This blog already carries an article on the
two grand old production houses, the Gemini Studios and the AVM Pictures and another on the Devar Films Unit. From the mid Nineteen Thirties,there existed another film making
giant called The Modern Theatres. Unlike most other film production units
that were based in the then Madras, this mighty film producing
enterprise was located in Salem. This may be because its founder T.R.Sundaram hailed from
Thiruchengodu near Salem and hence
proximity and the natural beauty
of Yercaud would have been the governing
factors for establishing the Studio at Yercaud Road in Salem, so that, out door
shootings could be carried on without unnecessary expenses. Its founder T.R.Sundaram
being a field-oriented dynamic individual, his business predictions proved him
right. From the mid Nineteen Thirties, the Modern Theatres began to produce
movies with a foremost thrust on the entertainment factor. Stories of crime,
suspense,speed and adventure were the singular characteristics of the Modern
Studios and with this consistent formula
they ruled Tamil Cinema, successfully for more than four decades.
The might of Modern Theatres could be gauged from their choice of powerful actors like, P.U.Chinnappa, M.G.Ramachandran,Sivaji Ganesan,S.S.Rajendran,and later Jai
Shankar and Ravichandran. Manonmani, the historic epic and Uthamaputhiran
{Which was later remade by Venus Pictures
with Sivaji Ganesan in dual roles}were their earliest hits with
P.U.Chinnappa as hero. With Uthamaputhiran, Modern Studios took the credit of
taking the first Tamil film with a hero
playing dual roles. Mandhirikumari, Sarvadhikari and Alibabavum Naarpadhu Thirudargalum were
the fabulous films of this film circuit,
that increased the popularity of MGR as a budding mass hero and the third in
the list became the first colour film in Tamil. [taken in Geva colour].
Sivaji Ganesan’s
Thirumbipaar and Illarajothi were the most talked about films ,the first one
showing Sivaji in a negative role after his debut film
Parasakth that portrayed him as an electrifying performer in a positive character.S.S.Rajendran’s Kumudham was an award winner and like Mandirikumari and,
Alibabavum Naarpadhu Thirudargalum,Kumudham,was also considered to be a musical hit. SSR’s other films with this film house were, Petra Maganai Vitra Annai again known for a few melodious songs and
Kattu Roja in which[ late] Padmini returned to acting after her marriage. Malayalam Hero Prem Nazir’s Vannakkili
became a run away hit for the Modern Pictures, because of several great songs
and R.S.Manohar’s impressive show of role play.
R.S.Maonohar almost became a patronized
member of the Modern Theatres family, after Vannakkili. Quite a lot of
successful films like Kaidhi Kannaayiram,Vallavanukku Vallavan, Vallavan Oruvan, Iru
Vallavargal, Chitrangi,Naangu Killadigal, Ethirigal
Jaakikiradhai, Justice Viswanathan and Karundheil Kannaayiram, had Manohar playing the hero or
second hero or villain. Similarly, from Iru Vallavargal Jai Shankar became
close to the Modern Theatres doing hero in the role of a Tamil James Bond in many films of which Vallavan Oruvan and CID Shankar need a special mention.If my memory is right Jaishankar's final innings with the modern theatres were Edhirigal Jakkiradhai and Thedivandha Lakshmi. Ravichandran did a creditable
film, Justice Viswanathan of the Modern Theatres. Among the old movies, the other crowd pulling films
of The Modern Theatres were, Aayiram Thalai Vaangiya Aboorva
Chindhaamani,Thigambara Saamiyaar, Aaravalli,Engal Selvi, Sugam Enge and the fairly known
Konjum Kumari that introduced the amazing comedienne Manorama as heroine.
What made this film production unit hold its ground
was its deep rooted understanding of the audience mood and its conviction in
delivering the goods to match audience expectations. It might appear that the base of their film
making process remained the same for most of their films. For that matter,
every production house has certain well defined objectives and operational
modalities towards forming a specific identity for them. Film making being
another business, commercial
fundamentals become the pre-determiners in running the organization.
The Modern Theatres, like the big AVM banner and the profit bound Devar films circuit, could sustain their victory march only because they could read before hand, the changing trends among Tamil film goers, who are always far ahead in making assessments about the quality of films released from time to time. The audience knew that if they went to the theatre to watch a film of the modern theatres, their time would be well spent, as far as entertainment aspects were concerned. It was known to them that exclusive family sentiment,heavy romantic element and a full time comedy show, would not be there in a film of the Modern Theatres. But they were sure that, no Modern Theatres’ film would disappoint them, as far as the action segment was concerned.
