| LIFE SKETCH OF PURATCHI KALAIGNAR VIJAYKANT |
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| BIRTH |
| Puratchi Kalaignar was born on August 25, 1952 to parents Andal and Alagarsami at Madurai. His family consisted of sisters Vijayalakshmi, Thirumala and brothers Nagaraj, Selvaraj, Palraj, Ramraj & Prithiviraj. |
| Puratchi Kalaignar had his early education at John Brito High school, Devakottai and also Nadar Higher Secondary School, Madurai. At school his preoccupation was more with games than studies. The anti Hindi agitation gathered momentum during this period and young Vijayaraj very actively participated in the protest marches. This involvement left a lasting impression on the youngman, leading to a significant decision later on in his professional life when he would make a vow to act only in Tamil Films. Another important factor which broughtout the qualities of leadership, honesty and philanthropy in him, was the influence of the films of Puratchi Thalaivar MGR many of which he saw several times. Soon he got disillusioned with studies and discontinued his schooling to assist his father in the management of his rice mill. |
| THE FIRST BREAK |
| Puratchi Kalaignar got his first break in films through M.A. Khaja’s ‘INIKKUM ELAMAI’ through a guest role. He moved to Chennai and stayed at the Rohini lodge in T.Nagar during the first couple of years. He refused to take the financial support from home showing his independent and die-hard spirit. |
| As he struggled his way up in the film industry, he developed strong and lasting friendships with several of his colleagues including Ibrahim Ravuthar, Ramu Vasanthan, Soundararajan, Raveendran, Radha, Sundarao, Sambath & Nagarajan. Many were the setbacks and privations that Puratchi Kalaignar endured for more than two decades to make a mark in the highly competitive film industry. |
| It was in the year 1979 that this young man entered the film industry to later on make an indelible mark here and it was in the same year that the South Indian Vijaykant Fan Association was formed. It was later converted into the All India Vijaykant Fan Association when the fan following increased by leaps and bounds. This tamil son of the soil proclaimed that he would act only in tamil films and also changed the name of the association to Tamilnadu Vijaykant Service Oriented Fan Club Association, showing his deep commitment to the people of Tamilnadu Although well established by now in the film world he never forgot his middle class moorings. |
| FAMILY |
| Puratchi Kalaignar found his life partner in Premalatha belonging to a typical middle class family and his marriage to her was solemnised in the presence of G.K. Moopanar and Kalaignar Karunanithi. |
| IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MGR |
| A charity hospital at Chennai was set up on his birthday the 25.08.1989 and to this day functioning under the watchful eye of Puratchi Kalaignar Vijaykant. On all Sundays free meals are being provided. 24 students are being funded by Puratchi Kalaignar Vijaykant annually for their college education. |
| On this day every year various welfare measures like donation of tricycles for the physically handicapped, sewing machines for widows, hearing aid for the impaired, rain coats for the poor workers are distributed. Gradually this distribution has spread to all the district headquarters and Puratchi Kalaignar’s birthday continue to be celebrated as a day for service to the poor and needy. His cause to education is well known. |
| For education of the poor for the period 1990 – 1995 a sum of Rs. 10 lakhs every year, for the period 1995 – 2000, a sum of Rs. 15 lakhs every year, and from 2000 to the current year a sum of Rs. 25 lakhs per year are some of his major personal contributions. A sum of Rs. 50,000/- is being offered to the MGR school for the deaf and dumb and a sum of Rs. 25,000/- is being donated to the Little Flower School annually. |
Thursday, September 9, 2010