Two of us take a walk down memory lane with author, filmmaker, and film studies professor Dr. Swarnavel Easwaran to discuss AVM Productions’ cult hit Antha Naal. Featuring (then) rising star Sivaji Ganesan, Pandari Bai, and screenwriter Javert Seetharaman in a crucial role.
Dr.Swarnavel’s book Madras Studios is a great primer of the studio system that existed in Thamizh cinema at the time and his film Kattumaram starring Mysskin is in the festival circuit garnering acclaim. His article on the cinematography and poetics of 1950s Tamil cinema (in particular Maruti Rao the cinematographer for Antha Naal) resulted in a shot from Antha Naal gracing the cover of Screen – one of the foremost film studies journals in the world.
We thank Dr.Swarnavel profusely for sparing time to connect with us. It was a particularly insightful and informative discussion on the politics and technicalities of cinema of the period. We hope you enjoy listening and let us know what you think!