Claire from Southern Stars by Arni. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Are actor and then, film stars. Film stars ruled a world devoid of social media, a world where they were loved by women and men who preferred to be like them. Growing in Madurai, Claire Arni was fascinated by that world and now, despite the passage of years, this attraction has not occurred.

“I went to school in Madurai and this was the imagination that surrounded me in childhood and my early years. We had no television and had no other form of entertainment. MGR, Shivaji Ganesan and Rajkumar’s hero Pooja were a part of my makeup.

Claire Arni | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

“I started my collection about 20 years ago,” the British photographer, who has now made Bengaluru his home. “I keep returning to Madurai, and I will come into memorable places related to the most strange places, costume makers and such cinema.”

Says Clair, “The immediate temples on the birthdays and anniversary of these stars that will be pop up” inspired them. “They were a part of people’s lives. This show was my way of paying tribute to him. ,

Claire states that Southern stars are designed as an interactive exhibition. The walls have been rolled with black, white and seepia-tinted photos as well as the heroines and heroines of Yorrey as well as the brightly colored film posters of your. Visitors will see a studio backdrop with two chairs as well as a trunk from one side with a trunk.

“The background is more than 100 years old and is from an old studio in northern Karnataka, while the chairs are from the Old Liberty Theater in Bombay. Anyone can come and be prepared as a hero, and her photo is taken against that background, “she says, saying that the stage light is strategically deployed. The gallery will take a picture of those who posed there.

Claire from Southern Stars by Arni. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

On 15 February, Claire will bring more costumes to the gallery and organize a pop up studio. Whoever visits Sumukh that day can be taken by him.

Clair’s living room is re -built in the center of the gallery with easy chair, footstool, study table, rug, bookshell and gramophone player. “A pile of 45 records with both Tamil and Kannada film Hits is once from Apon a Time. You can choose a record and also play it. I live around me all the time with this collection. ,

“Since the show belongs to both my collection and my work, I felt that the visitors would enjoy the feeling of sitting in my living room and playing music,” the photographer who speaks Tamil and follows Kannada quite well.

The remote wall of the gallery has images of cinema props, old theater and poster manufacturers, which was captured by Claire. “Marina Beach has a long tradition of placing the cut-out of popular actors, giving fans a chance to be photographed with their favorite.”

At least from South India, it is not difficult to see the range of Claire’s attraction with cinema of everything. Cine-related collections and Curios, speak for themselves. “Whenever I travel, I try to do some sources, but it is becoming difficult to gather. I found an MGR statue in Pondicherry, and commissioned an artist to make Rajkumar’s idols. Sometimes I come on terracotta figures during Dusaraha for Gombay Habba. ,

The southern stars are displayed at Gallery Sumukh till March 1, 2025. Studio popup with Claire Arni on 15 February.