The Nadigar Sangam, which has spawned many Chief Ministers, will conduct one of the hardest-fought elections in a long time. This election has created, some say, an insurmountable wedge between the actors, who are now left divided into two groups: one which supports the incumbent office-bearers led by Sarath Kumar, and the other that supports the younger crop of actors pitching for a change in the way the Sangam has been run. What could have led to this? It is all about the Sangam’s property. In 1952, just as Tamil cinema was beginning to strengthen its grip on the psyche of the Tamil people, stalwarts like M.G. Ramachandran, N.T. Rama Rao, Sivaji Ganesan and M.R. Radha formed the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association, which would come to be popularly known as the ‘Nadigar Sangam’, to look after issues concerning the actors, working in both films and theatre, throughout South India.
With generous contributions from its members, the Nadigar Sangam managed to buy 18-grounds of land in T. Nagar, which provided space for constructing a gym, an office and a preview theatre. It was later inaugurated by M.G. Ramachandran after he took over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.
Since then, the Sangam has faced many issues, one of which is that in the early 2000s, it had ran up huge debts to the tune of crores of rupees. Under the leadership of actor Vijayakanth, the then president, the actors came together and collectively cleared the debts by doing ‘cultural’ shows in Singapore and Malaysia.
Cut to 2010; the incumbent president, Sarath Kumar, and secretary, Radha Ravi, signed a contract on behalf of the Sangam with SPI Cinemas, a well-known chain of cinemas, to convert the Sangam’s property into a shopping mall and a multiplex. The idea was, Sarath Kumar has said, to ensure “steady revenue”. The existing structure was demolished and construction for the new structures was to begin soon.
Contract irregularities
In 2011, a member of the Sangam, Poochi Murugan, who also belongs to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), went to the court and obtained a stay on the new construction, citing “irregularities” in the signing of the contract. The Madras High Court, while granting the stay, also observed that a trust must function with nine trustees and can’t enter into a contract with just two members.
This development set off a chain reaction. Soon, younger actors, especially actor Vishal Krishna, raised questions about how the deal was signed without a wider consultation. Alleging that the incumbent office-bearers did not come up with a proper explanation to the questions raised by even Justice Chandru — who seemed to have observed that “All is not well with the Nadigar Sangam” — Vishal, with the support of veteran actor Nasser, went public.
In a letter to Sarath Kumar, titled “What’s Happening at the Nadigar Sangam?”, Nasser questioned different decisions of the incumbent members and asked why no answers were forthcoming.
Two groups — one led by Sarath Kumar and other led by actor Nasser and Vishal Krishna — are divided over how this property needs to be developed. While Sarath Kumar insists that he would win the case filed by Poochi Murugan and will follow through with his promise, actors Vishal, Nasser and others say that the present agreement has to be scrapped and any new development on the property should be carried out only after a consensus is reached within the 3000-member-strong association.
On Friday, Team Vishal presented an extensive 42-point manifesto, promising a number of measures for the welfare of the Nadigar Sangam members. The manifesto promises to regularise memberships, produce a multi-starrer film to generate funds to build a new structure and ensure improved social security schemes for its members. Team Sarath Kumar is expected to fire their counter salvo a week before the elections on October 18. Though the question over how the Nadigar Sangam property must be developed is the major talking point of this election, the Sangam also has other equally important issues to worry about.
Over the years, the Nadigar Sangam has played a very docile role when many of its members were unjustly attacked and their films blocked from having a smooth release by religious and political groups. As the Vishwaroopam controversy unfolded, actor Vishal openly hit out against the Sangam for its silence and inaction.
In 2010, actor Ajith Kumar openly appealed to the then Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi to ensure that actors aren’t forced to attend political functions that they don’t want to. Over the last few years, actor Vijay has consistently battled fringe outfits that wanted to prevent the release of his films.
There is also this consistent criticism that theatre artists, who also form a significant part of the Nadigar Sangam, are often neglected and live in a state of poverty while the movie actors take all the limelight and wealth.
