The World of Tamil Cinema

22 December 2015 06:30 pm Views - 2064

Full length feature films, short films, documentaries and other forms of digital presentations are rapidly being produced in the Thamil language over the world. The chief centre of production is of course Kodambaakam in Chennai, India. As such they are called Kollywood (K representing Kodambaakam with added wood suffix as the Mumbaai (Bombay) films are called Bollywood and Hollywood films in the U.S.  Besides Chennai, Thamil feature films were used to be produced in Lanka (then Ceylon) too. A spate of short films are produced in all parts of the country. Besides South India and Sri Lanka, feature and short films and documentaries are produced in Europe, Canada, Australia and the U.S.

In this series of articles I shall give information on films, film, music, players, directors and others connected with the industry for the benefit of non-Tamil people. These will be in regard to some old and new films I had seen over the years.

 I would like to brief you on local Tamil films.   This would not be in a logical chronological order and would be taken at random as I recollect the significance of such films and other aspects.

In Brief:
Rukmani Devi of the Sinhala screen has acted as the mother of two characters. In the Lankan Thamil film “Naan Ungal Tholan” (I am Your Comrade) she plays the role of the mother of V.P.Ganeshan, the father of politician Mano Ganeshan. RukmaniDevi was the mother again of the actress Geethanjali in the film “KaatthuIruppen Unakaka” (I’ll Wait For You).

Besides Rukmani Devi there was yet another Sinhala actress by name Irene Rita Queen, whose screen name was Santhilekha. Before coming to films she had experience as a stage actress as early as 1942. “Santha Prabha” was one such drama.  She had a major role in  the popular Sinhala  film “Sujatha” made by S. Gunaratnam in1953. Her first Tamil film was “Kuththu Vilakku” (Traditional Oil Lamp) made by S.Thurairaj.. Rajeswari Shanmugam gave Shanthilekha her voice. There was another Thamil film called “Maamiyaar Veedu” (Mother in Law’s House) where she acted as the wife of Thamilnaadu actor S V Subbiah.  Her films in Sinhala include the following “Varadha Kaagedha”,”Doctor”, “Gamperaliya” and “Sandeshya” made by Lester James Peiris. She died in 2004.

  “Thentralum Puyalum” (Gentle Breeze and Storm) was one of the full length Thamil feature films made in Lanka. Dr. Vethanayagam directed this film. He engaged his schoolmate at Thirukonamalai (Trincomalee) Hindu College, T. Amarasingam, in a minor role in the film as a domestic servant. However the latter proved his mettle and shone like a bog star. The focus here is on T.Amarasingam who had acted only in this film.

Amarasingam, though hailed from Myliddy in the Northern Province, lived his lifetime in Thirukonamalai.  His importance lies not only as a great actor but also in allied literary and artistic activities. He stared as a film enthusiast and   his interest widened to drama   literature, journalism, and music, ‘villup pattu’ (narration - singing and- instrumental playing mainly fingering on strings tied on a   huge bow. Seeking a break he had spent his time watching shooting of films by notable film makers in the South in the calibre of K Balachandar. He watched in full the shooting of the film “Naanal”, (which means the tree like tall grass that doesn’t get easily uprooted by strong winds)

Although he had an opportunity   to act as the friend of the hero in the film “Panchavarna Kili” (Five-coloured Parrot), unfortunately he missed out appearing. However he had a chance to appear for a minute in a Telugu film called “Harischandra”. Returning to Lanka, the medicine man turned film maker Vethanayagam remembered Amrasingam’s dramtic talents in school.  And hence he gave Amarasingam a part in his film. He played his role magnificently, the critics praised.  This Lankan Thamil film “Thentralum Puyalum” had it longest run Thirkonamalai, more than any other Thamil-speaking areas. The remuneration he received for acting in the film was only Rs.1000/-then. By 1958, he has earned a reputation as a dramatist, actor and director and also as a green room boy. His drama troupe was known as  “Kalaivaani Naadaka Mantram’

Also in Tirukonamalai were two popular brothers Paramesh and Kones who formed a musical duo. They had a concert in Colombo called “Ghantasaala Night” (Ghantasala was a popular playback singer in South Indian films). At that show Amarasingam directed a comic skit called “Koppanaik Kortukku Ilupendaa”, which was enjoyed by the audience. He had presented his ‘Villup Paattu”performances not only in Thirukonamalai, but also in Maddakkalappu, Yaalpaanam, and Malayaham.

In his publication endeavour, “Eelarthu Ilakkiya Cholai” (Lankan Literary Garden), he published several books of great vaule. He deserves at least a posthumous honour.

I thank Thambi Aiyah Thevathas for supplying some facts of the late T. Amarasingam.
sivakumaran.ks@gmail.com