From Veerapandiya Kattabomman to Indian, Tamil cinema has showcased several aspects of the freedom struggle. Here are the important landmarks through such films.

Slideshows

Independence Day 2019: The freedom struggle through the eyes of Tamil cinema

With the country celebrating its 73rd Independence Day recently, we, at Cinema Express, take a look at the Independence movement circa 1799 - 1947, through the eyes of Tamil Cinema.

Team CE

Updated:15th Aug, 2019 at 7:41 PM

The earliest depiction of a polygar, or as is known in Tamil, Palayakaarar, was by an actor we are all rather fond of... Sivaji Ganesan in Veerapandiya Kattabomman (1959)

The good fight was then taken up by the famous Maruthi Sagotharargal. This was showcased in the 1959 film, Sivagangai Seemai. Sadly, the East India Company put a swift end to that rebellion too

Not many know that the Sepoy mutiny of Vellore in 1806 occured half a century before the famous 1857 uprising Tamil cinema takes a break in the coverage of Indian Independence for the next 100 years.

It is 1906. The country is no more under the EIC but is serving the British crown VO Chidambaram Pillai decides he's had enough. He registers the Swadeshi Shipping Company in October 1906

1907. The Surat Congress is deadlocked and there is a split between moderates and extremists VOC and bharathi decide to follow Tilak. Shortly after... Vanchinathan shoots District Collector Ashe

Meanwhile in Chennai, Subramania Bharathi writes against the British Government and becomes its target

Naturally, numbers pile up at the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar, as depicted in the 1996 film, Siraichalai

These atrocities do not go unnoticed. Mahatma Gandhi, rises. (Hey Ram, 2000)

Calls for the boycott of foreign goods in the form of Swadeshi movement gains full steam. It was briefly showcased in Shankar's Indian

Theatre companies putting up plays on Indian independence saw huge audiences. In films like Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014), this facet of the freedom struggle was highlighted

The film, Thyaagabhoomi(1939), was one of the ways Tamil cinema stepped up to the plate to revolt against British government. The film gets banned but the Tamil spirit soars

1942. The Quit India Movement is in full swing. A young Congress leader called Kamaraj gets involved. He would go on to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

Finally, India gains its independence on 15 August 1947. The AIR airs the voice of DK Pattamal across the country singing, 'Aaduvome pallu paaduvome'

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