Hindu_TwoLeavesAdornsFacade">{{Cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = 'Two leaves' adorns facade of renovated MGR memorial
| newspaper = The Hindu
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| 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
| last =
| first =
| title = MGR memorial in Marina gets makeover
| newspaper = Deccan Chronicle
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| 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
| last =
| first =
| title = Jaya throws open renovated MGR Memorial for public on Marina
| newspaper = Web India 123
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = WebIndia123.com
| 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"/>

The erection of the two-leaves insignia was opposed by the opposition DMK party.<ref>{{Cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = DMK opposes 'two leaves' symbol on MGR memorial
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| 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
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130729101057/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-03/chennai/35570019_1_mgr-death-anniversary-r-s-bharathi-c-n-annadurai
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 29 July 2013
| 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
| last =
| first =
| title = PIL questions renovation at MGR memorial
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| date = 13 October 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-13/chennai/34430278_1_mgr-renovation-pil
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130126050355/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-13/chennai/34430278_1_mgr-renovation-pil
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 26 January 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref> but was dismissed by the court.<ref>{{Cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = PIL challenging new arch at MGR Memorial dismissed
| newspaper = The New Indian Express
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| publisher = Express Publications
| date = 16 October 2012 | url = http://newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1301567.ece
| accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news
| last =
| first =
| title = HC dismisses plea against MGR memorial rejig
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| date = 16 October 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-16/chennai/34497532_1_mgr-pil-political-affiliations
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130126044951/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-10-16/chennai/34497532_1_mgr-pil-political-affiliations
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 26 January 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

[[File:Jayalalitha Memorial.jpg|thumb|[[Jayalalithaa]]'s burial site and memorial]]
In 2016, when his protégé J. Jayalalithaa died, she was buried behind her mentor, opposite to the memorial to her archrival, [[M. Karunanidhi]]. A new memorial was built for her at a cost of ₹500 million [[Indian rupee|rupees]]. The Jayalalithaa Memorial or the Amma Memorial is shaped like a [[Phoenix (mythology)|phoenix]].

==Entrance==
[[File:MGRMemorial Pegasus Closeup.jpg|thumb|right|Bronze Pegasus at the entrance]]
[[File:MGRMemorial PegasusEntrance Full.jpg|thumb|right|Full view of the entrance]]
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
| last = Mariappan
| first = Julie
| title = Pegasus to adorn MGR memorial
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| date = 2 December 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-02/chennai/35547913_1_pegasus-panchaloha-idols-valour-and-energy
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130527130040/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-12-02/chennai/35547913_1_pegasus-panchaloha-idols-valour-and-energy
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 27 May 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| accessdate = 12 December 2012}}</ref>

Two 15.9-metre-high columns serving as the entrance were built with reinforced concrete. The elevated "two-leaves" structure is supported by a 6-metre-high beam serving as the stem. The leaf structure, with a span of 10.2 metres for each leaf, is a metre higher than the towering columns. The leaves have a slight resemblance to a honey comb and are visible from both the front and the rear.<ref name="TOI_NewLookWithAddedWings">{{Cite news
| last = Mariappan
| first = Julie
| title = MGR Memorial to wear a new look with added wings
| location = Chennai
| pages =
| language =
| date = 12 September 2012 | url = http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-12/chennai/33788221_1_structure-pegasus-wings
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130529083858/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-09-12/chennai/33788221_1_structure-pegasus-wings
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 29 May 2013
| newspaper = [[The Times of India]]
| accessdate = 11 December 2012}}</ref>

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

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

<gallery mode="packed" heights="132">
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
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|India}}
* [[Anna Memorial]]
* [[Marina Beach]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Chennai Topics}}

[[Category:Tourist attractions in Chennai]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Chennai]]
[[Category:Monuments and memorials in Chennai]]
[[Category:Memorials to M G Ramachandran]]
[[Category:1988 establishments in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1988]]

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MGR Memorial