Gemini Ganesan

Gemini Ganesan
Gemini Ganesan in the 1960s
Born	Ramaswamy Ganesan November 17, 1920 Pudukkottai state
Died	March 22, 2005 (aged 84) Chennai, India
Other names	Kadhal Mannan, Gemini Ganesh, Saambaar
Occupation	Film actor
Years active	1947–2002
Spouse	Alamelu Ganesan (1940–2005) (His death) Pushpavalli Ganesan Savitri Ganesan (1954–1981) (Deceased)
Children	Rekha

Ramaswamy Ganesan (17 November 1920 – 22 March 2005), popularly known as Gemini Ganesan (Tamil: ஜெமினி கணேசன்), was an Indian actor. He was nicknamed "Kadhal Mannan" (King of Romance) of Tamil cinema for the romantic roles he played in films. Ganesan was one among the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran andSivaji Ganesan. Sivaji Ganesan excelled in films with drama, and MGR dominated films with fight sequences and, Gemini Ganesan held his own with sensitive portrayals of the yearning lover.

Early life

Born on 17th November 1920, Gemini Ganesan belonged to a middle class Tamil Brahmin family residing at Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu. He was the son of Ramaswami and Gangamma. Ganesan was highly inspired by his grandfather Narayanaswami, who took care of the family when he was a child. His beloved grandfather passed away when he was in the sixth class and later on, he lost his father as well. After the death of his father, Ganesan, along with his grandmother Bagirathi and mother Gangamma, moved to his aunt Muthulakshmi’s residence, in Madras. However, city life didn’t suit Gangamma and she decided to go back to Pudukkottai.

Education

Since Gemini Ganesan’s aunt Muthulakshmi was an ardent follower of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, she decided to enroll him into Ramakrishna Mission Home. There, he was taught Yoga and Sanskrit and made to read Upanishads, Vedas and Bhagvad Gita as well. He spent a disciplined life at the Home and became an expert in Yoga. However, he could not bear the agony of being separated from his mother, who was residing at Pudukkottai. Therefore, he returned to his native place and joined a high-school there. Later on, he joined Maharajah's College, located in the same place. However, he completed his graduation from Madras Christian College, Chennai.

Early work

Before entering the film industry, Gemini Ganesan worked as a lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, at Madras Christian College. Later on, he took up the job of a production executive inGemini Studios in 1947, from where the title “Gemini” was added to his name. He received an entry to films from the casting department of the Studio itself.

Career

Gemini Ganesan in his debut film Miss Malini (1947)

From the casting department, Ganesan got his first break in films with Miss Malini. This was followed by Chakravarthi, in which he played Lord Krishna. However, not until 1953, when he played the villain in the film Thai Ullam, did people take notice of him as an actor. The next year, he was upgraded as a hero with Manampol Mangalyam. The film paired him with Savitri, who became the mother of two of his children — a daughter and a son. From then on, he carved out a niche for himself in Tamil cinema with films that required a lot of romance but little action.

Fondly known as "Kadhal Mannan" (King of Romance) among his fans, Ganesan had acted in several box-office hits during his heyday (1950s–1970s). He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1971. Gemini Ganesan's performances on the screen were enhanced by some talented playback singers like A. M. Rajah and P.B. Sreenivas.

He paired with many top heroines such as Vyjayanthimala, Meena Kumari, Anjali Devi, Banumathi, Padmini, B. Saroja Devi, Sowcar Janaki, K. R. Vijaya, Devika, Jayalalitha and Savitri whom he later married.

Later years

Later in his career, he switched to little different character roles. Notable among these was Rudraveena (remade in Tamil as Unnal Mudiyum Thambi), considered one of the best movies ever made in Telugu. Another notable movie was Avvai Shanmughi (1996), in which characteristically, he entered into the skin of an old man longing for an old maid. Towards the end of his acting career he kept himself busy with elegant roles in television serials. In his long film career spanning over five decades he acted in more than 200 films, including a few in Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada.

Death

After a prolonged illness caused by renal failure and multiple organ failure, Ganesan was found dead at his residence on 22 March 2005, 13:30 IST. He was cremated with full state honours. Prominent personalities including Tamil Nadu's chief ministers M. Karunanidhi and Jayalalitha paid their last respects to the veteran actor.

Personal life

Ganesan’s dream was to become a doctor. In April 1940 he went to Trichy to see T.R. Alamelu. Alamelu’s father proposed his daughter in marriage and promised him a medical seat after graduation. Ganesan immediately agreed and married Alamelu in June 1940. Alamelu lost her father and her elder sister within one month of her marriage. Ganesan's dreams of becoming a doctor shattered. There was no choice left for him but to find a job immediately as he was the only person to support his family. He got an interview from Indian Air Force. Much against Alamelu’s wishes Ganesan went to Delhi. In Delhi he met his uncle Narayanaswami who advised him to become a teacher. He married Pushpavalli and Savitri later.

Gemini Ganesan fathered the Bollywood actress Rekha, while living with Pushpavalli. He did not acknowledge Rekha's paternity during her childhood. It was in early 1970s, when Rekha was looking for a footing in Bollywood, that she revealed her origins. Later, at the peak of her career, Rekha told a magazine interviewer that her father's neglect still rankled and that she had ignored his efforts at reconciliation. She did not even attend her father's funeral, and once when asked about their relationship in a televised interview, she paused with a pregnant silence and revealed nothing.

Though there is no correct account of the number of wives he had, it is widely believed that he was married to Alamelu, Savitri and Pushpavalli. He is survived by seven daughters and a son. His children are Revathi Swaminathan, Kamala Selvaraj, Narayani Ganesh, Jaya Shreedhar, actress Rekha, Radha Usman Syed, Vijaya Chamundeswari and Sathish Kumaar Ganesan.

Awards

• 1970 – Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor for Kaaviya Thalaivi
• 1974 – Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actor for Naan Avanillai
• 1993 – Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award – South