Sri Lankan Tamil cinema

Tamil filmmaking industry in Sri Lanka

This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Parts of this article (those related to all of it) need to be updated. The reason given is: civil war ended, new films released. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (November 2024)

|

(Learn how and when to remove this message)

Sri Lankan Tamil cinema is a small filmmaking industry based in Sri Lanka, which has made under 100 Tamil language films as of 2013.[1] it is separate from its Indian counterpart, the Tamil cinema of Kodambakkam in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, as many Sri Lankan Tamil actors work in Sri Lankan films or independent Tamil films overseas, although a few noted Tamil actors in India were born in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan Tamil cinema's growth has largely been stalled due to the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Tamils contributed significantly to Sinhala cinema as well as Indian Tamil cinema. The earliest ever Tamil films were mostly destroyed or unrecovered during wartime. The first known Sinhalese film dubbed in Tamil was released on December 29, 1951.[1][2] The Sri Lankan Tamil film Samuthayam (transl. Society), an adaptation of C.N. Annadurai’s Velaikkari, was made in 16 mm and technicolor. It was shown in 1962 and 1963. Thottakkari (Plantation Woman), released on March 28, 1962, was the first Sri Lankan Tamil film in the standard 35 mm format. It included speeches by trade unionists S. Thondaman and Azeez and was directed by Krishnakumar, who also played the film's male lead.[1]

Government-instituted development and individual achievement (1971–1979); unprecedented surge in yearly admissions In 1971, a socialist government that sought to overcome the dominance of screen time in Sri Lanka by Tamil and Hindi films came to power in the country. Foreign film dominance had resulted in domestically produced films being relegated to 20% of the screen time while foreign films occupied 80% (60% Tamil, 10% Hindi, 10% English). The government that won power had promised to redress this imbalance. It established the State Film Corporation by Act No. 47 of 1971, charged with the promotion of national film and giving and making available a wide variety of films to the public.

The State Film Corporation (SFC) established a unique credit scheme for film production. Loans were given on the basis of a script evaluation, and those taking part with credit were given on the collateral of the negatives. This was at a time when bank lending was very conventional and such a 'collateral' was unheard of in the banking industry. The directors and main technicians had to have prior training to obtain loans via a system of registration. Prior to these measures, films produced domestically were transliterations of Tamil and Hindi films, to the extent that there was no credit for screenplay. The only credit was for dialogues, as the "screenplay" was a transliteration of the Hindi or Tamil original. The credit scheme ensured original screenwriting for the first time, and stories that were copies of Hindi and Tamil were not entitled to receive loans. Thus, a professional film production industry was established.

As a rebirth of Sri Lankan Tamil cinema, the comedy/thriller movie ‘'Komaali Kings’' was announced on January 23, 2016. The team says, "‘Komaali Kings’ is an attempt to rekindle and re-establish nostalgic memories of the hay days of Sri Lankan Tamil cinema."

The filmography of the Sri Lankan Tamil cinema is as follows.

## Early films 1960s

[edit]

No  | Film title  | Meaning of title  | Film Director / Music Director  | Date released

|
|
|
|

1  | Samuthayam | Society | Henry Chandrawansa  | 1962 (16-mm Technicolor Movie)
2  | Thottakkari | A lady from Plantation | Krishnakumar  | March 28, 1962
3  | Kadamayin Ellai | Limits of Duty | M.Vedanayagam  | 1966
4  | Pasa Nila | Beloved Moon | Joe Dev Anand  | 1966 (16-mm Movie)
5  | Taxi Driver | Taxi Driver | T.Sundukuli Somasegaran  | 1966
6  | Nirmala | Nirmala | A.Ragunathan  | 1968

## Films released in 1970s

[edit]

No  | Film title  | Meaning of title  | Film Director  | Date released  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|

