With the Tamil New Year coming up on April 14, it is a perfect opportunity to talk about the history and origins of the Tamil film industry. The Tamil film industry, like other film industries in India, has its origins set in colonial India.
The first film shown in South India was in 1897 by M. Edwards in Madras (now Chennai), India. This was followed by the construction of the first movie theater in Madras, the Electric Theater which was founded in 1900 by Major Warwick. With the release of the first Tamil film, Keechaka Vadham, in 1917 and the first talking film, Kalidas, in 1931, the Tamil film industry has a rich history of over 100 years.
Tamil cinema made its way into popular Tamil culture in the late 1930s with the release of films like Thukkaram (1938). While the early decades were filled with mythical and historical stories, the release of Velaikkari (1949) marked a significant shift in film content, beginning the long love-affair of Tamil cinema and the state politics of Tamil Nadu (the Tamil-majority state in South India).
Tamil Cinema has a long association with the self-respect and anti-caste movements of Tamil Nadu. There’s a significant history of many social dramas from Parashakti and Manohara in the 1950s to Vaazhai and Viduthalai in 2023 and 2024, discussing anti-caste themes and movements. Dravidian politics and parties of the state were also a key influence of early Tamil cinema, with many writers and actors becoming important politicians. In fact, Tamil cinema has produced at least four chief ministers (premiers) for the state of Tamil Nadu. This interesting phase of Tamil cinema and politics formed the premise of Iruvar in 1997 directed by Mani Ratnam.
Since these early decades of Tamil cinema, many directors since the 1960s expanded these socio-political contexts to encompass feminism, economic indifference and racism. Legendary directors like K. Balachander, Bharatiraja, Mahendran, Balu Mahendra and Mani Ratnam along with many contemporary filmmakers have been responding to these themes. They have also incorporated global trends in their writing styles and technologies.
Along with these social dramas, Tamil cinema has a rich history of commercial popular films centered around superstar actors. Starting with M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar in early years, M.G. Ramachandran, Sivaji Ganeshan, Rajinikanth, Kamal Hassan and countless others have had influence over the content and market of Tamil cinema around the world.
M.G. Ramachandran (popularly known as MGR) had a large impact on Tamil society and politics, becoming the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in the 1970s. Sivaji Ganesan on the other hand was one of the most revered actors of his time, and served as an honorary mayor of Niagara Falls, New York, in the 1960s. Rajinikanth, the superstar of Tamil cinema, broke racial barriers on and off the screen, becoming one of the highest-paid actors in Asia. Kamal Hassan, his contemporary, is a maestro technician and actor who introduced many important technologies to filmmaking in India.
While these actors and directors were dominating the industry, many women pioneered interesting film legacies. From T.P. Rajalakshmi, the first female director/producer of Tamil cinema to many other actresses/technicians like Savitri, Saroja Deviand Bhanumathy made immense contributions to the industry. Jayalalitha, another renowned star of the 1960s and 1970s, went on to become the chief minister of the state and shaped the politics of present day Tamil Nadu.
The global Tamil diaspora expanded significantly over the last few decades due to migration and conflict. Tamil cinema during this time has been responding to these global socio-political events and has cultivated a strong international market. With society and politics rapidly evolving over the last few years, Tamil cinema’s love affair with society and politics continues as it carves out a unique niche for itself in Indian and global cinema.
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