Blast from the past (series on Tamil Cinema in Hindu) -.may be updated

Motor Sundaram Pillai 1966 - 10 Jul 2009

Playwright and screenwriter Liam O’Brien wrote a hit play, ‘The Remarkable Mr. Penny Packer’, based on the incident, and it was expectedly made into a movie with noted Hollywood star Clifton Webb in the lead.

Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum 1965 - 31 Jul 2011

Krishnan-Panju had many hits in many languages, including Hindi, to their credit. Both of them began in a modest manner in Coimbatore, with Krishnan working as a laboratorian and Panju (Panchapakesan) as an assistant director and script assistant. Panju had also worked with Ellis R. Dungan as one of his assistants. He was also a talented film editor and edited all his films and signed his name as ‘Panjabi!'

Iravum Pagalum 1965 - 20 Mar 2009

Joseph Thaliath Junior, son of a high ranking Travancore judicial officer, relocated to Madras to make movies. He worked as assistant director under veterans such as S. Soundararajan (Tamil Nadu Talkies) before he joined hands with noted art director, filmmaker and studio owner F. Nagoor to promote a production company called Citadel Films. But why Citadel? His favourite novel was A. J. Cronin’s classic “The Citadel” which he wanted to film in Tamil

Bommai (1964) - 30 Oct 2011

Hitchcock has been a source of inspiration to many filmmakers in several parts of the world, including India. Influenced by his style of filmmaking and onscreen narration, S. Balachandar, the multifaceted Tamil filmmaker, adapted Sabotage in Tamil, suitably changing the storyline for the local market

Chitrangi (1964) - 16 Jul 2010

AVM. Rajan and Pushpalatha met during the AVM production, Nanum Oru Penn, fell in love and got married. They appeared in many movies together and one of them was Chitrangi. However, they were not as successful as they were expected to be

Pattanathil Bhootham 1964 - 17 Jul 2009

The Brass Bottle fared well in India, including Madras. ‘Javert’ Seetharaman, a lawyer-turned-film person, was an expert in adapting foreign novels and movies to the Tamil screen. Not surprisingly, he rewrote The Brass Bottle in Tamil as Pattanathil Bhootham and played the role of the ‘bhootham’ himself!

Puthiya Paravai 1964 - 26 Jun 2009

This Hitchcockian suspense thriller was made in Bengali, also a hit, Sheshankaa, featuring Uttam Kumar, Sharmila Tagore and Sabitha Chowdhary. The Bengali screen story by Rajkumar Mitra was acquired by Sivaji Films to be made in Tamil in color as its first in-house production — Puthiya Paravai

Navaratri 1964 - 7 Sep 2007

BBC News mentioned Navaratri as one of Sivaji Ganesan’s best films in its tribute to the actor, on his death in 2001

Arivaali 1963 - 18 Sep 2009

ATK, a person blessed with a delightful sense of humour, had then narrated not only his filmmaking experiences but also showed him a copy of the agreement with MGR in Tamil, which was almost hundred per cent foolproof, advantage MGR. It had words like `vaarthaigalaiyo. kaatchigalaiyo maatravo, kezhattavo, neekkavo, kokkavo MGRukku sagala urimaigalum undu...' No other Indian cinema personality had such a cast iron strong agreement in his favour

Indira En Selvam 1962 - 13 Nov 2011

That was the period when M. R. Radha virtually ruled over Tamil cinema and appeared in every other film; here too he was his debonair villainous self

Avana Ivan 1962 - 18 Sep 2011

He also introduced interesting publicity materials. One was a larger-than-life cut-out of the hero which was erected in the Mount Road area opposite a popular non-vegetarian restaurant. There was also a cut-out of the dark glasses the hero wears; on one lens was written ‘Avanaa', and on the other ‘Ivan'! These attracted enormous attention, building up pre-release publicity

Annai 1962 - 16 Jan 2009

For some reasons including Bhanumathi's remuneration, she opted out and Nirupa Roy, the eternal `mother' of Hindi cinema was brought in. Nirupa Roy was no Bhanumathi and her performance fell far short of what Bhanumathi could have done. Indeed in a chat with this writer, Bhanumathi told him with a mischievous glint in her eye that her friends in Bombay renamed the film `Dalda'! Balraj Sahni who played Ranga Rao's role strongly suggested to AVM to cast Bhanumathi in the Hindi version too.

Kavalai Illadha Manithan 1960 - 6 Nov 2011

One of his praiseworthy movies was Kavalai Illaadha Manithan in which his friend with whom he shared many interests, J. P. Chandrababu played the lead as a man without worries in life and who never bothered about the morrow. He believed in the philosophy of the famed British poet, Lord Byron, ‘Let us have wine and women, mirth and laughter. Sermons and soda water the day after!'

