TWO DAY ODIA CINEFEST CONCLUDED AT SIRIFORT AUDITORIUM, NEW DELHI
New Delhi: IPROCH ( Institute for Promotion and Research on Odisha’ s Cultural Heritage) A Delhi based civil society and think tank for Odisha’s culture and heritage has organised a two day Odia Film Festival on January 13-14, 2024 at Sirifort Auditorium, Delhi named as Cinefest 2024. Four critically acclaimed films were screened in the festival. Two national award winning movies, Matira Manisha, AdimVichar and two new successful movies Daman and My Sweet Housewife were screened in the festival. While award winning classic MatiraMinisha directed by Mrinal Sen assumed significance on his 100th birth anniversary, AdimVichar directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra had an compelling narration of the ancient justice system among the Kondh tribe of Odisha. Immensely successful recent movie Daman highlighted the heroic effort of a young doctor in fighting the menace of malaria in Malkangiri district. The film My Sweet house wife is a subtle story telling of issues between a middle class Odia couple that creates confusion in their otherwise harmonious relationship. Sirifort witnessed a packed auditorium in chilling cold evening in Delhi. A good number of non-odia audience were part of the viewers.
The opening of the festival was attended by eminent Odissi Danseuse Guru Sharon Lowen as Guest and the closing ceremony was presided by former Chief Justice of India Shri Deepak Mishra and Director of National School of Drama Sh. ChittaranjanTripathy. A galaxy of artistes from Film, Television, Theatre and Art were present in the festival including veteran director Sabyasachi Mohapatra, internationally acclaimed filmmaker, producer Jitendra Mishra, film critic Surya Deo, Actor PritirajSatapathy, Actress Naina Dash, eminent sculptor Jagannath Panda and others. The flute recital by Biswajit Mohapatra between the film break with popular Old Odia tunes enthralled the audience.
Each film was preceded with a panel discussion with the producer, director and actors of the film moderated by CharuduttaPanigrahi. On this occasion IPROCH also announced a short film contest, which shall be evaluated by an eminent jury with attractive prizes. Secretary of the organisation, Sh. Biswajit Das said such contest were to generate enthusiasm among the young mass to create good meaningful films. This was the 2nd Odia film festival organised by IPROCH in Delhi. The first film festival was organised marking the 75th year of Odia film in 2011.
IPROCH President Shri SatyagopalRajguru and Secretary Sh. Biswajit Das told media that IPROCH is consciously making effort to highlight the soft power of Odisha in it’s rich arts, culture, music, heritage, films and theatre in the national capital and promoting it worldwide. IPROCH also conducting research in many areas and published books that are considered as a collector’s choice. About the future project, Mr. Rajguru said IPROCH is planning to conduct a research on the cultural links of ancient Kalinga with Bali and other South East Asian countries. The cine critic present from Odisha and Delhi applauded the effort by IPROCH and said such festivals are true boosters for the film ecosystem and has immense power to encourage the regional films.
The audience found the Selection of movies for the Function as the biggest point for packed Audience in all the Screening of 4 Movies for which IPROCH showed gratitude to the Chairman of its Film Committee Mr Nabajyoti Das.
