S. Theodore Baskaran
Encyclopedia
Sundararaj Theodore Baskaran is a Tamil
film historian
and wild life conservationist.
, Tamil Nadu
in 1940. He completed his Intermediate at St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
and obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in History from Madras Christian College
in 1960.
in 1964 as Divisional Superintendent at Trichy. He served as the "Special Officer For War Efforts" in Shillong
during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
. He took study leave in 1974 to research Tamil film history on a fellowship from Council of Historical Research. He eventually retired as the Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu.
Baskaran published his first article on film in 1972 about Chidananda Dasgupta
's documentary The Dance of Shiva. Encouraged by his friend Charles A. Ryerson, he decided to do research about Tamil Cinema. He joined a Film Appreciation course in 1974. He became a member of the Advisory Board of National Film Archives, Pune. In 1976 he joined the Calcutta Film Society
. The same year, he presented his first research article titled Film Censorship as an Instrument of Political Control in British India in the Indian History Congress at the Aligarh. This and other articles formed the core of his first book The Message Bearers published in 1981. His second book The Eye of the Serpent (1996) won the Golden Lotus (Best Book on Cinema) Award
in 1997. He has also written several books and articles on film history in Tamil. He was a Senior Associate in National Institute of Advanced Studies
, Bangalore. He has lectured on cinema in many universities including Princeton University
, Western Australian National University and the University of Chicago
. In 2000, he won the Ki Va Ja prize awarded by the Kamban Kazhagam. He was a Hughes Visiting Scholar in the University of Michigan
in 2001 and taught a course on Film Studies. He was a jury member at the 2003 National Film Awards
. During 1998-2001, he was the Director of the Roja Muthiah Research Library
. He is a member of the library's Board of Trustees. He has also acted in a supporting role in the 2010 Tamil film Aval Peyar Thamizharasi
.
Baskaran is a keen bird watcher and a naturalist. He is a former honorary wild life warden and the South India Representative of the International Primate Protection League
. He is a trustee of WWF-India. His collection of essays on nature and wild life conservation has been published as The Dance of the Sarus (Oxford University Press
) in 1999. He edited a book of articles on nature titled "The Sprint of The Black Buck" ; Penguin (2009)
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
film historian
History of film
The history of film is the historical development of the medium known variously as cinema, motion pictures, film, or the movies.The history of film spans over 100 years, from the latter part of the 19th century to the present day...
and wild life conservationist.
Early life and education
Theodore Baskaran was born in DharapuramDharapuram
Dharapuram is a town and a municipality in the Tirupur district of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Dharapuram one of the Oldest Town in Tiruppur District. Dharapuram, then known as Rajarajapuram was the capital of Kongu Nadu under Kongu Cholas. The Amaravathi River flows through the ancient...
, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
in 1940. He completed his Intermediate at St.Johns College, Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai
Palayamkottai , known as the "Oxford of South India", is a town in the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu. It is part of the Tirunelveli city corporation. It is on the eastern bank of the Thamirabarani river, while its twin city Tirunelveli is on the western bank.-Etymology:The archaic word Palayam...
and obtained a BA (Hons) Degree in History from Madras Christian College
Madras Christian College
The Madras Christian College, commonly known as MCC, is a liberal arts and sciences college in Madras , India. Founded in 1837, MCC is one of Asia's oldest extant colleges. Currently, the college is affiliated to the University of Madras, but functions as an autonomous institution from its campus...
in 1960.
Career
Baskaran worked as Researcher in Tamil Nadu State Archives for two years. He joined the Indian Postal ServiceIndian Postal Service
The Department of Posts functioning under the brand name India Post , is a government operated postal system in India; it is generally referred to within India as "the post office"....
in 1964 as Divisional Superintendent at Trichy. He served as the "Special Officer For War Efforts" in Shillong
Shillong
-Connectivity:Although well connected by road, Shillong has no rail connection and a proper air connection. Umroi Airport exists but has only limited flights.-Roadways:Shillong is well connected by roads with all major north eastern states...
during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
Indo-Pakistani War of 1971
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 was a military conflict between India and Pakistan. Indian, Bangladeshi and international sources consider the beginning of the war to be Operation Chengiz Khan, Pakistan's December 3, 1971 pre-emptive strike on 11 Indian airbases...
. He took study leave in 1974 to research Tamil film history on a fellowship from Council of Historical Research. He eventually retired as the Chief Postmaster General of Tamil Nadu.
