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'''Samikannu Vincent''' (18 April 1883 – 22 April 1942) was a [[film maker]] and cinema exhibitor from [[Coimbatore]], India. He was a pioneer in the movie show business in [[South India]]. In 1905, he established [[Tent show|tent cinema]]s where movies were projected in a make shift tent in open spaces which were a precursor to modern day [[movie theater]]s. In 1914, he established Variety Hall in Coimbatore, which was the first permanent theater in South India. He was later involved in the [[Film producer|production]] and [[Film director|direction]] of [[Tamil film industry|Tamil movies]].
'''Samikannu Vincent''' (18 April 1883 – 22 April 1942) was a [[Filmmaking|filmmaker]] and cinema exhibitor from [[Coimbatore]], India. He was a pioneer in the movie business in [[South India]]. In 1905, he established tent cinemas where movies were projected in a makeshift tent in open spaces which were a precursor to modern day [[movie theater]]s. In 1914, he established Variety Hall in Coimbatore, which was one of the first permanent movie theatres in South India. He was later involved in the [[Film producer|production]] and [[Film director|direction]] of [[Tamil film industry|Tamil movies]].


==Early life and family==
==Early life and family==
Line 19: Line 19:


==Career==
==Career==
During his career as a clerk with South Indian railway, Samikannu was exposed to short films exhibited by DuPont, a [[French people|French]] film exhibitor.<ref name="SV2">{{Cite news|date=30 April 2010|title=He brought cinema to South|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/He-brought-cinema-to-South/article16373561.ece |access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> In 1905, When DuPont wanted to return home, Samikannu raised money to buy the projector, accessories and films used by DuPont for {{INRconvert|2250}}.<ref name="SV4"/> He resigned his job and set up business as a film exhibitor screening films across India, [[Afghanistan]] and [[Myanmar]].<ref name="SV4"/> Samikannu established "tent cinemas" which were effectively make shift tents erected on open land close to a town or village, pioneering the cinema show business in [[South India]].<ref name="FL">{{Cite news|date=18 October 2013|title=A way of life|newspaper=Frontline|url=https://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/a-way-of-life/article5189219.ece|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> He established the first tent cinema at [[Madras]] called Edison's Grand Cinemamegaphone.<ref name="SV2"/> The electrically lit tents drew large crowds and quickly became popular. Buoyed by the success, Samikannu established a brick and mortar cinema house called "Variety Hall" in 1914, which was the first theater in South India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Cinema-and-the-city/article15513259.ece|title=Cinema and the city|date=9 January 2009|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/farewell-to-old-cinema-halls/articleshow/8202426.cms|title=Farewell to old cinema halls|date=9 May 2011|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> The cinema hall initially screened silent films with commentary, later moving on to talkie films with the evolution of Indian cinema.<ref name="SV3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/born-in-coimbatore/article5784880.ece|title=Born in Coimbatore|date=14 March 2013|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>
During his career as a clerk with South Indian railway, Samikannu was exposed to short films exhibited by DuPont, a [[French people|French]] film exhibitor.<ref name="SV2">{{Cite news|date=30 April 2010|title=He brought cinema to South|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/He-brought-cinema-to-South/article16373561.ece |access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> In 1905, When DuPont wanted to return home, Samikannu raised money to buy the projector, accessories and films used by DuPont for {{INRconvert|2250}}.<ref name="SV4"/> He resigned his job and set up business as a film exhibitor screening films across India, [[Afghanistan]] and [[Myanmar]].<ref name="SV4"/> He established "tent cinemas" which were effectively make shift tents erected on open land close to a town or village, pioneering the cinema show business in [[South India]].<ref name="FL">{{Cite news|date=18 October 2013|title=A way of life|newspaper=Frontline|url=https://www.frontline.in/arts-and-culture/cinema/a-way-of-life/article5189219.ece|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>


