Created by Jamesharrey
Last edited February 20, 2025


Template:Infobox company Chithralaya (Template:IPAc-en) also spelt Chitralaya, is an Indian film production company founded in the early 1960s. It produced films in Tamil and Hindi, most of them directed by C. V. Sridhar. The company was founded by Sridhar, screenwriter Gopu (who later became known as Chithralaya Gopu), cinematographer A. Vincent and still photographer Tiruchi Arunachalam.[1]

History

After making films for Venus Studios, in the early 1960s Sridhar founded Chithralaya to make the kind of films he wanted. The company's logo featured a boatman and a woman travelling on a boat with the tagline, "Kadal Alayil Engal Siriya Thoni, Kalai Ulagil Engal Pudhiya Baani".[2] When discussing with his associates what should be the company's first film, Sridhar devised the story of Nenjil Or Aalayam but later decided the company's first film should not be a tragedy and devised the lighter Thennilavu.[3] Thennilavu was a success at the box office,[4] running in theatres for over 100 days.[5] After the success of Thennilavu, Sridhar made Nenjil Or Aalayam, set completely in a hospital and became the first Tamil film to be shot entirely in single set.[6] It also became a box-office success.[7]

Chithralaya later produced Kadhalikka Neramillai, the first Tamil film in Eastmancolor with a contemporary setting.[8] Though the film initially found no takers, forcing Chithralaya to distribute the film themselves, it became a major success.[9] Gopu, one of the founders of the company, left after receiving more directorial offers.[10] Sridhar's relative C. V. Rajendran was an assistant director in Chithralaya before making his directorial debut with Anubavam Pudhumai by a different studio.[11] Thriveni was the only Malayalam film produced by Chithralaya.[12] Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa, unlike Chithralaya's previous ventures, was only produced by Sridhar, and directed by debutant N. S. Chakravarthi.[13][14] A magazine named after and run by Chithralaya was also founded.[15][16] Many of Chithralaya's film posters were designed by Eswara Rao, among the most prolific poster designers in India.[17]

Filmography

Caption text
Year Film Language Template:Tooltip
1961 Thennilavu Tamil
1962 Nenjil Or Aalayam Tamil
1964 Kadhalikka Neramillai Tamil
1965 Vennira Aadai Tamil
1966 Pyar Kiye Jaa Hindi
1967 Nenjirukkum Varai Tamil
1969 Sivantha Mann Tamil
1970 Thriveni Malayalam
1970 Dharti Hindi
1971 Uttharavindri Ulle Vaa Tamil
1971 Avalukendru Or Manam Tamil
1971 Duniya Kya Jaane Hindi
1973 Alaigal Tamil
1973 Gehri Chaal Hindi
1975 Vaira Nenjam Tamil
1983 Oru Odai Nadhiyagirathu Tamil
1986 Naanum Oru Thozhilali Tamil
1991 Thanthu Vitten Ennai Tamil

References

  1. சித்ராலயா கோபுவின்.. மலரும் நினைவுகள்! (1). Dinamalar(9 May 2020). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  2. Template:Cite magazine
  3. டி.சி(ரி)த்ராலயா 15: காஷ்மீரில் கட்டிப்போட்ட சலுகை!. Hindu Tamil Thisai(27 April 2018). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  4. C.V Sridhar, veteran director passes away!. Sify(20 October 2008). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  5. Serenading the Silver Screen. The Times of India(22 August 2012). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  6. A breath of fresh air. The New Indian Express(2 November 2008). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  7. Template:Cite magazine
  8. Template:Cite magazine
  9. Kadhalikka Neramillai turns 50!. The Hindu(8 March 2014). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  10. In relaxed mood – 'Chitralaya' Gopu. The Hindu(18 February 2010). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  11. In a flashback mode. The Hindu(8 September 2016). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  12. Thriveni: 1970. The Hindu(14 March 2016). Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  13. Template:Cite magazine
  14. Template:Cite magazine
  15. Pure Cinema Book Store — full of surprises!. The Hindu(12 January 2017). Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  16. Potpourri of titbits about Tamil cinema — Director Sridhar, Majordasan. Kalyanamalai. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  17. Back in those days.... The Hindu(6 April 2011). Retrieved 15 February 2023.