Pune sheds light on NE burning issues

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: Far away from the killing fields of the Bodo heartland and volatile valleys of Manipur, a one-act play staged at Pune has evoked keen interest and discussions on Northeast’s troubled times. On Sunday, people in Pune were discussing Northeast and Assam as a one-act play on the life and struggles of “Iron Lady” Irom Sharmila was staged. 

The poster of the play 

Besides, noted scholars discussed the current situation prevailing in Assam in a bid to find a solution. “We are very proud and absolutely thankful to Ojas SV for her generosity and love for performing her acclaimed one-act play La Mashale,” Diganta Deka of Grubshup, who organised the event on Sunday, told Seven Sisters Post.

Pune-based theatre artiste Ojas S V adapted Malayalam playwright Civic Chandran’s drama Meira Paibi (Women torch-bearers of Manipur) in La Mashale to get the urban audience hooked onto the life of Manipur’s “Iron Lady”. Ojas has already performed the 40-minute-long soliloquy on stage several times across the country in the last couple of years. She says her objective is to bring people closer to the heroic life of Sharmila and to throw light on cases of human rights violation in Manipur.

The play, which is powered by poetry written by Sharmila herself, anecdotes from her life and the traditional folk stories of Manipur, tries to recreate the horrifying circumstances which made the 39-year-old civil rights activist sit on an indefinite hunger strike to protest against the ‘draconian’ Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).

“With the recent events in and about the Northeast, we feel really saddened but more resolved to do our best to continue to spread awareness about the region. I think more such events will make people aware about our region,” Deka further said.

Besides, a couple of prominent personalities from the Northeast also discussed the current issues with the people present on the occasion. Senior scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Dr Haladhar Dev Sarma and Giridhar Mahanta, one of the senior-most officers in the Assam government, were present on the occasion to share their view on the prevailing situation in Assam.

“It should be solved politically. Gradually the people have started feeling insecure. The movements too have failed to fetch results so it’s the time to address the core issue which is the influx of illegal Bangladesi nations,” Sarma said.

He also urged all the political parties to keep their personal agendas aside and focus on the common problem of the state.

On the other hand, Mahanta said that to solve the p re-independence issue — influx — public awareness is quite important. “Corruption too has played a major role in creating more problems in Assam,” he said.

In the 1980s, Dr Haladhar Dev Sarma was in the governing body of the All Assam Students’ Union (Aasu) leading the students’ movement against illegal immigration. Around the same time, Giridhar Mahanta was a senior Assam government official. (Seven Sisters Post)

http://sevensisterspost.com/pune-sheds-light-ne-burning-issues/

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The bard’s voice flows with the Red River

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: I know, long ago/ the River used to speak/ but when he realised/ every drop of pain/ flows above horizon of words/ he surrendered to silence…”

The voice of the River is the “voice” of Bhupen Hazarika — the “baritone communicative” voice of the legendary balladeer. It is also the voice of Assam. A voice speaking out to the world from the silver screen. Cultural icon Bhupen Hazarika’s last recorded voice will finally reach his countless fans across the world when national award-winning director Bidyut Kotoky’s debut feature film Ekhon Nedekha Nodir Xipare is released on September 14.

Sanjay Suri and Victor Banerjee

The film — titled As River Flows in English — has a poem recited by an ailing Bhupen Hazarika in February 2010, a year before he passed away on November 5, 2011 in Mumbai. The poem represents the voice of the river Brahmaputra through the balladeer’s own. “Baritone communicative” was the term used by Russian leader Joseph Stalin to describe the voice of American singer Paul Robeson.

Significantly, the much talked film was inspired by Sanjay Ghosh, an activist who was kidnapped and later killed by Ulfa rebels in 1997 in Majuli. Even before its release, the film grabbed national headlines because of a controversy at the national film awards. The jury members had rejected the film from the awards on the grounds that it was not an Assamese film though the censor certificate clearly indicates it to be one.

