Cinema Memoir of My Mother

Nostalgia for the cinema and the theatres of then Madurai.

This blog will never be completed. A WIP. Because the memories are enormous.

Cinema Memoir of My Mother:

Cinema is a part of staple for the natives of Madurai, not the current generation who lost the autenticity of the great Madurai to the influence of Madras and social media but who existed until 1990s.

My mother Amirthavalli Thangapandian becomes nostalgic on watching vintage tamil films broadcasted in television especially the channel "Sun Life", I become nostalgic either because I exist in the past for reasons I had stated earlier in several situations. I listen to her stories or experience of her and family watching films then, some stories involved my father Thangapandian as well, some involved her family.

I decided that I should document it on behalf of my mother because not only those theatres are gone but the past is invariably memorable for us as we exist in the past.

Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964)

A timeless classic. Even now (2020), if I happen to see this film, I stop doing whatever i'm doing and begin watching the film.

Kadhalikka Neramillai, was released in Madurai Central theatre then (one of the oldest of Madurai). My grandfather Muthukannan took everyone of my mother's family to the theatre. At the entrance, there was a hoarding of the female leads of the film wearing the so-called modern or western clothes "Chudidhar". He became furious and took the entire family back home. The entire family pled him and told that it was a romantic comedy film. But he was reluctant.

My mother's parents' and my father's parents' houses were/are in Sellur, a name synonymous with rustic instincts of Madurai, especially Piramalai Kallars. It was located on the banks of legendary and spiritual river Vaigai, just opposite to Madurai Meenatchi Amman Koil. Be it entertainment or business they had to cross the river by bare foot, sometimes submerged in the water upto knee level. That night such effort was exerted in reaching the Central theatre. My mother said she had to carry her siblings on the shoulder and literally cried all the way back to home for not being able to watch the film.

After some years, when she became an adult,

Kadhalikka Neramillai, was released (second release) at the household theatre of Sellur (Pothiraja, now demolished and converted into residential houses, where I have also seen many vintage Tamil films including Karnan along with grandfather Bhavathevar, grandmother Alagammal and father Thangapandian). That's when she watched.

Central Theatre is the only theatre of the past that is still functional.

Engal Thangam (1970)

Reportedly, Engal Thangam was the second film of MG Ramachandran (MGR) to be released after he was allegedly shot at his neck by MR Radha.

This film was exhibited in Madurai Chinthamani theatre, which was not only one of the famous and oldest theatres of Madurai, but mostly released blockbusters.

My mother along with her family crossed the bank of river Sellur and went to Chinthamani theatre, which was located at the other side of the bank, near Kela Masi Street.

Chinthamani Theatre was demolished and reportedly being converted into a textile showroom. Heartbreaking.

Kanavan (1968)

Kanavan was released in reportedly Asia's biggest theatre then, Madurai Thangam, whose seating capacity exceeded one thousand.

Only MGR films run 100 days with houseful shows in Thangam theatre. Imagine, a theatre with thousand seats running full packed 4 shows a day for consecutive 100 days. Arguably, it happened only in Madurai, precisely Madurai Thangam theatre, and it happened only to MGR.

Thangam Theatre was demolished and converted into a textile showroom. Devstating.

TheivaMagan (1969)

Sivaji Ganesan's unprecedented performance in TheivaMagan still remains unparalleled.

Released in Madurai New Cinema, which ran for more 200 days four shows daily. My mother and her family watched Thevia Magan at Madurai New Cinema upon its release.

Kudiyirundha Koyil (1968)

Kudiyirundha Koyil was yet another blockbuster of MGR, which was released in Madurai New Cinema theatre.

My mother was in her Xth standard. She went with her family and watched this family entertainer.

Nam Naadu (1969)

Madurai Meenatchi theatre, a household cinema Hall of Madurai, screened "Nam Naadu" (1969). Tensions erupted when MGR, the treasurer of a leading political party of the state allegedly found corruption within the party. When questioned he was asked to leave. In the midst of these political tension "Nam Naadu" was released. The film also reflected the prevailing mood and became yet another blockbuster for MGR and paved way for his politics.

Saraswathi Sabatham:

Religious films were mostly released at Madurai Devi theatre

Anbe Vaa:

57 years ago on 14th January, Anbe Vaa was released.

Anbe Vaa (1966) was exhibited in Madurai Cinthamani theatre (now has become a retail showroom) and ran for more than 200 days, with daily 4 shows. The legendary MGR was more than a God in the subconscious minds of the people of Madurai. If you still visit, the four masi streets of Madurai surrounding Madurai Meenatchi Amman Kovil, you will spot the diehard followers of MGR especially in the central theatre.

My mother Amirthavalli was about 11 years old and was in her 8th standard when this film was released. They were resident of Sellur, located on the banks of river Vaigai. They had to cross the river through a low level bridge connecting Sellur and YannaiKal to reach the theatre located on the other side of the river. Mostly this bridge is submerged in the water. Consequently, they had to walk through the water neck high, to reach the other side of the river and watched films especially the MGR and Sivaji films. That's how they watched Anbe Vaa.