When the history of Tamil cinema is written a thousand years from now, and a list of the ten greatest directors is compiled, the name that will shine like gold is… Bharathiraja. Exaggerated storylines, characters buried under heavy makeup, and people parading in glittering silk—all these vanished like a dream with the arrival of Bharathiraja…
Real stories and authentic characters emerged: women moving about in faded cotton sarees with faces glistening with natural oils; bare-chested men; truth on the tongue; and regional dialects never heard before—all of which were a delight to the eyes and ears. The protagonists, who once roamed in suits and ties, were replaced by figures who sat beside us—men in simple loincloths and betel-leaf-stained mouths—who would forever remain etched in our hearts…
The trajectory of Tamil cinema shifted, traversing entirely new landscapes. Barren scrublands appeared more beautiful than manicured gardens. Storytellers abandoned mere fantasy to seek out, study, and create narratives rooted in the lives of their own soil… The actors’ innate talents shone through, overshadowing mere glamour.
His assistants, acting like warriors, crafted incisive stories and ushered in a cultural transformation. Writing styles evolved, cinematic imagery changed, and fresh music flowed in… New lifeblood coursed through Tamil cinema, transcending the era…
Throughout this journey, he served not only as a director, a creator, and a role model for other filmmakers but also as a warrior who fought for the rights of creators…
He took the lead and guided the way…
He restored self-respect to creators…
The words of the ‘King of Poets’ Kannadasan ring true! “Because I create, I am named the Creator!
I face no destruction, in any state!
The epics he created will endure through time, making one forget even his mortality…
As those who associated with him, filmed him, acted alongside him, worked under his direction, wrote for him, composed music for him, as well as his family and relatives, are overwhelmed by a flood of grief over the loss of this monumental creator, the South Indian Artistes’ Association joins in offering a tearful tribute with a heavy heart.
SouthIndianArtistesAssociation”