“This film has come from the core of my heart and I would be happy if people like it. Viewers will decide about the outcome of my hard work and they will decide whether it’s an Assamese film or not,” said the Mumbai-based director, Kotoky.

The director, who was closely associated with Bhupen Hazarika, is on seventh heaven for having the icon’s voice in the film. “I could not have asked for anything more. Since my childhood I had the desire to work with Bhupen mama. But when I was making the film he was not in a position to direct the music of my film because of his ill-health. But when I visited him with the piece of poetry, he reacted positively. I was lucky enough that he lent his voice,” an emotional Kotoky said. He added, “Who could be a better voice to represent the river than Bhupen mama?”

The film —also made in Hindi —features the same set of acclaimed actors like Victor Banerjee and Sanjay Suri in the leading roles besides Bidita Bag, Raj Zutshi, Nakul Baid and Naveed Aslam.

Preeti Jhangiani and Zubeen Garg, who is also the music director of the film, also appear in cameo roles in the Hindi version. The National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), the producing agency of the film, said that the Hindi version too would be released soon. The film traces the story of a missing character — Sridhar Ranjan — in Majuli and his friend’s search for Sridhar. Sanjay Suri is playing a journalist who comes to Majuli to find information of his missing friend.

“I wanted to portray the situation of almost 90 per cent of the people who are stuck in between a conflict zone. Because their voice is never heard outside. Here Sridhar is a metaphor and he can be anybody. I do not know to what extent I would be successful. It’s up to the viewers,” Kotoky further said.

Besides, several renowned names are involved in the film including national award-winning cinematographer Madhu Ambat. Earlier this month, the cultural affairs department of the Maharashtra government organised a special screening of the film to mark the occasion of Bhupen Hazarika’s birth anniversary. Moreover, the film got an overwhelming response from global viewers at the Osian Cinefest film festival held in New Delhi. (Seven Sisters Post)
http://sevensisterspost.com/the-bards-voice-flows-with-the-red-river/

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Age has not withered Lalit Chandra Ojha, nor life of tribulations

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: He gave up everything in life for the sake of Sukananni Ojapali, a folk dance drama of Assam. His life-long devotion enabled the dance drama survive the test of time. Now, at the age of 90, Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Lalit Chandra Nath Ojha is hopeful of seeing the dance drama going global. And he is ready to go to any extent to make it a reality.

Lalit Chandra Nath Ojha is honoured along with his wife in Guwahati. Photo: Subhamoy Bhattacharjee

Here, noted filmmaker Prabin Hazarika and senior journalist Manoj Kumar Nath tried to make his efforts known to all via a documentary film – Haate Mudra Mukhe Pod Mayursodrix Nach (Lyrics with Body and Soul).

The 64-minute documentary traces the struggles of the veteran exponent of the folk form of dance drama, which is an integral part of Darrang district.

“With globalisation, we seem to have forgotten our own identity. It is a crisis situation, and we need to rethink this. We have tried a bit in this regard,” said Prabin Hazarika, who has directed the documentary.

Born to a poor family of Sipajhar in Drrang district in 1923, Ojha was always drawn towards this folk form whenever he saw it in his neighbourhood. He lost his father at a very young age and saw his mother struggling hard to meet ends. He grew up seeing the tears of his mother and brothers. “But nothing could separate him from his first love. He went to the neighbourhood agriculture fields to earn livelihood, but amidst the penury he learnt the craft of Sukananni Ojapali,” said Akhim Kumar Nath, assistant director and researcher of the documentary.

In spite of all the hardship in life, he continued to spread the form of dance drama at various places. He also performed in New Delhi in front of then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Those moments encouraged him to go for the cause, as Ojha is seen saying in the documentary. His effort was recognised at the national level twice – in 1983 he was awarded the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi award and again in 2012 the same organisation honoured him with the Rabindranath Tagore award. But unfortunately, the state government so far has not done anything remarkable to encourage him.

