M.G.R. and Amma Memorial
M.G.R. and Amma Memorial | |
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Marina beach | |
Town or city | Chennai |
Country | India |
Coordinates | 13°3′51″N 80°17′6″E / 13.06417°N 80.28500°E |
Groundbreaking | 25 December 1987 and 6 December 2016 |
Owner | Government of Tamil Nadu |
M.G.R. and Amma Memorial, officially Bharat Ratna Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. and Puratchi Thalaivi Amma Selvi J. Jayalalithaa Memorial, is a
History
M.G.R. Memorial
The memorial was built in the memory of the former
On 24 December 1987, after his prolonged illness, he suffered cardiac arrest at 1:00 a.m. and was declared dead at 3:30 a.m. in his M.G.R. Thottam residence in Ramapuram, Chennai. He was 70 years old, just a month away from his 71st birthday on 17 January 1988. His death sparked a frenzy of looting and rioting all over the state. Shops, cinemas, buses, and other public and private property became the targets of violence. The police had to resort to issuing shoot-at-sight orders. Schools and colleges immediately announced holidays until the situation was under control. Violence during the funeral alone left 129 people dead and 47 police personnel badly wounded. Young and married women allegedly shaved their heads bald and dressed like widows. Men whipped themselves until they bled to death. There were some extreme instances where people burned themselves to death and burned villages down.
His body was kept
Amma Memorial
The memorial was built in the memory of the former
On 22 September 2016, Jayalalithaa was admitted to
Her body was kept
Construction and Renovation
The memorial complex spreads over 8.25 acres and has the highest number of visitors along the seafront. The M.G.R. memorial started its construction work in 1988 and was inaugurated by
In 2012, the memorial was again renovated at a cost of ₹ 4.3 crore, including ₹ 3.4 crore for remodeling the facade and the surrounding wall.[5] This renovation included a new entrance with the Two Leaves, the electoral symbol of the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, and Pegasus, the horse from Greek mythology; landscaping of the open area around the memorial using Korean grass; and the planting of exotic, decorative plants such as palmyra alpha, date palm, spider lily, and adenium. Also included were a granite pathway shaped like a guitar, stainless steel handles around the memorial, a fountain in the middle, a waterfall at the rear, decorative lamps, and an overhead tower with lights both at the entrance and on the arch.[6] Two 18-meter-wide pergolas were also constructed, in addition to ramps for the physically challenged.
The erection of the two leaves insignia at the fascade of the entrance as an arch was opposed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.[7] A public interest petition was filed in the Madras High Court in October 2012 against the erection of that insignia,[8] but it was dismissed by the court.[9][10]
In 2016, when
On 27 January 2021, the memorial and the museum of J. Jayalalithaa, named Amma Memorial and Amma Museum, respectively, were inaugurated by the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu Edappadi K. Palaniswami, in the memorial complex.[12][13]
Entrance
The facade of the memorial complex was a tall entry arch with a concrete replica of the Two Leaves, the electoral symbol of the
Two 15.9-meter-high columns serving as the entrance were built with reinforced concrete. The elevated structure of the two leaves is supported by a 6-meter-high beam serving as the stem. The leaf structure, with a span of 10.2 meters for each leaf, is a meter higher than the towering columns. The leaves have a slight resemblance to a honeycomb and are visible from both the front and the rear.[15]
Gallery
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Bronze Pegasus at the entrance to the memorial
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Main corridor of the memorial
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Lotus-shaped wall houses the M.G.R. Memorial
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A panoramic view of the M.G.R. Memorial
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An eternal flame near the cemetery of M.G.R.
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Dr. M.G.R. Museum inside the memorial complex
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Photo gallery inside the Dr. M.G.R. Museum
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Amma Memorial on the day of cremation
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Phoenix-shaped wall houses the Amma Memorial
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Amma Museum inside the memorial complex
See also
References
- ^ Iyer, Aditya; Lakshmana, KV (6 December 2016). "Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa dies at 68, to be buried at MGR's memorial site". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 31 July 2018.
- ^ "MGR memorial in Marina gets makeover". Deccan Chronicle. Chennai. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ "M.G.R. Memorial". Chennai.com. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ "Rs. 8.90 crore for renovation of Anna, MGR memorials". The Hindu. Chennai. 30 January 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "'Two leaves' adorns facade of renovated MGR memorial". The Hindu. Chennai. 10 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ "Jaya throws open renovated MGR Memorial for public on Marina". Web India 123. Chennai: WebIndia123.com. 9 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012.
- ^ "DMK opposes 'two leaves' symbol on MGR memorial". The Times of India. Chennai. 3 December 2012. Archived from the original on 29 July 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "PIL questions renovation at MGR memorial". The Times of India. Chennai. 13 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "PIL challenging new arch at MGR Memorial dismissed". The New Indian Express. Chennai: Express Publications. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "HC dismisses plea against MGR memorial rejig". The Times of India. Chennai. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ "Jayalalithaa memorial, to be built at a cost of Rs 50 crore, to resemble phoenix". The Week. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
- ^ "Tamil Nadu govt inaugurates sprawling 'phoenix' themed memorial of Jayalalithaa". indiatoday. 28 January 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2021.
- ^ "Jayalalithaa memorial inauguration on Jan 27". The New Indian Express. 20 January 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
- ^ Mariappan, Julie (2 December 2012). "Pegasus to adorn MGR memorial". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 12 December 2012.
- ^ Mariappan, Julie (12 September 2012). "MGR Memorial to wear a new look with added wings". The Times of India. Chennai. Archived from the original on 29 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2012.