The origin of Assamese Cinema can be traced back to the
dreams and imagination of a revolutionary visionary Rupkonwar Jyotiprasad
Agarwala, who was also a distinguished poet, playwright, composer
and freedom fighter. He was instrumental in the production of the first
Assamese Film “Joymati”, under the banner of “Critrakala Movietone”. Due to
the lack of trained technicians, Jyotiprasad, while making his maiden film,
had to shoulder the added responsibilities as the script writer, producer,
director, choreographer, editor, set and costume designer, lyricist and
music director. The film, completed with a budget of Rupees Sixty thousand
and was released on March 10th, 1935. The picture failed miserably. It is
unfortunate that like so many early Indian films , the negatives and
complete prints of Joymati are missing.
Not withstanding the failure of his venture, Jyotiprasad made another film
after a lapse of two years titled “Indramalati (1939)”. It was his second
and last film. The eminent composer and singer of Assam Dr. Bhupen Hazarika
played a stellar role in the play. With the passing away of Jyotiprasad, the
Assamese film scene witnessed a temporary lull for about a couple of years.
But things changed with the onset of war, Taking advantage of this, the Late
Rohini Kr. Baruah made a film on a relevant historical topic called
“Manomati (1941)”. It was followed by films like Parvati Baruah's Rupahi
(1946), Kamal Narayan choudhury's Badan Barphukan (1947), Phani Sharma's
Siraj, Asit Sen's Biplabi, Prabin Phukan's Parghat , Suresh Goswami's Runumi
etc.
But the most remarkable film of the fifties was Piyali Phukan which went on
to win a National award. In 1955, a new talent Nip Barua made his
directorial debut with Smrit Paras. His subsequent films Mak Aaru Moram and
Ranga Police bagged many state awards and the silver medal at the national
level. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika also produced and directed his first film Era
Batur Sur. Prabhat Mukherjee made a film on the universality of mother-hood,
Puberan (1959).,which was shown in The Berlin Film Festival. The next
memorable production was Lachit Borphukan by Sarbeswar Chakraborty. Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika made his unforgettable musical lore Shakuntala (1961) which
proved equally successful with critics and the press. It also won
president's silver medal. Following this, a chain of films went into regular
production and got released which included Nip Barua's Narakasur, Anil
Choudhury's Matri Swarga, Brojen Barua's Itu Setu Bahuto and Mukta & Anwar
Hussain's Tejmala.
By the middle of the sixties, film were produced in Assam on a regular
basis. It should also be mentioned here that between 1935 ad to 1970 a
total of 62 films were produced. Besides the film makers already referred
to, many others engaged in film making during the period included Pravin
Sharma, Saila Barua, Abdul Mazid, Amar Pathak, Indukal Pattazarika, Diben
Barua, Debkumar Basu, Amulya Manna, Gauri Barman, Atul Bardoloi, Sujit
Singh, Nalin Duara and Prafulla Barua.
During the period of 1970-82 a total of 57 Assamese films were made. New
directors started emerging on the horizon. Samarendra Narayan Deb's Aranya
(1970), Kamal Choudhury's Bhaity (1972) the first colour film of Assam,
Manoranjan Sur's Uttaran (1973), Deuti Barua's Bristi (1974) Pulok Gogoi
Khoj (1974) Padam Barua's Ganga Chilanir Pakhi (1976) and Dr. Bhabendranath
Saikia's Sandhya Rag (1977) and Atul Bordoloi's Kollol (1978) are films
worth - mentioning.
The outstanding directors of contemporary Assamese Cinema are Jahnu Baruah
(Aparoopa, Papori, Haladhia Choraye Baodhan Khai, Banani, Firingoti,
Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door) ; Sanjeev Hazarika (Haladhar, Meemanxa);
Bhabendaranatha Saikia (Anirbaan, Agnisnaan, Sarothi, Kolahol, Abartan,
Itihaas, Kaal Sandhya) Dr. Santwana Bordoloi (Adajya) and Bidyut Chakraborty
(Rag Birag). Their Films have won National & International Awards
________________________________________
Indian Film History :
As India was poised for a socio-political upheaval at the turn of the 20th
century, a new form of entertainment arrived in India- the cinema. This art
form which made a humble beginning went on to make a mighty bang and
sophisticated multi-million-rupee movies of the present day are a far cry
from the soundless short films that made a silent entry into the Indian
hearts in its early phase. Be it as an art form, a social weapon or a
political satire, the cinema has made a tremendous impact on the Indian
society as few other forms of art have
.
