The Image Trap: M G Ramachandran in Film and Politics download epub

by M.S.S Pandian

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Pandian skilfully deploys Gramscian parameters to try explaining how a cine-actor was transformed into a folk hero of the masses. One of the most significant and original works ever on Tamil Nadu's politics. Dec 04, 2013 Kajal rated it it was amazing. The writer seems to have trashed most of the 'good populist'schemes that are invoked in MGR's memory.

The Image Trap is a useful book for both students of Indian politics and Indian cinema and a welcome addition to the . Pandian’s The Image Trap is a lively, concerned essay in understanding the influence exercised by .

The Image Trap is a useful book for both students of Indian politics and Indian cinema and a welcome addition to the literature on the connection between image and voter behaviour. Ramachandran on a fan following consisting in substantial part of the Tamil poor. In the Indian subaltern studies tradition, this work of critical social history is recommended to all students of south India.

The Image Trap analyses the phenomenon of . Ramachandran (MGR), the legendary film star-cum-politician of Tamil Nadu, as a modern-day political myth

The Image Trap analyses the phenomenon of . Ramachandran (MGR), the legendary film star-cum-politician of Tamil Nadu, as a modern-day political myth. This book offers fascinating details about the extent to which MGR was successful in creating a stereotypical cinematic persona, and what repercussions it had on Tamil Nadu. Delineating the cultural elements that were meticulously mobilised to constitute MGR’s on-screen image, it analyses the popularity he enjoyed among the poor whose interests he constantly violated.

New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1992. The Image Trap: M. G. Ramachandran in Film and Politics. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1992. Article in The Journal of Asian Studies 52(02):488-489 · May 2011 with 28 Reads. How we measure 'reads'. The Politics of Transition: A Hidden History of South Africa's Negotiated Settlement.

Maruthur Gopala Ramachandran (17 January 1917 – 24 December 1987), popularly known as M. was an Indian actor and politician who served as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for ten years between 1977 and 1987. He is a cultural icon in the state. He is a cultural icon in the state and is regarded as one of the most influential actors of Tamil cinema. He was popularly known as "Makkal Thilagam" (People's King) as he was popular with the masses. He was a philanthropist and a humanitarian icon.

Ramachandran in Film and Politics . This is done by means of what Pandian termed as constructed biographies which are popular narratives that ingeniously present the cinematic as real

The Image Trap analyses the phenomenon of . This is done by means of what Pandian termed as constructed biographies which are popular narratives that ingeniously present the cinematic as real. It brings out the interface and interplay between the media and political processes. Pamela G. Price (a1). The Swedish Collegium of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 March 2011.

This book examines the fascinating career of the late M G Ramachandran (or `MGR′), the film-actor-turned-politician of Tamilnadu.

The author begins by explaining why MGR′s career merits serious attention and then moves on to elaborate the various elements of the cinematic persona of MGR, to study the reasons for his acceptance at a popular level, to explore the roots of this popularity and finally to analyze his transition into political life.

Comments: (7)

Wohald

A short, readable book analyzing MGR's manipulation of his public/acting image to foster his political popularity. The book expounds on some interesting nuances, such as how MGR's films treated women, purportedly providing female characters with the freedom to pick their own spouses, yet in reality re-enforcing traditional Indian gender roles and even caste norms. In an amusing anecdote, MGR's character tells a feminist character in the firm "Vivasayee", who is wearing Western clothing, to cover her chest like a good Indian woman and even takes off his head towel to drape considerately over her bosom - even though she is already fully dressed in a shirt.

My only wish is that the author had expounded on the reality of MGR's rule. He quotes some statistics to describe how, despite his massive popularity amongst the poor, MGR's government in fact lowered taxes and regulations on the wealthy and enabled abuses by the police. Interestingly, despite his DMK, atheist roots, MGR's rule also revived interest in religion and its role in politics. However, the book doesn't go into these much so much as focus on the divergence between MGR's image and the reality of his rule - even when his government was guilty of corruption, his followers exempted him from being culpable.

mr.Mine

Gives a detailed insight in to the calculated and deliberate propaganda that made MGR the political phenomenon that he was. A very interesting book, especially for someone who is not familiar with tamilnadu's political history.

Unirtay

It is funny the last two reviewers comments had nothing to with the book but you can see how the image trap stuck. M.N.Nambiar who acted as a villan in movies which has nothing to do with his real life has been potrayed as a real life villan. While MG Ramachandran who acted as a good man has been clever to exploit his image to gain immense politcal power.

It is fascinating how this has worked in the 2 South Indian states Andhra Pradesh (NT Rama Rao phenomenon) and Tamil Nadu (MG Ramachandran) which have a pretty high literacy level and development as compared to the North which has a lower literacy level.

The author might have done well in drawing comparisons with MGR, NTR and Amithab Bachan all phenomenons in the movie screen and why when 2 succeeded Amithab Bachan failed.

Gavirim

I was shocked to read what a thirteen year old girl had written about Mr. M.N. Nambiar. For one thing, she knows absolutely nil about this respected man. For another, obviously she has not seen most of his movies either because all she knows is that he "raped" girls in his movies.
Let me inform her that my uncle has been going with Nambiar swamy as he is fondly called by people who KNOW him to Sabarimala the last 30 years. Nambiar swamy is a wonderful human being and his knowlege of history and geography is immense. He is anything but what he potrays on screen. He is a soft, very religious and known for his loving relationship with his wife.
People who do not know the ABC of others should not indulge in tarnishing others image. And what does this 13 year old know about Mr. Sukumar Nambiar? Obviously zero!
Go and study my dear instead of writing rubbish!
maya

Iraraeal

it is unfortunate that a third rate actor and politician who only cares for his own survival is being studied likr cholera or plague .recently in tiruchi loksabha poll sukumaran nambuiyar of bjp lost even tough bjp got the electors well atttended .the reason was the village were out raged especially the women folk that a son of the former villain m.n.nambiar who'raped 'and killed so many people !dared contest .how many times his father cast evil eyes on even jayalalitha in 'ayirathil oruvan' .for fools like this no cure pl uday

MARK BEN FORD

Pandian's personal hatred for MGR is explicitly shown in every second page. Worthless book by a MGR hater

Zyangup

In book " The Image Trap: M G Ramachandran in Film and Politics" M.S.S. Pandian makes us understand transition of M G Ramachandran (MGR) from a successful film star to a chief minister of Tamil Nadu province in India. MGR was the first film actor in India to become the chief minister of a state. He was founder of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK). Tamil Nadu state observes emergence of non-Brahmin identity of people in margins due to social movements such as self-respect movement led by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, which Ramachandran carried forward to some extent. M.S.S. Pandian, died untimely at an early age on 10th November 2014, was subaltern historian of repute.

The Image Trap: M G Ramachandran in Film and Politics download epub

Social Sciences

Author: M.S.S Pandian
ISBN: 0803994036
Category: Politics & Social Sciences
Subcategory: Social Sciences
Language: English
Publisher: SAGE Publications Pvt. Ltd; 1 edition (February 7, 1992)
Pages: 168 pages

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