Film heritage buff and teacher ?

There were two articles one each in The Deccan Chronicle and the Hindu....which mentioned me as being a teacher and a Film heritage Buff....I am deeply indebted to the writers of both - whether I deserve this sobriquet or not, Time and the quality of my work shall determine.

The first article , though , carries a few small errors - I do not teach regularly at the St.Josephs College , but have addressed Students - in various educational Institutions like The Thyagarajar School of management- Madurai , Pearl Acadamy of fashion , Many Rotaract Seminars and seminars organised by the Symbiosis School -Pune. The second is a minor spelling mistake , it should read as ...I train them in Team Building and Not Corporate Building. These very minor things apart, it is good to be called a "Teacher". I thank the writer , for it feels good to be recognised in this manner.

The second article in the Hindu has a far greater import - The authority on anything on Madras City and its history is Mr. S.Muthiah . It was an honour that he was present for my lecture the other day at the Tag Centre. Randor Guy and Dr.S.Krishnaswamy, two other noted Film historians were there too , adding to my tensions as I spoke. When Mr. Muthiah has classified me as a FILM HERITAGE BUFF....it feels like I have been baptised , indeed , much like Vishvamithra after getting the nod of approval from Vasishta - I am indeed thankful to him for these kind words. I hope and pray that God grant me strength and wisdom to live up to these words

If in the process , we , are able to locate the site of "Tower House", on Miller's Road, Kilpauk then it will have really served the purpose. For that is the birth place of Cinema in the South.

M.R.Radha

Last Year I was asked by Chennai heritage/Madras Musings to present a Talk with Film Clips during the Chennai Week. The topic last year was Chennai as a backdrop in Films 1930s to 1960s. Stills from that research are seen in my earlier Blog. It was so wonderful an experience for me that I unhesitatingly accepted to deliver one more this year. My Talk this year is on the famed M.R.Radha. The first is in Tamil and the second in English. It is expected that I will shut up in an hour 's time.....but even if we double it , we can all be back home or out partying by 8.30 PM.

August 20: Wednesday - At 6.30 pm.At Avvai Kalai Kazhagam, 15/9, Somu Chetty 4th Lane, Royapuram.Chennai Heritage with Avvai Kalai Kazhagam – Madras Musings Lecture Series (Tamil). M.R. Radha – Nooravadu Andu Anjali (A centenary tribute to M.R. Radha) – Talk with film clips by Mohan Raman.

August 24: Sunday - At 6.30 pm.At Welcomgroup Park Sheraton Hotel and Towers, TTK Road.(ADYAR PARK....) Chennai Heritage-Madras Musings Lecture. A Star of Madras – a centenary tribute ( English) to (M.R. Radha) - Talk with film clips by Mohan Raman.

There are several interesting talks and walks organised as part of the madras Week celebrations...those of you who are interested in this topic of " old Chennai" may please check out the website http://www.themadrasday.in/ for details on events and lectures.

Some of my favourite speakers are there Randor Guy, Sriram.....these chaps are all a fund of information and those of you who can make it are bound to have a cerebrally stimulating and rib tickling time

Check out the Trailer for the talk.....

http://in.youtube.com/watch?v=nRcgoB7w2AI