Opening Ceremony
The event commenced with great respect and cultural pride.
The session began with the Thamizh Thaai Vaazhthu, honoring our language and cultural heritage. This was followed by the SMV Anthem, which united everyone in spirit and reflected the institution’s values and identity.
Lighting of the Lamp
The inaugural session continued with the traditional lighting of the lamp, symbolizing the spreading of knowledge, wisdom, and positivity. The dignitaries were invited to light the ceremonial lamp, marking an auspicious beginning to the workshop.
Welcome Address
The Welcome Address was delivered by Dr. V. S. K. Venkatachalapathy, who extended warm greetings on behalf of the Management, faculty, and organizing committee to all dignitaries, resource persons, and participants from various regions. In his address, he highlighted the purpose behind organizing this workshop on European Cinema, explaining that the event had been planned two months in advance with the guidance of the Chairman. He emphasized the differences in narrative style between Indian and European cinema, encouraging students to explore and understand diverse cinematic expressions. He expressed his honour in welcoming the Chief Guest of the day, Mr. Charu Nivedita, acknowledging his contribution as a renowned transgressive writer and cultural commentator. He encouraged participants to make effective use of this learning platform and concluded with his sincere appreciation for everyone’s presence and support.
Honouring the Chief Guest
To acknowledge and appreciate the presence of the distinguished guest, a special Honouring Ceremony was held during the session. The dignitaries presented Mr. Charu Nivedita with a traditional shawl and a memento as a gesture of respect and gratitude. This moment symbolized the institution’s appreciation for his remarkable contributions to literature and culture. The audience responded with warm applause, marking a graceful and memorable moment in the event.
Felicitation Address
The Felicitation Address was delivered by Mr. G. Selvakumar, who spoke about the remarkable literary journey and contributions of Mr. Charu Nivedita. He highlighted the Chief Guest’s influence in contemporary Tamil literature and his distinctive voice as a cultural commentator. He further expressed that hosting such a distinguished personality made this workshop a truly valuable and memorable event, enriching the learning experience for all participants.
Presidential Address
The Presidential Address was delivered by Shri. M. Dhanasekaran, Chancellor of Takshashila University, Founder, Chairman, and Managing Director of Sri Manakula Vinayagar Educational Trust. In his address, he expressed his appreciation for the distinguished Chief Guest, Mr. Charu Nivedita, and reflected on his personal admiration for the author’s blog and literary contributions. He highlighted how European cinema offers a deeper artistic perspective beyond commercial entertainment and emphasized the importance of watching films as a form of art, not merely for superficial elements.
He acknowledged the value of this workshop in opening new pathways for students to understand cinema as a cultural and emotional medium, and expressed his gratitude to the organizing committee and participants for making the event meaningful.
Workshop Session
Introduction to the Session
The workshop session was handled by Mr. Charu Nivedita, celebrated for his bold writing style and cultural commentary. He began by acknowledging the efforts of his friends and collaborators who supported him in preparing the film references and thematic materials for this session.
Understanding European Cinema
He introduced European Cinema as a space where filmmakers express personal emotions, lived experiences, and philosophical thoughts. Unlike mainstream commercial cinema, European films often prioritize meaning, depth, and human complexity over spectacle.
Difference Between Commercial and Artistic Cinema
During the session, he highlighted that commercial cinema usually focuses on entertainment, songs, and visual grandeur, whereas European cinema focuses on emotional storytelling, real-life social contexts, and artistic interpretation. He encouraged students to observe cinema as a form of thought, not just enjoyment.
Use of Film Clippings
To help students experience this difference, he presented carefully selected film clippings. He explained how each scene communicates emotion through silence, camera movement, background score, and facial expressions. This allowed students to see the language of cinema beyond dialogues.
Role of Music in Cinema
He emphasized the power of music in shaping emotions in films. He shared musical pieces like “Adagio for Strings”, explaining how music can evoke deep feelings and guide the emotional direction of a scene. He encouraged students to listen to music not just with ears, but with attention and awareness.
Cultural Perspective and Open-Mindedness
He discussed how culture shapes the way films are made and viewed. He encouraged students to develop an open mind while watching world cinema, appreciating differences in artistic style, emotion, and social meaning rather than judging them through familiar standards.
Encouraging Critical Viewing
The resource person motivated the participants to become thoughtful viewers who analyze cinema beyond its surface elements. He explained that watching films attentively can expand one’s ideas about life, society, and human relationships.
Discussion Session
The workshop concluded with an engaging Discussion Session, where the participants interacted actively with the resource person, Mr. Charu Nivedita. Students raised meaningful questions related to the themes of European cinema, storytelling techniques, and the emotional depth portrayed in films.
He patiently clarified each query, offering insightful explanations and encouraging students to observe cinema with a broader cultural and artistic perspective. The discussion brought out diverse viewpoints, making the session lively, interactive, and intellectually enriching. It provided an open platform for students to express their thoughts and reflect on the new concepts they had learned throughout the workshop.
Conclusion of the Session
The session provided students with a new perspective on cinema, inspiring them to explore world films and understand the artistic value behind storytelling. The participants gained fresh insights and appreciated cinema as a medium of culture, expression, and reflection.
