 "Kumar Shahani: The filmmaker who defined parallel cinema")
Kumar Shahani, who was one of the most prominent figures in the world of Indian parallel and arthouse cinema, was a brilliant yet austere filmmaker known for his cerebral cinematic
style. With films such as Maya Darpan and Tarang, he steered the parallel cinema movement to its zenith in the 1970s and 80s.
A protégé of maverick Bengali filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak.
Shahani also worked with the legendary French filmmaker Robert Bresson, honing a complex narrative style that brought him many accolades in a feted career of more than six decades.
Early Life and education
Born on December 7, 1940 in Larkana, Sindh, in undivided India. After partition, Shahani’s family moved to Mumbai.
Studied Political Science and History at the University of Bombay
Pursued screenplay writing and Advanced Direction at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTI), under the mentorship of Ritwik Ghatak.
Shahani, along with Mani Kaul, became the most prominent followers of Ghatak, incorporating Ghatah’s influences into their own films while also analysing and reshaping Ghatak’s artistic style for the benefit of future filmmakers
Awards and Achievements
Received a French Government Scholarship to pursue advanced studies in France, where he attended the Institutdes hautes études cinématographiques (IDHEC) and assisted Robert Bresson on the film Une Femme Douce.
Held a Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1972-76) tor study the epic tradition of the Mahabharata, Buddhist iconography. Indian classical music and the Bhakti movement.
Career
Maya Darpan (1972)
Shahani completed his debut feature in 1972, based on a story by Nirmal Verma. The film was shot by iconic cinematographer KK Mahajan. Set against the backdrop of post- independence India, the film delves into the lingering conflicts between the elite and the working class, portrayed through the journey of a young woman. The film, acclaimed for its bold artistic approach and vibrant colour palette, delves into the transformation from a cycle of oppression and exploitation to a realm of liberation, manifested through a cinematic language characterised by the repetition of scenes, compositions, actions, and dialogues
MAYA DARPAN
Winner, Filmfare Award - Best Film (Critics) National Film Award for Best Feature Film in
Hindi.
Tarang (1984)- National Film Award- Special Jury Award (Certificate)
For 12 years, Shahani faced challenges in securing funding for his next feature. The film delves further into Shahani’s exploration of the corruptive nature of wealth and the clash between a capitalist economic system and the labouring class. Amol Palekar takes on the role of an ethically questionable businessman caught in a romantic entanglement with the wife of a trade union leader, portrayed by Smita Patil. Shahani mentioned having consciously trying to avoid ‘repeating’ or ‘imitating’ one of his favourite films - Sergei Eisenstein’s Battleship Potemkin.
Khayal Gatha (1989)
Winner Filmfare Award Best Film (Critics)
Winner FIPRESCI Prize - Rotterdam International Film Festival
The film, presented in an abstract format, explores the history of the Khayal genre of Indian classical singing and its connection to Indian classical dance. It marked the acting debut of Rajat Kapoor and also featured Mita Vashisht.
Kasba (1990)- Winner Filmfare Award - Best Film (Critics)
Shahani’s fourth film incorporates breathtaking visuals reminiscent of the Kangra painting style and relocates Anton Chekov’s novella In the Gully to Himachal Pradesh. Kasba, like Maya Darpan, is shot by KK Mahajan, and is celebrated for its vivid colour scheme. Featuring performances by Manohar Singh. Mita Vashisht, Raghubir Yadav. and Shatrughan Sinha, the movie examines relationships characterised by their transactional essence
Char Adhyay (1997)
Inspired by Rabindranath Tagore’s novel, the film examines the intellectual and political energies that animated Bengal in the 1930s and 1940s. Set in the late Bengali Renaissance, it deals with the impact of political issues on the personal lives of a group of young intellectuals and revolutionaries involved with the independence movement. It questions blind nationalism and adherence to a leader and delves into the ugly face of idealism.
Short Films And Documentaries
Shahani helmed multiple short films and documentaries, among them Bhavantarana (1991), which delves into Odissi dance by focusing on Kelucharan Mohapatra, and The Bamboo Flute (2000), examining the importance of this musical instrument in Indian heritage. Bhavantarana won the National Film Award for Best Biographical Film in 1991.
Legacy
Considered a pioneer of parallel cinema in India
Known for his avant-garde style and poetic storytelling Considered Roberto Rossellini and
Robert Bresson as major influences on his work
Influenced by Indian classical music, literature. and art forms
Renowned for his long takes and intricate visual compositions
His films often explore philosophical and social themes deeply
Unfilmed screenplays include an adaptation of Anna Karenina and a biopic on Amrita Sher-Gil, and The Cotton Project, meant to examine the material nature of cotton as well as its cultural value
Awards
National Award (1972, 1984, 1991)
Filmfare Critics Awards - Best Film
(1972, 1990, 1991)
The International Film Festival of Rotterdam - FIPRESCI Award (1990)
Prince Claus Award (1998)
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