The history of Tamil cinema is as old as the history of Indian cinema. Needless to say Tamil films have evolved over the ages. At the beginning mostly mythological films were made. But with time romantic films, comic flicks and parallel cinema came into being. Some of the landmark films in the history of Tamil films are the following:

1931 - Kalidas: Directed by H.M. Reddy, the film starred T.P. Rajalakshmi, Thevaram Rajambal, T. Sushila Devi and L.V. Prasad. The first sound film of Tamil cinema, it was based on the Indian legend about poet-playwright Kalidasa. A princess is tricked into marrying the illiterate cowhand and prays to the goddess Kali who bestows literary genius on the groom - hence his name, Kalidasa. The film included approximately 50 songs, and the dialogues were in Tamil, Telugu and Urdu.

1934 - Lavakusa: Directed by C. Pullaiah, the film starred Parepalli Subba Rao, Sriranjani Sr., Master Bhimarao, Malleshwara Rao and Parepalli Satyanarayana. This Tamil film is based on the episode of the epic Ramayana and deals with Sita`s twin boys Lava and Kusa. Their indomitable courage in blocking the progress of the ceremonial horse of the `asvamedha` yagya being performed by Rama is shown. The film was the singer Sriranjani`s debut film and the Telugu version ran for more than a year in some parts of Andhra Pradesh.

Balayogini: Directed by K. Subramanyam, the film starred K. Vishwanathan, R. Balasaraswathi, Baby Saroja, and V.R. Chellam. A Brahmin widow and her daughter are compelled to seek shelter with a lower-caste person. This upsets the caste-conscious Brahmins of the village. The casting was amazing. The role of the Brahmin widow was played by Chellam who was herself a Brahmin widow. Societal fury notwithstanding, the film makers - themselves Brahmins - proceeded to make other I conoclastic films. The director was pronounced an outcaste by other Brahmins - he chose to go far beyond caste issues and make Thyagabhoomi.

1937 - Ambikapathy: Directed by Ellis R. Duncan, the film starred Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Serukalathur Sama, P.B. Rangachari, N.S. Krishnan, T.S. Balaiah and P.R. Mangalam. The hero is the son of the 11th century poet Kambar (author of Kambaramayana); the heroine is a princess. The king is willing to consent to their match provided the hero can prove his will-power. The film was highly successful and the second renowned historical film after Raja Desingu. The singer-musician K.C. Dey surpassed with his music. Bhagavathur achieved critical fame with this film.

1938 - Seva Sadan: Directed by K. Subramanyam, the film starred M.S. Subbulakshmi, F.G. Natesa Iyer, Mrs. Jayalakshmi, Varadachar and Rampiary. It is a ground-breaking film on the relevant issues of women`s emancipation. Based on Premchand`s Urdu novel. The Tamil version had the author`s approval as Subramanyam had the courage to hold good to the novel`s plot concerning prostitution and related matters. To appease the die-hards, Subramanyam presented the film as a musical. The film marked Subbulakshmi`s debut.

1939 - Thyagabhoomi: Directed by K. Subramanyam, the film starred S.D. Subbulakshmi, Papanasam Sivan, Baby Saroja, A.K. Kamalam, and K.J. Mahadevan. A priest, characterized on Mahatma Gandhi, incurs the villagers` wrath for providing shelter to Harijans. He leaves with his daughter for the city: the daughter gets married to a wayward man who eventually sees the light, while the priest devotes himself to social work. The film focused on the daughter`s courage. The freedom of women was an important topic for Subramanyam, and he included documentary footage on Mahatma Gandhi. Tamil Nadu was the scene of the Temple Entry movement and this was echoed in the scene of Harijans waiting at the temple doors.

1942 - Ashok Kumar: Directed by Raja Chandrasekhar, the film starred M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavathar, Chittor V. Nagaiah, P. Kannamba, T. V. Kumudini, N.S. Krishnan, Ranjan and M.G. Ramachandran. The Mauryan king Ashoka`s second wife develops a passion for her stepson, but he loves another. She falsely accuses him, resulting in Ashoka exiling him and ordering him to be blinded. The Buddha heals the prince`s eyesight once Ashoka has repented. The film was immensely successful - Bhagavathar`s performance (as the prince) dominated the film and the music has since passed into Tamil lore.

Nandanar: Directed by Murugadasa, the film starred Dandapani Desikar, Serukalathur Sama, Narayana Rao, and Rajam Iyengar. This was a `Saint film`. A lower-caste worker`s (Desikar) desire to worship at the Chidambaram temple - and his gradual rise to the status of a saint. His landlord gives his conditional consent for the temple visit and the worker succeeds in his task. However, once at the temple, he purifies himself (i.e. of his lower-caste origins) by stepping through fire.

1948 - Chandralekha: This film established the Tamil popular tradition of filmmaking and became a sensational success throughout India and beyond. Directed by S.S. Vasan, the film starred T.R. Rajkumari, M.K. Radha, Ranjan, Sundaribai, L. Narayan Rao, P. Subbaiah Pillai, and Surabhi Kamalabai. It tells of the rivalry between two princes for power and the love of a dancer, Chandralekha. This movie was a spectacular dance drama, with an amazing picturisation and an ensuing sword fight. All these qualities have made the movie one of the most famous of Tamil films. The dance sequence followed on Uday Shankar`s composition for the film Kalpana of the same year. The film was 5 years in the making.