The first exposure to motion pictures which India received was in 1896, when
Lumiere Brother's Cinematographe unveiled six soundless short films at
Bomay's Watson Hotel. And the first exposing of celluloid in camera by an
Indian (Harishchandra Bhatvadekar), and its subsequent screening took place
in 1899
.
During the first decade of 20th century, only silent short films were made
in India. It was during the first half of the next decade that the first
indegenous feature film Raja Harishchandra was made by D.G. Phalke (1913).
By 1920, film production had grown into a regular industry bringing out
silent films in various Indian languages.
.
Indian Cinema made a big leap forward with the arrival of Alam Ara, the
first talkie feature film by Ardeshir Irani in march 1931. It was during the
Thirties that attempts were made to produce talkie films in different
languages. Regional culture and the craving to see and hear a film in ones
own mother tongue caused a mushrooming of film industries in all major
centres. The fore runners were Bengali, Tamil, Telegu followed by Marathi,
Kannada, Malayalam, Gujrati, Oriya, Assamese and several dialects in later
years: every regional cinema came up with its own directors and artists;
regional film also took to earth and realism, winning many awards and
honours in India and abroad in the process.
Joymoti- The first assamese movie- Joymoti, directed by Jyoti Prasad
Agarwalla was released in the year 1935.
Rupahi- The fourth assamese movie Rupahi, produced & directed by Parbati
Prashad Baruah was released in 1946. Screenplay, dialogue lyrics and even
the music of the movie was composed by Parbati Prasad Baruah himself.
Siraj- Siraj is another remarkable Assamese Movie- directed by Phani Sarmah.
Siraj is the sixth assamese movie released in 1948. The film speaks about
the unity among the people of Hindu and Muslim community. Bishnu Rabha and
Phani Sarmah, inspired by the story named ‘Siraj’ written by Lakshidhar
Sarmah prepared the screenplay and dialogue of the movie. The outdoor shots
were taken around Tezpur, the indoors being shot in Kali Film studio,
Kolkata. The lead role Siraj was played by Phani Sarmah himself. Music was
composed by Bishnu Rabha. Bhupen Hazarika and Shiva Bhattacharyya assisted
him.
Era Bator Sur- Era Bator Sur is the first film of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika. The
film was released in 1956. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika was then an active member of
Indian people’s. Theater Association and in the fifties almost all the
workers of I. P. T. A. were influenced by the sorrow and happiness, struggle
and hope of the common mass and made themselves associated with creative
works related to folk music and culture of the common assamese people. Era
Bator Sur was also a result of one such effort. The story and the music of
Era Bator Sur reflects the emotional rising of the people of that era. The
theme of this movie is based on characters belonging to tea labourers
society of Assam. The exploitations carried out by one class of the society
also finds importance in the movie. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika is also the music
director of the movie. The cast of the movie includes Phani Sarmah, Bishnu
Rabha, Balraj Sahni along with Bijoy Shankar, Iva Asau, Tassaduk Yusuf etc.
Puberun- The first assamese film screened in an international Film Festival
is Puberun. Directed by Prabhat Mukherjee of Kolkatta and released in 1959
the film was screened in ‘Berlin Film Festival’, 1960 and bought laurels to
the state of Assam. Heroine of the movie Gyanada Kakoti was also present
during the screening of the film in Berlil.The story is based on
mother-child relationship and the truth that every child of this world is
equal. Another remarkable feature of this film is that "Margaret Anderson"
of London Dramatic school acted in this film. In the history of Assamese
Cinema this was for the first time that an actress from England, acted in an
assamese film.