“It’s unfortunate. But he never hankers after money, fame or anything,” said the assistant director. The veteran dance exponent, who was present during the screening of the documentary here on Sunday, is hopeful that such efforts would help in spreading the awareness about the dance form. “It hurts to see the youngsters giving more importance to materialism,” he rued. “I’m always hopeful to see it going global. Whatever has happened is because of people. I’m just an illiterate Ojha. I do it because I just love doing it,” he said.

At this age, he has even started his own teaching centre at his home with support from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. (Seven Sisters Post)

http://sevensisterspost.com/age-withered-lalit-chandra-ojha-life-tribulations/

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Bollywood mixes ‘Assamese’ with English Vinglish

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: How does it feel for an Assamese to learn English Vinglish? “Feels good,” according to the man who has done it.

Adil Hussain, the ‘face’ of Assam in Bollywood at present, is going places. And how. After a globe-trotting venture in the action-thriller Agent Vinod starring Saif Ali Khan, Hussain is now playing the role of Sridevi’s husband in her comeback movie set against the backdrop of London.

Sridevi, once the heartthrob of the country, is making a comeback to Bollywood after 15 long years. English Vinglish, an R Balki produced film, is slated for release on October 5 after its global premiere at the Toronto Film Festival on September 14.

Adil Hussain (centre) with Oscar winning sound designer Resul Pukooty and Amrit Pritam (left)

Significantly, the film has another Assam connection in the form of Amrit Pritam, who is the sound designer. Adil Hussain, who has already created a niche for himself in the world of acting, said that this film is essential for Indian viewers.

“I would say (this film is) very essential for Indian viewers to see because it deals with the hierarchy of language, especially the colonial language which is English. We have a tendency to look down on people who cannot speak English. You may be from Delhi or Goalpara — we all have this colonial hangover to look up at English which is simply a language, no more, no less,” Adil who also features in Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, told Seven Sisters Post.

Adil with Sridevi in English Vinglish

He also feels that this film would give a “hint why it is important to see our languages with respect and the importance to feel proud of them”.

Besides Sridevi and Adil, Priya Anand, Mehdi Nebbou, Sujata Kumar, Neelu Sochi Sodhi, Ross Nathan and others feature in the film which will also be released in Tamil and Telegu. Amitabh Bachchan makes a guest appearance in the Hindi version while renowned South Indian actor Ajith Kumar will be seen in the Tamil version. The film is being directed by debutant Gauri Shinde.

Adil, whose character as the sinister Colonel in Saif Ali Khan’s Agent Vinod recently was widely appreciated by the viewers and whose name is now frequently pronounced in Bollywood and beyond, said that his responsibility as an actor or a human being has increased.

“In one word… it feels good,” he said responding to this. “At the same time it becomes a responsible position. Because when people know you, they follow you or read every word you utter. People make a role model out of you. I’m concerned about that. One has to be vigilant about it,” he added.

Adil, who used to perform in a group of stand-up comedians — the Bhaya Mama Group in the early 1980s in Assam before moving to the National School of Drama, is excited to play husband to Sridevi.

“She has been extremely supportive to an actor like me who is not a star. Her way of acting — how she is aware of the camera and at the same time how she is truthful about it. That kind of acting she does which is very professional. She delivers at the highest level of satisfaction for the director. It’s been learning process from her,” he said.

Adil, who hails from Goalpara, has several projects in the pipeline in the coming days in which he would be seen in different roles. In Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, he plays Pi’s father. He will be also seen in a very important role in Vikramaditya Motwane’s Lootera which also features Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha.

“I’m an actor and I’m supposed to play every kind of role given to me. I need to find a way to be truthful and convincing in every possible role. Actors are meant to be act — no matter whether it’s Gandhi, Godse, Hitler or Jesus Christ,” he added.

