Ace Cinematographer of LTTE Dies in Action
February 23rd, 2008
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj
Last Sunday (Feb 17th) was a sad day for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) as they lost in battle another senior stalwart who had rendered yeoman service to the movement for more than two decades.
Lt. Col Thava or Thavam as he was called was not one widely known to the world like tiger police commissar Suppiah Paramu Thamilselvan. But in his own, quiet way Thava has been responsible for portraying the LTTE in a positive light and projecting the Tiger cause worldwide.
Apart from his combat duties Lt. Col Thava had been functioning since 1990 as the chief cinematographer of the LTTE’s “Nitharsanam” Television station.
In recent times he was also the deputy chief of the tigers film division. In addition Thava also doubled up as LTTE chief Velupillai Prabakharan’s special photographer on important occasions.
Thava’s forte was his fearless videoing on the battlefront. Armed with a camera, Thava waded into the thick of fighting at great risk.. He captured on camera the different dimensions of heated battles. As a result of his labour much of the LTTE’s comparative military history was archived on celluloid.
The battles of Mankulam and Kokkavil in 1990 where the LTTE overran both military camps.; the ill – fated Elephant pass war of 1991. The successful amphibean assault on Pooneryn in 1993 codenamed “operation Thavalai”or frog: several successful phases of “operation unceasing waves” (Oyatha Alaigal) were but some of the historic battles witnessed and recorded by Thava.
The videoing of battles was of great utilitarian value. Apart from being telecast on the “Nitharsanam” TV videos were made and circulated worldwide. This was of much propaganda value and was an incentive for the Tamil Diaspora to contribute lavishly to the cause.
At another level LTTE supremo Prabakharan used to view the raw footage to assess the battlefront situation. It was also used in training camps to motivate new recruits. Also LTTE military strategists used it to do post – mortems on battles fought.
There was a time when the LTTE’s broadcasting service “Voice of Tigers” was attached to “Nitharsanam” as a sub – unit. During this time Thava was involved in broadcasting too in many spheres.
Thava was also involved in making films. He was the cinematographer for the LTTE’s full length feature film “Kaatruveli” ( The windy plains).
Apart from filming Thava also dabbled in acting. He played the role of Major. Kinny in the docu-drama “Innoru Naadu” (Another Country). He also acted in the short features “Muttrugai” (siege) and “Viduthalai Moochu” (breath of liberation).
In recent times Thava was involved in setting up a film archive for the LTTE.
According to LTTE old – timers the tigers were the first among Tamil militant organizations to photograph scenes of battle etc.
However the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) stole a march over the LTTE when it videoed the successful attack on Chavakachcheri police station in 1984.
The video was circulated world – wide and resulted in many diasporic Tamils donating generously to the TELO after being thrilled by the visuals. An annoyed LTTE then plunged into extensive videoing.
Former LTTE Jaffna commander Sathasivampillai Krishnakumar alias Kittu was a man fond of new technology and innovations. He set up a special unit under Bharathan who is now in a Western country.
In those days LTTE chief Prabakharan was in Tamil Nadu and his deputies in North- Eastern Sri Lanka had to report regularly to him.
Kittu hit on the novel idea of sending reports on film to his “thalaiver” (leader). Prabakharan, a film buff, was pleased by this. Soon more and more videos of live action were shot and sent to the tiger supremo.
Jaffna peninsula assumed conditions of a semi – liberated state from mid – 1985 as the security forces were basically confined to barracks.
One interesting development then was the flourishing of a number of small TV stations. These were run by private individuals and telecasts were restricted to specific localities.Subscriptions were solicited from house – holders.
The LTTE began to distribute their action videos and get them on these TV’s. Gradually the LTTE developed its own TV station known as “Nitharsanam”. Bharathan was its head.
In 1987 the Indian army destroyed the Nitharsanam TV tower and made it inoperative.
The LTTE resumed “Nitharsanam” in 1990 after it control of the greater part of the Northern province.
Many of the LTTE battles were shown on “Nitharsanam” TV. Video magazines titled “Nitharsanam” were made and sent abroad. LTTE also made videos for training purposes.
It was during this time that Thava began to shine as a field cinematographer. Thava made his mark , rose to prominence in “Nitharsanam” and caught the eye of Prabakharan.
Prabakharan has also used the capability of Thava and other members of the unit to videograph security installations and troop movements. This data helps the LTTE chief to draw up elaborate battle plans.
