Casino, is a part of the movie viewing experience of an old timer in Chennai. In December 1941, it became a new venue in the cinematic experience of Madras when it opened with the British comedy It turned out nice again.
The Casino in Madras
Blended in Natya – An interview with the Dhananjayans
As Madras turns 378, sharing this post again where the legendary Dhananjayans share their memories of a Madras where films were shot in Besant Nagar, neighborhood rumoured to be haunted and full of trees
Madras has turned 375 today. As one sees various images that define the city, one cannot miss the dancers of Kalakshetra, rigorous in their practice, dedicated to the art. I spoke to the legendary Dhananjayans on the occasion of Madras Day, who drew a vivid picture of the Madras that was….
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Tucked away in one of the silent corners of Thiruvanmiyur is the Kalakshetra campus, where students can be seen undergoing a rigorous regimen of training in Bharatanatyam and other art forms. The lush green campus, lined with countless trees, is an oasis in the midst of the humdrum of traffic in the city. Six decades back, when VP Dhananjayan, a doyen of Bharatanatyam arrived in Madras (as it was known then), the city was a totally different place to be in. His memory is still fresh about the journey he undertook from his village in Kerala to Madras…
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Train Trails – Railway stories from Madras
Every day, at seven in the morning, Murugan walks in to the Chennai Central station and sits on the benches in the platform, waiting for the morning trains to arrive. Once a train pulls into a stop, he rushes near the coaches to see if any passengers require help with the luggage. He haggles with... Continue Reading →
The Silver Lining – Patriotism in cinema before independence
Indian films began talking in 1931 and it didn’t take them long to belt out ideas of freedom. And with our films having had a culture of song and dance, patriotism found its way into even regular entertainers. But these films did clash with the censors from time to time.
