Chennai: The friendly voice which said ‘Anandan’ when you dialled his number will be missed by journalists wanting to get any information about Tamil films since first talkie Kalidas. He is none other than acclaimed film historian ‘Film News’ Anandan who passed away in the city on Monday morning.
Anandan had recalled that his tryst with films began with his camera. His first photographs of Sivaji Ganesan won appreciation from Kollywood artistes. While working as reporter for film chamber, he used to meticulously collect details of films released on Fridays, actors, directors and musicians involved in them.
Considered one of the first PROs of Kollywood, his consistent and systematic recording of film details and monthly and yearly compilations in a prescribed format specially designed by him, soon made Anandan a veritable storehouse of information of Tamil movies. He also had a vast knowledge of films made in other South Indian languages and Hindi. His passion remained till the end. “He had given us the compilation of movies released in January 2016,” said a film correspondent.
Since Anandan had been collecting significant details, the rarest of photographs and prominent aspects of all Tamil Films, he documented the history of Tamil cinema in his 800-page book accompanied by 1,200 photographs. The book, Sadhanaigal Padaitha Thamizthiraipada Varalaru (Tamil Film History and its Achievements), released by Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa in 2004,had trivia on Tamil films from 1931, details of women who made a mark as editors, producers, lyricists, scriptwriters and directors, of postage stamps released to honour film personalities, novels and plays made into films, actors who played dual and multiple roles and honours won by artistes.
Winner of the Kalaimamani award, he had conducted a number of exhibitions in various parts of the country and won accolades. Besides, Anandan handed over his entire collection to the state government. “I could not bear to see my things being taken in a lorry. It was like a child being given away,” he told this correspondent at that time. A treasure house of knowledge, Anandan will be remembered for his simplicity and readiness to share details about any film at any time with undying passion.