7  | Manjal Kungumam | Turmeric and Kumkum | Balan  | 1970  |
8  | Vensangu | White conch | W.M.S.Thambo  | 1970  |
9  | Kuththu vilakku | Sacred Lamp | W.S.Mahendran  | 1972  |
10  | Meenava Penn | Fisherfolk Lady | Krishnakumar  | 1973  |
11  | Pudhiya Kattru | A New waves | S.Ramanathan | 1975  |
12  | Komaligal | The Clowns | S.Ramanathan | 1976  |
13  | Ponmani | Ponmani | Dharmasena Patthiraja | 1977  |
14  | Kaathirupaen Unakaaha | I will wait for you | S.V.Chandran | 1977  |
15  | Naan Ungal Thozhan | I'm Your friend | S. V. Chandran | 1978  |
16  | Vadakkattru | Cool Breeze | Premnath Moraes | 1977  |
17  | Thendralum Puyalum | Wind and Typhoon | M.A.Kapoor | 1978  | First and only Tamil Cinemasope movie
18  | Theivam Thantha Veedu | God gave this House | Wlfred silva  | 1978  |
19  | Aemalikal | Fools | S.Ramanathan | 1978  |
20  | Anuragam | Anuragam | Yasapalitha Nanayakkara | 1978  |
21  | Engalil Oruvan | A Man among us | S.V.Chandran  | 1979  |

## Films released in 1980s

[edit]

No  | Film title  | Meaning of title  | Film Director  | Date released

|
|
|
|

22  | Rathathin Rathamae | Beloved blood relatives | Joe Dev Anand  | 1980
23  | Aval Oru Jeevanathi | She is a living river | J.B.Robert, Joe Michael  | 1980
24  | Nadu Potra Vaalka | Live a great life so that the country will celebrate you | Yasapalitha Nanayakkara | 1979
25  | Nenjukku Neethi | Just to the heart | T.Sundukuli Somasegaran  | 1980
26  | Pathai Maariya Paruvangal | Ages when paths changed | NA  | 1982

## Films released in 1990s—present

[edit]

No  | Film title  | Meaning of title  | Film Director  | Date released

|
|
|
|

27  | Sharmilavin Ithaya Ragam | Sharmila’s Melody of the Heart | Peradeniya Junaideen, Sunil Soma Peiris | 1993
28  | Mann | Earth | Pudhiyavan  | 24 November 2006
29  | Orae Naalil | In a single day | Yusuf Rahim  | released 2007
30  | Operation Ellalan | Symbol of Supreme Sacrifice | Thamilan  | 2010
31  | Ennul Enna Matramo  | What change do I have within me? | Director: S.Kavimaran  | 14 June 2013
32  | School Gang - Kalluri Padaiyani  | Musical Instrument | Director: K.Kiruthigan  | 16 June 2015
33  | Senthanal | Red Flame  | Director: Sutharshan Kanagarajah | April 2016
34  | Akoran | Very angry person  | Director: Dinesh Raveendran | 10 feb 2017
35  | Komaali Kings[3] | Kings Of Comedians  | Director: King Ratnam  | 23 February 2018
36  | Oru Kuyilum 2 Koattankalum | 1 Koel, 2 batons  | Director: NS thanaa | 26 June 2018
37  | Bodhai | Addictive  | Director: Kirushanth Jeyakumar | 26 June 2019
38  | Parthiba | Parthiba  | Director: R.P.Abarnasuthan  | 21 November 2019
39  | Theevinai Achcham | scared  | Director: Dinesh Raveendran | 08 feb 2020
40  | Puththi Ketta Manitharellam | All dumb people  | Director: Raj Sivaraj  | 24 December 2021
41  | Munnel | Soil  | Director: Visakesa Chandrasekaram  | 28 January 2023
42  | Vellinattukkaasu | Foreign money  | Director: Sasikaran Yo  | 26 March 2023
43  | Soppana Sundhari |  | Director: Mathavan Maheswaran  | 26 August 2023

## Films yet to be released

[edit]

No  | Film title  | Meaning of title  | Film Director / Music Director  | Date released

|
|
|
|

35  | Kaadhal Kaditham | Love Letter | Mukesh  | Yet to be released
36  | Rajathanthiri | King Maker  | Director: Sanathana Sarma  | Yet to be released
38  | Sooriya | Sooriyan | Dr.p.suren  | Yet to be released
39  | Maalai Neram | Evening | Director: Vithya Sharma  | Yet to be released
40  | Yaaldevi | The train | Director: S.K.Logakanthan  | Yet to be released
42  | YARL | Musical Instrument | Director: MS Anand  | Yet to be released
46  | Poiyaa Vilakku | The Lamp of Truth | Director: Thanesh Gopal | Yet to be released
47  | AThu Unta Pirachchanai | That is Your Proplm | Director: S.K.Logakanthan  | Yet to be released

## Notable filmmakers

[edit]

* Lenin M. Sivam
* Subaskaran Allirajah
* Tamiliam Subas
* V. I. S. Jayapalan

## See also

[edit]

