Evolution of Tamil Cinema

EVOLUTION OF TAMIL CINEMA

- KOLLYWOOD

Submitted by: Kanika Maurya & Mohit HassijaCourse: M.A FTP I

The Beginning The emergence of film as a form of entertainment in Tamil Nadu happened

quite early. It began with the first ever screening of silent films which took place in 1897.

An Englishman M.Edwards set up novel instrument and pushed strips of celluloid into its spools. His show was advertised as ‘Kinemascope’.

The films that were screened were – ‘Arrival of the train’ & ‘Leaving the factory’ at Victoria public hall in Madras.

Tamil nadu had been exposed to cinema in less than 2 years of its birth in Paris.

In those times the shows were held by the roadside or in a public park with the entrance fee of a ‘quarter anna’ and the Films were projected with the use of magnesium lamps.

The well reception of this medium led to growth which was observed by the then Madras governor Warwick Major who built the first cinema hall in South India named ‘Electric Theater’ in 1900.

Later the first Indian owned cinema hall was built in 1914 named ‘Gaiety’ by R.Venkiah.

The first feature film released in 1916 was ‘Keechakavatham’ In 1918 the pre-censorship of movies was introduced by induction of

the Indian cinematograph act During this era the subject of movies were largely influenced by the

local culture which included epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and dance styles like Bharata Natyam.

Movies like Lava Kusa, Bhaktha Kabirdas, Drowpathi Maana Samrakshanam, Kabirdas & etc

First Tamil Talkie

After an era of silent films, time came for the first ever Tamil Talkie.

On 31st October 1931, ‘Kalidas’ was released.

It was released in Kinema Central at Madras, Tamil nadu.

The movie however was shot in Bombay on the sets of ‘Alam Ara’ in 8 days.

And it was Directed by H.M.Reddy

The first sound studio

The first sound studio in Tamil Nadu was established at Madras on 1st April 1934.

‘Srinivasa Cinetone’ also known as ‘sound city’, founded by A.Narayanan.

It helped film makers shoot in Madras rather than going all the way to Bombay or Calcutta.

Which led to the first Tamil Talkie that was shot in Madras named ‘Srinivasa Kalyanam’

The 40’s to 70’s era

One of the prominent names in the film industry then, P.K.Raja Sandow made movies on social reforms during this era.

One of his many movies based on this theme was ‘Sivakavi’ which released in 1943.

His other work included films like Chandrkantha, Thiruneelakantar, Choodamani & etc.

The first playback song was sung by D.K.Pattammal for the documentary on Mahatma Gandhi by A.K.Chettiar.

While there was a shift in theme to social reforms a large portion of movies was still dedicated towards mythological genre.

Movies like ‘Harishchandra’, ‘Abhimanyu’, ‘Kandan Karunai’, ‘Sampoorna Ramayanam’

This era also saw the rise of celebrity status, actors like M.G.Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganesan and Gemini Ganesan had a religious fan following.

The First full length color film ‘Alibabavum 40 Thirudargalum’ also released in 1941.( A tamil adaptation of the folk tale ‘Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves’)

70’s to 90’s era

Post 70’s the Tamil cinema industry saw radical changes happening.

The growth was very rapid which saw implementation of new technologies.

It led the first cinemascope film in tamil ‘Rajarajachozan’

Also in 1985 the first 3d film was made named ‘Annai Bhoomi’

In 80s the industry saw a change in the themes as well.

The movies started to reflect the difficulties of the societies, it had more realism than it ever did before. The concept of movies based on mythologies was reduced to a limited number.

Movies like ‘Sathya’, ‘Thalapathi’, ‘Indian’, ‘Roja’, ‘Nayakan’, ‘Bombay’ are some of the best examples which portrayed the reality of the period.

It also saw rise of 2 star figures in Tamil cinema – Kamal Hasan and Rajnikanth

The Millennia

With the beginning of the millennia, the focus wasn’t merely on technological advancement.

The focus was to take the films to a whole new level and compete with the likes of Hollywood & Bollywood.

A lot of film-makers started by experimenting with untouched genres of movies.

Films were not just a means of entertainment or star value anymore. Strong subjects were taken upon.

Films like ‘Hey Ram’, ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’, ‘Sivaji’ portrayed the political scenario in the state.

The turn of the decade saw further experimentation with themes such as Sci-fi, Animation.

Movies like ‘Endhiran’,‘Dushavataram’ were one of the first few films in tamil industry attempted in the Sci-Fi genre.

Well-known movie makers like A.R.Murgodoss, Shankar and Mani Ratnam started to explore these themes and produced movies like ‘Vishwaroopam’, ‘Ghajini’, ‘Unnaipol oruvan’.

‘Kochadaiiyaan’ was the first 3D animated movie in Tamil Cinema.

Thank you

Submitted by: Kanika Maurya & Mohit Hassija