Over the time Cinema has come up as the most popular medium of entertainment. Though there are many alternatives available these days, cinema has been widely accepted as the most popular source of entertainment.
Established in the year 1907, the Chaplin theatre of Kolkata is regarded as the first cinema hall of India. SSVT was the first cinema hall in Odisha that was established in the then Berhampur in 1927. After the first film theatre, many other cinema halls were run. However, as of now many of them are closed. And though these days many alternatives like OTT platform, Video films, Web series etc. are available, cinema has its own reputation. And hence even today many people love to visit a film theatre with family and friends to spend an entertaining time.
Long ago, the ancient humans took nature as the source of inspiration for entertainment. Music pieces were composed taking inspiration from the sound of water stream, rain, wind and chirping of birds. It was felt that entertainment is the element that can provide happiness to the tired body.
Time went on and after long days we landed in the era of moving pictures. This is history.
As per reports, in 1888 a very short film titled ‘Roundhay Garden Scene’ was made. It is a very brief silent motion picture filmed on 14 October 1888 and believed to be the oldest surviving film in existence. Later in 1906 the first feature film of the world titled ‘The story of the Kelly Gang’ was made. It was a silent film. In 1895 the first commercial film was made in Paris.
In 1907 the first talkie of India was made by Jamshedji Framji Madan in erstwhile Kolkata named Chaplin theatre. Dada Saheb Phalke made the first silent film ‘Raja Harischandra’ in 1913.
First cinema Hall in Odisha
Even in the British era, Berhampur was the major city of Ganjam district situated in the Odisha Andhra boarder. Before coming up of Swatantra Odisha Pradesh, this area was part of the Madras (also called Mandraj) Province. And since then, there was footprint of South Indian style in the commerce, Education and Culture of this area. Many Telugu speaking people were the residents of the then Berhampur. Their culture, tradition and taste inspired Odias.
In the meanwhile, in 1927 Sri Sitaram Vilas Talkie (SSVT) was started by AB Chetty in the main area of the erstwhile Berhampur city. It is regarded as the first cinema hall of Odisha. The first silent film of India, ‘Raja Harischandra’ had reportedly been screened in this theatre.
Even today many senior citizens of the city get thrilled to remember their experience when they had first watched a film in this talkie. Establishment of this film theatre inspired many to make films in Odisha, says a film maker. It is said even the then President of India VV Giri had watched movie in this theatre.
SSVT talkie had earned fame as the first talkie of the town. Not only the locals, but people from other districts were coming to watch movie at SSVT. Even, people from Andhra Pradesh were coming. Moreover, reportedly, the traders who were coming in Boita were coming here to watch movie.
After popularity of cinema increased, many other cinema halls came into existence in the town. In this series, the talkies such as Jyoti, Utkal, Bijaya, Paramjyoti, Rukmini, Shiva, Shakti, Lingaraj, Padmashree, Goutam and Payal Cinema started operation.
Current scenario
Before 2013 two cinema halls were closed while another two were shut later in Berhmapur. In the meanwhile other sources of watching movies came. Now people got the opportunity to watch films at their homes. It affected heavily to film industry.
Due to lack of profit, Jyoti cinema was closed and a hotel was erected at this place. Similarly, Utkal Talkie was shut and an apartment and market complex were made here.
On the other hand, Lingaraj, Bijaya and Padmashree halls are being used as kalyan Mandap while Payal talkie became defunct. The historical SSVT has also been closed. Now, the Rukmini, Goutam, Shiva and Shakti talkies are running.
In the recent years, after Covid 19 pandemic, for the last two years, the situation of halls is pathetic. Still owners are struggling but running the halls. In these days, projector is not used, rather UFO system or satellite system has taken its place. However, despite many other alternatives, still many people love to visit theatre to watch films.
The tradition of releasing films in theatres on Friday is very old. Hence, film buffs were competing to watch the first day first show. Yet, now things have changed. Many people are not interested to watch a movie by sitting for long three hours in the theatre. Hence, after evening, not film halls, but parks are crowded. The alternative of single theatre is multiplex. As per the latest reports, keeping in view the choice of the young generations, two multiplexes are coming up in Berhampur.
Ms Kalinga
Great information, I would like to add, the 2 nd cinema hall of Odisha named as Katha- Chitra situated at Dhenkanal town by the then renowned person Shri Narayana Mishra. The cinema is closed now but you can check all the cinema related machines, generator, camera, reels still exist. I have also some of photos for your reference. If would be interested then I will share those.