* Sinhala Cinema
* Sri Lankan Tamils in Sinhala Cinema
* Sri Lankan Tamils in Indian cinema
* Tamil cinema
* South Asian cinema
* Cinema of the world

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c Sri Lankan Tamil Cinema and the Search for a Distinct Identity 4 December 2013 by D.B.S. Jeyaraj (originally published in the Indian newsmagazine Frontline on 13–26 February 1999, Vol. 16–No. 04, as part of the Symposium on Sri Lanka’s Cultural Experience)
2. ^ "ஈழத்துத் தமிழ்த் திரைப்படங்களின் பட்டியல்". thaayagakkalaignarkal.blogspot.com. 16 August 2007. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
3. ^ 'Komaali Kings': 40-year revival of Sri Lankan Tamil cinema?

* v
* t
* e

Topics on Northern Province, Sri Lanka

History|

* Jaffna kingdom
* Vannimai
* Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism
* Militancy
* Tamil Eelam
* Burning of Jaffna library
* Civil War

Geography|

* Cities
* Divisional Secretariats
* Jaffna Peninsula
* National Parks
* Rivers
* Towns
* Vanni

| Districts|

* Jaffna District
* Kilinochchi District
* Mannar District
* Mullaitivu District
* Vavuniya District

|

Politics|

* Chief Minister
* Government of the Northern Province
* Governor
* Jaffna Electoral District
* Northern Provincial Council
* Vanni Electoral District

Economy|

* Agriculture
* Buildings and Structures
* Tourism

| Transportation|

| Airports|

* Iranamadu Airport
* Jaffna International Airport
* Vavuniya Airport

|

Highways|

* A9
* A14
* A29
* A30
* A32
* A34
* A35

Railways|

* Mannar Line
* Northern Line
* Yal Devi

Society|

| Culture|

* Architecture
* Art
* Cinema (Sri Lankan Tamil cinema)
* Education
* Literature
* Music
* Sport
* Dance
* Cuisine
* Festivals

|

Demographics|

* Demographic history
* Language demographics

Education|

* List of schools
* University of Jaffna

Healthcare|

* List of hospitals
* Jaffna Teaching Hospital

Religion|

* Jaffna Diocese of the Church of South India
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Jaffna
* Roman Catholic Diocese of Mannar

Symbols|

* Flag
* Motto
* Coat of arms

Category

* v
* t
* e

Sri Lankan Tamil people

List of Sri Lankan Tamils

History|

| Ancient|

* History of Eastern Tamils
* Tissamaharama inscription
* Annaicoddai seal
* Ketheeswaram temple
* Koneswaram temple
* Munneswaram temple
* Tenavaram temple

|

Jaffna kingdom|

* History
* Aryacakravarti
* Jaffna Palace ruins
* Kotagama inscriptions
* Portuguese conquest
* Vannimai
* Vanniar
* Demala Hatpattu

Colonial|

* American Ceylon Mission
* Wesleyan Methodist Mission
* Jaffna Youth Congress

Post-colonial|

* Nationalism
* Colonisation
* Sinhala Only Act
* Riots
* Bandaranaike–Chelvanayakam Pact
* Standardisation
* Militancy
* Vaddukoddai Resolution
* Tamil Eelam
* Burning of Jaffna library
* Black July
* Civil war
* NPC Resolution on Genocide

Politics|

| Government|

* Northern Provincial Council
* Government of the Northern Province
* Governors
* Chief Ministers
* Eastern Provincial Council
* Governors
* Chief Ministers

|

Political parties|

* All Ceylon Tamil Congress
* Federal Party
* Tamil United Liberation Front
* Tamil National Alliance
* Democratic Tamil National Alliance
* Tamil National People's Front
* Tamil People's National Alliance

Militant groups|

* ENDLF
* ENLF
* EPRLF
* EORS
* LTTE
* PLOTE
* TELO

Diaspora|

* British Tamils Forum
* Canadian Tamil Congress
* Federation of Tamil Sangams of North America
* Global Tamil Forum
* Tamils Against Genocide
* Tamil Youth Organisation
* Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam

