Nfai Acquires Biggest Ever 16 Mm Collection Of 2200 Films Of Early Era In One Go

Jyothi Venkatesh

NFAI has acquired the biggest ever collection of 16 mm films in one go. About 2200 films consisting of short films and documentaries depicting various subjects covering history, music, science, education etc., many of which are considered rare and unique are part of this collection. These films were acquired from State Institute for Audio-Visual Education (Maharashtra) in Pune. “It is a matter of great joy to discover these films depicting the cultural diversity of India. It is indeed a staggering collection that consists of several important short films and documentaries of bygone era. This is for the first time that we have received such a huge number of films in celluloid format”, said Prakash Magdum, Director, National Film Archive of India (NFAI). One of the rare films in this collection is on Raja Kelkar Museum in Pune supposedly made in 1950’s. Directed by well known writer and poet Roy Kinikar, the half-an-hour film depicts the vast collection of the museum in a detailed manner. Several renowned public figures of the time are seen in this film, which is made in colour.  The first speaker of Lok Sabha  GV Mavalankar, the then Union Minister Kakasaheb Gadgil and then Commissioner Pune SG Barve are seen visiting the museum along with members of Kelkar family in the film.

An interesting film in the collection has sound tracks of renowned Hindustani Classical singer Hirabai Barodekar and her sister Saraswati Rane along with Pakhwaj recital of Pt Govindbuva Burhanpurkar. These sound tracks were used in an experimental film ‘LALAT’ (1947) directed by Raja Nene. This film had attempted to picturise melody music in a radical experiment and PR Bhide who was the producer of the film, had made use of 16 mm film to score the sound track, a very innovative concept of that times! Incidentally, this year happens to be the birth centenary of Bhide, who had also produced a landmark film ‘Vande Mataram’ that featured husband-wife duo PL Deshpande (Pu La) and Sunita Deshpande in lead roles.

Another rare film in the collection is ‘Kavincha Kavi Keshavsut’ made on renowned poet KK Damle who wrote under the pen name Keshavsut, to commemorate his birth centenary celebrations in 1966. It has some rare songs sung and composed by well-known singer and composer Sudhir Phadke. The 15-minute film has been written by another great writer PK Atre and directed by Balkrishna Kulkarni. Incidentally, this year happens to be the birth centenary of SudhirPhadke.

Two films made on the life of Aurobindo are also part of this collection. These films made under the banner of Auro Films were produced by veteran producer Tarachand Barjatya , the late founder of Rajshri Pictures and directed by renowned director Phani Majumdar in 1970’s. There are visuals of various activities of the Aurobindo Ashram in Pondicherry in these films including that of the Mother giving darshan to the devotees.

Another rare film Sangeet Bharat is produced by V Shantaram which chronicles various cultural song and dance practices in Maharashtra.

Two films focused on various development works undertaken during first two Five Year Plans are Aajache Poona, Solapur, Ahmednagar and Aajache Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur. These films contain visuals of various initiatives in the field of education, sports, agriculture, co-operative movement, adult education, health etc in the six districts of Maharashtra at the end of second Five Year Plan. The film has archival footages of several important landmarks from these districts as well as rare footages of leaders like Padmashree Vikhe Patil who spearheaded in starting the first ever cooperative sugar factory.

Another important film in the collection is Tanjore, the Cultural Capital, produced by Projection of India Pictures. The film is photographed and edited by R Sundaram.

A film directed by veteran director Kamalakar Torne has Suryakant and Mai Bhide in lead roles along with Master Vitthal and comedian Ganpat Patil. An educational film ‘Savdhan’ made under the banner of Geeta Films by director Ram Gabale focuses on the issue of road safety. It contains visuals of streets of Pune and Mumbai including buses run by PMT.

There are two films in the collection ‘Writers and Poets of Gujarat’ featuring well known Gujarati writers like Umakant Joshi, Pannalal Patel, Balmukund Dave. The film, made in 1978, showing visuals of these writers, was directed by Vasant Joshi. Several films in the collection are concerning people and culture of various countries from across the world. viz. Japan-Land of Enhancement; Russia-Urban Life of Moscow; Norwegian Children; West Indies; This is Britain; Sports Around World; Life in Sahara; Rice Farming in Japan etc. A special film from this category is from National Film Board of Canada that showcases how children learn from film strips!

Many of the films in the collection are produced by Films Division and Children’s Film Society of India. Apart from this, there are many films in the collection that have been made by the state government of Maharashtra under its banner. Some films seem to be commissioned films and many of the films have been acquired from different sources abroad. These films were acquired by the state government organization in order to use them for audio-visual training purpose of the teachers.

“We have been previewing these films in a phased manner. Given the large volume of films, there could be some important films in this collection. But it seems that most of these films, sadly, are in critical condition. We will make every effort to save and preserve as much as possible”, said Magdum.

For more Bollywood updates, follow Bollyy!

Tags: Bollywood, Bollywood News, Bollywood Updates, Television, Telly News, Nfai