Besides Adil, another Assam youth Amrit Pritam has designed the sound of the film with Oscar award winning Resul Pookutty. “I think it is a nice movie to watch with the family. I quite enjoyed working here and now we are waiting for the release. I’m also happy with Adil da’s acting in the film,” Amrit, who rose to fame working in Slumdog Millionaire in 2008, told Seven Sisters Post from Mumbai. (Seven Sisters Post)

http://sevensisterspost.com/bollywood-mixes-assamese-english-vinglish/

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Budding filmmaker ‘pedals’ into crowdfunding for The Bicycle

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: After an invitation to the prestigious Producers’ Lab organised by the Cinemart International Film Festival of Rotterdam 2012, budding Assamese filmmaker Khanjan Kishore Nath’s project, The Bicycle, has been selected for Mumbai Mantra Screenplay Lab now. It is the first Assamese film to be invited to Rotterdam Festival.

Khanjan Kishore Nath

The filmmaker is now waiting for crowdfunding for production. It was also selected for Goa Film Bazaar organised by the International Film Festival of India.

“This film is now at its pre-production stage. The script is complete. All that it needs is financial help. Unfortunately, we have not been able to collect funds as yet. Now, we have applied to various global film funding bodies and waiting for their response,” director Nath told Seven Sisters Post.

According to this concept, anybody providing a little amount of money will be eligible to become a co-producer of the film. This concept is quite new in India, and no one has tried it in in Assam so far.

“In crowdfunding, a film may have 1,000 producers. We are trying to do something new in Assamese film industry. For my film, anybody who is interested can be a co-producer of the project by paying a sum of Rs5,000. The profits and responsibility will be shared by all the parties involved,” he said.

However, so far, he has not been lucky enough to get the required funds of around Rs50 lakh for the film.

“As it is a new concept for us, people are not aware of this. The positive side of this move is that it is now selected for Mumbai Mantra Script Lab Collaboration with Sundance Institute for the first round. Let’s see what happens in next round,” Nath, who has made several short films prior to this, said.

The spirited filmmaker is also hopeful of releasing the film globally. “When I was in Goa with my project a lot of foreign distributors and sales agents showed interest towards my project. If everything goes well, I’m hopeful of releasing it abroad. We should now think beyond our geographical existence. I strongly believe that we can win the world through our regional language films if we have a good story in hand, because there is a huge market outside and they are looking for good films, not language,” he added.

A diehard fan of Iranian way of filmmaking, Nath said that if the story is told in creative and sensitive way the global viewers could be won.

“Through my film, I am trying to do the same. My story is also very simple yet interesting. The story telling is simple with rich visual verities. Through this film, I am going to give a new experience to the Assamese film history. I would like to prove that if you have a good story with good script, language is not a bar to conquer the world,” he added.

It is a story about childhood desires, dream and relationship among children, but the director feels that it would work on the minds of adults as well. (Seven Sisters Post)

http://sevensisterspost.com/budding-filmmaker-pedals-crowdfunding-bicycle/

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Tabu Taid stresses on preservation of mother tongue

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: Sahitya Akademi Bhasa Samman awardee Tabu Taid has urged youths of various communities to study and preserve their mother tongues to safeguard the identities of their respective communities.

Attending at a felicitation programme organised by All Guwahati Mising Kebang (AGMK) at Guwahati, the veteran scholar said that this award would encourage ten other people from the community to come up to do something for the society.

“I thank you all for giving me this honour. I hope awards like this would encourage the other youths of the community to come up and do something which helps in developing the community,” said Taid who plays a major role in preserving the Mising language for which he was awarded the Bhasa Samman by Sahitya Akademi this year.

He also urged the youths to understand the value of their mother tongue as far as the identity of their communities are concerned. “Everybody should realise the importance of their own mother tongues. Without the language they will have no identity. If a Mising youth cannot read Mising literature who else can? Therefore he or she has to try to preserve and spread the language,” he said.

He also expressed serious concern at the rate at which languages are becoming extinct for lack of speakers in various parts of the world.

