Leafing through cinema’s past

Sivagami Pethachi Auditorium on Luz Church Road had transformed into a hall of fame on Tuesday evening. The presence of yesteryear luminaries of Tamil cinema who adorned the dais and the rows of seats in the audience, said enough about the goodwill that veteran Tamil film journalist Major Dasan had earned in his career spanning more than three decades. The occasion was the release of his book, ‘Cinema Nirubarin Diaryilirundhu … Thiraichuvaigal.’ Poet and lyricist Vaali did the honours and M.S.Viswanathan and AVM Saravanan received the first copies. Having been associated with leading Tamil journals such as Kumudam, Dasan’s writings on film celebrities have been innumerable. ‘Thiraichuvaigal’ brought out by Poompuhar Padhippagam is a compilation of such interactions.

“This is the first time the publishing house has gone in for a book connected to cinema. I feel honoured that my writings are being published by Poompuhar,” said Major Dasan. Most of the speakers noted the gratitude the journo showed in acknowledging the people who have helped him shape his career -- the most significant among them being ‘Major’ Sunderrajan. The writer has taken the pseudonym of Major Dasan, because Sunderrajan had been his mentor, guide and well wisher. S. Devadhirajan is Dasan’s original name.

The highlights of the evening were many. The crisp address by the dignitaries was one – none spoke for more than a few minutes. S. P. Muthuraman was happy that the hall had several journalists in the audience, who had come to celebrate a colleague’s great moment.

Both AVM Saravanan and director and producer V. C. Guhanathan described ‘Thiraichuvaigal’ as a treasure trove of information on Tamil Cinema. “He has documented our cinema for posterity,” praised Vaali. “I pointed a minor factual error in the chapter on me and now I see the particular page re-composed with the correct detail. Shows the commitment of the writer and the publisher,” he eulogised. Listening to Vaali is always a joy. He said that people should understand the impermanence of life. “Then alone will humility enter the mind. Major Dasan is one such humble person.” And in typical style added, “If I promise to make it to an event, I do. Otherwise I give the reason and excuse myself even when they come over to invite me. Here, I don’t see the faces of a few invitees whose names are on the invite.”

Manorama’s words were another highlight. “In the lines of Kannadasan and Bharatidasan, Major Dasan is a commendable writer, who has carved a niche for himself,” she said.

The others who offered felicitations included director R. C. Sakthi, Mellisai Mannar MSV and veteran actor M. N. Rajam.

The pictures used in the book were projected on screen at the opening of the event. Some of them were really rare! P.B. Sreenivos with a huge ‘Kattabomman’ like moustache and a laughing Kamala hugging husband Sivaji Ganesan, for instance!

“I had been to the film city recently and wished to see ‘Film News’ Anandan’s collection of rare pictures housed there. They are lying in a corner, dusty and uncared for, I was told, and it disturbed me a lot. History of cinema has to be preserved and contribution of enthusiasts such as Major Dasan has to be hailed,” said Saravanan.

“Collecting the pictures and information has been an uphill task. Personalities left out in this book will be included in Parts II and III,” Major Dasan said.