Assam Information Portal


Get updates

Platinum Jubilee of Assamese Cinema celebrated at IFFI-2009

By Assam News on November 25, 2009 at 10:39 pm

The Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Choudhury Mohan Jatua declared open the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of Assamese Cinema at the ongoing 40th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2009. The celebrated actor and Chairman, National Film Development Corporation Shri Om Puri was the Guest of Honour on the occasion. The veteran actress of Assamese cinema, Ms. Gyanada Kakoti who had in fact represented the Assamese film fraternity at the 1959 Berlin Film Festival, also graced the occasion. Directors Shri Jahnu Barua, Shri Nayan Prasad, Shri Bitopan Baorbora, Ms. Santwana Bardoloi and noted actress Bidya Rao were also present on the occasion. Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, Shri Swapnanil Barua, Chairperson, Assam State Film Finance & Development Corporation Ms. Bobbita Sharma and Director, Directorate of Film Festivals, Shri S. M. Khan attended the function.

First Assamese Film Joymoti Joymoti, the first Assamese film - a talkie, was screened as the opening film. A short film documenting the 75 years of Assamese Cinema was also shown. A special package of five films – ‘Joymati’ (Dir: Jyoti Prasad Agarwala), ‘Agnisnaan’ (Dir: B.N. Saikia), ‘Halodhia Choraye Baodhan Khai’ (Dir: Jahnu Barua), ‘Ganga Chilone Pankhi’

(Dir: Padum Barua) and ‘Aai Kot Nai’ (Dir: Manju Bora) documenting the journey of Assamese film industry has been included in the 40th IFFI. The screenings will be held till December 03, 2009.

Earlier, addressing a press conference, Secretary, Cultural Affairs, Government of Assam, Shri Swapnanil Barua pointed out that the Government of Assam is making concerted efforts at incentivizing film making in Assam. He informed that the Government of Assam not only arranges for loans at easy rates for film financing but also refunds entertainment tax of first two years of earnings on films shot in Assam. The Secretary also informed that a film city is being developed on the outskirts of Guwahati and the Jyoti Chitraban Film Studio Complex would be ready by December 2010. Shri Barua also said that the endeavour of the State Government is to win over people by introducing “the culture of the gaan” rather than “the culture of the gun”.

Addressing the press conference, the director, Shri Jahnu Barua recounted the early struggle of Assamese cinema and hoped that the path would become smoother. He noted that celebrating the Platinum jubilee and documenting the start of the State’s cinematic journey at IFFI marks an important milestone for the Assamese film community.

It was noted that the State’s film industry, which has seen films made in Assamese as well as various ethnic languages like Bodo, Karbi, Mishing and Sadri (the language spoken by tea garden communities) over the years, has seen many a high, particularly since the late 1970s, in terms of artistic excellence.

It was in 1955 that Piyali Phukan by Phani Sarma became the first film from the region to earn plaudits outside, winning a Certificate of Merit in the National Film Awards of India. 1959 saw Puberun by Prabhat Mukherjee, the first film from the region to be screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.

The mid-1950s saw the emergence of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika as a film maker with his directorial debut ‘Era Bator Sur’. It appropriately showcased the musical genius in him. The 1950s and 1960s were also the decades of the Barua brothers Brojen, Nip, Dibon, Ramen and Dwipen of Guwahati, considered the first family of Assamese cinema.

In 1977 came Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s Sandhyarag, which attracted the attention of the world beyond, to Assamese cinema. Saikia’s humane, simple storytelling also won him acclaim for Anirbaan, Agnisnaan, Kolahal, Sarathi, Abartan, Itihaas and Kaalsandhya, the last one being a Hindi film that set the tone for realistic films on the issue of insurgency.

If Saikia provided the spark, Jahnu Barua took Assamese cinema to greater heights. Having begun with Aparoopa in 1982, Barua went on to make Papori, Banani, Pokhi, Kuhkhal and Konikar Ramdhenu. He, however, found himself among the best of contemporary Indian film makers after making Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai (The Catastrophe) and Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door (It’s a Long Way to the Sea). The first won him a host of international awards as well as the Northeast’s only National Award for Best Film while the latter earned him critical acclaim across the globe. His Hindi film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara also got appreciated widely. Talented names from Assam, like actor Seema Biswas, singer-composer Zubeen Garg and director Meera Kagti have sought and found recognition in film industries in Mumbai and elsewhere.



Share |

Category: Assam, Entertainment | Tags: , , , , , , ,

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST NEWS HEADLINES VIA EMAIL

ENTER YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS:

Leave a Reply

SPECIAL FEATURES

Health and Fitness

HEALTH TIPS
Health and Fitness News and Tips.

Science

SCIENCE NEWS
Latest Science News just for You.

Photo Gallery

PHOTO GALLERY
Photo Galleries of Models and Celebrities.

Latest Articles

More Articles

Guide for Purchasing Perfect Bouquet

If you are getting married soon and want a beautiful bouquet, then here is the ways by which you can make it by yourself. The first thing while making... 

Chile earthquake death toll increases

The 8.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Chile on Saturday left more than 214 people dead. The death toll may rise as hundreds of people were still missing... 

Watch Assamese Videos Online

ASSAMESE VIDEOS Assam Videos: New Assamese VCDs, Bihu Videos, Zubeen Garg Videos, Old Assamese Songs etc.

Some More Articles

Popular Topics