The Ill Fate of the First Cine Hall of Tirunelveli

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 Don't be fooled by the cover picture of a popular textile showroom, as there is more to it than meets the eye. The Pothys establishment in Tirunelveli city has a dark history - it's where the iconic Royal Talkies once stood.

In 1944, the Royal Talkies made history when it screened the movie "Haridas" to a captivated audience on Diwali day. The film drew crowds from far and wide to witness the iconic voice of Tyagaraja Bhagavathar. More people would be seen outside the theatre enjoying the voice of Bhagavathar than the crowd watching the movie inside. The movie's name was permanently etched on the cine hall's facade.




Although I could not find when the cine hall was started, I am confident that it was the first movie hall in Tirunelveli. After two more theatres were opened in the city, namely the Popular Theatre and Palace de Wales, people differentiated the Royal Talkies by calling it "Vadakku Kottagai".

Unfortunately, the Royal Talkies faced a significant setback when it struggled to renew its license due to having only asbestos sheets instead of a concrete ceiling. This led to restrictions on the number of shows, with the theatre only allowed to host two shows daily, in the evening and night.

Despite being an integral part of Tirunelveli's history and a source of cherished memories for many citizens, the iconic theatre was demolished, leaving no trace of its existence. It has been replaced by a mega showroom, erasing all the city's heritage remnants.

As travelers, it's essential to take a moment to appreciate the rich history and cultural significance of the places we visit. The story of the Royal Talkies serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our heritage for future generations to enjoy. 

Happy travelling!
Location: Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India

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