Fascinating Classic Tamil Film Stars (Galatta Cinema Article)

To wrap up my series of posts featuring scans from the "Celebration of 75 Years of Tamil Cinema" feature in Galatta Cinema magazine, below are scans from the "Fascinating Stars" section in the August 2007 and September 2007 issues.  Posted with the tacit approval of Galatta Cinema based on past communication.  While the magazine included stars up to the present day, I'm much more fascinated by the older/yesteryear/classic/black&white stars, so that's all I've included here (my cut-off point: color pictures).

I've also listed some video clips I found of some of the stars that I really enjoyed or that show them up close so you can get a better look (though they may not be well-known or iconic clips, since I come to this all as a beginner!).  What fun it is entering some of these names and finding some of the old, hidden treasures that folks have kindly uploaded.  I've found some stunning compositions along the way as well- Tamil film songs are simply genius at times.

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Celebrating 75 Years of Tamil Cinema: Part II (Galatta Cinema Article)

As a continuation of my first post featuring scans from the fabulous "Celebration of 75 Years of Tamil Cinema" feature in Galatta Cinema magazine, here is a new batch of scans featuring an introduction, "From Silents to Sivaji Part 2" (Sept 2007 issue), and "Memorable Movies" post-1954 (Sept 2007).  Posted with tacit approval from Galatta Cinema based on past communications.  For "Memorable Movies" pre-1954 and the "From Silents to Sivaji Part 1," please see the first post of this series.  As before, I've listed things I found interesting from the articles and embedded some clips that I found.  I simply love old Tamil film music- so many of the songs are so melodious and happy, and I'm so excited to find more films and videos to watch by reading these articles. Roll the scans and videos!

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Celebrating 75 Years of Tamil Cinema (Galatta Cinema Article)

The very first two issues of Galatta Cinema magazine feature an incredible assortment of photographs and tidbits about older Tamil films that I could not wait to share here! The August 2007 issue features part one of the "Celebrating 75 Years of Tamil Cinema" article which includes "From Silents to Sivaji! A look into the past," "Memorable Movies," and "Fascinating Stars."  I've included scans below of all but the last section, which I'll save for later; click on the scans to access a larger version.  Posted with tacit courtesy of Galatta Cinema magazine based on past communication from them.

I've felt like a kid in a candy store as I've discovered all these old archived pictures, and according to the following excerpt about the author (Randor Guy), they are indeed rare: "Randor Guy is no ordinary film historian-his writing skill, his photographic memory of incidents and their details, his intimate friendship with so many celebrities and the world of movies is a story in itself. It is, thus, only fitting that he chronicles and remarks on 40 most memorable movies and 40 most fascinating stars of Tamil cinema, spanning the period of 75 years. Embellished by the rarest of photographs (many provided from his private collection), your journey in the next few pages is going to be as mesmerising as it will be poignant."

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Padmini: The Eternal Dancer (Galatta Cinema Article)

After my post about the "Child Artistes and Tamil Cinema" article from Galatta Cinema Magazine, I noticed that each issue tends to feature a "Nostalgia" section about yesteryear stars and films. Thus, my next showcase is this fantastic set of scans from the nostalgia article "The Eternal Dancer" in the November 2007 issue. The pictures of Padmini are simply stunning, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading some brief information about her films and getting some more recommendations of what to watch from her filmography. I had no idea that she also acted in some Malayalam films or that she essayed mother roles. Just look at that last, de-glammed picture of her! I was also stunned to read that later in her life she ran a classical dance institute in the US that is apparently still in operation now even after her passing (the Padmini Institute of Fine Arts, apparently). Her out of this world dance in Vanjikottai Valiban is duly mentioned in the article as well, for certainly it would be a crime not to! Enjoy! Click on the thumbnails below for larger versions (ETA: Fixed scan quality).  Courtesy Galatta Cinema magazine.

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