Several cultural organizations in Dhaka commemorated the birth centenary of filmmaker, scriptwriter, and actor Ritwik Kumar Ghatak by holding various programs at different locations on Tuesday.
Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies, Bangladesh Short Film Forum, Bangladesh Udichi Shilpighosthi, Dhaka University Film Society, Alliance Française de Dhaka, and various other organizations actively celebrated the works of Ritwik Ghatak.
Bangla Academy hosted a seminar titled ‘Ritwik Ghatak’s Film Titas Ekti Nadir Naam, 1973, Malo Jiban-Bastabatar Mahakabbik Nirman’ in its Poet Shamsur Rahman Seminar Room where the keynote paper was presented by Professor Fahmida Akhter, chairman of the Drama and Dramatics department at Jahangirnagar University.
Fahmida Akhter stated that Ritwik utilized the techniques and experimental approaches of Bengali art traditions as a method for silver screen storytelling.
The event, chaired by Bangla Academy director general Mohammad Azam, featured speeches from film producer Habibur Rahman Khan and Zakir Hossain Raju, a Professor in the media and communication department at Independent University Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and Bangladesh Short Film Forum jointly held a discussion and film screening event at the National Art Gallery of BSA.
Professor Anu Muhammad, attending the event as chief guest, stated that the screening of Ritwik movies is important due to their thematic relevance and artistic excellence.
Filmmaker Akram Khan stated at the event that a re-examination of Ritwik’s works is necessary because his cinematic imagery effectively communicates a significant philosophical perspective on filmmaking.
Bangladesh Federation of Film Societies and Bangladesh Short Film Forum President,
Zahirul Islam Kochi stated that Ritwik’s films were epic in style and announced that their organizations will conduct workshops to study the works of this anti-establishment icon.
The BSA director general Poet Rezauddin Ahmed Stalin inaugurated the event while BSA training department director filmmaker Shaheen Dil-Riaz was present as special guest.
Ritwik’s renowned film ‘Titas Ekti Nadir Naam’ was screened following the discussion.
Born on November 4, 1925, following the partition of India, Ritwik Ghatak and his family moved to Kolkata. In 1951, he joined the Indian People’s Theatre Association. Next year, he made the film ‘Nagarik’. His film, Titas Ekti Nadir Naam, topped the list of best 10 films rated by the British Film Institute.
The filmmaker passed away in Kolkata on February 6, 1976.
