T. G. Raghavachari | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Thoothukudi Govindachari Raghavachari |
| Other names | Acharya |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse | Rajalakshmi |
| Children | T. R. Govindachari |
Thoothukudi Govindachari Raghavachari, also known by his initials TGR and the pseudonym Acharya, was an Indian filmmaker and lawyer who was active in Tamil cinema in the 1940s and 1950s.
Thoothukudi Govindachari Raghavachari, nicknamed TGR, was born into an Iyengar family. A scholar in Sanskrit and English, he was a lawyer in the Madras High Court, and had in-depth knowledge of fine arts. [1] [2] Raghavachari was married to Rajalakshmi, and the two had a son T. R. Govindachari. [3] [4]
Due to cinema being considered taboo in India at the time, Raghavachari worked anonymously and uncredited in films. He wrote the screenplay for Ratnavalli (1935), based on a play by Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar. He was also involved in the writing and direction of Rishyasringar (1941), although the credit of directing went only to producer S. Soundararajan. The first film where Raghavachari worked with credit was Gemini Studios' Mangamma Sabatham (1943), produced by S. S. Vasan, although he was credited as "Acharya". [5] He was later signed on to direct another Gemini film Chandralekha (1948), although Raghavachari shot a large portion of the film, differences with Vasan led to him quitting and Vasan taking over direction. Nonetheless, the film became a success, and the two reunited for Apoorva Sagodharargal (1949), where Raghavachari was again credited as "Acharya" to maintain anonymity. [6] He later began directing Kalyani (1952) for Modern Theatres, although cinematographer M. Masthan later took over after Raghavachari contracted tuberculosis; both men received director's credit. [7] [8] Raghavachari also co-wrote Doctor Savithri (1955), directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy. [9]
Raghavachari retired from the film industry due to health issues. He died in the early 1960s after suffering from years of tuberculosis. [6]
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Avvaiyar is a 1953 Indian Tamil-language historical drama film directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars K. B. Sundarambal as the title character. It was released on 15 August 1953.
Veerapandiya Kattabomman is a 1959 Indian Tamil-language historical war film produced and directed by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan, Padmini, S. Varalakshmi, and Ragini, with V. K. Ramasamy and Javar Seetharaman in supporting roles. Its soundtrack and score were composed by G. Ramanathan.
Chandralekha is a 1948 Indian historical adventure film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan of Gemini Studios. Starring T. R. Rajakumari, M. K. Radha and Ranjan, the film follows two brothers who fight over ruling their father's kingdom and marrying a village dancer, Chandralekha.
Subramaniam Srinivasan, popularly known by his screen name S. S. Vasan, was an Indian journalist, writer, advertiser, film producer, director and business tycoon. He is the founder of the Tamil-language magazine Ananda Vikatan and the film production company Gemini Studios, Gemini Film Laboratories and Gemini Picture Circuit. He was a member of parliament from 1964 and served his term till his death.
Mangamma Sabatham is a 1943 Indian Tamil-language film, starring Vasundhara Devi, Ranjan, N. S. Krishnan and T. A. Mathuram. The film was produced by S. S. Vasan and directed by T. G. Raghavachari, credited as Acharya. The film was remade in Hindi and Telugu as Mangala, in Sinhala as Mathalan (1955) and again in Telugu as Mangamma Sapatham (1965).
Bala Nagamma is a 1942 Telugu-language film directed by C. Pullayya and produced by S. S. Vasan. The story Bala Nagamma was one of the most popular Burrakathas. It was one of the successful early films made by Gemini Studios in Telugu which was not remade in Tamil. Gemini Studios remade the film in Hindi starring Madhubala titled Bahut Din Huwe (1954). The film was later remade in 1959 with same name under the direction of Vedantam Raghavayya.
Miss Malini is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language satirical film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu and produced by K. Ramnoth, based on a story by R. K. Narayan. Subbu also starred in the film alongside Pushpavalli and M. S. Sundari Bai. Javar Seetharaman and Gemini Ganesan made their acting debuts in the film appearing in minor supporting roles. The film focuses on Malini (Pushpavalli), an impoverished woman who joins her actress friend Sundari's theatre company Kala Mandhiram and becomes a success. Things take a turn for the worse when she befriends a charlatan named Sampath.
