Chennai’s reel story: As CDs and DVDs fade as mediums to uplift Tamil cinematic history, Pure Cinema & Koogai Library emerge as cultural sanctuaries, preserving regional cinema’s history and technical achievements
By Abhirup Sengupta
“Back then, this place would be filled with customers browsing audio and video discs,” Rohith K reminisces with nostalgia. However, Circuit City closed their doors around 2022 – I don’t know whether they relocated elsewhere.”
Adyar, Chennai, was home to one of Chennai’s busiest audio/video enthusiasts – Circuit City DVD Shop – when it first opened for business in 1998. Serving media enthusiasts throughout Adyar with CDs, DVDs and more media delights; today, its glory days remain only in memory with only its faded marquee still bearing the store name remaining as evidence – now overshadowed by an ordinary photocopy and lamination store run by Rohith K.
Circuit City DVD Shop represents an alarming trend in Chennai’s CD and DVD retail landscape. A quick look on Google Maps reveals this grim truth – of the 46 listed shops, 33 have closed, while several remain uncontactable suggesting they too may soon close down.
Aakash M from Thiruvanmiyur, an avid film enthusiast, sees this decline as having significant implications. Many rare titles with no digital footprint could only be found at CD stores; now, with most shops gone, it has become harder than ever to track these treasures down.
Finding vintage films or obscure gems has moved beyond CD shops into unconventional hunting grounds like Moore Market and Burma Bazaar markets, as well as local libraries like Koogai and Pure Cinema; their mission is to prevent regional cinema literature from suffering the same fate as Compact Disc and DVD film market did.
Pure Cinema Book Store
Pure Cinema Book Store in Vadapalani, Chennai, is not simply a bookstore; it serves as an oasis for cinephiles and budding filmmakers. Offering a modern yet inviting ambience with neatly labelled shelves showcasing cinema literature curated by visionary founder Arun Mo, Pure Cinema Bookstore provides a sanctuary for film enthusiasts interested in Tamil language cinematic arts.
“We aimed to establish an avenue through which cinema literature could be elevated and made accessible for Tamil speakers,” according to Prabhu, one of Pure Cinema’s senior members. Their bookstore features over one thousand titles primarily written in Tamil that cover topics relating to cinematic analysis, history, scripts of popular Tamil movies and more.
Pure Cinema’s hallmark offering is weekly workshops hosted by veteran industry figures that provide invaluable advice to budding filmmakers. Prabhu emphasises this inclusive approach by keeping most workshops free of cost; patrons may also explore various aspects of cinema in its many books available, from historical studies to cinematic techniques.
Recognising that many face language barriers in accessing quality resources, this collection specialises in Tamil cinema to celebrate local artists for their contributions to cinematography, storytelling and more.
Visitors of Pure Cinema Book Store are welcomed with carefully-constructed shelves designed to take them through cinema literature. Stocked with rare editions, magazines like G. Dhananjayan’s Pride of Tamil Cinema magazine and books about Tamil/regional/world cinema, there are ample resources for research and exploration available here.
Arun Mo’s inspiration came from his struggle to locate resources like CDs or DVDs for films like Veedu by Balu Mahendra. The store reflects this ethos with titles from iconic Tamil figures like MGR, Kamal Haasan, and Rajinikanth to international stars such as Charlie Chaplin, Satyajit Ray and Martin Scorsese – including MGR films as well as international ones such as Charlie Chaplin Satyajit Ray Martin Scorsese!
Koogai Thiraippada Iyakkam Library
Stepping inside Koogai Thiraippada Iyakkam library will reveal bright wooden shelves lined with an assortment of books on everything from film direction and editing, film criticism and scriptwriting as well as its environment of inviting natural lighting through large windows, creating an environment conducive for contemplation as well artistic exploration.
Koogai (meaning Owl) Library stands out among Chennai’s Valasaravakkam area as an unexpected gem, beguiling readers, scriptwriters, cinephiles and budding filmmakers with its literary and cinematic offerings. Established by award-winning Tamil filmmaker Pa Ranjith in 2018, alongside fellow directors Athiyan Athirai, Mari Selvaraj Kavin Antony & Murugan Manthiram as part of their creative minds’ community and passion, it serves as an interactive environment where creatives connect while learning and expanding their craft – perfect for budding filmmakers aspiring filmmakers seeking inspiration in both media platforms!
Anandh, an aspiring filmmaker and senior member of Koogai Library, said, “We aimed to develop knowledge of filmmaking with a political orientation while supporting film enthusiasts and budding filmmakers alike. Additionally, Koogai library’s focus on sociopolitical storytelling resonated with members from marginalised communities who felt at ease within its inclusive space.”
The library hosts film workshops, screenings, and discussions regularly, providing emerging talents with an opportunity to interact with established filmmakers such as Arun Matheswaran and Cheran, as well as cinematographers Murali G. and Chezhiyan.
Koogai Library serves more than its intended function for Anandh and his peers; it’s a place that fosters creativity, where dreams take form and connections form. He passionately states, “This library provides invaluable assistance for assistant directors looking to pitch scripts of their own and build careers within this industry.”
Koogai Library creates a warm and welcoming environment in spite of not offering air-conditioning; ceiling fans provide enough breeze for visitors to feel welcome without overheating the room. Instead of heat, they experience camaraderie among filmmaking peers as well as a shared love of cinematic literature – making for deep dives into cinematic literature discussions! The unconventional setting offers visitors ample room for this.
As for seating arrangements, the library forgoes chairs for locally sourced palm fibre mats spread across its floor that invite visitors to relax while being immersed in books or discussions comfortably. Furthermore, power bricks have been strategically positioned so visitors and researchers may charge their laptops or phones while continuing exploration and learning.
Koogai Library stands out as an idyllic destination, where its charm lies in its location and atmosphere. A tea stall situated directly beneath it provides delicious fritters – ideal as quick snacks between meetings or refreshment breaks during intense brainstorming sessions – epitomising simplicity and functionality which come together in perfect harmony at this library – where passion for cinema meets practicality for an enriching experience for all who step through its doors.
Koogai Library serves as more than just an ordinary bookstore; it serves as an invaluable film school for many aspiring filmmakers like Neo from Avadi. Without formal film school education, Neo found Koogai a haven–an environment in which film enthusiasts gather daily to discuss, learn about and grow in filmmaking. “I have been coming every single day,” notes Neo. “We have learned more here than in film schools because Koogai provides access to traditional education that would otherwise cost too much.”
Koogai stands out among Chennai film libraries thanks to its minimalist atmosphere and focus on discussions and workshops with industry professionals like Neo. “After exploring many film libraries in Chennai, Koogai stands out,” Neo notes. “Discussions here with filmmakers such as Thiagarajan Kumararaja give invaluable insights into film representation of social justice issues.”
Through discussions and workshops at Koogai Library, aspiring filmmakers gain a thorough knowledge of sociopolitical themes that allow them to pitch and shoot films or documentaries themselves. “We often screen each other’s works during weekends for feedback from each other”, adds Aakash M, thus creating an ideal collaborative atmosphere which promotes both creativity and learning for this film community of Chennai. Koogai Library remains an indispensable asset.
Pure Cinema and Koogai Library stand as shining examples of Chennai’s film community’s ability to adapt to changing times while maintaining cinema literature.
