Performing artists of Uttarakhand participated with commitment in the mass movement for the formation of separate hill state hoping it will lead to cultural renaissance of theatrical and cinematic arts which remained languished in the apathy under Uttar Pradesh government. As a result of intense and widespread struggle of the people Uttaranchal (Uttarakhand) was formed in 2000. To the dismay of the artists and the people, the successive governments in Deharadun have shown scant regard for the cultural development of the newly formed state. However, Young Uttarakhand based in Delhi is doing yeoman service to encourage films produced in the state by producers on a shoestring budget by conferring awards to films in Garhwali and Kumaoni.
Watching this year’s award function held at Siri Fort auditorium in New Delhi recently, one is thrilled to see the tremendous response and excitement of the audience curious to know the names of the awardees. Over the years, the Young Uttarakhand Cine Awards have become an instrument to explore market for these video films. This is a big step in the absence of state patronage.
Directed by Mahesh Prakash, “Geet” was adjudged the best film and its lead actress Aneeta Rawat receiving the best actress award. Rajesh Malgudi was given the best villain award and the best comic actor award went to Rajesh Naugai. “Geet” celebrates the victory of true love over formidable obstacles in the path of lovers. It also focuses on the lack of opportunity in the hills for the talented young people who are forced to migrate to metropolis.
In the hostile and competitive world of big cities, the talented hill youth are able to make a mark by sheer hard work and commitment to their art. The camera captures some of the captivating scenes of grandeur of the nature. The film merely projects surface realism and its resolution of the conflict is simplistic and naïve.
Directed jointly by Rajendra Negi and Jagdish Tiwari, film “Dastoor” has won several awards like best direction, best script (Manoj Sharma), best actor (Anil Ghildiyal) and the best supporting actress (Devaki Sharma). Though the narrative does not follow logic in the development of the plot in several places and dramatically tense situations tend to be contrived, the film points to the vital social and economic issues prevailing in the hills that force the young educated hill youth to migrate to the plains in search of livelihood. The protagonist (Anil Ghildiyal) is an idealistic young man whose wife (Devki Sharma) dies in most tragic circumstances. Once he finds a male infant abandoned on a field, he adopts the child and looks after him like his own son. He grows up, gets college education. Torn between his love and his duty towards his father, he finally decides to follow what his father wants him to do-to dedicated himself to became a teacher in a small and remote school with no future prospect for career advance.
The strength of the film lies in its realistic depiction of the life of hill men and women who make both ends meet by farming in small fields on the hill slope. Here we witness several poignant scenes between lovers. Anil Ghildiyal in the lead role imparts sensitive touch to his portrayal of an idealistic man committed to spread education in the rural hilly areas, inspiring his son to continue the mission with passionate zeal.
“Karmon Ka Fal”, which is directed by Ravi Mangai, seeks to depict the changing social scenario in the hills. The simple people once known for their hard work, honesty and fear of god are under threat from lumpen elements addicted to booze. The villain is the son of a contractor who follows the moral values of the past. His Munshi indulges in corrupt practices and does everything to encourage contractor’s son to lead an anti-social life. In contrast, we meet older people like a retired subedar and a woman who try to protect ethical values essential to bring about harmony and cooperation among people. The older woman is determined to provide her daughter higher education. Ram Ratan Kala as Subedar, the conscience-keeper of the village community, gives an impressive performance that got him the best actor in supporting role.
Written and directed by Susheela Rawat, “Jahnvi” attempts to depict the miserable life of people who survived the devastating floods and landslides in 2013 losing their land and their near and dear ones. Susheela is a veteran actress of the Garhwali stage in the Capital. Last year her film “Dwi Din” won several YUCA. But this year her film “Jahnvi” could not get a single award. The protagonists are a boy and girl who are left alone by natural devastation. There is an aged woman who roams around in a mentally deranged condition. The theme has great relevance but its cinematic treatment is shallow. These lost souls have nowhere to go but trying to rebuild their life afresh.
The Young Uttarakhand Cine Award event is significant for compatriots of Uttarakhand based in Delhi but the way the comperes projected the event was frivolous. The approach should have been serious, critical and lively to reflect the life-affirming cultural ethos of the hills.
Watching over the years video films from Uttarakhand one gets the impression that most of them are poor imitation of commercial froth of Bollywood. If these films want to be relevant they should mirror fast changing socio-economic life of the hill people and the corrupt influence of the local mafia. In recent years the menace of monkeys, baboons and wild pigs has forced hill farmers to leave their lands uncultivated and many rare folk forms are on the verge of extinction. The filmmakers should depict these vital issues in cinematic language.
