Cinema Paradiso (1988) — a love letter to cinema itself

-

Cinema Paradiso (1988) — a love letter to cinema itself.

Giuseppe Tornatore distils memory, longing, and the ache of growing up into a final reel that feels like a personal confession. Ennio Morricone, with Andrea Morricone, composes not just music but remembrance—each note carrying the weight of lost theatres and first loves. Philippe Noiret’s Alfredo stands eternal as the mentor every dreamer needs, while Salvatore Cascio and Jacques Perrin embody innocence and nostalgia across time.

Trivia worth cherishing: the iconic final montage was built from censored kisses—once forbidden, now immortal—turning repression into poetry. A film that reminds us: cinema doesn’t just show life, it preserves it.

— Venkataramanan Ramasethu
18 December 2025

Popular posts from this blog

"If you want a new idea, read an old book," attributed to Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known for his work in classical conditioning, encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of creativity and innovation.

-
Image
The quote "If you want a new idea, read an old book," attributed to Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist known for his work in classical conditioning, encapsulates a profound truth about the nature of creativity and innovation. This statement, simple yet profound, serves as a reminder of the cyclical nature of knowledge and the hidden treasures within the annals of history. At its core, this quote challenges the modern predisposition toward valuing the new over the old, the novel over the established. In an era dominated by the relentless pursuit of innovation and the next big thing, Pavlov's words invite us to pause and reconsider the sources from which truly transformative ideas emerge. It suggests that within the pages of old books—texts that have weathered the sands of time—lies a wealth of knowledge, perspectives, and insights that have the potential to inspire and catalyze new thoughts in contemporary contexts. Reading an old book is akin to engaging in a...
Read more

Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’?

-
Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’? Ki. Va. Jagannathan (Ki. Va. Ja.), the legendary Tamil scholar and literary visionary, once found himself in the divine presence of Periyava, when a question was posed that momentarily stilled his erudition: “Why is our language called ‘Tamizh’?” Taken aback, Ki. Va. Ja. admitted with humility that he had never contemplated that question deeply. He reflected, “If someone were to ask me about the greatness of Tamizh, I could speak for hours—on its antiquity, its grammar, its literature, its uniqueness among world languages. But why it is called ‘Tamizh’—I do not know.” With characteristic grace, Periyava smiled and said: “This is merely my thought—neither confirmed by scholars nor inscribed in any linguistic doctrine. But to me, the answer lies in one letter: ‘ழ’ (zha).” He then proceeded, in that meditative rhythm only saints possess, to list words that hold this unique sound, each word soaked in beauty and depth: மழலை (mazhalai) – the babble of a c...
Read more

'Bahu Manaratha' from the movie Memories in March

-
Image
I've fallen for the song 'Bahu Manaratha' from the movie Memories in March. The music, composed by Debajyoti Mishra and the haunting vocals of Subhomita Banerjee, perfectly complement the poignant lyrics penned by Rituparno Ghosh. "Bahu manorathe saaju avisaare pahlu suneel besh Kajar nayaane salaaj bayane kusume sajanu kesh Sakhi hum, mohan avisaare jaaon Bolo hum, etath sukh kahan paaon   Jamunar pare, gahana aandhare, ghana nipaban maajhe Piya setha more bedana katare mohe laagi baithi aache Sakhi hum, mohan avisaare jaaon Bolo hum, etath sukh kahan paaon   Sakhi chira abhagini hum Baithe ekakini pohanu rajani tobu naa aailo shyam Sakhi chira abhagini hum   Krishna kajal pighal sajal nayaner nir dhare Eka khina patha britha manaratha bifala avisaare Sakhi hum, kabhu naa avisaare jaaon Dukh laaj etath sah nahi paahon   Britha manorathe saaju avisaare pahlu suneel besh Kajar nayaane salaaj bayane kusume sajanu kesh Fir aaj yun, mohan avisaare jaaon Sakhi...
Read more