Munsur Ali, the newly elected chairman of the City of London Corporation's Culture, Heritage and Libraries Committee, was in the city for his ongoing South Asia tour to explore cultural exchange opportunities between India and the United Kingdom. The Dhaka-born and UK-based Ali sat with t2 for an exclusive chat and talked about his love for Calcutta, exploring film opportunities with budding filmmakers in Calcutta with his film production and distribution company, Moringa Studios, and his vision to celebrate Durga Puja at Tower Bridge.
How often do you come to Calcutta and how different is this trip?
I have been to Calcutta twice on very short trips. Once when my film was selected at the Kolkata Film Festival and the other time, I took a halt here to shop. So, this is my first proper trip to Calcutta and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love the mix of culture and the mannerism of the Bengali population. This trip is actually a precursor of what I am hoping to do in the coming months. My interest lies in enhancing the relationship between Calcutta and London and I know there is a strong historical tie between the two cities. I am very keen on exploring the cultural connection and hence I am planning to bring delegates specifically on cultural exchange between London and South Asia.
We are delighted to launch Destination City (London), which looks at transforming the city from a five-day-a-week to a seven-day-week city. We are offering wider cultural activities and this is a great way to connect the diaspora by launching some unique events for the global audience. London is so much more than Tower Bridge. Attractions and services overseen by my committee include Guildhall Galleries (including the City of London Heritage Gallery, Guildhall Art Gallery, and London’s Roman Amphitheatre) Barbican, Monument, Tower Bridge; Roman Baths; and Keats House in Hampstead.
Which other Indian cities are on your South Asian tour list?
Calcutta was my first stop and I intend to go to Mumbai and then Dhaka.
What kind of collab are you looking for specifically with Calcutta?
I would love to see one annual project in London that will have a strong cultural tie-up. Just as a thought imagine celebrating Durga Puja right under the Tower Bridge at the Thames. It will be interesting to see how we can execute it. We have an excellent theatrical facility so it would be great to explore theatre production between Bengal and London. London is a fantastic place to celebrate cultural diversity and Calcutta is the best city for London to have a tie-up.
Further, I think there is a huge opportunity for a performance tie-up. Calcutta has an amazing period set-up as parts of Calcutta still look like the 1700s and 1800s and I would like British filmmakers to produce drama here along with local talents. Since I have my own film studio, I am exploring co-productions, offering full UK film services, distribution and UK tax relief claim consultancy, which are being facilitated in India by LOK Arts Collective (Part of Global Changemakers Network). I am keen to meet independent filmmakers. A new global talent fellowship residency is also in the offing, which will all be a key part of the UK/India cultural initiative benefitting writers, directors and emerging film talent.
The Durga Puja celebration in London sounds interesting. By when can we expect it to become a reality?
It is possible to do something by 2024.