A century of fascination that is Cinema: Blog # 50

A century of fascination that is Cinema

       It was one of those lazy Sundays when I along with a few friends went for a movie. It was quite an emotional one and I saw one of our friends trying hard to fight the tears. That is the kind of connect this art form has with its audience. People internalize what is depicted on the silver screen. There is a bit of transmigration happening over those two hours in the cinema hall.

            I find Cinema, enamoring to say the least. It is one of the most beautiful depictions of creativity. Add to that there is this aura of charm and celebrity hood.

            There are few media which has as much reach. The beauty of it lies in the fact that it is effortless to enjoy yet not passive.

          Another noteworthy facet is the interpretation and thus the persona which the people involved lends to the story. No two actors can depict the same role in similar way. Same goes for the directors who are the custodians of a cinema’s soul.

       I would say no other art form captures the socio - cultural scenario of a time period with as much authenticity. To get a feel of how life was in the bygone era, all you need to do is to watch the films of those times.

     Cinema connects people of all demography – it cuts across age, wealth, religion, education – these days, languages too.

           Our kind of cinema is incomplete without our melodious songs and dance sequences. Hardly a day in our lives passes by without humming a song or at least listening to it. How bland our life would be without them!

          Over the 100 years, Indian cinema has evolved from a time when the ‘masses’ lived through their fancies for those 2 hours in the movie halls and the ‘classes’ emulated the on screen life styles to today’s raw – close to life and bold, experimental, unconventional stories.

There is more to cinema than entertainment. The ‘soft power’ that cinema lends to a country is unparalleled – our own country stands testimony to this fact. It is said Russians used to hum Raj kapoor’s tunes. And today, Indian cinema has transcended boundaries – commercially and other wise. There are very few film festivals where Indian cinema has not left a mark.

I do not remember the first film I ever saw. But what I know for sure is that it has left a lasting impression because my love for many things has changed in the growing up years, but for cinema.

                                                                                                           

Arun Babu

Keywords: Indian Cinema,Bollywood,Hindi Films, Indian films, Indian movies, Indian film industry, Indian actors, Indian actresses,100 years of Indian Cinema

            

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