R. M. Veerappan a doyen of the Dravidian movement and the founder of MGR Kazhagam, breathed his last yesterday.
R. M. Veerappan a doyen of the Dravidian movement and the founder of MGR Kazhagam, breathed his last yesterday.
He was 97. RMV was a film producer and a screenwriter and the only Dravidian leader of stature to straddle both the worlds of rationalism and faith. Veerappan was introduced to Periyar in Karaikudi by Rama Subbaiah and became an early convert to his ideology. He moved to Erode with Periyar and was there with him for some time.
Known for his organizational skills and fondness for the theatre RMV joined K R Ramaswamy's Krishnan Nadaga Sabha in a supervisory capacity. It was during this period he became an admirer of Arignar Anna. Anna became his mentor. The company was closed in 1950 and RMV shifted to Madras.
In 1953, on Anna’s advice, RMV joined MGR’s drama troupe as...