| HISTORICAL
INJUSTICE! |
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| When
you think of the historical genre of movies,
can you spell out a name that tops your
mind? Yes, you can and I can too, but
isn’t it a name that was a rage
in the 50’s, 60’s or 70’s
and not a recent one. Why is this deficit?
An in depth analysis of this simple question
will truly shake the patriotic gene in
you that nothing has been created of late
in the prestigious genre of history. Aren’t
we depriving today’s generation
of such classical movies?
Tamil Cinema in the 50’s had a respectable
share of historical releases along with
the commercial ones running purely on
the entertainment lines. Chevalier Sivaji’s
Parasakthi, a super duper hit of those
days travelled through a family’s
separation and reunion during World War
II. Veerapandiya Kattabomman of late fifties,
again a hallmark creation, showcased the
rise of a brave rebel hero in the pre-independence
era. If we start naming creations in these
lines, the cream of yester-year
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productions will start inundating our thoughts and
if we start thinking on that aspect in the present
scenario, we will only sadly end up flooding our eyes.
Some more penned and filmed on a similar note were
Mathrubhoomi and Thyagabhoomi of 30’s, Sivagangai
Seemai of late 50’s, Karnan based on Mahabharatha,
Kappalottiya Thamizhan of early 60’s, Rajapart
Rangadurai of early 70’s, Aayirathil oruvan,
etc. After the grey cells are madly ruffled, the net
is continuously surfed and all known numbers dialled,
plenty spill out as fabulous creations spanning across
8 decades of successful Tamil cinema with only a handful
belonging to the last two decades. It really sounds
bad in a vibrant and versatile industry with no dearth
for talents and resources.
Latest ventures like Bharathi in 2000 and Kamaraj
in 2004 did play their parts to ruffle the monotony
of the Tamil film industry. ‘Hey Ram’
was a rare gem in this type once in a blue moon creations.
The latest feather in this kind to bash the theatres
was Madrasapattinam, a fine portrayal of romance blooming
in pre-independence days. Pre and post Madrasapattinam
days, you cannot instantly recollect a movie on similar
lines. There are some movies like Marudhupandi either
stalled half way through or decomposing in ready to
serve stage. But all these movies can be categorized
as ‘pseudo-historical’ just taking a reference
from the past.
Shouldn’t silver screen, the most powerful tool
of communication, be used to enrich the audience with
the abundance of our culture-rich land, which has
the best history to pride over? There are plenty of
novels beautifully depicting historical stories that
no day will there be paucity for stories. The ventures
that touch upon independence or civilizations or patriotism
give unmatched chances to the teams to use their versatility
to their best. Inspite of this why is there not a
reasonable number of movies breezing through history?
Isn’t it time to think beyond running around
trees when energy rich historical stories aye lying
in waiting?
Isn’t it time Tamil Cinema rose to yester year’s
golden era of a good number of historical movies?
Isn’t it time the big banners encouraged such
films? Isn’t it time to take the responsibility
of preventing this dying style of the tinsel world
by capitalising on the rich literature and talents
latent here? Isn’t it unfair not to dream of
the floors of Tamil studios getting flooded with such
projects?
When we start thinking that its time to introspect
on this rewarding genre, there is our ace Director
Mani Ratnam working on a new project based on the
novel Ponniyin Selvan. Taking this lead, we will hope
for more such films to knock the theatre doors and
make the world look up at Tamil cinema.
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