PATAM (PICTURE) Dear friends,
I can recollect the framed photographs of National leadersdisplayed in my primary school. These were black and white printed picturesfrom my recollection. I have no recollection of my grandparents photographs in my home during childhood days.Or even drew one by artist. Probably drawing could be a very costly affair andnot affordable. While I was studying in middle school, in the 7thstandard, class photograph was taken. Normally three copies were printed and itwas kept in school. Invariably it was framed. The photograph was pasted to aMOUNT. This was the position during1955’s. We could see our group photo in the school. While I was studying in high school, giving copies to allstudents opting and paying for it became a practice. Printing names of theteachers, students and school has come to existence in the mount. Knowing the cost many opted to be in thephotograph. This was during 1960’s. A photograph essentially required a MOUNT. Many studios could not giveprint, because sufficient mount were not there!! These photographs had headmaster and class teacher in thecentre in the first row. The class monitor had his position standing behindclass teacher. On those days as if it was the decorum, most used to standfolding their hands. During this period, one or two photo studios appeared inthe towns. Even developing of the film was done taking it to major town. On those days camera was a big equipment. Film had standard sizes and bigger. Thephotographer would arrange persons, lookthrough the lens of camera , ask people to set right face and smile, not toclose the eyes, adjust dress after viewing through lens, and most important,photo could be taken only with sunlight. We had to tell for rectangular photographs early. Mostcould take only in square films. Flash was a later introduction. Most photographs were taken in studios other thangroup photos of schools and colleges. Photography was told as PATAM PITIKKAL inMalayalam. SWAMI PATAM meant the images of Gods drawn andcolour printed. Even in my child hood days we had swami patams in house. Thesewere prints and in colour. PATAM also meant thefilms screened in theatres. The box in which the film rolls were received was called PATAPETTI.Normally while talking about cine films, it was called patam. We could seeboards in theatres- “Nalaemuthal puthiya patam”- From tomorrow onwards new film is going to be screened. Nostalgic look in toPatam. Sincerely, Gopala Krishnan 29-8-2013 Reposted on 16-2-2021after editing and updating.R.Gopalakrishnan 1. Kannatachhaphoto With all directions of the photographer, in group photos afew could blink the eyes while the photo was taken. Normally the photographer would take two or some times three snaps andselect the best, where morepersons have not closed the eyes. Those wearing spectacles were asked to remove it to avoidreflection. 2. Elichha pal. While the photographer asks to smile, some would not smileand to make them smile some in the group will cut a joke. The joke could make them laugh andthe snap could be on that occasion. The teeth would appear more open, especially with those havingslightly protruding teeth. 3. Photo fromgroup photo. Negatives were with the studio, and from the photograph onecould enlarge a person approaching the studio. Such enlarged photographs could be seen in many houses. I am having my parent’s photograph by such an enlargementof my marriage photo in 1997. 4. Negative onsignature and cost. The negatives were kept by studios. Most would not give, and if required it was given undersignature and payment. Probably on those days therewere negative rights or something like that. While pass port size photographs became a must for manyapplications, negatives were given for a payment. We could take print in otherstudios also. 4. Colour film. It was by about 1979’s colour photography has come somewhatpopular. But still camera was at large. Only studios could have them. By taking more photographs, thepriority of Mount got reduced a little. Albums started appearing. Itwas to say a revolution. Having an album was a big them. Many started removing photographs from mount and keep in Album. An album contained years of photographs and in differentsizes. One could remove and keep photographs in the albums giving priority. When guests come,invariably album was shown. Or to pass the time they used to ask- Is there noalbum? 5. Development ofphotographic habit. We may be recollecting a period about 15 years ago whencameras were about becoming common, but we had to purchase and load film totake photos. Since filmwas costly, every care was taken to ensure they are used to take only very muchneeded pictures. Film had to be developed in studios in dark room. But this was the period of photographic habit. Those whohave been in foreign countries started to bring cameras. While going back, some left to their brothersor parents. 6. Take a snap. When guests come, it has become a habit of taking snaps. Afew snaps. Cost of film was important. Prints were sent to guests. It was a reward. 7. Girlsphotograph. On those days girl’s photographs were for alliances with anote- return photographif not processing the alliance. But many parents of bride groom would not send back. On third or 4threminder, a card may come, sent long back. Boy’s side felt it is costly to return photograph. Some would reply their son has not returned. Girl’s sidewould be waiting to get the photographback. Meagre exceptionswere there . This was a real fact. Probably on account of this now a daythe boy’s side is least responded from girl’s side. 8. Albums Albums for functions started appearing by 1990’s. At one time the photographs were inserting toalbum sheets. Later it started to appear as pasting type. Now it is printing to special paper . This avoidedasking by relatives to have the printwhere they are present!!! People started to prepare albums of tour etc. Later came casualphotos and albums. 9. Lamination A process called lamination for preserving importantphotographs appeared. No framing. We could see photographs laminated of thechildren wedding, and of parents on 60th birth day etc. They foundan important place in show cases. 10. No time to seealbums The keeping of photos in show cases with lamination reducedthe fancy of albums. Most started to see the show case photos. Now too albums aremade of weddings. But the old fancy has gone out to see them. Very few are interested to see videos though prepared paying very high amout. 11. Digitalcameras Now with digital memory and digital cameras we can takepictures, and delete those not coming to our standards. Taking pictures with digital cameras andmobile phones have become common and even a child of 8-10 years takephotographs. Before the popular hand cameras, it was studios takingstill photographs. Casual photographs were not known. We had to go to studios totake photographs. There was a period about 35 years back hand cameras wereluxurious. Only rich could afford them. Even colour film was not socommon. But today with camera in mobileand each house having a digital camera, casual photos have become more popular. Photos are transmitted after transferring to laptops tofriends, relatives, published through face book etc. 12. Studios. Still studios take photographs and print. Their artisticstyle would not come to others. Pass port size photo they takein their digital camera and makes the print out. Family photos,function photos are taken by them with skill. They have their own beauty. But only thing is most taking occasional photo throughtheir mobiles or digital camera or note books or iphone, the old fancy has goneto see photographs. 13. Disposal ofswamipatam With magazines, calendars, are all having swamipatam, andduring navarathri, there is no limit of getting swamipadam/ idols, it hasbecome one’s own method to dispose them. 14. Aal itthiripadamanu A person not keeping virtues and showing false image istold as Patam. 15 Snake hood A snake raised its hood is told in Malayalam- Pampu Patameduthunilkayanu -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Thatha_Patty" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to thatha_patty+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/1433023273.1798950.1613486867938%40mail.yahoo.com.
