Cinema fest that projects Ayodhya ethos

Ayodhya: Memories of the communal flare-up after Babri Masjid demolition have eclipsed the life and culture of Ayodhya for more than two decades.
For the past seven years, a local group is trying to re-invent the city’s image and to revive the tradition of mutual tolerance and brotherhood through a film festival called ‘Awam Ka Cinema’. Operating jointly in the hands of a Hindu and a Muslim, the film festival showcases cinema depicting patriotism and documentaries on untold stories of the region’s common man.
It usually begins on December 19, the day revolutionary Ashfaquallah Khan was hanged in a jail in Faizabad and his comrade-in-arms Ram Prasad Bismil was executed Gorakhpur in 1927. In this way, the three-day festival celebrates close friendship of the two freedom fighters.
“The atmosphere of Ayodhya and its unique culture suffered a lot at the hands of the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute,” said Shah Alam who is making a documentary on Ashfaqullah Khan. “Whether we accept it or not, ties between religious groups got strained. So, we took this initiative because cinema is one of the most potent tools to make one’s voice heard,” he added.
One of the documentaries produced by the group showed the journey of a cycle mechanic who worked hard to give his son quality education. The son also made his father proud qualifying the medical entrance exam. But before their life could change, the son was murdered during the period of riots. “The aim is to show that no one gains anything in disputes and communal flare-ups. Tragedies do not differentiate,” explained Jugal Shastri.
It also made a documentary on Ayodhya’s Hanuman Garhi Temple constructed by Nawab Shuja-ud-daulah. “The temple houses a masjid which is maintained by the mandir trust even today. This also profiles how Muslims contribute to the worship of Lord Hanuman through their handicraft, making clothes, selling puja prasad, and making khadau,” said A K Sahu, a local resident who looks forward to the festival every year.
Group members added that mandir-masjid dispute has pushed many issues to the margin. “Our festival aims at bringing the focus on real issues such as jobs, health services and educational opportunities to the forefront of public consciousness,” he stated.
The group organises similar film festivals in other places such as Mau, Jaipur, Bijnore, Banda, Kargil though Ayodhya-Faizabad remains the epicenter.
The organisation would also pay tributes to film maker Mani Kaul by showing his film ‘Satah se Uncha Aadmi’ which was screened in the Cannes Film Festival. ‘Dharti Ke Laal’ would be another film to be shown. Directed by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas, the film is about people stuck in the Bengal famine of 1043.