The Editor,
“Letters to the Editor “column”
The Hindu, Chennai. 2
Attention: Mr Murali Krishnaswami, Editor
Dear Sir,
With reference to the Editorial column today on Art & Awards[1]. I would like to submit my views on the subject. The purpose of any Art activity is to educate, enlighten and entertain the populous. 90% of the films produced are emitted from these essential criteria. So it is natural to have predictable controversies. Cinema is a total commercial industry and cannot be categorized as a true art form. There are of course a few exceptions truly following the actual purpose of Arts. In the recent past, such films are ignored from giving awards and recognitions, just like in other categories of classical art forms.
As the politics of today, violence, revenge, vengeance and cruel actions are being considered as best films and best acting. It looks like there is no acting without drinking and smoking. What is the purpose of just displaying a statutory warning on the screen against drinks and smoking? It may not be an infringement on the freedom of artistic licence if the film industry is asked to produce good films educating the public against such bad habits.
Sensitive and heart touching actions and stories with moralistic approaches is nowhere in the vicinity of recognition. Technology has overtaken the principles of the old saying “Art without vulgarity & beauty with sensitivity’. Under the pretext of magical excitement in the minds of people, displays of cruelty, crudity, unnatural twists & twirls in the fighting scenes etc, are winning the minds of even the juries’ who decide the awards. The plights of art and artists in the world today have succumbed to the whims and fancies of the unethical commercial world and the underworld mafia groups poisoning gullible human minds.
The Editorial says the National Film Awards can help filmmakers to do better, provided they are judicious in the selection of stories and incidents that can educate, enlighten and entertain the general masses. The participating actors, directors and others can also play a vital role in emancipating the viewers from the clutches of cruelty and vulgarity in society in the name of fashion and passion.
Note:
1. The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of PGurus.
References:
[1] Arts and awards: On 67th National Film Awards – Mar 25, 2021, The Hindu
Founded Bharatakalanjali in the year 1968 along with his wife Shanta Dhananjayan also an alumni of Kalakshetra. Bharatakalanjali under the able stewardship of Dhananjayan and Shanta has become one of the well known institutions in Tamizhnaadu for Bharatanaatyam. They created several prestigious and internationally acclaimed dance productions. "The Cultural panorama of Tamizhnaadu" directed and produced for the Government of Tamizhnaadu won him special recognition from the Chief Minister Thiru. M.G. Ramachandran. They also received several other State and public recognitions including Kalaimamani, Central Sangit Natak Academi, Kerala State Sangeeta Nataka Academy's Fellowship, Nrityachoodamani (Sri Krishna Gana Sabha) and several prestigious National and International awards, titles and recognitions. MA.Chidambaram Chettiyar (MAC Charities) award of Rs.50,000/-, silver casket and citation (2002), the "Swati Ratna" puraskaar for Madras Malayalee club, for their contribution to the propagation of Maharaja Swathi Tirunal's compositions through Bharatanaatyam (April 2004).
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