IFFI screens restored Ray, Sinha classics, cast members attend talks at Goa fest
Times of India | 28 November 2024
Kolkata: Restored versions of Tapan Sinha's ‘Harmomium' and Satyajit Ray's ‘Seembaddha' were screened at International Film Festival of India in Goa on Wednesday, when some of the cast members flew down to Goa to attend a panel discussion on the classics.
Sharmila Tagore, who worked with both Ray and Sinha, and Arjun Chakraborty, who acted in Sinha's films, were among those attending the panel discussion. "I worked with Tapan Sinha for five projects—‘Antardhan', ‘Wheelchair', two subjects of ‘Daughters of Century' and ‘Anokha Moti'. It is sad people don't remember him though he is the only director in the world who made 48 films on 48 subjects. He never repeated himself and reinvented himself. He always analysed himself," Chakraborty said. "He kept a low profile, didn't change for any validation." The screening of restored ‘Harmomium' was part of Sinha's centenary celebrations.
Actor Barun Chanda, who was in ‘Seemabaddha', could not attend the discussion. "Since I have just returned from Goa, it is difficult for me to travel there again," he said.
Both the cult films by Ray and Sinha were restored by NFDC-National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, funded by the ministry of information and broadcasting. "The restoration of the 1971 Ray film used a 35mm fine-grain master, with the film elements provided by Academy Film Archive. These elements were photochemically preserved by the Academy Film Archive in the late '90s and early 2000s. In the restored version, a one-minute colour sequence, showcasing a Peter fan ad was included. This was not available in previous versions and will now be presented in its original form," said an NFDC official. The initiative is part of the ongoing effort to restore Ray's Calcutta Trilogy. ‘Pratidwandi', the first one in the trilogy, was restored in 2022.
‘Harmonium' (1976) was restored from the 35mm original camera negative preserved by West Bengal State Film Archive. The NFDC-National Film Archive of India has also restored Sinha's other works, including ‘Nirjan Saikate' (1963), ‘Galpo Holeo Satti' (1966), ‘Jatugriha' (1964) and ‘Aadmi Aur Aurat' (1982). "I'm glad IFFI screened ‘Harmonium'. Its unconventional theme, the multi-layered narrative, the musical exploration and the profound humanism are all Tapan Sinha traits that should enthuse the discerning audience," said director Atanu Ghosh, who is part of the Tapan Sinha Centenary Celebration committee. "From Kolkata, Premendra Mazumdar, Atanu Ghosh and I are part of this panel. The govt has done a splendid job in honouring Sinha. It's great that ‘Harmonium' was screened at IFFI," said Film Federation of India president producer Firdasul Hasan.
"Music, memories and human experiences blend together in Tapanbabu's ‘Harmonium'. It examines the complexities of social structures and the conflict between tradition and modernity but emerges as a symbol of bonding... to evoke the nuances of the soul and emotions through storytelling and memorable performances. The anthology film explores a variety of musical styles," Ghosh added.