From Southern Stars by Claire Arni 
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

There are actors and then, there are movie stars. Movie stars ruled a world devoid of social media, a world where they were loved by women and men loved to be like them. Growing up in Madurai, Clare Arni was captivated by that world and now, despite the passing of years, that fascination has not waned.

“I went to school in Madurai and this was the imagery that surrounded me throughout my childhood and my formative years. We had no television and there was no other form of entertainment. The hero worship of MGR, Shivaji Ganesan and Rajkumar was very much a part of my makeup.

Claire Arni 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“I started my collection about 20 years ago,” says the British photographer who has now made Bengaluru her home. “I keep returning to Madurai, and I would come across cinema-related memorabilia in the strangest of places — antique stores, costume makers and the like.”

Clare says “the instant shrines that would pop up” on these stars’ birthdays and anniversaries inspired her. “They were so much a part of people’s lives. This show was my way of paying homage to them.”

Southern Stars has been designed as an interactive exhibition, says Clare. The walls are lined with black, white and sepia-tinted photographs of yesteryear heroes and heroines as well as brightly-coloured movie posters of yore. Visitors will also see a studio backdrop with two chairs as well as a trunk overflowing with costumes to one side.

“The backdrop is over a 100 years old and is from an old studio in northern Karnataka, while the chairs are from the old Liberty Theatre in Bombay. Anyone can come and dress up as a hero, and have their photograph taken against that background,” she says, adding that the stage light strategically positioned there is not a prop; the gallery would photograph those who posed there.

From Southern Stars by Claire Arni 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

On February 15, Clare will bring more costumes to the gallery and hold a pop up studio. Anyone who visits Sumukha that day can have their photo taken by her.

Clare’s living room has been re-created in the centre of the gallery complete with easy chair, footstool, study table, rug, bookshelf and gramophone player. “There’s a stack of 45 records with both Tamil and Kannada film hits from once upon a time. You can choose a record and play it as well. I live with this collection around me all the time.”

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

The far wall of the gallery holds images of cinema props, old theatres and poster makers, that Clare captured. “Marina beach has a long tradition of putting up cut-outs of popular actors, offering fans a chance to be photographed with their favorites.”

It is not hard to see the extent of Clare’s fascination with all things cinema, at least from South India. The cine-related collectibles and curios, speak for themselves. “Whenever I travel, I try to source some, but it’s becoming increasingly difficult to collect. I found the MGR statue in Pondicherry, and commissioned an artist to make the sculptures of Rajkumar. Sometimes I come across terracotta figures during Dusserha for the Gombe Habba.”

Southern Stars is on display at Gallery Sumukha till March 1, 2025. Studio popup with Clare Arni on February 15. Entry free.