Paarthibhan Kanavu 1960 - 29 May 2009

‘Kalki’ (R. Krishnamurthi) was indeed the founding father of the genre of historical fiction in Tamil literature. He created many immortal classics such as “Sivakamiyin Sabatham”, “Ponniyin Selvan” and “Alai Osai”. Another was “Paarthibhan Kanavu”, a historical novel built around the Pallava-Chola dynasties. He wrote it even as he was working for Ananda Vikatan, but began serialising it only when he established his own weekly Kalki in 1941 in association with his friend T. Sadasivam.

Vijayapuri Veeran 1960 - 24 Apr 2009

The Citadel Film boss Joseph Thaliath Junior who blazed a new trail in Tamil cinema during the 1950s and 1960s proved that it was possible to make commercially viable films casting new faces. This film was a shining example of his bold attitude

President Panchatcharam (1959) - 2 October 2011

Nikolai Gogol, one of the icons of Russian Literature, is known for his short stories and the play, ‘Inspector-General' (also known as ‘Government Inspector'). Wanting to write a play, he sought the help of Pushkin, another icon, who told him about his personal experience when he was mistaken for a government officer on a visit to a small town. Based on this premise, Gogol wrote the play, in which a person visiting a village is taken to be the Inspector-General who was expected to investigate the fraudulent affairs of the village chief