Baskaran published his first article on film in 1972 about Chidananda Dasgupta
Chidananda Dasgupta
Chidananda Das Gupta , , was a Bengali Indian filmmaker, a leading film critic, a film historian and one of the founders of Calcutta Film Society with Satyajit Ray in 1947...
's documentary The Dance of Shiva. Encouraged by his friend Charles A. Ryerson, he decided to do research about Tamil Cinema. He joined a Film Appreciation course in 1974. He became a member of the Advisory Board of National Film Archives, Pune. In 1976 he joined the Calcutta Film Society
Calcutta Film Society
Calcutta Film Society was India’s second film society in the city of Kolkata , West Bengal, India. It was founded in 1947, just after independence, by Satyajit Ray, Chidananda Dasgupta, RP Gupta, Bansi Chandragupta and others...
. The same year, he presented his first research article titled Film Censorship as an Instrument of Political Control in British India in the Indian History Congress at the Aligarh. This and other articles formed the core of his first book The Message Bearers published in 1981. His second book The Eye of the Serpent (1996) won the Golden Lotus (Best Book on Cinema) Award
National Film Award for Best Book on Cinema
The National Film Award — Golden Lotus Award — Best Book on Cinema winners:...
in 1997. He has also written several books and articles on film history in Tamil. He was a Senior Associate in National Institute of Advanced Studies
National Institute of Advanced Studies
The National Institute of Advanced Studies , is a research institute in India.It is one of the unique institutions in the country conducting research in multidisciplinary areas....
, Bangalore. He has lectured on cinema in many universities including Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
, Western Australian National University and the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
. In 2000, he won the Ki Va Ja prize awarded by the Kamban Kazhagam. He was a Hughes Visiting Scholar in the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in 2001 and taught a course on Film Studies. He was a jury member at the 2003 National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
. During 1998-2001, he was the Director of the Roja Muthiah Research Library
Roja Muthiah Research Library (RMRL)
The Roja Muthiah Research Library , in Chennai, South India, was founded in 1994, and opened to researchers in 1996; it provides research materials for Tamil studies in a variety of fields of the humanities, social sciences, and sciences...
. He is a member of the library's Board of Trustees. He has also acted in a supporting role in the 2010 Tamil film Aval Peyar Thamizharasi
Aval Peyar Thamizharasi
Aval Peyar Thamizharasi is a 2010 Tamil language movie directed and written by Meera Kathiravan and starring Jai, Nandhagi, Dhiyana, S. Theodore Baskaran and Ganja Karuppu in lead roles.-Plot:...
.
Baskaran is a keen bird watcher and a naturalist. He is a former honorary wild life warden and the South India Representative of the International Primate Protection League
International Primate Protection League
The International Primate Protection League , founded in 1973 in Thailand by Dr. Shirley McGreal, is represented in 31 countries and has offices in the UK and the US, and works toward the well being of non-human primates...
. He is a trustee of WWF-India. His collection of essays on nature and wild life conservation has been published as The Dance of the Sarus (Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press
Oxford University Press is the largest university press in the world. It is a department of the University of Oxford and is governed by a group of 15 academics appointed by the Vice-Chancellor known as the Delegates of the Press. They are headed by the Secretary to the Delegates, who serves as...
) in 1999. He edited a book of articles on nature titled "The Sprint of The Black Buck" ; Penguin (2009)
Books in English
- The Message Bearers: The nationalist politics and the entertainment media in South India, 1880–1945, Chennai: Cre-A (1981). Second edition by New Horizon Media.(2009)
- The Eye of the Serpent: An introduction to Tamil cinema, Chennai: East West Books (1996)
- The Dance of the Sarus: Essays of a Wandering Naturalist, Oxford University Press (1999)
- History through the Lens - Perspectives on South Indian Cinema, Hyderabad: Orient Blackswan (2009)
- Sivaji Ganesan: Profile of an Icon, Wisdom Tree, Delhi (2009)
- (ed.) The Sprint of the Black Buck, Penguin (2010)
Books in Tamil
- (ed.) Mazhaikalamum Kuyilosaiyum, Kalachuvadu (2003)
- Em Thamizhar Seidha padam, Uyirmmai Padippagam (2004)
- (ed.) Chitthiram Pesuthadi, Kalachuvadu (2004)
- Tamil Cinemavin Mugangal, Kanmani Veliyeedu (2004)
- Innum Pirakkadha Thalaimuraikkaga,Uyirmmai Padippagam (2006)
- Thamarai Pootha Thadagam,Uyirmmai Padippagam (2005)
- (trans.) Kaanurai Vengai (The way of the Tiger by K. Ullas Karanth), Kalachuvadu (2006)