Sathi Leelavathi is a 1936 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Ellis R. Dungan and written by Madras Kandaswamy Mudaliar. It is based on S. S. Vasan's novel of the same name, which had been serialised in 1934. M. K. Radha stars as Krishnamurthy, a man from Madras, who is lured into drinking alcohol by an acquaintance. Believing he murdered his friend in a drunken stupor, Krishnamurthy flees to Ceylon while his wife and daughter, played by M. R. Gnanambal and M. K. Mani respectively, are reduced to poverty. T. S. Balaiah, M. G. Ramachandran, M. V. Mani and P. Nammalvar appear in supporting roles.
Madana Kama Rajan is a 1941 Indian Tamil-language adventure film directed by B. N. Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. It was the first film for Vasan as producer for Dindugal Amirtham Talkies.
Apoorva Sagodharargal is a 1949 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Acharya. The film which was adapted from Alexandre Dumas' 1844 novella The Corsican Brothers stars M. K. Radha and P. Bhanumathi, with Nagendra Rao and Suryaprabha playing supporting roles. It revolves around the two lookalike brothers who were separated during childhood by their cruel uncle who murdered his parents, rest of the film shows how two brothers join together in avenging the death of their parents.
Irumbu Thirai is a 1960 Indian Tamil-language film produced and directed by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Vyjayanthimala, K. A. Thangavelu and B. Saroja Devi, with S. V. Ranga Rao, Pandari Bai and Vasundhara Devi in supporting roles. A remake of Vasan's own Hindi film Paigham (1959), it revolves around two brothers Manikam and Kondamuthu and their mill owner.
Oli Vilakku is a 1968 Indian Tamil-language action film, directed by Tapi Chanakya and produced by S. S. Vasan. It is a remake of the Hindi-language film Phool Aur Patthar (1966). The film stars M. G. Ramachandran, Jayalalithaa and Sowcar Janaki, with S. A. Ashokan, Manohar, Cho and V. S. Raghavan in supporting roles. It was released on 20 September 1968, and was one of the most successful Tamil films of the year, and became a turning point in Ramachandran's career.
Kalyanam Panniyum Brahmachari is a 1954 Indian Tamil-language comedy film, directed by P. Neelakantan and produced by B. R. Panthulu. The film stars T. R. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini and Ragini. It was released on 13 April 1954 and became a box office success.
Kalyani is a 1952 Indian Tamil-language psychological drama film directed by Acharya and M. Masthan, and produced by T. R. Sundaram of Modern Theatres. The film portrays the life of a mentally-deranged man and is heavily inspired by 1948 American film The Snake Pit. It was later remade in Telugu as Atthainti Kaapuram in 1952. Kalyani stars M. N. Nambiar. B. S. Saroja, D. Balasubramaniam, M. G. Chakrapani and T. P. Muthulakshmi had supporting roles.
Doctor Savithri is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language legal thriller film directed by R. M. Krishnaswamy and written by Acharya. A contemporary adaptation of the Hindu story of Savitri and Satyavan, the film stars Anjali Devi, S. Balachander, M. N. Nambiar and B. R. Panthulu. It revolves around the title character's efforts to clear the name of her wrongfully convicted husband (Panthulu). The film was released on 25 November 1955 and became a success.
Manam Pola Mangalyam is a 1953 Indian Tamil language comedy film directed by P. Pullaiah. The film features Gemini Ganesan and Savithri in the lead roles. No print of the film is known to survive, making it a lost film.
Samsaram (transl. Wife) is a 1951 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Chandru and produced by S. S. Vasan. A remake of the 1950 Telugu film of the same name, it stars M. K. Radha, Pushpavalli, Kumari Vanaja, Sriram, M. S. Sundari Bai, T. R. Ramachandran, D. Balasubramaniam, R. Balasubramaniam, K. N. Kamalam, and Kamalaveni Ammal. The film was simultaneously filmed in Hindi as Sansar, which Vasan directed.
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Sirikkadhey is a 1939 Indian Tamil-language anthology film produced by S. S. Vasan under Sri Ranjani Pictures. It consists of five short comedy films: Adangapidari (transl. Shrew), Malai Kannan, Yama Vadhanai, Poli Samiyar and Puli Vettai. Widely recognised as the first anthology film in India, Sirikkadhey was released on 23 December 1939 and became a major commercial success.
Dasi Aparanji is a 1944 Indian Tamil-language historical fantasy film directed by B. N. Rao and produced by S. S. Vasan. The film stars Pushpavalli and M. K. Radha. It revolves around the antics of king Vikramadithan after his soul enters the body of a parrot, and manipulates a girl named Aparanji. The film was released on 10 August 1944. No print of it is known to survive, making it a lost film.