The role of the mother was played boldly by Gyanada Kakoti and against her
was Tassaduck Yusuf . Music was by Tarikuddin Ahmed . Puberun even won the
Presidents Award.
Saknoiya- Saknoiya is the only film directed by Soilo Baruah. The film got
released in the month of November, 1959. Story, screenplay and dialogue was
written by Durgeswar Barthakur. The indoor shots of this movie took place in
Indrapuri Studio, Kolkatta. The editing of this film was also done in
Kolkatta.
The story revolves round the emotions of two brothers, one a taxi driver and
another a high official in a government office who marries a lady who would
not agree to reside together with a taxi driver. The actors include Gyanada
Kakoti, Bina Baruah, Tulsi Das, Sorbeswar Chakravarty, Bina Das, Soilo
Baruah, Anil Das, Durgeswar Barthakur, Saityen Choudhury etc. Mukul Baruah
was the music director.
Doctor Bezbaruah - Brojen Baruah’s Doctor Bejbaruah released in the year
1960, marked the beginning of success of so called commercial movies in
Assamese Film industy. Following the footsteps of Doctor Bejbaruah directors
/ produces got encouragement to make commercially hit movies in later days
of Assamese Cinema.
Though this film laid the base of the commercial value of a movie, yet it
put a question mark on making movies based on the simple life of Assamese
village folk.
Dr. Bezbaruah was the first Assamese thriller movie and also for the first
time the outdoor and indoor shooting entirely took place in various
locations of Assam.
Gonga Silonir Pakhi - Gonga Silonir Pakhi, directed and produced by Padum
Baruah and released in 1976, is one of remarkable assamese movies released
till date. The music was also composed by Padum Baruah himself. Renown
novelist Dr. Lakhminandan Bora wrote the main story, screenplay was by Padum
Baruah. The story is based on the simple life of the villagers of Assam.
Sl. No Category Description
1 First film maker of Assamese film Jyoti Prasad Agarwal
2 First Assamese film director Pramathesh Baruah, He Directed the
Bengali film “Devadash” in 1934.
3 First director of an Assamese film Jyoti Prasad Agarwala; he
directed “Joymati”. The film was released at Raonak Cinema (now Jyoti
Cinema), Kolkata on 10th March 1935 and in the same year on 20th March at
Kumar Bhaskar Natya Mandir, Guwahati.
4 First dubbed film in India Joymati (1935)
5 First Assamese actor to act in a Bengali Movie Pramathesh Baruah. He
acted in “Taki Kini Gulam” in 1930.
6 First Full length comedy movie in Assamese film "Ito Sito Bahuto",
Director was Brajen Barua.The film was released in
1963. .
7 First film with actor from outside of Assam "Era Batar Sur",
released in 1956.Balraj Sahani acted in this film as a guest appearance. Dr.
Bhupen Hazarika was the director.
8 First Assamese partly coloured movie Shakuntala, released in
1961.The film was directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
9 First Colour movie Bhaity (1972), Director was Kamalnarayan
Choudhury.
10 First Assamese film dubbed from Hindi Bhagya (1968).
11 First Assamese thriller "Dr. Bezbaruah" (1969), Directed by Brajen
Baruah.
12 First Assamese film where a non Assamese singer sang a full song
"Era Batar Sur"; here legendary singer of Indian Music Lata Mangeskar sang a
song under the music direction of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
13 First Assamese film to be screened in a foreign land 'Puberun'
(1959). It was screened in Berlin. Director was Prabhat Mukherjee.
14 First Long playing record of an Assamese Film "Chik-mik Bijuli"
(1969), directed by Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.
15 First Assamese film to receive a national award "Piyali Phukan",
this film received the Repute Certificate of Merit. Directed by Phani
Sharma.
16 First adult movie "Marichika" (1972); directed by Amulya Manna.
17 First adult movie which was released "Hridayar Prayojan" (1972),
directed by Gauri Barman.
18 First movie broadcast in Doordarshan 'Bristi' (1974), directed by
Deuti Baruah.
19 First movie screened in Indian panorama 'Sandhyarag' (1977),
directed by Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia.
