Title : Sustainable development goals and their context in Indian Tamil cinema: A study of visual analysis and symbolism
Abstract:
This study examines the representation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in selected Tamil films released in recent years. Cinema, as a powerful medium of communication, plays a significant role in reflecting social realities of todays scenario and influencing audience perception. Employing a qualitative research approach using content analysis, this research analyzes nine Tamil films: Viduthalai Part 1, Vaathi, Indian 2, Erumbu, Maamannan, Lucky Man, Kottukkaali, Agilan, and Vaazhai. Instead of scene-by-scene analysis, the research focuses on narrative structure and key plots visually represents sequences to interpret meaning. A structured coding framework is used to analyze visual elements, symbolic meanings, and ideological representations. Theoretical perspectives such as Semiotic Theory and Framing Theory are applied to understand how meaning is constructed and communicated through cinematic techniques. The findings reveal that Tamil films effectively communicate SDG themes such as inequality, education, justice, and economic conditions through visual storytelling and symbolic elements. The study also highlights that different films present SDG themes in varied ways, depending on their narrative style and genre. The research concludes that Tamil cinema serves as an important medium for representing socially relevant issues and contributes in creating awareness about sustainable development to general audience.
Keywords: Tamil Cinema, Sustainable Development Goals, Content Analysis, Visual Representation, Semiotics, Framing Theory
