THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sai Krishna R P, a final year BA Malayalam and Mass Communication student at St Xavier’s College, Thumba, has chosen a unique topic to write a book. While other young writers bring out novels and collections of short stories and poems through their books, the young lad has opted to pursue history rather than literature.
The book, titled ‘Merryland Malayala Cinemayude Taravadu’, is set to be his first literary work. The book, says Sai, gives an insight into the once-popular film studio situated at Nemom in the capital city along with the circumstances leading to its establishment.
However, the idea for the book had come to him through a project which he had prepared while in class XII. Says Sai Krishna, “We had a classroom project which required us to explore the history of a well-known place in our neighbourhood, and I zeroed in on Merryland film studios.”
The youngster later wanted to bring out the study as a book, as the film studio has not received much credit for its contributions to cinema.
Adds Sai, “Apart from this, P Subramaniam, the founder of Merryland film studios, now stays forgotten. There hasn’t been many books delving into his life and contributions to cinema. “
The book also focuses on the competition between Udaya Film Studios and Merryland Studios. Though Udaya started three years before the latter, Merryland had all the facilities required for a film studio at that time, says Sai. He adds, “And that’s why I feel the studio and its founder hasn’t been acknowledged much, even after his death.”
The book has been brought out with the collaboration of Sahiti, a literary forum, and has been published by Kerala Book Mark.
Sai, who has been a regular part of Sahiti’s forums, saw his short story ‘Circussukar upekshicha ottakam’ bagging first prize at the DC International book fair in 2008.
‘Merryland Malayala Cinemayude Taravadu’ will be released on Tuesday at Kesari Hall, Statue, in the city. Minister V S Sivakumar will inaugurate the event and popular yesteryear actress Sheela will release the book on the occasion. S Murukan, MD, City Theatres, will receive the first copy.
