Malayalam film industry is indebted to the pioneering filmmaker J.C. Daniel. Befittingly, the exhibition, organised by the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy (KSCA) at the Kanakakkunnu Palace, which traces the glorious past of Malayalam cinema, ensures prominence for the ‘father of Malayalam cinema’.
The exhibition, which got under way on Thursday, takes film enthusiasts back in time to understand the evolution of Malayalam cinema and its milestones over the course of nine decades. It starts off by highlighting the efforts that went into the making of the first movie to be made in Malayalam, Vigathakumaran , written, produced, and directed by J.C. Daniel in 1928.
The display also features the ‘Debrie’ camera that he had used. Veteran actors Madhu and Sheela and filmmaker-lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi formally inaugurated the programme that has been arranged in association with the Kerala State Film Development Corporation (KSFDC).
Kerala State Chalachithra Academy chairman Kamal said the exhibition was a prelude to the year-long Navathy (90th anniversary) celebrations of Malayalam cinema. He lamented the lack of efforts made in preserving the history of the industry, particularly prints of several classics.
“The upcoming International Film Study and Research Centre and the Digital Film Archive at the KINFRA Film and Video Park at Kazhakuttam will enable us to digitise several archives and preserve them for posterity,” he said.
P. David, who was the still photographer for several films during his career spanning over five decades, was felicitated on the occasion.