Samikannu established the first tent cinema at [[Madras]] called Edison's Grand Cinemamegaphone.<ref name="SV2" /> The electrically lit tents drew large crowds and quickly became popular. Buoyed by the success, Samikannu established a brick and mortar cinema house called "Variety Hall" in 1914, which was one of the first permanent movie theatres in South India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Cinema-and-the-city/article15513259.ece|title=Cinema and the city|date=9 January 2009|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/coimbatore/farewell-to-old-cinema-halls/articleshow/8202426.cms|title=Farewell to old cinema halls|date=9 May 2011|newspaper=[[Times of India]]|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref> The cinema hall initially screened silent films with commentary, later moving on to talkie films with the evolution of Indian cinema.<ref name="SV3">{{Cite news |date=14 March 2013 |title=Born in Coimbatore |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/born-in-coimbatore/article5784880.ece |access-date=19 June 2018 |newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> However, in {{Circa|1912-14}}, [[Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu]] had already established Gaiety Theatre on [[Mount Road]], as the first ever permanent cinema theatre in [[Chennai|Madras]] and all of [[South India]].<ref name="CineGoer.com">{{Cite web |title=History of Birth and Growth of Telugu Cinema (Part 3) |url=http://www.cinegoer.com/telugucinema3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070411133017/http://www.cinegoer.com/telugucinema3.htm |archive-date=11 April 2007 |website=CineGoer.com}}</ref>
⚫
In 1916, he established a printing press near his theater to print handbills. Called as electric printing works, he used the cinema house's power plant to power the machinery for the press.<ref name="FL"/> In 1919, he established the first power-driven rice and flour mill in Coimbatore.<ref name="SV2"/> In 1922, with the aid of [[C.P. Ramaswamy Aiyer]], then member of the Governor's Executive Council of the Government of Madras, Samikannu brought a [[electric generator]] to set up a power house and lighted up the Variety Hall road in Coimbatore.<ref name="SV3"/><ref name="NM">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tracing-coimbatore-s-rich-heritage-through-cinema-and-industry-93371|title=Tracing Coimbatore’s rich heritage through cinema and industry|newspaper=News Minute|date=14 December 2018|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>


⚫
In 1916, he established a printing press near his theatre to print handbills. Called an electric printing works, he used the cinema house's power plant to power the machinery for the press.<ref name="FL" /> In 1919, he established the first power-driven rice and flour mill in Coimbatore.<ref name="SV2" /> In 1922, with the aid of [[C. P. Ramaswami Iyer|C. P. Ramaswamy Aiyer]], then member of the Governor's Executive Council of the Government of Madras, Samikannu brought an [[electric generator]] to set up a power house and lighted up the Variety Hall road in Coimbatore.<ref name="SV3" /><ref name="NM">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/tamil-nadu/tracing-coimbatore-s-rich-heritage-through-cinema-and-industry-93371|title=Tracing Coimbatore’s rich heritage through cinema and industry|newspaper=News Minute|date=14 December 2018|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref>
⚫
In 1933, Samikannu along with [[East India Film Company|Pioneer film company]] in [[Calcutta]] co-produced "Valli Thirumanam", based on the story of Hindu God [[Karthikeya|Murugan]].<ref name="NM"/> It was directed by [[P.V. Rao]] with [[T.P. Rajalakshmi]] in the lead role and went on to become a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Blast-from-the-past-Srivalli-1961/article15459707.ece|title=Blast from the past: Srivalli|date=26 February 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> He also co-produced other [[Tamil language|Tamil]] movies such as "Sampoorna Harichandra" and [[Subhadra Parinayam]] later.<ref>{{Cite News|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/subhadhra-parinayam-1935/article5128721.ece|title=Subhadhra Parinayam (1935)|last=Guy|first=Randor|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 September 2013|access-date=20 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="SV2"/> In 1935, when [[Central Studios]] was established in Coimbatore, Samikannu joined the studio as a director.<ref name="SV2/>

⚫
In 1933, Samikannu along with [[East India Film Company|Pioneer film company]] in [[Calcutta]] co-produced [[:ta:வள்ளி திருமணம்|''Valli Thirumanam'']], based on the story of Hindu God [[Karthikeya|Murugan]].<ref name="NM" /> It was directed by [[P.V. Rao|P. V. Rao]] with [[T.P. Rajalakshmi]] in the lead role and went on to become a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Blast-from-the-past-Srivalli-1961/article15459707.ece|title=Blast from the past: Srivalli|date=26 February 2011|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> He also co-produced other Tamil movies such as ''Sampoorna Harichandra'' and [[Subhadra Parinayam|''Subhadra Parinayam'']] later.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-columns/subhadhra-parinayam-1935/article5128721.ece|title=Subhadhra Parinayam (1935)|last=Guy|first=Randor|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=14 September 2013|access-date=20 October 2018}}</ref><ref name="SV2" /> In 1935, when [[Central Studios]] was established in Coimbatore, Samikannu joined the studio as a director.<ref name="SV2" />


==Legacy==
==Legacy==
Samikannu's birthday is celebrated as [[Cinema Theater Day]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/calling-film-lovers-out-to-the-theatres/article5806680.ece|title=Calling film lovers out to theaters|date=20 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> A Tamil [[Documentary film|documentary]] ''Pezhamozi'' (Silent Language) based on Samikannu's life was released in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 January 2016|title=From the shadows into the limelight|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/From-the-shadows-into-the-limelight/article14027204.ece|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>
Samikannu's birthday is celebrated as [[Cinema Theater Day]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/calling-film-lovers-out-to-the-theatres/article5806680.ece|title=Calling film lovers out to theatres|date=20 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=1 June 2023}}</ref> A Tamil [[Documentary film|documentary]] ''Pezhamozi'' (Silent Language) based on Samikannu's life was released in 2016.<ref>{{Cite news|date=13 January 2016|title=From the shadows into the limelight|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/From-the-shadows-into-the-limelight/article14027204.ece|access-date=19 June 2018}}</ref>