20 First Eastman colour movie 'Ajali Nabou' (1980), directed by Nip
Baruah.
21 First lady director Suprabha Devi, she directed 'Nayanmani' in
1983.
22 First Assamese cinema scope movie 'Jeevan Surabhi' (1984), directed
by Naresh Kumar.
23 First movie to get best screen play award in national level
'Agnisnan' (1985), Directed by Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia.
24 First film to receive Swarna Kamal award 'Haladhiya Charaye Baodhan
Khaay' (1987), directed by Jahnu Baruah.
25 First children movie Abuj Bedana (1993), directed by Gunasindhu
Hazarika.
26 First film which was screened as an Inaugural movie of the Indian
panorama Rag Birag (1996), directed by Bidyut Chakrabarty.
________________________________________
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AWARDS
ASSAMESE FILMS.
________________________________________
________________________________________
Year Name of the Film List of Awards
1955 Piyoli Phukan President's Certificate of Merit
1957 Maak Aru Maram President's Certificate of Merit
1958 Rangaa Police President's Silver Award
1959 Puberun President's Silver Award
1961 Shakuntala President's Silver Award
1963 Tejimola President's Certificate of Merit
1963 Maniram Dewan President's Silver Award
1964 Pratiddhani President's Silver Award
1966 Latighati President's Silver Award
1969 Dr.Bezbaruah National award- Best Regional Film
1971 Aranya National award- Best Regional Film
1972 Upaja Sonar Maati National award- Best Regional Film
1973 Mamata National award- Best Regional Film
1975 Chameli Memsaab National award- Best Regional Film
1976 Putala Ghar National award- Best Regional Film
1977 Sandhyaraag National award- Best Regional Film
1978 Kallol National award- Best Regional Film
1981 Anirban National award- Best Regional Film
1982 Aparupa National award- Best Regional Film
1983 Alokar Aahban National award- Best Regional Film
1984 Son Maina National award- Best Regional Film
1985 Agnisnan National award- Best Regional Film
1986 Baan National award- Best Regional Film
1986 Aalayaran (Bodo) National award- Best Regional Film
1987 Pratham Raagini National award- Best Regional Film
1987 Haaladhiya Charaye Bawdhan Khaai National award- Best Film,
Second
Best Film ( Locarno Interntl. Film
Festival )
1989 Kolahal National award- Best Regional Film
1990 Zooj National award- Best Regional Film
1991 Phiringati National award- Second Best Film
1992 Saarathi National award- Best Regional Film
1993 Railor Alir Dubori Ban National award- Best Regional Film
1994 Aabartan National award- Best Regional Film
1995 Saagaraloi Bahu Door National award- Best Regional Film, GETZ
Prize( 31st Chicago Interntnl. Film Festival ), Pri Do Public Award (Best
Film:Nantes Film festival,France)
1996 Itihaas National award- Best Regional Film
1997 Adajjya National award- Best Regional Film & Jury's special award
1998 Kushal National award- Best Regional Film
1999 Pakhi National award- Best Regional Film
2002 Kanikar Ramdhenu National award- Best Regional Film
2003 Akashitarar Kathare National award- Best Regional Film
2003 Tora National award- Best Children Film
2004 Dinabandhu National award- Best Regional Film
________________________________________
________________________________________
National & International Awards(Director, Music director...)
