Ramasamy Ganesan – better known by his screen name, Gemini Ganesan – was born on 17 November 1920. He was one of the college graduates to enter the Tamil film industry at the time and was one of the “Big 3” of Tamil cinema – after Sivaji Ganesan and MG Ramachandran. Gemini Ganesan was also the recipient of the Padmashri Award, the Kalaimamani Award, MGR Gold Medal and the Screen Lifetime Achievement Award.
He worked for SS Vasan’s Gemini Studios and was given the opposrtunity to make his screen debut in a small role in the 1947 film, Miss Malathi. He was then credited on screen as Gemini Ganesan (after the studios where he worked) and the name stayed with him until his death (and beyond).
He was married several times and had several mistresses. One of his wives was the famous actress Savitri – A very one-sided version of this relationship was portrayed in the film Nadigaiyar Thilagam (Mahanati in Telugu). One of his daughters was Rekha who rose to the top of Bollywood, starring in more than 180 Hindi films.
Although he had an obvious weakness for women, he had the reputation of being kind and compassionate to everyone.
Gemini Ganesan passed away on 22 March 2005. A more detailed account of his life and career will be posted on Sigaram on his birth anniversary. Enjoy our mini musical tribute to Gemini Ganesan in the YouTube playlist below.
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