T.P.Rajalakshmi
- The first Tamil film Heroine Mr.R.Nataraja Mudalaiar :
Builder of the first studio in South India Mr.R.Venkiah & R. Prakash -
The duo who brought movies to Chennai Mr.AV.Meyyapan - The Innovator Mr.L.V.Prasad : A Titan
of Indian Movies Mr.S.S.Vasan : The
Cecil.B.Demile of India K.B.Sundarambal : The first
Star of Tamil films Smt.M.S.Subbulakshmi : The
Divine Voice in Tamil Films. Kalaivanar N.S.Krishnan : The Unforgettable Comedian Mr.C.N.Annadurai : The Revolutionary Writer
T.P.RajaLakshmi,Stage actress,film actress, producer
and director was a multi-faceted personality. she was the
heroine of first Tamil film Kalidas.She
was patriot and made one film in her prdouction as a tribute to the freedom
struggle. TPR had extra-ordinary singing and dancing capabilities.Her other
memorable hits include,Savithri(1933), Draupathi Vastrapaharanam(1934) and Gule
Bahavali and whenever we talk about the contribution of women to the development of
Indian films we can not forget the work of TPR.
Mr R.Nataraja Mudaliar made the first silent feature
film in South India. .His first film 'Keechaka Vadam ' was a
super-hit in year 1917.He constructed ,the first studio in South India at
Chennai.His other notable films are ,Lavakusa(1919),Rukmini satyabama(1920),
Markandeya(1922) .He was the one who laid strong base for film industry in South India.
 R.Venkiah |
 R.Prakash |
He was the pioneer who brought movies to Chennai.He built Gaiety in 1914 -it was the first theatre in South India owned by an Indian,It still stands in the same place and continues to screen movies. Venkaiah constructed three cinema houses in Chennai and one in Madurai R.Prakash ,the son of Venkiah also contributed a lot for the development of Indian movies.The father & son duo built a studio named "Star of the East" in Chennai R.Venkiah produced memorable silent movies notable among them were BhismaVadam(1922),Nandanar(1923) Samudra Madanam(1923),Gajendra Moksham(1924),Usha swapna(1924),Draupathi Bhagya(1924) and Mahatma Kabirdas(1925) .Mr Prakash who himself was a cameraman joined Mr A.Naryanan and they made a string of succesful movies .Noteworthy among them are, Leila a major box-office hit not only in India ,but also in all other neighbouring countries.Mr Prakash also had International exposure in making films, he went to England and learnt picture production at the famed Barker's Motion picture studio,London.He also went to Hollywood where he worked with all-time greats such as D.W.Griffith and Cecil.be.Demille.These two legends together helped many others in the development of Indian Films.
AV.Meyyappan
popularly known as AVM was the one who opened the doors for the entry of technical
innovations.His technical innovations like 'playback' singing ,dubbing of pictures from
one language to another and shooting in places outside the studio revolutionised film
making in India .AV.Meyyappan has produced and directed many films.He established the AVM
Studios and produced many films under the banner AVM Productions.His Film ' Naam Iruvar '
in Tamil become a block busters and ran for more than 25 weeks.His film 'Vazhkai '
is another mega-hit which made film actress-politician Vyjayanhimala an instant star.AV
Meyyappan was a versatile personality, he worked as the Head of the Tamil Nadu Films
Division and Film Institute Adyar .He won many awards, his Hindi film 'Hum Panche Ek Dal
Ke' won the national award .His film 'Andha Naal' won National Award for best feature film
in Tamil.His Block-busters include Kalathur Kannamma,Server Sundaram &Ramu .He
produced many successful films in Hindi like Bahar, Bhabhi,Barkha and
Chori-Chori. AVM studios continues to give good quality family
entertainers .His sons now manage the studio.It celebrated it's 50th
year recently with the film ,Minsara Kanavu.