________________________________________
________________________________________
Year Name of Artist Category List of Awards
1975 Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Best Music Director ("Chameli Memsaab")
National Award
1985 Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Best Screenplay
("Agnisnan") National Award
1988 Indra Bania Best Actor ("Haaladhiya Charaye Bowdhan Khaai")
Locarno Internatnl. Film Festival
1990 Gautam Bora Director's Best Debut Film
("Woshbipo") National Award- Indira Gandhi Award
1991 Moloya Goswami Best Actress ("Firingati") National Award
1993 Sanjeev Hazarika Director's Best Debut Film
("Haladhar") National Award- Indira Gandhi Award
1995 Jahnu Barua Best Director ("Sagaraloi
Bahu Door") National Award
1995 Bishnu Khargharia Best Actor ("Sagaraloi Bahu Door" )
Singapore Internatnl. Film Festival
1996 Bidyut Chakraborty Director's Best Debut Film
("Raag Biraag") National Award- Indira Gandhi Award
1996 Srikar Prasad Best Editor ("Raag Biraag") National Award
2003 Tarali Sharma Best Playback Singer -
female ("Akashitarar
Kathare") National Award
Films from 1935 to early 1990’s were mostly art films.The only commercial
film of 1960 was Dr.Bezbaruah by Brojen Baruah and it was this film that
laid the base for assamese commercial films.Following his footsteps
directors of the late 1990’s came up with many commercial assamese
films.JOVONE AMONI KORE which was a commercial hit of late 1990’s was
turning point in assamese film industry.The grand success of jovone amoni
kore was followed by the trends of commercial film making.Directors like
Munin Baruah came up with many commercial films like HIYA DIYA
NIYA,BIDHATA, NAYAK,KANYADAAN,DAAG,MON,RANG ,PRIYA O PRIYA,BUKUR MAJOT
JOLE,KADAMBARI,KOKA DEUTAR GHOR JUWAI.Other directors of that period was
Chandra mudai whose film MAGHOT MAMONIR BIYA,which was a commercial hit of
its time.Even singers like Zubin Garg also came up with commercially hit
movies like TUMI MUR MATHU MUR,where he himself was the film director, the
music director and also played the role of the lead character in the
movie.
PRESENT SCENERIO:
If we go by the present scenario in Assam, the young generation is
forgetting about its own films and industry. We know only about some cheap
Assamese VCD films, The environment has changed drastically and the
lifestyle of people in Assam has changed drastically. But our film industry
is not moving anywhere; they are still the same following our age old
techniques of making films.
Earlier, people used to watch Assamese films; the craze about our films was
massive. But today there are no theatres to showcase our films. What are
the reasons for such a horrified plight? And who are responsibles?
The reasons are:
DOWNFALL OF ASSAMESE FILMS:
The film industry which had once a record production of 20 films a year
produced only three films in the year 2008. The main reason behind the dead
of Assamese Cinema was the State government's total failure in implementing
its State Film Policy. There was still confusion in the process of returning
the entertainment tax collected from the Assamese film to the film producer
as reflected in the film policy.
The monetary incentive for national or international award winning or Indian
Panorama film reflected in the policy was on the paper only. The Government
had been the silent spectator when the cinema halls in the State were closed
down one after another. The Assam government acknowledged those sports
persons who won a silver or a bronze in a national competition, whereas it
always forgot to express a word of thanks to the Assamese film maker who
brought the laurel of the State in the international arena.
The quality and aura that our films carried earlier is lost, today no one
is bothered to maintain the style that our ancestor carried in Assamese
film.
The absence of professional writers, creative directors, casting directors,
quality actors, trained technician are the main reason for the present fall
of our film industry.
Another factor that lead to the downfall of films was the coming of VCD’s
into the scene.By 2005 VCD entered the film scenario and the first VCD was
jun Bai by Pabitra Margherita followed by a series of VCDs.This Vcd’s were
based on bihu which easily attracted the people of assam. On one hand this
VCD’s acted as a cause for the downfall of the film industry and on the
other hand it filled the gap in the film industry when there was not much
feature films in the main industry.
Another reasons that increased the popularity of this VCD’s was that
people could watch this VCD’s at home with family. Even producers go for
VCD’s because it’s a low budget film with high profit.
The assamese film industry had to face certain technical difficulties like
bad picture quality,bad sound which led to its downfall.Moreover the
assamese film makers are using same patterns and treatments in making films
from long
decades which should be immidiately change to make the films tateful for the
cinegoers.
Another factor thatcontributed to the downfall of assamese films was the
insecure conditions of most of
our cinema halls which has also resulted the decreasing rate of cine
viewers. That most of the cinema halls in Assam doesnot want to release or
run
an Assamese movie.In that case, state government must take steps against
those halls which cause hindrance in projecting an Assamese film.