Society|

* Eelam
* Genetic studies
* Karaiyar
* Koviar
* Mukkuvar
* Nalavar
* Paraiyar
* Thesavalamai
* Vellalar
* Vedar

| Culture|

* Cinema
* Representations in Indian cinema
* Literature
* News
* Saturday Review
* Sudar Oli
* Tamil Guardian
* TamilNet
* Tamil Times
* Thinakaran
* Thinakkural
* Uthayan
* Virakesari

|

Diaspora|

* Australia
* Canada
* France
* Germany
* Italy
* India
* Malaysia
* New Zealand
* Pakistan
* United Kingdom
* United States

Languages and dialects|

* Batticaloa Tamil
* Jaffna Tamil
* Negombo Tamil
* Loanwords

Religion|

* Hinduism
* Naguleswaram temple
* Nallur Kandaswamy temple
* Catholicism
* Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu
* Village deities

Sport|

* Cricket
* Football

Category

* v
* t
* e

World cinema

* National cinema

Africa|

| Northern|

* Algeria
* Egypt
* Libya
* Morocco
* Tunisia

|

Eastern|

* Djibouti
* Eritrea
* Ethiopia
* Kenya
* Madagascar
* Mauritius
* Somalia
* South Sudan
* Sudan
* Tanzania
* Uganda
* Zambia
* Zimbabwe

Western|

* Benin
* Burkina Faso
* Cape Verde
* Ghana
* Liberia
* Niger
* Nigeria
* Senegal
* Togo

Central|

* Angola
* Cameroon
* Central African Republic
* Chad
* Congo DR
* Gabon
* São Tomé and Príncipe

Southern|

* Botswana
* Namibia
* South Africa

Asia|

| Eastern|

* China
* Hong Kong
* Japan
* Korea
* North
* South
* Mongolia
* Taiwan

|

Southern|

* Bangladesh
* Bhutan
* India
* Assamese
* Bengali
* Bhojpuri
* Chhattisgarhi
* Deccani
* Dogri
* Gujarati
* Haryanvi
* Hindi
* Kannada
* Kashmiri
* Khasi
* Konkani
* Malayalam
* Meitei
* Marathi
* Oriya
* Punjabi
* Rajasthani
* Sanskrit
* Tamil
* Telugu
* Tulu
* Nepal
* Pakistan
* Lollywood
* Sri Lanka

Southeastern|

* Burma
* Cambodia
* Indonesia
* Laos
* Malaysia
* Philippines
* Singapore
* Thailand
* Vietnam

Central|

* Afghanistan
* Kazakhstan
* Kyrgyzstan
* Tajikistan
* Turkmenistan
* Uzbekistan

Western|

* Armenia
* Azerbaijan
* Bahrain
* Cyprus
* Egypt
* Georgia
* Iran
* Iraq
* Israel
* Jewish
* Jordan
* Kuwait
* Lebanon
* Oman
* Palestine
* Qatar
* Saudi Arabia
* Syria
* Turkey
* United Arab Emirates
* Yemen

Northern|

* Russia
* Russian Empire
* Soviet Union

Europe|

| Eastern|

* Belarus
* Bulgaria
* Czech Republic
* Hungary
* Moldova
* Poland
* Romania
* Russia
* Russian Empire
* Soviet Union
* Slovakia
* Ukraine

|

Northern|

* Denmark
* Estonia
* Faroe Islands
* Finland
* Iceland
* Ireland
* Latvia
* Lithuania
* Norway
* Sweden
* United Kingdom
* Northern Ireland
* Scotland
* Wales

Southern|

* Albania
* Bosnia and Herzegovina
* Croatia
* Cyprus
* Greece
* Italy
* Kosovo
* Malta
* Montenegro
* North Macedonia
* Portugal
* Serbia
* Yugoslavia
* Turkey
* Slovenia
* Spain
* Catalonia
* Galicia

Western|

* Austria
* Belgium
* France
* Germany
* German Turks
* Luxembourg
* Netherlands
* Switzerland

Americas|

| North|

* Canada
* Quebec
* Costa Rica
* Cuba
* Dominican Republic
* Haiti
* Jamaica
* Mexico
* United States
* Puerto Rico

|

South|

* Argentina
* Bolivia
* Brazil
* Chile
* Colombia
* Ecuador
* Paraguay
* Peru (Iquitos)
* Suriname
* Uruguay
* Venezuela

Oceania|

* Australia
* Fiji
* New Zealand
* Samoa

Intercontinental
& transnational|

* Arab World
* Balochi cinema
* Middle East
* Kurdish cinema
* Latin America
* Soviet Union

* Film portal
* World portal

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template