Chalachitram national film festival concludes – ‘The Land of Hidden Treasure’ was adjudged as the best entry
By N.J. Thakuria
Guwahati: Chalachitram national film festival, initiated with an aim to propagate the cinema as a powerful catalyst of social change and a rich handloom of Indian heritage, concluded on Friday at Jyoti Chitraban premises in the city. The opening movie of the two-day festival ‘The Land of Hidden Treasure’ (directed by Sanatan Karmakar) was adjudged as the best entry.
Organized every year under the initiative of Chalachitram, a subsidiary of Viswa Sangbad Kendra Assam, the festival ২০২২ witnessed the screening of Aditya J Patwardhan directed ‘A Nomad River’, where renowned Yogi Sadguru is seen as a participant, as a closing film on 6 January 2022. The closing function was graced by eminent film personality Akash Aditya Lama, who appreciated the initiative to propagate the issue of national heritage and pride.
Talented actor Kankana Chakraborty, who along with director Patwardhan, lighted the inaugural lamp of the unique festival comprising a competitive section for short films, was also present on the second day’s program. Kannada film director Suneel Puranik and Ranjan Ghosh (whose acclaimed Bengali movie ‘Mahishasuramardini’ was screened in the festival) also attended the function. Over a hundred entries were recorded, out of which 18 critically appreciated films were screened in the festival.
Gunjan Sharma directed ‘New Year In Eshan Bharat’ was awarded the second best entry, whereas Maharshi Tuhin Kashyap (maker of ‘Moar Ghorar Duranta Goti’) received the best director’s award. Jury’s special mention was awarded to Sangeeta Medhi (Hatkatha) and Rakesh Moirangthem (Erolungdagi). All participants in the competitive section were awarded with certificates. National award winning film ‘Justice Delayed But Delivered’ by Kamakhya Narayan Singh was also screened for benefit of the audience.
A book titled ‘Literature and Film from Mute to Motion’ penned by Deepshikha Bhagwati was also released during the festival. Paying tribute to popular film journalist Pabitra Deka, a short film on his life and works titled ‘By Lane 2’ by Utpal Datta was also screened. The festival experienced warm response from the film buffs as well as distinguished personalities like Apurba Sharma, Jatin Bora, Jeetul Sonowal, Bhupen Kaman, Banalata Baishya, Bhagavata Pritam, Monita Borgohain, Rajiv Barthakur, Namrata Dutta, Sunil Mohanty, Kishor Shivam, etc.