Another important point is that there is not even a
single distributor of Assamese films in the state for
which the film makers faces lots of trouble in releasing the regional
language films.Therefore the state government should take
necessary initiative and to frame certain rules and regulations.
Presently, the insurgency menace has done a black for the
Assamese movies to flourish. The insurgents, posing as custodians of
Assamese culture, have imposed many Dos and Don’ts. Those guidelines are
conservative in nature and non-aesthetic in taste. The film personalities
are in need of support from other Indian film men and women and also from
the government.
Certain factors that could bring about a change in the assamese film
industry:
The most important thing is to change the perception of our young
generation. The participation of young generation is very important to
revive the market of Assamese commercial cinema.
The application of proper and effective communication can change the
perception our young generation as well as our government. People need to be
told about the importance of the survival of an entertainment industry, how
it can benefit the economy of the state, how it can preserve our Assamese
culture and more specifically, how it can boost employment opportunities and
career scopes in Assam.
To bring about a dramatic change to the Assamese Film Industry, we need is
not only a set of skilled professionals, but also someone who can lead them
to a point where from these people can better understand how important their
engagement to the industry is. The low cost cheap VCD films don't add
anything to their career and it's time they understood that. At the same
time, there are some factors which I feel are equally important in this
regard, like
1) Strength of storyline
2) Picture quality
3) skilled and flawless direction
4) Budget(the most crucial one)
. we need to apply innovation in our process for our industry revival.
Technologically we need to upgrade ourselves and also Government should
restore age old rules and regulations for filmmaking to implement
digitalization process of cinema in Assam.
Implementation and execution of good ideas is a major problem with our
people. The difference between theatre, film and television acting is not
known to our actors in Assam, barring few people like for example- Nipon
Goswami, Biju Phukan, Lakhi Borthakur, Nilu Chakraborty, Mridula Barua,
Tapan Das etc, no one understand the difference. May be the lack of
infrastructure and institutes is the reason.
CONCLUSION:
Assamese cinema that experienced its childhood with ‘Joymati’ has today
stepped into the adult life having gone through its teenage and seen many
ups and downs. From black and white to colour, Assamese cinema has come
through all stages. It has dealt with a varying range of themes and subject
matter.
Where classics like Joymati and Sameli Memsahab have ruled, cheap copies of
Hindi cinema also served its audience and admirers a distasteful palate.
That was not unique to Assamese cinema alone. Any creative art has its
upheavals. But Assamese cinema do have a thing to boast in all these years
of journey. It is this field that has produced some great names. When
directors like Bhabendra Nath Saikia, Jahnu Barua have earned accolades in
the scope of world cinema, greats like Bhupen Hazarika have livened up our
cinemas with greatest melodies.
A recent inclusion in the ignited minds that Assamese cinema has produced
are : M Maniram’s national award winning movie 2009 Monjai
Jatinga Ityadi (Assamese: জাতিংগা ইত্যাদি) is an Assamese language film
directed by Sanjib Sabhapandit. The film was screened in the International
Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2007 in the Indian Panorama section. The film
depicts the current scenario of militancy in Assam.
Acclaimed director Manju Bora's emotional celluloid journey Aai Kot Nai
was selected for the Nargis Dutt Award for the best movie on national
integration. Manju Bora’s latest film Aai Kot Nai shows the misery of people
displaced by the Assam-Nagaland border clashes. She uses the rains to
highlight their helplessness and despair, heighten the mood of melancholy
and show the agony of a mother separated from her suckling infant.
Taking these films as inspiration present assamese film makers are coming up
with new films such as RAMDHENU by Munin Baruah, Jetuka pator dore by
Jodumoni Dutta,U R not my Juli by M Maniram, JAANMONI BY Rajesh Bhuyan,
Sameeran Baruah Ahi Aase by Pradyot kumar Deka.
They need to apply innovation in their process for the industry’s revival.
Technologically they need to upgrade themselves and also Government should
restore age old rules and regulations for filmmaking to implement
digitalization process of cinema in Assam.
The change has to begin somewhere and the young brigade of Assam should
take the responsibility for taking Assamese films to a new stature.
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