The film Kalpana (1948) is remembered as an exquisitely choreographed dance film, symbolizing the dreams and aspirations natural to a new nation. James Joyce commended Uday Shankar`s dancing in a letter to his daughter --`He moves on the stage like a semi-divine being.`

1949 - Velaikkari: Directed by A.S.A. Sami, the film starred K.R. Ramaswamy, M.N. Nambiar, T.S. Balaiah, V.N. Janaki, M.V. Rajamma, Lalitha and Padmini. An important part of Tamil Nadu politics, the film was based on the very successful play by C.N. Annadurai, the future Chief Minister of the state. Velaikkari was to be anti-Brahmin and anti-establishment. The powerful and rhetorical dialogue focusing on social oppression made a strong impression on the people of Tamil Nadu, and the declamations made at the Mariamman Temple and the Court of Law appealed to the masses of people who were victims of diverse forms of social oppression.

1953 - Avvaiyyar: Directed by Kothamangalam Subbu, the film starred K.B. Sundarambal, Kushala Kumari, G. Pattu Iyer, M.K. Radha, and Gemini Ganesan. On the life of the saint Avvaiyyar and the miracles associated with her. Sundarambal won tremendous acclaim for her portrayal of the adult Avvaiyyar, and was ranked with `saint film` actors of the calibre of Vishnupant Pagnis and Chittor V. Nagaiah.

Marumagal: Directed by D. Yoganand, the film starred Lalitha, Padmini, N.T. Rama Rao, Relangi Venkatramaiah, and Surabhi Kamalabai. A young educated bride changes the feudal set-up of her in-laws. This was Yoganand`s first directorial venture and a successful one.

1964 - Kadalikka Neramillai: Directed by C.V. Sridhar, the film starred Ravichandran, Kanchana, Muthuram, Rajshri, Nagesh, and Kumari Sachu. This romance is set in the hills of Ooty. A young man finds employment but is fired owing to the displeasure of the boss` daughters. He sets up tent outside their house and enlists the aid of a friend.

1973 - Ulagam Sutrum Valiban: Directed by M.G. Ramachandran, the film starred M.G. Ramachandran, M.N. Nambiar, S.A. Ashokan, V. Gopalakrishnan, and San Chai. A scientist finds a method of harnessing the power of lightning but his secret is not safe from the villains. He is presumed murdered and his brother arrives to investigate. The film was the last major one produced by M.G.Ramachandran, and was shot on location in Singapore, Thailand, and Hong Kong. It was very successful and ran for 50 continuous days wherever it was exhibited.

1977 - Avargal: Directed by K. Balachander, the film starred Kamal Hassan, Rajnikant, Ravi Kumar, Sujatha, and Leelavathi. A young woman is forced to marry her father`s boss. She divorces after having a child and runs into her former lover. The affair is resumed and there is another, a ventriloquist, who loves her. The return of her ex-husband creates complications but her mother-in-law stands by her and together, the two leave for a new haven. The film sees fine performances by the entire cast, particularly Kamal Hassan, as the ventriloquist.

1980 - Murattu Kalai: Directed by S.P. Muthuraman, the film starred Rajnikant, Jaishankar, Rati Agnihotri, and Ashokan. A village youth masters a bull and has the headman`s sister fall in love with him. He loves another - the headman has his sister killed and pins the blame on the hero. Finally, he proves his innocence.

1993 - Gentleman: The film marked S. Shankar`s debut in film, and with the highest budget for an Indian film in 1993, became a blockbuster upon release. It starred Arjuna and Madhoo in the lead roles. It is a story of modern day Robin Hood who takes from the rich to provide education for the poor.

1994 - Kadhalan: This movie starred Prabhu Deva, Nagma, Vadivelu, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Raghuvaran, Girish Karnad. This film was a huge commercial success upon release. With well received performances from a cast that also included Girish Karnad and Raghuvaran, this film displayed actor-dancer Prabhu Deva`s dance moves and acting which, along with the direction and music, were hugely popular aspects of the movie. The story revolves around with the characters backed by beautiful scenes and the music this film was way ahead of its time when released and can still enjoy watching it.

1996 - Indian: The film stars Kamal Haasan, Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Goundamani, and Senthil. The film was later released in Hindi as Hindustani. The film has won the 1997 National Film Awards and also the Best Actor Award for Kamal Haasan.

1998 - Jeans: This movie starred the eternal beauty Aishwarya Rai, along with Prashanth, Lakshmi, Nassar, Raju Sundaram, S.V.Sekhar, Senthil, Raadhika and Geetha. The story of Jeans is that of a disapproving father in the path of love. Jeans won the Filmfare Best Movie Award South in the year of its release.

1999 - Mudhalvan: The film stars Arjun, Manisha Koirala and Raghuvaran. This film was a tremendous success at the box office and continued Shankar`s dream run. It won the Filmfare Best Movie Award South in the year of its release. It was also done in Hindi as Nayak.

2005 - Anniyan: The movie stars the actors Vikram, Prakash Raj, Sadha, and Vivek. The film was the most expensive Tamil feature film made costing Rs.26.38 crores. Anniyan is the story of Ramanujam "Ambi" Iyengar, a brahmin lawyer. His constant habit to be perfect in rules and honesty leads him to develop a Multiple Personality Disorder in which a new character in him grows as Anniyan. Ambi (a lawyer), Remo(a suave supermodel) and Anniyan (a vigilante who wreaks havoc on people who cheat, loots or conned Ambi).

After these several other Tamil films had been made to entertain the audiences. Films like Chanddramukhi, Pattiyal, Veyyil, Ghajini, Raam, Ghilli, Something Something ... Unnakum Ennakum, Pokkiri, Billa, Santosh Subramanium, Sivaji, Dasavatharam, Kuselan and other Tamil films have been released from time to time. While some of these critically acclaimed film the others are downright commercial films. The Tamil film industry keeps on offering a mixed bag of films for the audience to choose from.