Chalachitra Academy’s ‘Touring Talkies’ to Be Discontinued; UDF Government's Mismanagement Blamed

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Chalachitra Academy’s ‘Touring Talkies’, a project that brought quality films, including national and international award-winning works, to the public, is set to be discontinued. The initiative, which was also organised as part of promotional activities for the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), is being forced to shut down due to what has been described as the government’s mismanagement.

The project was launched with the aim of taking quality cinema to ordinary people, including those in rural areas. While the IFFK is centred in the state capital, Touring Talkies provided people in other districts with an opportunity to watch quality films.

Film screenings were organised in different parts of the state through the initiative to introduce the public to outstanding works from world and Indian cinema. The project was implemented through the Academy’s regional centres in Kannur, Kozhikode, Thrissur, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram. The screenings were held in collaboration with film societies, educational institutions, libraries and cultural organisations.

The initiative began as ‘Janachithra’ during Shaji N Karun’s tenure as chairman and was later renamed ‘Touring Talkies’ during Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s tenure. Equipped with advanced projection equipment, sound systems and temporary screens, the vehicles travelled across Keralam, bringing classic films and other quality cinema to audiences. Special parking facilities were arranged at the Academy premises in Kannur and the Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi premises in Thrissur.

The screenings were conducted using advanced projection equipment, sound systems and temporary screens. Ahead of festivals, including the IFFK, 'Touring Talkies'' travelled to different parts of the state as a promotional initiative, giving film enthusiasts an opportunity to watch quality films free of cost.

Open forums featuring film critics and activists after screenings also provided a platform for serious discussions. Screenings were organised as part of children's camps and various programmes conducted by the Library Council and film clubs.

The film society movement inspired the launch of 'Touring Talkies'. The UDF government is dismantling a project that had set an example not found elsewhere in the country. The government is withdrawing from the cultural sector by eliminating progressive initiatives, the criticism said.

A new vehicle for 'Touring Talkie's had been provided through the CSR fund of KSFE following the intervention of the previous LDF government.