A Potpourri of Vestiges Review
Mrinal Sen, during
the course of his illustrious filmmaking career, has been one of the greatest
ambassadors of Indian cinema on the global stage. Along with Satyajit Ray and
Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen pioneered the parallel cinema movement in
India, as a counterpoint to the mainstream fare of Hindi cinema. Sen's
cinema is primarily known for its artistic depiction of social reality.
Without doubt,
Mrinal Sen is the greatest filmmaker alive. He also features amongst the
foremost luminary figures of our country. Sen is one of the very few
filmmakers to have won an award or recognition at all the major cinematic
forums. In addition to a barrage of National Awards, Mrinal Sen's immensely
thought-provoking films have been recognized at Cannes Film Festival
(Jury Prize for Kharij, 1983), Berlin International Film Festival (Grand
Jury Prize for Akaler Sandhane, 1981), Venice Film Festival (Honourable Mention
for Ek Din Achanak, 1989), Montreal World Film Festival (Special Prize of
the Jury for Khandhar, 1984), Moscow International Film Festival (Silver
Prize for Chorus, 1975), Cairo International Film Festival (Silver Pyramid
for Best Director for Aamaar Bhuvan, 2002), Chicago International Film
Festival (Gold Hugo for Khandhar, 1984), etc.
In 1981, the
Government of India awarded him with the Padma Bhushan. In 1985, President
Francois Mitterrand, the President of France awarded him the Commandeur de
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres the highest civilian honour conferred by that
country. In 2005, he was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In
2000, President Vladimir Putin of the Russian federation honoured him with the
Order of Friendship.
Regarded by many as
Sen’s greatest film, Bhuvan Shome's sardonic humour and its
realistic depiction of rural India made it a landmark of Indian
cinema. In his Calcutta trilogy, Sen explored the civil unrest in contemporary
Calcutta through stylistic experiments and fragmented narratives. Sen examined
middle-class morality in his films Ek Din Pratidin and Kharij.
A recipient of
countless national and international film awards, Sen was instrumental in
drawing youth to theatre as a member of the Indian People's Theatre
Association. Unlike his contemporaries, Sen succeeded in breaking the language
barrier by making films in languages other than Bangla. Some of his prominent
films are in Oriya and Telugu, as well as in Hindi. Sen is regarded
as the pioneer of political cinema in India. Before Sen, filmmakers usually
stayed away from politics, thinking it to be a taboo subject. But Sen never
eschewed from depicting the unrest, angst and deprivation of the Indian
society. And perhaps that's what inspired his successors to make films heavily
laced with socio-political commentary.
Today, at the age of 93, Mrinal Sen continues to be a great source of inspiration for the students of cinema. He is not only idolized by filmmakers but artists from different disciplines. Sen's formidable body of work today stands tall amongst the greatest oeuvres in world cinema. Mrinal Sen is a living legend and a modern master of cinema. Recipient of civilian honors like Commandeur de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (conferred by the French President) and Order of Friendship (awarded by the Russian president), Mrinal Sen is highly deserving of India's highest civilian honor and it is high time he is conferred the Bharat Ratna.
Today, at the age of 93, Mrinal Sen continues to be a great source of inspiration for the students of cinema. He is not only idolized by filmmakers but artists from different disciplines. Sen's formidable body of work today stands tall amongst the greatest oeuvres in world cinema. Mrinal Sen is a living legend and a modern master of cinema. Recipient of civilian honors like Commandeur de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (conferred by the French President) and Order of Friendship (awarded by the Russian president), Mrinal Sen is highly deserving of India's highest civilian honor and it is high time he is conferred the Bharat Ratna.
Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen is highly deserving of
India's highest civilian honor and it is high time he is conferred the Bharat
Ratna. Please support my petition filed at change.org with your valuable vote by visiting the following link:
We encourage you to share your views/comments in the box below. As always your feedback is highly appreciated!
People who liked this also liked...
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for sharing for valuable opinion. We would be delighted to have you back.