Thava hailed from Thiriyai in Trincomalee district. The village was virtually destroyed by the security forces in 1984 and most of the people got dispersed.
Thava in his teens then teamed up with the LTTE. Senior LTTE leader Pulenthiran sent Thava to Jaffna.
Pandithar the tiger chief in Jaffna took Thava under his wing and provided him local training. After Pandithar’s death Kittu became Jaffna commander.
Kittu recognized Thava’s talent for photography and encouraged him. Eventually Thava became chief cinematographer for “Nitharsanam”.
It is said that Thava died in harness at Palamottai in the Vavuniya district.
According to reports he was conducting a field workshop in combat cinematography for new tiger recruits on Feb 17th when an army shell exploded close by.
Lt. Col Thava and Major Pugalmaran were killed.
A joint funeral service was held for both in Kilinochchi. The LTTE’s Kilinochchi zone political wing head Kalaivanan presided. Vavuniya district military commander Velavan lit the ceremonial flame. LTTE political commissar Nadesan delivered the eulogy.
Thava’s mother lit the flame of sacrifice for Thava while his wife garlanded the body. She too is a tiger woman cadre and working in the media division. Pugalmaran’s father lit the flame and garlanded his son’s body.
Lt. Col Thava’s death in action focuses attention towards the continuing strife on the North – Western front. The North – West became the theatre of conflict after the LTTE was ejected from the Eastern province.
Entry Filed under: transCurrents
27 Comments Add your own
1. pina kaludava | February 23rd, 2008 at 9:31 pm
“According to reports he was conducting a field workshop in combat cinematography for new tiger recruits on Feb 17th when an army shell exploded close by”
Another first by LTTE-
Fighting men learn cinematography.
Most probley the shell that killed “Lt. Col” Thava must have been a friendy fire as SL army has never adavnced in any front as they are boasting.
2. dave | February 23rd, 2008 at 11:15 pm
He is finished. How is he? No speciality on this type of persons.
3. Eelam IS nigh | February 24th, 2008 at 12:33 am
This is the fate all terrorists face good riddance to bad rubbish, more to come
4. maran | February 24th, 2008 at 2:36 am
Hi DBS!
Please ask Pirapakaran the megalomaniac this quesstions.
Are you not concerned , Praba, about your Tamils being killed everyday by SLAF Kifirs..? Praba ,why are you doing these atrocities directed towards Tamils? Praba You are a Tamil, arent you..?
5. Thamil | February 24th, 2008 at 4:43 am
We Tamils salute the fallen hero, with our heavy hearts, our condolences goes to his family.
No doubt more Thavas will arise and the Tamil Eelam will arise soon.
6. Dayan Jayatilleka | February 24th, 2008 at 5:48 am
Must be as “friendly” as the fire that got thamilselvan and lt. col. charles….!
7. Dayan Jayatilleka | February 24th, 2008 at 5:50 am
‘…SL army has never adavnced in any front as they are boasting…”
er, well, that means that the sri lankan army did not advance and capture the eastern front, and the Tigers are still in control there, in Trinco etc…
man, what delusions…
8. Changa | February 24th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Another death, in a war that is meaningless. There will be no winners the civilians from both side suffer. In most parts of Sri Lanka Tamils Sinhalese, and other races live in harmony so why all this suffering.
9. Appu | February 24th, 2008 at 10:47 am
Yehy
Good thet THEVA was murtert by singalese army.
That Fu…..LTTE shit was gotten rid of.
We mest kill every LTTE boso until they
are a cleen swep.
Appu
10. Sandman | February 24th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Now Thava is the photographer to the devil…
Not much of a difference..in fact that must be a demotion…
11. Devinda Fernando | February 24th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
So the “Leni Riefenstahl” of the LTTE number is finally up? Oh well, it had to happen soon or later. I’m sure they will find a replacement for him. How hard can it be to carry a hand held camera into battle?
I think what is more interesting is that Prabhakaran was not in attendance at the Funeral, but Nadesan and Pottu Amman were? This seems to support the theory that LTTE leader is injured or killed from a recent air strike, after which there were no more radio communications from him, nor public appearances.
