The 30th edition of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) is set to pay a magnificent tribute to cinematic legend Ritwik Ghatak. As part of the celebrations marking the master filmmaker's birth centenary, the festival will showcase four of his finest works in newly restored formats. The event is scheduled to run from December 12 to December 19 in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.
A Curated Selection of Ghatak's Masterpieces
The festival package is a cinephile's dream, featuring three iconic films from Ghatak's celebrated 'Partition trilogy'. Audiences will have the rare opportunity to witness the restored versions of Komal Gandhar, Subarnarekha, and Meghe Dhaka Tara. The fourth film in this special lineup is the poignant Titash Ekti Nadir Naam.
The restoration efforts behind these screenings are a story in themselves. Titash Ekti Nadir Naam was meticulously restored at a specialised lab in Italy. This project was part of the prestigious World Cinema Project initiated by the acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. The other three films—Meghe Dhaka Tara, Komal Gandhar, and Subarnarekha—were restored in stunning 4K resolution by the National Film Archives of India (NFAI).
Exploring the Depth of Ghatak's Cinematic Legacy
Each film in the selection is a landmark of Indian parallel cinema. The 1960 classic Meghe Dhaka Tara is widely regarded as the first chapter of the Partition trilogy. It delivers a heart-wrenching narrative of Neeta, a young woman who sacrifices her own dreams and well-being to bear the entire economic and emotional burden of her refugee family.
The 1961 film Komal Gandhar shifts focus to the ideological conflicts within the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). It brilliantly captures the socio-political tensions and fractures within the progressive cultural movement, all set against the lingering shadow of the Partition.
Subarnarekha, released in 1962, completes the trilogy's core. It delves into the profound emotional trauma and the struggle for survival faced by individuals and communities uprooted by the Partition, exploring themes of displacement, identity, and memory.
The final film, Titash Ekti Nadir Naam (1973), stands as a powerful ethnographic document. It portrays the life, rituals, and existential struggles of the Malo fishing community whose lives are intimately tied to the ebb and flow of the Titash river.
An Exhibition to Complement the Screenings
Beyond the film screenings, the festival will also host a special exhibition dedicated to Ritwik Ghatak's life and work. This visual tribute, featuring 100 curated images, will be mounted at the Tagore Theatre in the city. The exhibition is being organised in collaboration with the Information and Cultural Affairs Department of West Bengal, offering a comprehensive look at the filmmaker's journey and his enduring impact.
The inclusion of these restored classics at IFFK 2024 provides a golden opportunity for a new generation of film enthusiasts to experience Ghatak's genius on the big screen. It reaffirms the festival's commitment to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Indian and world cinema.