Thanga Pathumai (1959) - 4 Jun 2010
Maragatham (1959) - 30 Apr 2010
Thaai Magalukku Kattiya Thaali 1959 - 13 Nov 2009
Vanjikottai Vaaliban 1958 - 27 Mar 2011
Sabhash Meena 1958 - 3 Apr 2009
Vanangamudi 1957 - 7 Aug 2011
Thangamalai Rahasiyam 1957 - 22 May 2011
Chakravarthi Thirumagal 1957 - 10 Apr 2011
Sadaram 1956 - 12 Jun 2009
Rangoon Radha 1956 - 12 Sep 2008
Chinnadurai 1955 - 23 Oct 2011
Menaka 1955 - 4 Sep 2011
Pennarasi 1955 - 3 Jul 2011
Kanavaney Kankanda Deivam (1955) - 1 Jan 2010
Chella Pillai 1955 - 25 Sep 2009
Malaikallan 1954 - 20 Mar 2011
Kalyanam Panniyum Bramhachari 1954 - 20 Mar 2011
Viduthalai 1954 - 10 Oct 2010
Thookku Thookki 1954 - 19 Sep 2010
Sorgavaasal 1954 - 18 Dec 2009
Thuli Visham 1954 - 18 Dec 2009
Rattha Kanneer 1954 - 31 Jul 2009
Rajee En Kanmani 1954 - 24 Jul 2009
Manohara 1954 - 6 Mar 2009
Andha Naal 1954 - 12 Dec 2008
Kalvanin Kadhali 1954 - 21 Nov 2008
Goondukili 1954 - 10 Oct 2008
Madana Mohini (1953) - 12 Mar 2010
Thirumbi Paar 1953 - 13 Mar 2009
Devadas 1953 - 13 Feb 2009
En Veedu 1953 - 23 Jan 2009
Panakkari 1953 - 26 Dec 2006
Parasakthi 1952 - 24 Apr 2011
Kanchana 1952 - 20 Aug 2010
Rani (1952) - 21 May 2010
Andhaman Kaithi 1952 - 15 May 2009
Kalyani 1952 - 27 Feb 2009
En Thangai 1952 - 28 Nov 2008
Thaai Ullam 1952 - 25 Apr 2008
Singari 1951 - 21 Aug 2011
Vanasundari 1951 - 10 Jul 2011
Mohanasundaram 1951 - 12 Jun 2011
Lavanya 1951 - 6 Feb 2011
Devamanohari 1951 - 2 Jan 2011
Ore Iravu (1951) - 24 Oct 2010
Devaki 1951 - 6 Feb 2009
Sudharshan 1951 - 30 Jan 2009
Rajambal 1951 - 2 Jan 2009
Niraparadhi 1951 - 14 Nov 2008
Sarvadhikari 1951 - 24 Oct 2008
Manamagal 1951 - 15 Aug 2008
Kaithi 1951 - 8 Aug 2008
Marmayogi 1951 - 14 Mar 2008
Maruthanaatu Ilavarasi 1950 - 9 Jan 2011
Ithaya Geetham (1950) - 16 Apr 2010
Raja Vikrama (1950) - 16 Apr 2010
Paarijaatham (1950) - 9 Apr 2010
Vijayakumari 1950 - 5 Nov 2009
Maaman Magal 1950 - 28 Aug 2009
Krishna Vijayam 1950 - 21 Aug 2009
Digambara Saamiyar 1950 - 31 Oct 2008
Ponmudi 1950 - 3 Oct 2008
Ezhai Padum Paadu 1950 - 2 Nov 2007
Manthrikumari (1950) - 28 Sep 2007
Sowdhamini 1949 - 17 Apr 2011
Ratnakumar 1949 - 26 Feb 2010
Geetha Gandhi 1949 - 7 Aug 2009
Kanniyin Kaadhali 1949 - 9 Jan 2009
Pavalakodi 1949 - 7 Nov 2008
Apoorva Sahodarargal 1949 - 27 Jun 2008
Mangayarkarasi 1949 - 4 Apr 2008
Nallathambi 1949 - 14 Dec 2007
Velaikari 1949 - 7 Dec 2007
En Kanavar 1948 - 17 Jul 2011
Pizhaikkum Vazhi 1948 - 19 Jun 2011
Madanamala 1948 - 6 Mar 2011
Chandralekha 1948 - 3 Oct 2010
Bhaktha Jana 1948 - 29 Aug 2010
Samsara Nowka 1948 - 23 Apr 2010
Abhimanyu 1948 - 2 Oct 2009
Adithan Kanavu 1948 - 22 May 2009
Vedhala Ulagam 1948 - 19 Dec 2008
Chakradhari 1948 - 5 Dec 2008
Gnanasoundari 1948 - 29 Aug 2008
Idhu Nijama 1948 - 4 Jul 2008
Raja Mukthi 1948 - 18 Apr 2008
Krishna Bhakthi 1948 - 15 Feb 2008
Mohini 1948 - 19 Oct 2007
Navajeevanam 1947 - 5 Jun 2011
Kannika 1947 - 13 Mar 2011
Deiva Neethi 1947 - 12 Dec 2010
Kanjan 1947 - 21 Nov 2010
Rama Rajyam 1947 - 4 Dec 2009
Rajakumari 1947 - 5 Sep 2008
Miss Malini 1947 - 25 Jul 2008
Vichitra Vanitha 1947 - 20 Jun 2008
Paithiakaaran 1947 - 13 Jun 2008
Katakam 1947 - 16 May 2008
Aayiram Thalaivaangi Apoorva Chintamani 1947 - 29 Feb 2008
Naam Iruvar 1947 - 30 Nov 2007
Udayanan Vasavadatta 1946 - 28 Nov 2010
Vidyapathi 1946 - 14 Nov 2010
Chitra 1946 - 2 Jul 2010
Valmiki 1946 - 25 Dec 2009
Sri Murugan 1946 - 1 May 2009
Saalivaahanan 1945 - 26 Jun 2011
Maanasamrakshanam (1945) - 7 Nov 2010
En Magan (1945) - 11 Jun 2010
Burmah Rani 1945 - 5 Jun 2009
Kannamma En Kaathali 1945 - 9 May 2008
Meera 1945 - 28 Mar 2008
Sri Valli -- 1945 - 28 Dec 2007
Mahamaya 1944 - 5 Sep 2010
Jagathalaprathapan 1944 - 13 Aug 2010
Harishchandra 1944 - 3 Jul 2009
Haridas 1944 - 11 Jul 2008
Dasi Aparanji (1944) - 19 Sep 2008
Mangamma Sapatham 1944 - 23 Nov 2007
Harishchandra 1944 - 16 Nov 2007
Dasi Penn (Jyothimalar) 1943 - 20 Feb 2011
Kubera Kuchela 1943 - 11 Sep 2009
Sivakavi 1943 - 26 Sep 2008
Prabhavati 1942 - 11 Dec 2011

Most of the Naattukottai Chettiars were wealthy, but did not know English. They found these handbills a novelty and encouraged Lena Chettiar

