Kottayam Kottayam Film Society, which started in Kerala, turns 65. Kottayam Filmsociety Kaumudi, the wife of Kottayam Filmsociety, which was ignited in 1959 by director G Aravindan, who dreamed of a good film and brought the success of Kottayam to the world,
Director Jayaraj has revived the film with National Award winning director Pradeep Nair. The five-day Kottayam International Film Festival commencing on the 25th is organized by the Kottayam Filmsociety in association with the Film Academy.
Aravindan, CN Sreekantannayar, CR Omanakuttan etc. initiated the first show in 1959 in Tirunakkara at the thatched Home Guards Auditorium behind the old press club. Later famous directors like John Abraham, KG George and others came to Kottayam to watch internationally famous films. Kottayam also gave a grand reception to Satyajith Ray, who found his place in the world film scene with Pather Panchali. Uttarayanam film was initially made from the energy given by the films seen at Aravindan Film Institute Santhathiyala Kottayam Film Society, famous for its cartoon caricature series ‘Cheriya Manmanum Vilai Lokavam’ with the character of Ramu. Later he went to Kozhikode as a Rubber Board officer
Kottayam philosociety became defunct. About half a dozen film societies were later started in Kottayam but did not survive for long.
Director Jayaraj says.
Aravindan and his friends aimed to develop a new film culture in Kerala by showing good cinema to ordinary people. That film society was revived with the same objective in mind. The Kottayam Film Festival offers an opportunity to watch 40 national and international award-winning films for Rs 300 (150 for students) to inculcate a new film culture among the youth and common people.