Experiences with Maha Periyava: Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar

Experiences with Maha Periyava: Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar broke down on hearing this from MahaSwamigal!

Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar was an eminent producer of Tamil films in the mid 1950s, 1960s and 1970s."Thevar was an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga. He used to donate 1 out of 5 Rs profit to a Murugan Temple. The road to Marudamalai, the Prakaram at Thiruchendur and the Main Hall in Vadapalani Temple are all his contribution. While Shooting if he wanted the Sun, he would shout at the heavens and ask his Murugan to send the Sun out, for him everything was Murugan", recalls Film Producer A.V.M. Saravanan. 

Director SP.Muthuraman recalls visiting his set in Vauhini Studios when they were shooting the film “Murugan Adimai”. Says he,

"They had lined up a complex shot of a peacock, a bird that just cannot be trained, flying through a series of doors and reaching the idol of Lord Muruga in the sanctum sanctorum.

Everyone was wondering if this would ever happen when Thevar stood up, prayed to Lord Muruga and said – "You make it happen, I don’t care….", and asked for the cameras to roll and the peacock to be released. The peacock flew beautifully through the four or five doors and landed at the feet of the Idol! All of us were totally amazed not just at this but at the implicit faith Thevar had in God."

When Kanchi Paramacharya heard about Thevar and the films promoting themes like “Thunaivan”, He sent word to Thevar through Mr. Lakshmana Iyer of Ananda Pictures wanting to meet him. Thevar was hesitant as he was shooting with MGR. When MGR heard about this he asked Thevar to immediately go and seek the blessings of the Sage and said that he would personally supervise the Shooting for the next few days.

Thevar and his family rushed to Kalavai where Paramacharya was camping. He blessed Thevar and told him not to worry as Lord Muruga was the watchman in his house and the Sage added, “If possible put in a good word about Me to Him”.

What words from the Saint!

Thevar broke down on hearing this from the Paramacharya.

Compiled by Jagadguru Sri Maha Periyava - Kanchi Paramacharya/Fb