Responding to these criticisms, actor Sarath Kumar has maintained that the Nadigar Sangam has worked actively behind the scenes whenever its members have encountered serious problems. “Even during the Uttama Villain fiasco, I was involved in negotiations for close to 36 hours non-stop to ensure that the film released,” he said.
At a time when the industry is going through a rough patch, those who eventually win this election will have to quickly fix many of its problems. But one thing is clear: it cannot and will not be business as usual at the Sangam.
Nadigar Sangam elections-2015
The forthcoming Nadigar Sangam election is the hottest topic in the Tamil cinema industry today. The election on October 18 will determine who holds the coveted positions in the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association (SIFAA), popularly known as Nadigar Sangam. Former High Court judge, Justice E. Padmanabhan, will preside over the election, as per the Madras High Court orders. The elections are held once in three years, and during the last election in 2012, Sarathkumar was re-elected, unopposed for the third time.
Why should a judge oversee the elections?
- In November 2010 trouble began Nadigar Sangam decided to demolish the existing building and construct a commercial complex. The association signed an agreement with a private company to lease out the land for 30 years.
- The idea was to construct a multi-storey building to house a multiplex and an exclusive space for the association.
- The old building was later demolished. In 2012, many members raised a voice of dissent against the move and filed a case against Sarathkumar and Radha Ravi.
- Actor Vishal and a few others began raising questions about the way Nadigar Sangam functioned.
- Vishal and his group insisted that the agreement with the private party be cancelled and asked for the Sangam to construct its own building.
Team Sarathkumar | Team Nasser (Pandavar Ani) |
---|---|
Supported by secretary Radha Ravi, Silambarasan and some others | Supported by Vishal, Ponvannan, Karunas, Kushboo, Karthi and Kamal Haasan |
For leasing out the Nadigar Sangam building | Against the move of allowing a private body to take over the Nadigar Sangam building |
Announced election on July 15, 2015 | Vishal contested this in court and election, to be overseen by a judge, will be held on October 18 |
Alleged ‘wrong practices’ by other team to ‘win election’ | "They decided to delay the polls, which should have been completed by May 31, this year, in accordance with the association’s by-law" |
Nadigar Sangam - How it all began
MGR
M.R.Radha
Sivaji Ganesan
The Nadigar Sangam was formed in 1952 by MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, M.R.Radha and a few others. MGR and company contributed funds and purchased 99 cents of land in Habibullah Road, T. Nagar, Chennai. When MGR became the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in 1977, the Nadigar Sangam constructed a new building, comprising a preview theatre, a gym and an office space.
Cast of characters
S.Ve.Sekar
After Vijayakant floated DMDK, S. Ve. Shekher, requested that active politicians not be allowed to head the Sangam. Vijayakant stepped down, and Sarathkumar took over in 2006.
Vijayakant
In early 2000, the association ran up a huge debt, which was cleared by Vijayakant, by organising a fund-raising event. Since then, the Sangam has taken to organising such events regularly.
Poochi Murugan
The old Sangam building was later demolished, and in 2012, Poochi Murugan (a member) filed a case against Sarathkumar, Radha Ravi for not adhering to norms.
Radha Ravi
Incumbent secretary of the Sangam. He has openly alleged his support to team Sarathkumar. Notably, his father M.R.Radha was a co-founder of the association.
Vishal
Raised voice of dissent against current management. Filed a case for a court-appointed date for conduct of election
Kushboo
Actor Kushboo says she will vote for actor Vishal's team in the elections. “New people must run it,” said the 80’s star
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan supported the nomination of his close collaborator, actor Nasser. The veteran actor also stated his support for a 'change.'
Rajinikanth
"I met Rajinikanth thrice and he wished me well for the elections," actor Sarathkumar has said.
> All set for elections
Sarath Kumar files nomination; Kamal Haasan, Karti, Vishal pitch for Nasser
>Battle for Kollywood
Sarathkumar and Nasser vie for the most coveted position in the Tamil film industry.