A Bengali living in Bangalore in the Seventies knew Kannada cinema, Kannada writers and the Karnataka politician. They would have read and watched Samskara, could critically discuss a stunning film like Ondanondu Kaladalli, knew the bylanes of Malleshwaram, the best idli joints... -- to sum it up, they were one among the Kannadigas. The Kannadiga on his part, knew Tagore, Premchand, Aurobindo and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa like his own. Satyajit Ray was a household name and even laid the foundation stone for one of the oldest film societies, Suchitra Film Society in Bangalore. KC Das was the favourite stop for everyone who went towards MG Road. But somewhere along the years, this organic connection snapped and we lost our windows to other regional languages and their cultures. The Bengaluru Bengali-Kannada Film Festival brings back hope: it feels as if the bridges will be built, yet again.
In its second edition, the Bengaluru Bengali Kannada Film Festival is arguably one of the largest platforms for regional cinema. It will showcase 12 Bengali films, selected for their spectacular filmmaking styles and contemplative stories, and four Kannada films.
Satyajit Ray speaking at the inaugural function of Filmotsav-80 in Bangalore on January 04, 1980. Photo: The Hindu archives | Photo Credit: mail
The film festival has been organised by Satyajit Ray Film Society Bengaluru in collaboration with Federation of Film Societies of India and Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy. Among the films to be showcased are Sandip Ray's ‘Royal Bengal Rohossyo’ and four short films featuring Satyajit Ray’s stories: ‘Bhakta’, ‘Abhinetri’, ‘Chilekotha’, and ‘Tallywoode Tarinikhuro’, Sagnik Chatterjee’s docu-feature “Feluda-50 Years of Ray’s Detective”, Aditya Vikram Sengupta’s critically-acclaimed and award-winning “Asha Jawaar Majhe”, Debesh Chatterjee's “Iye” that will be screened for the first time in India, and Indrashis Acharya's “Pupa”, which is about Euthanasia. With diverse themes as these, language is no barrier (though the films will have subtitles), the language of cinema, of storytelling that touches the heart is what distinguishes regional film festivals like these.
At a time when people are exposed to films only in multiplexes, when commercial films are advertised beyond all limits, such festivals stress on quality. Also at no other time has it been more important to bridge the gap between regions through cinema. "Satyajit Ray Film Society, Bengaluru, was set up in December last year," says Dr Madhushree Sengupta, Festival director and general secretary of Satyajit Ray Film Society, Bengaluru, "We had a festival of Kannada films in Kolkata and they received an overwhelming response. We aim to not only take Kannada films to Kolkata but to 28 other cities.”
The Film Festival is not just screening films but will also have panel discussions where film directors and critics will delve into an in-depth around films and filmmaking. “We want to promote a cultural exchange between Karnataka and West Bengal. Someone can gain a lot from cultural exchange, that is why we chose to organise this Festival,” says Dr Madhushree.
Also the fact that there more than 10 lakh Bengalis in Bengaluru who hardly get to watch Bengali films, this festival is a welcome relief. "Bengali films are usually screened in places far beyond the reach of people and during office hours, making it difficult for them to watch films. This Festival that is being held in two venues: Gandhi Bhavan, Kumara Park Road and Chamundeshwari Studio in Vasanth Nagar, Cunningham Road, and over three days makes it convenient for people to watch the films."
It is thus hoped that more such festivals will be held on a big scale to promote, exchange and dialogue in an attempt to learn from each other's cultures and perspectives. A Bengali, Malayali and Bhojpuri film must be watched by Kannadigas, Tamilians and Maharashtrians too -- like in the good old days of Doordarshan, when people all over the country got to watch the best from every region.
The Film Festival will be held from June 8 to June 10. For information on invitation passes visit: https://www.facebook.com/srfs.bengaluru/ or Call: 9019512868.