Thyaga Bhoomi (1939) features Baby Saroja singing Beach-il sandhoshamai ulavuvom! while riding with S.D. Subbulakshmi on Loop Road — one of the earliest on-screen depictions of Marina Beach
| Photo Credit: Srinivvasan KV
Over the decades, Marina’s 13 kilometres evolved into a canvas for reflection, regret, happiness, love, at times becoming a character in itself or simply, a silent witness.
Thyaga Bhoomi (1939) features Baby Saroja singing Beach-il sandhoshamai ulavuvom! (“Let’s happily stroll on the beach”) while riding with S.D. Subbulakshmi on Loop Road — among the earliest on-screen depictions of Marina Beach.
In Ratha Kanneer (1954), M.R. Radha’s character (leprosy-struck Mohan) walks along the beach in anguish, singing Vaalavayathaagi Azhagaagi Madhanaagi.
The same sands turned philosophical in Sumaithangi (1962), with Gemini Ganesan reflecting on humanity through Manithan Enbavan.
Romantic song
Audiences have also witnessed the romance of all ages on the Marina Beach. The song Enna Paarvai in Kadhalikka Neramillai (1964), sung by K.J. Yesudas and P. Susheela, was fully shot on the beach.
In Ghilli (2004), the exchange between the lead characters – played by Vijay and Trisha – before the hit song Appadi Podu, features the Lighthouse.
It is an indescribable feeling… the statues, merry-go-round, shops, joggers, fishermen — all are visually appealing, says Pandiraj, director of the 2012 film, Marina
| Photo Credit:
VELANKANNI RAJ B.
In Purampokku (2015), the song Marina Beachula invokes the beach, even though the visuals unfold within prison walls.
Director Mani Ratnam featured the Marina Beach in the melodious Snegidhane in Alaipayuthey (2000), and the harbour end of the beach in Iruvar (1997).
The beach also appears in May Maadham’s (1994) buoyant number Madrasa Suthi Paaka Poren.
Humour, too, found a place in K. Balachander’s Anubavi Raja Anubavi (1967), where Nagesh, strolling on the beach, lip-syncs to Madras Nalla Madras, playfully mocking crowds who flock there for the breeze.
Director Pandiraj’s Marina (2012) made the beach its protagonist, treating the stretch from Kasimedu to Lighthouse as more than just a backdrop.
Speaking to The Hindu, the director reminisces, “After watching this film, Director Bharathiraja asked me how I managed to portray this place ‘thegatta-thegatta’ (so satiably)… Yet, there are many facets [of the beach] that I was not able to capture — there are so many pearls in Marina, both in the sea and out.”
Sources of hope
“Like the Marina itself, the film gave hope to many – it marked the debut of actor Sivakarthikeyan, and only after this film, did I launch Pasanga Productions,” Mr. Pandiraj recalls.
“When one sits on the shore, it is an indescribable feeling… the statues, merry-go-rounds, shops, joggers, fishermen — all are visually appealing,” he added.
Published – August 21, 2025 09:00 am IST