Thamizh Ariyum Perumal 1942 - 8 May 2011
Chogamelar 1942 - 26 Dec 2010
Manonmani 1942 - 19 Dec 2010
Bhaktha Naradar 1942 - 30 Jul 2010
Naveena Vikramadityan (1942) - 9 Jul 2010
Prithvirajan (1942) - 28 May 2010
Kannagi 1942 - 19 Jun 2009
En Manaivi 1942 - 18 Jul 2008
Nandanar 1942 - 30 May 2008
Vana Mohini 1941 - 29 May 2011
Ali Babavum Naarpathu Thirudargalum 1941 - 1 May 2011
Sathi Murali 1941 - 6 Aug 2010
Aryamala (1941) - 23 Jul 2010
Savithiri 1941 - 5 Mar 2010
Venugaanam 1941 - 12 Feb 2010
Sakunthalai 1941 - 29 Jan 2010
Bhaktha Gowri 1941 - 22 Jan 2010
Rishyashringar 1941 - 27 Nov 2009
Katcha Devayani 1941 - 10 Jul 2009
Sabapathy 1941 - 23 May 2008
Ashok Kumar 1941 - 25 Jan 2008
Gumasthavin Penn 1941 - 16 Oct 2009
Madanakamarajan 1941 - 9 Oct 2009
Bhaktha Chetha (1940) - 26 June 2010
Bhooloka Rambai (1940) - 7 May 2010
Chandragupta Chanakya 1940 - 8 May 2009
Vaayaadi 1940 - 22 Aug 2008
Utthama Puthran 1940 - 2 May 2008
Manimekalai 1940 - 7 Mar 2008
Kalamegham (1940) - 21 Sep 2007
Prahalada (1939) - 14 Aug 2011
Mathru Bhoomi (1939) - 14 May 2010
Vimochanam (1939) - 26 Mar 2010
Shantha Sakkubai 1939 - 19 Mar 2010
Thiruneelakantar 1939 - 4 Sep 2009
Adrishtam 1939 - 1 Aug 2008
Rambayin Kaathal 1939 - 11 Apr 2008
Thyaga Bhoomi 1939 - 21 Mar 2008
Desa Munnetram (1938) - 18 Dec 2011

After movies began to talk Tamil in 1931 with Kalidas , some socially-conscious filmmakers began to make movies, highlighting the Freedom Movement under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and others. One of them was K. Subramanyam, who made films such as Bhaktha Chetha and Thyaga Bhoomi . One such film highlighting the issue of untouchability was Desa Munnetram

Maya Mayavan (1938) - 27 Nov 2011

Maya Mayavan was produced by the south Indian movie mogul, T. R. Sundaram, under his banner, Modern Theatres, in Salem, and advertised as “Unnatha Thamizh Stunt Padam!” (a top-class Tamil stunt film!)

Seemanthani 1938 - 9 Oct 2011
Daksha Yagnam 1938 - 25 Sep 2011
Yayathi 1938 - 19 Feb 2010
Anadhai Penn 1938 - 29 Oct 2009
Miss Kamala 1938 - 27 Mar 2009
Seva Sadanam 1938 - 1 Feb 2008
Tukaram 1938 - 11 Jan 2008
Nandakumar 1938 - 12 Oct 2007
Padma Jyothi 1937 - 4 Dec 2011

In the credits, when the name of the heroine, Padma, appeared, Sundaram had a cartoon of a woman's face moving, showing the varied emotions of the character — a path-breaking feature at a time when animation was virtually unknown to South Indian Cinema

Sethu Bandhanam 1937 - 26 Sep 2010
Balayogini 1937 - 10 Apr 2009
Nava Yuvan 1937 - 6 Jun 2008
Chintamani 1937 - 21 Dec 2007
Ambikapathi 1937 - 26 Oct 2007
Leelavathi Sulochana 1936 - 20 Nov 2011

Pammal Sambandam Mudaliar, one of the two founding fathers of the Renaissance of Tamil theatre (the other being Sankaradas Swamigal), created new trends towards the late19th Century. A lawyer and judge by profession, he promoted the famous Suguna Vilas Sabha while he was still a student of the Presidency College, Madras. Along with his friends such as V. V. Srinivasa Iyengar, the legendary lawyer, Mudaliar created theatre history with his varied plays. Some of them were inspired by William Shakespeare and Moliere

Mohini Rukmangadha (1936) - 11 Sep 2011
Chandrahasan (1936) - 28 Aug 2011
Bhaktha Kuchela (1936) - 8 Jan 2010
Iru Sahodarargal 1936 - 14 Aug 2009
Pattinathaar 1936 - 17 Oct 2008
Satyaseelan 1936 - 22 Feb 2008
Naveena Sadaram (1935) - 2 Apr 2010
Nandanar -- 1935 - 8 Feb 2008
Menaka 1935 - 4 Jan 2008
Draupadi Vastrapaharanam 1934 - 24 Jul 2011
Sangeetha Lava Kusa 1934 - 20 Nov 2009
Pavalakodi 1934 - 20 Feb 2009
Bhama Vijayam 1934 - 18 Jan 2008
Seetha Kalyanam 1933 - 5 Oct 2007