South Indian Cinema

Among India’s film industries is the South Indian Cinema which has contributed immensely to the country’s cinema with its own unique style and mesmerizing themes.

The South Indian Cinema comprises of four major film industries the Tamil, the Telugu, the Kannada and the Malayalam film industries. 

Let’s quickly go over some facts about the South Indian Cinema:

•‘Keechaka Vadham’ was the first Madras Production which was produced and directed by the father of Tamil Cinema R. Nataraja. 

•The year 1931 saw the first South Indian sound film – Bhakta Prahlada, produced by H.M Reddy. This marked a steady growth in number as well as popularity of films. 

•By 1943 the industry released its first major commercial film ‘Lavakusa’, directed by C. Pullaiah which succeeded in attracting an extraordinary number of viewers to theaters and spun the young film industry into mainstream culture. 

•Around the same time the Kannada Cinema witnessed its first talkie ‘Sati Sulochana’ which was followed by Bhakta Dhruva (which was also known as Dhruva Kumar).

•The Malayalam industry made its breakthrough with its first talkie “Balan” directed by S. Nottani in 1938. 

Back in the days potential Kannad directors suffered with budget strains and that’s probably why very few films were rereleased.  During 1920s Tamil silent films were shot at makeshift locations in and around Chennai and then had to be sent to Pune or Calcutta for processing. But in the later decades the artists became more proactive with their production and went on to produce and direct dozens of films throughout the decade

Changes across time...

During the 1930s, a mass appeal of film allowed the directors to move away from religious and mythological themes and venture into “Social Films” that addressed social problems like the practice of dowry and untouchability in society. 

Some of the classic examples of social films are Prema Vijayam, Vandemataram and Maala Pilla.  Actors and writers of guerrilla theatre, who were inspired by Periyar E. V. Ramasamy ideologies of the ‘Dravidian Movement’ (or the Self-Respect movement), brought the philosophies of Tamil nationalism and anti-Brahminism to the big screen with their films.

The South Indian Film Industry has almost always appealed to the middle class by creating protagonists that never fail to inspire its audience. 

The Cinema has undoubtedly grown and progressed over the years, while still retaining its beauty in art. With a distinctive approach to Cinema; an audience foreign to its culture has a lot to look for when it comes to exploring the regions social life and traditions

"The south Indian film industry is more traditional. 

This reflects in their work. The cultural differences, 

language and approach are completely different, 

while Bollywood is more open and caters to a 

wider audience," Asin Thottumkal, Actress.

- IFFI BLOGGERS

Photo credits 
http://www.exoticjourneys.com
http://upload.wikimedia.org
http://www.webmallindia.com