The Modern Theatres, like the big AVM banner and the profit bound Devar films circuit, could sustain their victory march only because they could read before hand, the changing trends among Tamil film goers, who are always far ahead in making assessments about the quality of films released from time to time. The audience knew that if they went to the theatre to watch a film of the modern theatres, their time would be well spent, as far as entertainment aspects were concerned. It was known to them that exclusive family sentiment,heavy romantic element and a full time comedy show, would not be there in a film of the Modern Theatres. But they were sure that, no Modern Theatres’ film would disappoint them, as far as the action segment was concerned.
Moreover , when compared to other production
houses it was the modern theatres that
popularized the speed quotient in films so as to keep the audience not
being bored. The detective element as a vital factor in arresting crime, was handled
beautifully, in many a film of the modern theatres and Jai Shankar perfectly
fitted into the role of a CID officer. There would be the all pervading thriller feel, duly supported by the chase and run scenic
sequences. Romance and a little bit of family sentiment and comedy substance were adequately mixed, to make a film engaging and worth watching.
The other wonderful feature of a Modern
Theatres film, was its quality based music support effectively provided by
eminent music directors like G.Ramanathan,K.V.Mahadevan and Vedha. The third
name in the list owes his popularity with the Tamil music listeners chiefly
through his tie up with the Modern Theatres. Valuable actors
like S.V.Rengarao,M.N.Nambiyar, P.S.Veerappa, M.R.Radha, K.A.Thangavelu, A.Karunanidhi and
graceful heroines like Madhuridevi,B.S.Saroja P.Banumathi, Padmini,Savithri,Rajasulochana,Mainavadhi, Vijayakumari,L.Vijayalakshmi Pushpalatha and Lakshmi have all joined this banner at least
once in their career to play a leading role.
Personally, I would have seen not less than twenty films of the modern pictures and I continue to cherish in my memory films such as the earliest Thigambara Saamiyar showing Nambiyar as hero, Aaaravalli depicting a tale of gynocracy, the lengthiest movie both in title and duration, Aayiram Thalai Vaangiya Aboorva Chinthaamani and the old SSR film Petra Maganai Vitra Annai. Along with these films,the three MGR hits and others like Vannakkili and Kaidhi Kannaayiram were my childhood treats. Kumudham and Kaattu Roja became my teenage pet films. I have watched later all the Jai Shankar films as well as the A.V.Rajan and Pushpalatha starring Chitraangi.
Personally, I would have seen not less than twenty films of the modern pictures and I continue to cherish in my memory films such as the earliest Thigambara Saamiyar showing Nambiyar as hero, Aaaravalli depicting a tale of gynocracy, the lengthiest movie both in title and duration, Aayiram Thalai Vaangiya Aboorva Chinthaamani and the old SSR film Petra Maganai Vitra Annai. Along with these films,the three MGR hits and others like Vannakkili and Kaidhi Kannaayiram were my childhood treats. Kumudham and Kaattu Roja became my teenage pet films. I have watched later all the Jai Shankar films as well as the A.V.Rajan and Pushpalatha starring Chitraangi.
My all time
favourite songs of Modern theatre films are ‘Vaaraai Nee Vaaraai’ and ‘Ulavum
Thenral Kaatrinile’{the amazing duets of Tiruchi Loganathan and Jikki from Mandhirikumari} ‘Maasilaa Unmai Kaadhale’ { in
the melodious voice of A.M.Raja and P.Banumathi from Alibaabaavum Naarpadhu
Thirudargalum}'Sithhaada Kattigittu' {The most popular group song of S.C.Krishnan
and others from Vannakkili} ‘Oeraayiram Paarvaiyile’ {TMS solo hit from Vallavanukku Vallavan}'Kallile
Kalai Vannam Kandaan’{the solo scintillating number of Sirkazhi Govindarajan}‘Ennai Vittu Oedipoega Mudiyuma’{the great duet of Govindarajan and P.Susheela} and 'Maamaa Maamaa Maamaa'{the eternally relevant TMS chorus},all from Kumudham,'Naan
Maloroedu Vilaiyaada’{the lovely duet of TMS and P.Susheela from Iru
Vallavargal} and Palingunaal Oru Maaligai. {the ever titillating melody of L.R.Eswari
from Vallavan Oruvan.}The immortality of these songs is purely due to the
excellent musical composition of
G.Ramanathan, S.Dakshinamurthy,K.V.Mahadevan and Vedha.
Films that sustain
in our memory are marvelous samples of creativity. Those who made such films
deserve a distinct place in the hearts of the viewers.The Modern Theatres will
ever remain as the most powerful film production house with a kind of enchanting might of
creativity.
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