“Kavalai ethum enakku illai pangu, pangu…,” the song from the flick Rajini Murugan blares from the speakers, beckoning film buffs in and around the cramped lanes of Tirupparankundram to Lakshmi Theatre, the last of the touring talkies still in operation. The sound leads me to the tent kottayi . Just as I think I am late to the evening show, a small gathering of people tells me the show is scheduled only for 6.40 p.m., and I am left with lots of time.
I walk around it fascinated by the one-of-its-kind theatre, brought to my notice by Canon brand ambassador Dharma Chandru. It makes me wonder how a cinema hall without a swanky ambience and state-of-the-art digital audio equipment can draw people in fairly large numbers. I meet M. Swaminathan, who owns the kottayi . “I opened the theatre 45 years ago. It comes under the ‘touring talkies’ category and the five-year licence period is drawing to an end. After that, I have to dismantle the whole set-up and rebuild. I have decided to close down in a fortnight as screening a film under a thatched roof is not allowed within the Corporation limits. Also, the revenue is less compared to the expenditure,” he says.
The experience of gathering as a community and the freedom to move around ensure the patronage of Lakshmi Theatre. “But, we don’t have the budget to release new films. We screen movies that are blockbusters. Sometimes, to fill in the gap between two films, we also screen star-studded Telugu movies dubbed in Tamil,” says Swaminathan.
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As the show time nears, I head to the ticket counter. There’s no serpentine queue. There’s no rush and people take their time to enter the theatre. In front of the screen, a layer of fine sand is evenly spread on the floor. Men and women rush to find a spot on the cushiony surface. As the title card plays, some lie down, while some gather the sand, make a mound and sit on it to watch the film. Some also switch spots to have a better view. Every song and ‘punch’ dialogue is greeted with shrill whistles and cheers. Lakshmi Theatre is a space that allows movie buffs to enjoy a puff while watching the movie. During the 15-minute interval, the canteen overflows with people. The entertainment is earthy and rustic at the touring talkies, but all the action will soon come to a close, and Lakshmi Theatre will become history.
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1. The Synchro film projector, which was bought second-hand, was used first. Now, the theatre uses a Photophone projector.
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2. Lighting for the film is produced by burning carbon sticks. You need five pairs of sticks if the movie is lengthy and, if the film is short, you need four pairs.
3. The theatre screens only second-release films and Telugu movies dubbed in Tamil. Urimaikural ran for 32 days followed by Cheran Pandiyan (28), BatchaAattukara Alamelu (22) and Amman (20). Only commercial movies run well here.
4. Ticket rates are Rs. 10 (bench) and Rs. 12 (chair) for men. Women are charged a flat rate of Rs. 5.
5. Puffs and murukkus are sold in the canteen for just Rs. 5, apart from ice-cream cones at Rs. 15.
6. The theatre runs two shows every day, at 6.40 p.m. and 10.40 p.m.