A bouquet of three films was presented at Snehodiya senior citizens’ home by CG Block-based NGO Prayasam. The film festival featured movies from their Doshkotha anthology and were based on real-life struggles faced by elderly individuals.
The NGO’s journey began in 1996 with a focus on working with the youth and children in the slums around Salt Lake. Their mission was to motivate young minds through comics, puppetry, dance, street plays and more. With the advent of digital media, they introduced filmmaking too.
The first of the films screened was Metamorphosis, about three elderly women who have been friends since their school days. On a reunion, they experience a transformative journey where they embrace a side of life typically associated with the younger generation. They dress elegantly, enjoy dance and drinks, briefly escaping their daily routines. The experience makes them realise that while they aren’t unhappy per se, the monotony had made them yearn for spontaneity.
Sreelekha Basu, a retired teacher from BK Block, acted in the film. “My encounter with Prayasam happened through their initiative to collect old clothes from households. I am grateful for the opportunity to face the camera at the age of 67,” she said.
In the poignant film Americar Gondho, an elderly mother eagerly awaits her daughter’s return from the US, striving to make all arrangements perfect. But when the daughter and her family arrive, her excitement is overshadowed by a feeling of becoming a fleeting presence in her own home. The film explores themes of family dynamics, aging, and the unspoken emotions of the elderly.
Meera Das, a resident of FD Block, acted with Chandra Banerjee. “I was always drawn to the world of theatre and Prayasam further fuelled that passion. Acting in the movie was like sharing my own story as my daughter too lives in Singapore. It made the film personal,” Das said.
The third story, Bhanga Bari, drew inspiration from Agatha Christie’s novel Crooked House. It revolves around a schoolgirl’s insatiable appetite for adventure, a mystery detective Charbik Sen must unravel. Siyona Raha, a sixth-grade student, had portrayed the role of the child. Although she couldn’t attend the event, her mother, Sudeshna Raha, spoke of how she immediately accepted the role since Prayasam was more like a family than an organisation.
The films resonated with the audience, moving some to tears as they found the stories relatable. Jayati Chakraborty, an 81-year-old resident of Snehodiya, said she too struggled with loneliness after her son relocated to the US. “I particularly enjoyed the background scores in the films and would like to meet the people who created it,” she said.
“We’ve had the support of Adobe Foundation for technical assistance,” said Manish Chowdhury, who directed the three films. “Our films stand out for being content-driven, unlike the current trend. We’re witnessing a shift away from the tradition of family movie-watching, but our films are designed to be watched collectively, telling unique stories.”
“This marks the 10th year of our festival, named Bad and Beautiful World. This time we decided to pay tribute to the seniors of Snehodiya,” said Saptarshi Ray of Prayasam.
Amlan Ganguly, the founder director of the organisation, has himself created award-winning films. “To date, we have produced nearly 85 short films, handling everything from colour correction to cinematography inhouse,” he said.
By Esha Barman
Tagore scholar
BF BLOCK-based cultural group Mayukh hosted an evening to celebrate the seasons at EZCC. They also felicitated Rabindrasangeet researcher Purnendu Bikas Sarkar and elocutionist Prabir Brahmachari.
A dancer at Mayukh’s event at EZCC
Sarkar, who is an eye specialist and recipient of Ananda Puraskar 2023, spoke of distortion of Tagore’s creations. “The term Rabindrasangeet was first used in 1935. Before that, Tagore had to fight extensively against distortion of his compositions. I appeal to artists to maintain the integrity and ideology of the bard’s work,” said the Purbachal resident.
Brahmachari recalled his long association with the Mayukh family and recited a collage of four poems from Gitanjali and Naibedya, that touched the heart.
The cultural programme commenced with the chorus rendition of Baje baje romyobina followed by Ebar tor mora gangey led by Shubhryojyoti Bandyopadhyay.
“This event hoped to capture the myriad emotions of monsoon and welcome autumn. There are many renowned artistes who cannot be accommodated on Rabindrajayanti due to time constraints so we try to hold more events to give them a stage to perform,” said Sayan Bandyopadhyay on behalf of the group.
There were solo renditions of Tumi kemon kore gaan karo and Biswosathe joge jethay by Sahana Bakshi, followed by performances by Utsab Das and Sarama Sen.
Barnali Sarkar, wife of Sarkar, received applause for reciting the long poem Krishnakali ami tarei boli. “I am happy today as besides my husband’s felicitation, I too got to recite,” she said.
The mother-daughter duo Swati and Ditsa Bandyopadhyay danced to Shaono gagane and Gahana kusuma. Madhubanti Bandyopadhyay danced to Tumi je surer agun and there was a group recital by students of Mayukh’s dance unit too.
By Bharati Kanjilal