It’s June 5th, and it’s the day we celebrate Mother Earth and express our gratitude for her abundance. Each year, people around the world stand shoulder to shoulder, uniting in solidarity to raise eco-consciousness on World Environment Day. Established by the United Nations General Assembly, the first World Environment Day was observed in 1973.
Having a deep appreciation for nature and all it offers us is a value that undoubtedly unites us in various ways. Within the Tamil community, this gratitude is echoed further by the reception of mainstream art such as films and music involving themes of environmentalism, as they often reflect real-time social issues. Ranging from successful films like Kadaisi Vivasayi (2021) and Boomika (2021) to timeless classics like A.R. Rahman’s Nadhiye Nadhiye from Rhythm (2000), where we see Arjun rejoicing in nature, just cherishing his existence in this bountiful world, our community’s strong engagement with media content related to nature is also a testament to our rich and proud history in conserving the environment. One of the primary ways in which the extent of our appreciation for nature is portrayed in Tamil popular culture is through cinema. Now, in what better way to celebrate World Environment Day than to reminisce about the many times Tamil cinema has reminded us what a beautiful place we live in.
- Kadaisi Vivasayi (2021)
Image Source: @southindiatimes on Instagram M. Manikandan’s 2021 film Kadaisi Vivasayi, which received an Indian National Film Award, follows the trials and tribulations of Mayaandi, an 85-year-old man who is the sole remaining farmer of his remote village. This is a notable film in discussing environmentalism, as it vividly depicts numerous social and environmental challenges experienced by modern-day farmers. Serving as a visual narrative for raising awareness on issues like environmental degrdadationa nd urbanisation, the film also explores the three-dimensional features of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Jigarthanda Double X (2023)
Image Source : @cine.shots on Instagram
Karthik Subbaraj’s Jigarthanda Double X (2023), a sequel to the 2014 classic Jigarthanda, is also a significant film in this discourse, as it introduced us to the concept of ecofeminism. Exploring the connections between women and their relationship through characters like Malaiarasi from the aspect of ecofeminism, Jigarthanda Double X (2023) draws parallels between women and nature, on account of their gender roles as nurturers, providers of food and their biology. The film also discusses issues pertaining to the exploitation of nature and themes of ecology.
- Captain Prabhakaran (1991)
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The 1991 Vijaykanth starrer, Captain Prabhakaran (1991) is one that frames environmental nature conservation not merely as an ecological issue, but as a battle for justice within corrupt systems. In this film, we witness the protagonist fearlessly embodying the eco-warrior as a dedicated state official who is willing to risk it all to ensure environmental laws are upheld and natural resources are preserved. Some other issues that are discussed in Captain Prabhakaran (1991) include wildlife protection and deforestation.
- Kaththi (2014)
A.R. Murugadoss’s 2014 unforgettable blockbuster hit Kaththi, starring Vijay, is a powerful socio-political drama that employs environmentalism as its core narrative device. The film illustrates themes of water scarcity and exploitation, centring the plot on water privatisation imposed by a multinational corporation on a remote village, which eventually also results in the marginalisation of farmers. Kaththi (2014) is a non-negotiable on this list, given the film’s prime focus on the struggles experienced by farmers in the face of a fast-paced world. This film is arguably one of the most important films in this discourse, as it begs the question: Is losing sight of agriculture at the cost of our cultural and ecological roots really worth it after all?
- Boomika (2021)
Image Source : Rotten Tomatoes 
Image Source : The Indian Express
The 2021 eco-horror film, Boomika, is centred on a construction project that blends psychological suspense and environmental storytelling. Environmental themes in this film are predominantly focuses on ecological retaliation. Instead of a traditional ghost, the film positions nature itself as a defence mechanism, expressing that when humans exploit and destroy the ecosystem for monetary gain, the land fights back. Besides, much like Jigarthanda Double X (2023), this film also highlights the sacred bond between women and nature by drawing parallels between the oppression of women and the destruction of the natural world.
This June 5th, as we celebrate World Environment Day, let’s remember that art is political. Films that centre on themes of environmental conservation are crucial and will be ever-relevant. In reminiscing about these films, it is important to ensure that we do not lose sight of the core values and lessons in preserving the world. Nature is not a place to visit; it is home.
Sources : The Federal, The Leaflet, The Time of India, Letterboxd.
