‘Chitrashatakam,’ celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema, began at St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, on Sunday. The event, organised by the Department of English of the college, is the climax of a month-long programme celebrating the celluloid century in diverse ways.
As part of the programme, a Gallup poll was organised on the campus to select the best movie in Malaylam and favourite actor and actress in Indian cinema. Convenor of the programme Robin Xavier told The Hindu that the intention was only to learn the pulse of the campus. Manichitrathazhu , Mohanlal, and Shobhana won the honours respectively.
A photo exhibition on Indian cinema was held to create awareness of various aspects of Indian cinema and its development among the students. A movie quiz was held for students, followed by a series of cinema-related discussions. The students of final year BA English created a short film, Shimli , which will be officially released by script writer Deedi Damodaran on Monday. Sholayand Chemmeen were screened on Sunday. Memories in March was also screened as a tribute to Rituparno Ghosh, the noted film maker who passed away recently.
The inauguration of the programme will be held on Monday followed by a State- level intercollegiate paper presentation contest on ‘Talking Pictures: Readings on 21st Century Indian Cinema.’ Sixteen teams from across the State are taking part in the competition. A State-level intercollegiate quiz titled ‘Quiz Quiz Bang Bang’ on Indian cinema will be held on Tuesday. The first, second, and third prize winners in both the competitions will get cash prizes of Rs.5,000, Rs.3,000, and Rs.2,000, respectively.
Mr. Robin said the celebration would not end with the quiz, but the department was planning a series of movie screenings in the coming days.
