The communication prowess of the pioneers mentioned above remains unexplored from a critical academic perspective, from the theoretical vantage point of social movement communication. The same is true of the locations of Sivaji Ganesan and MGR. The above list does not include Thanthai Periyar and Peraringnar Anna as they ought to be located in a league of their own in Dravidian social movement communication and require large scale studies from a critical perspective.
Notwithstanding their own merits, thanks to the mainstreaming power of the cults Sivaji Ganesan and MGR made possible through their extraordinary communication talents, we have been made to relate to the communication canvas of TN of last century through a tunnel vision. They include Sankaradas Swamigal, Pammal Sambandha Mudaliar, Kittappa, TKC brothers, KB Sundarambal, Dandapani Desikar, MKT Bagavathar, PU Chinnappa, Kannamma, Sahasranamam, Kali N Rathinam, NSK, KRR, MR Radha, Baliah, Thangavelu, SSR, Chandrababu, Savithri, Manorama, Nagesh, among others. They travelled widely with their theatre/political party groups, struggled against financial and legal hardships, lived with betrayals of their friends and leaders and, in most cases, lived simple, passionate and socially meaningful lives. The event proved that there is a strong need than ever before to explore and understand the contributions of the communication pioneers of last century in Tamil Nadu who worked with the media of gramophone records, music concerts, theatre and films. Heart warming moments were provided by the family members of the forgotten jewels of Tamil cinema when they started recollecting the serene and inspiring life styles of the film icons their families produced.įor the first time, the University of Madras main conference hall had general public outnumbering students and faculty in the audience.
What a great start! A good gathering of speakers well versed with the personal experiences of actors who were weaving magical moments for their party leaders as well as their fans through their plays and films that were a radical departure from the Tamil films of the Puranic mould. Today’s event launched, among other things, a new sub-discipline to work with – social movement communication in India in general and Dravidian social movement communication in particular. The Birth Centenary Function of Nadippisai Pulavar Thiru K R Ramasami, the First Superstar of the Dravidian Social Movement Communication was held today (August 05, 2015), during 10.30 am – 6.30 pm at Thanthai Periyar Hall (F 50), Centenary Buildings, University of Madras,Chepauk Campus.Chennai 600005.