As many as 36 local languages of Arunachal Pradesh, listed as endangered by the Unesco are facing the threat of extinction in absence of any attempt for their proper documentation which was revealed in 2010.

Out of the 36 languages, some of them facing threat include Koro, Miji, Nath, Bugun, Meyor, Tangam and Puroik according to the Foundation for Endangered Languages and Central Institute of Indian Languages of Mysore. These languages are among the 196 languages listed as endangered throughout the world by Unesco.

The member of Asam Sahitya Sabha executive committee is a prominent figure of the state with a number of literary works to his credit. He has authored a series of lessons and English textbooks for school students since the mid 1970s besides several key volumes about Mising language — Mising Bhaxar Banan Poddhoti (an orthography) and Mising Gompir Kumsung (a dictionary).

He advocated translation for spreading literature of languages like Mising among the greater section of readers. “By preserving and spreading the language, Mising people will find an identity. Translation is one of the best ways for this. If our literature is translated into English, Hindi and Assamese we will have a wider section of readers,” Taid said after he was felicitated with a Mibu Galuk (Mising traditional outfit to respect the elders) and a Mising muffler.

Taid, who started his career as a lecturer in the English department at Cotton College before going on to obtain a post graduate diploma in Applied Linguistics from the University of Reading and another course in distance education at Institute of Education University of London, however, rued that a section of people do not feel the need to preserve their local language.

He is also a member of the executive council of Gauhati University and the chairman of the executive committee of Anandaram Borooah Institute of Language, Art and Culture. He was also the founder president of Mising Agom Kébang (Mising Sahitya Sabha).

President of Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) or All Mising Students’ Union Johan Doley who was also present on the occasion said that works of Tabu Taid need to be highlighted.

“People must read his works and understand his contribution not just for the Mising community but for entire Assam,” he said. (Seven Sisters Post)

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Tagore National Fellowship for Prof Bhagabati

Abdul Gani

Guwahati: Noted anthropologist AC Bhagabati, who has been conferred on Tagore National Fellowship for cultural research, stressed the importance of traditional perceptions of land records to find out causes of ethnic clashes. He also said that studying history helps understand modern problem better.

Professor A C Bhagabati (left). Credit: Seven Sisters Post

“There is a mismatch of data between modern tools of demography and traditional perceptions of land records. In Bodo people’s perception it has been tribal land, but now we say it is not their land. So, the problem lies there. One has to look at the records to see to what extent the Bodos or the other people are right. Only records can tell that,” said the former professor of Anthropology at Gauhati and Dibrugarh University.

He also said that modern tools like census to find out the demography may not always solve such problems. “If we go back to 1945 or 1960 we will know whether land alienation by whatever means has taken place. That’s how history helps understand an even modern problem. But what we are doing is that using the demography of today to counter a historical question,” Bhagabati added.

The veteran anthropologist was felicitated by the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) for receiving the prestigious Tagore National Fellowship of Cultural Research.

The objective of the scheme, which was introduced by the Union ministry of culture in 2009, is to invigorate and revitalise various cultural institutions which have vast treasures in the form of manuscripts, documents, artefacts, antiquities and paintings.

The purpose is to encourage serious researches in the cultural resources of these institutions. Schemes like this would encourage research, scholarship and analysis of the objects that are not usually available for public viewing or use. Museums, for instance, can hardly display more than a small percentage of their entire holdings.

“We are happy to announce that Dr AC Bhagabati has been awarded by the ministry of culture the Tagore National Fellowship for Cultural research to pursue his research at NEZCC. He is the only scholar from the region to have won this fellowship,” said NEZCC director Som Kamei.

Professor Bhagabati, who was also the vice chancellor of Arunachal University, is currently working as the honorary coordinator of North East Regional Centre of Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. During his tenure of fellowship at NEZCC, Professor Bhagabati will undertake research on the project entitled ‘Inter-cultural relations among indigenous communities of North East India: Historical and contemporary dimensions and lessons for the future’. (Seven Sisters Post)

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