12. Tuane Dane | February 24th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
# 9 Appu, whats the problem solving by talking…dont know no other way to make money ? look around…learn from the new order of the world ‘war and terror’ to end soon, Human eating canibals have to jump into Beira
13. Lankan godaya | February 24th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
good riddance…….govt will get these terrorists one by one…..prabha is also nearing the death…..almost dead now with a rotten leg and no medical facilities…..suffering for the sins of 25 years.
dear tamil brothers and sisters …time has come to abandon these terrorists and hold hand with fellow sri lankans for the benefit of one country and many nationalities.
14. Sarath | February 24th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
It seems to me this war is never end until the Tamil diasapora funding LTTE.That means more and more innocent Tamil civilians will die in the war. Even if the Praba will create the Eelam there won’t be tamils to live in Eelam.
15. Judy | February 24th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Changa you are correct. Most Sri Lankans live in harmony together.
We all need peace. I pray and hope peace will be in our country
soon.
16. Gee | February 25th, 2008 at 12:26 am
DBSJ,
Please don’t make death a celebratory occasion or at least give these people to make it one. It is very sad to do so..many wars already happened in many parts of the world and many good people and also bad people had been killed. We are all very sad about the good people ..but our culture is also at the same time mourns the death of all human beings that includes the bad ones. Where they end up and how they will be judged and what forms they will be taking in their next life…is all up to the Almighty and let us not descend to ugliness.
Time to time I notice a trend….I wish I am wrong.
I hope there will be a solution soon and all these deaths can be avoided.
DBSJ RESPONDS:Who is making death a celebratory occasion here? i think you should address your comment to the LTTE and its leader.The tigers are the people who have made a cult out of death.You talk about our culture mourning the death of all human beings but the LTTE which celebrates their fallen ones as great heroes does not regard members of other Tamil groups who laid their lives down for the Eelam cause as GH. They do not allow even commemorative meetings for TULF leaders like Amirthalingam. I celebrate life not death.Writing in a journalist capacity about a dead person is not celebrating death.
17. Gayan | February 25th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Well look at the bright side.Now he can film his own graveyard.You can say he is the pioneer of “Kotiwood”.!
18. Dingiri | February 25th, 2008 at 8:34 am
ha.. ha.. read.
Comment #1. pina kaludava
and
Comment #7. Dayan Jayatilleka
Sarcasm and Irony is lost on poor old Dayan Jayatilleka! Must be the stress from keeping a lid on racism that is so rife the world over.
19. kutti | February 25th, 2008 at 10:57 am
DBS, you are killaady in wrtiing.
20. roshann wickremesinge | February 25th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I shocked to see Dayan jaydilleke comments, hope LTTE will teach Srilankan forces a lesson. Dayan, I will tell you soon eat your words. I feel shame about you; I will tell you we Sinhalease, continuously cheated by brutal Sinhala leaders, you live in luxury life do not mislead our innocent sinhala people. Please, if you want to reply do not look into my spelling or grammar. I am cold-blooded Sinhala and I will defend people oppressed by our own Sinhala barbaric leadership, since independence from Great Britain.
21. roshann wickremesinge | February 25th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
Dayan please doesn’t fight for loosing cause. I am a humanist and fight for equality among our society, do you know how our people are suffering in rural areas. go on see your self. If we have leader like lee kuan yu Srilanka will best economy in south Asia. Sadly we haven’t got one and never will.
22. j.muthu | February 26th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
Come on roshann you are one in a million. keep up your writing. I am proud to be srilankan because of you. Racist like Dayan will one day regret his stupitness. All srilankans desrve better, give up all narrow mindness. Beleive we all srilankans and we must fight all enemies of srilanka including racist sinhala and tamils. Still not late.
PRAY FOR SRILANKA. GOOD LUCK
23. Deshamanya | February 29th, 2008 at 4:55 am
a portugese named unknown film director Lester james Peires was heralded by the sinhalese..But for the tamils it was Thava who made te best films from the country..
24. Nishanthan | February 29th, 2008 at 9:46 am
We Salute our Fallen heros………No One Can Stop OuR FrEeDom StRuGgLe…..Viva Tamil Eelam……
25. N2 | March 1st, 2008 at 3:05 am
A very sad loss to LTTE Cinematography …
26. Thangesh | March 1st, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Dear DBSJ
Unmai sudukirathu . Isn`t it.
27. N2 | March 2nd, 2008 at 2:55 am
Thava was an excellent or “Ace Cinematographer”; so whether he was LTTE or not it is a very sad loss to Cinematography.
He would have been able to pass on a whole lot of Cinematographic knowledge and skills to a much wider audience had he remained alive until peace finally arrives.
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