Mr
L.V.Prasad made many memorable movies in Telugu,Tamil and Hindi.He was Director and later
was recognised as a generous producer.His Memorable Contributions include Uthamaputhran,
Padagotti, Matharkula Manickam, Charana Dasi and Palleturu and Sasuraal and Sural,
Manohara .His film Ek Duje ke Liye directed by K.Balachander set box-office records.He
built studios and Laboratories in many places around the country.Most of his films had
melodrama mixed with comedy and an undercurrent of social relevance.He also believed
that music,dances and songs are equally important for films.He introduced artistes
like N.T.Rama Rao, Savithri, 'Sowcar' Janaki and S.V.Ranga Rao who went on to make
history in South Indian Films.During his stint as producer and director , Prasad has
received several awards.He was awarded the
Dada Saheb Palke award by the Government
of India for his contributions to Indian Cinema.
Mr Thiruthuraipoondi Subramania Srinivasan better known as S.S.Vasan was Writer,journalist,magazine editor ,publisher and movie mogul of yesteryears.He founded the Gemini Studio in 1940, which was one of the most successful film production units .Vasan made blockbusters in Tamil ,Telugu ,and also Hindi.Vasan's memorable films include Mangamma Sabatham,Balanagamma,Chandralekha,Apoorva Sahotharargal ,Vanjikottai valiban ,Nishan ,Gharana,Grihsati and paigham. Chandralekha was his magnum opus,the film was shot for 5 years (1943-1948).To picturise a song for that movie he hired 400 dancers on monthly salary and has rehearsals for six months.He spent nearly 3 million rupees for that film which was unheard of at that time.It was shot both in Hindi and Tamil and it ran for more than 25 weeks. He also started a colour film laboratory long before colour films replaced black and white films.Vasan started Ananda Vikatan a popular tamil weekly magazine it still continues to enjoy the patronage of the people of Tamil Nadu.Cecil.be.Demille
K.B.Sundarambal
popularly known as KBS ,was well known for her songs. The producer & director of the
film Nandanar wanted her to play the lead role in that film . So they requested her to
play the role,but she refused and they persisted with their efforts .So finally she agreed
to play the role if they pay her rupees one lakh which was a huge amount at that time,
hoping that they will stop bothering her but to her surprise they agreed to pay the money
,She was left with no choice and so she played the lead role after Nandanar she
acted in Manimekalai, Avvaiyar, Thiruvilayadal and Poompuhar.Though she acted only in few
movies she is still remembered for her sterling performance and the ever green songs
she rendered in her movies .She was the first film artiste to enter the
legislature.she was nominated to the Madras Legislative Council in the year 1951.
Madurai Shanmugavadivu SubbuLakshmi popularly known as MS is one of greatest singers of the Century. She has acted in four films.Her Films like Sakunthalai and Meera in which she played title role is considered as one of the greatest Classical Movies of South India.She was closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi .She has been awarded with BHARAT RATNA ,the Highest civilian award in India.It is very rare to see a Celebrity with such a dedication ,generosity and social responsibility.
A Scene from Sakunthalai
N.S.Krishnan popularly known as Kalaivanar among the
people of the TamilNadu was one of the finest comedian the Indian Cinema has ever
seen. He believed that films should convey some message to its audience.He was a
patriot. NSK along with .Artsite like T.A.Madhuram (his better half),T.S.Durairaj
,'Pulimootai 'Ramasami,C.S.Pandian and writers like Udumalai Narayana Kavi and Subbu
Armugham gave numerous number of hits in those days.He was a talented singer.His
hits include Sivakavi, Raja Rani,Manamagal
C.N.Annadurai affectionately known as Anna is yet
another personality who will be remembered for ever for his contribution for the
development of Indian films and for the uplifme of the people of Tamil Nadu.His filmt
'Velaikkari' is a trend -setting film which changed the course of Tamil movies.He was
actively involved in politics ,he formed his own Political Party Dravidia Munettra Kalagam
,and he became the Chief Minister of Tamilnadu in 1967..