==References==
==References==

Latest revision as of 16:19, 6 August 2024

Samikannu Vincent
Born(1883-04-18)18 April 1883
Kottaimedu, Coimbatore, Madras Presidency
Died22 April 1942(1942-04-22) (aged 59)
Coimbatore, Madras Presidency
OccupationFilm producer
Film maker
LanguageTamil
NationalityIndian

Samikannu Vincent (18 April 1883 – 22 April 1942) was a filmmaker and cinema exhibitor from Coimbatore, India. He was a pioneer in the movie business in South India. In 1905, he established tent cinemas where movies were projected in a makeshift tent in open spaces which were a precursor to modern day movie theaters. In 1914, he established Variety Hall in Coimbatore, which was one of the first permanent movie theatres in South India. He was later involved in the production and direction of Tamil movies.

Early life and family

[edit]

Samikannu Vincent was born on 18 April 1883 to Thambusamy in Coimbatore, Madras Presidency, India.[1][2] He worked as a draftsman-clerk with South Indian Railway at Ponmalai in Tiruchirappalli.[2] Samikannu had four wives with whom he had four sons and two daughters.[3] Samikannu died on 22 April 1942.[4] Tamil film actor J. P. Chandrababu was married to one of the granddaughters of Samikannu.[5]

Career

[edit]

During his career as a clerk with South Indian railway, Samikannu was exposed to short films exhibited by DuPont, a French film exhibitor.[6] In 1905, When DuPont wanted to return home, Samikannu raised money to buy the projector, accessories and films used by DuPont for ₹2,250 (US$27).[4] He resigned his job and set up business as a film exhibitor screening films across India, Afghanistan and Myanmar.[4] He established "tent cinemas" which were effectively make shift tents erected on open land close to a town or village, pioneering the cinema show business in South India.[7]

Samikannu established the first tent cinema at Madras called Edison's Grand Cinemamegaphone.[6] The electrically lit tents drew large crowds and quickly became popular. Buoyed by the success, Samikannu established a brick and mortar cinema house called "Variety Hall" in 1914, which was one of the first permanent movie theatres in South India.[8][9] The cinema hall initially screened silent films with commentary, later moving on to talkie films with the evolution of Indian cinema.[10] However, in c. 1912-14, Raghupathi Venkaiah Naidu had already established Gaiety Theatre on Mount Road, as the first ever permanent cinema theatre in Madras and all of South India.[11]

In 1916, he established a printing press near his theatre to print handbills. Called an electric printing works, he used the cinema house's power plant to power the machinery for the press.[7] In 1919, he established the first power-driven rice and flour mill in Coimbatore.[6] In 1922, with the aid of C. P. Ramaswamy Aiyer, then member of the Governor's Executive Council of the Government of Madras, Samikannu brought an electric generator to set up a power house and lighted up the Variety Hall road in Coimbatore.[10][12]

In 1933, Samikannu along with Pioneer film company in Calcutta co-produced Valli Thirumanam, based on the story of Hindu God Murugan.[12] It was directed by P. V. Rao with T.P. Rajalakshmi in the lead role and went on to become a commercial success.[13] He also co-produced other Tamil movies such as Sampoorna Harichandra and Subhadra Parinayam later.[14][6] In 1935, when Central Studios was established in Coimbatore, Samikannu joined the studio as a director.[6]

Legacy

[edit]

Samikannu's birthday is celebrated as Cinema Theater Day.[15] A Tamil documentary Pezhamozi (Silent Language) based on Samikannu's life was released in 2016.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Pioneering film production in Tamil Nadu". The Hindu. 21 July 2022. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "A movie theater that bound people". Time News. 9 February 2023. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  3. ^ "Down memory lane". The Hindu. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  4. ^ a b c "Memories of Coimbatore: A silent revolution". The Hindu. 23 March 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  5. ^ Guy, Randor (2 October 2009). "A voice that mesmerised". The Hindu. Retrieved 26 March 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e "He brought cinema to South". The Hindu. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  7. ^ a b "A way of life". Frontline. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  8. ^ "Cinema and the city". The Hindu. 9 January 2009. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  9. ^ "Farewell to old cinema halls". Times of India. 9 May 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  10. ^ a b "Born in Coimbatore". The Hindu. 14 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  11. ^ "History of Birth and Growth of Telugu Cinema (Part 3)". CineGoer.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2007.
  12. ^ a b "Tracing Coimbatore's rich heritage through cinema and industry". News Minute. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Blast from the past: Srivalli". The Hindu. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  14. ^ Guy, Randor (14 September 2013). "Subhadhra Parinayam (1935)". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  15. ^ "Calling film lovers out to theatres". The Hindu. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
  16. ^ "From the shadows into the limelight". The Hindu. 13 January 2016. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
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