The theme pavilion at 20th New Delhi World Book Fair which is celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema and is displaying select books on Cinema is drawing a large number of book lovers and cine buffs. One of the most interesting features of the pavilion is the display of the Arriflex (Model -2 C), 35mm camera which was used by eminent directors like Shri Tapan Sinha, Shri Satyajit Ray, Shri Ritwick Ghatak and Mrinal Sen et el to give an impression about the process of filmmaking in the bygone era.
Apart from book-related activities, exceptional movies based on literary works of great Indian authors like Shri Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay,Shri Bimal Mitra, Shri Mirza Hadi Ruswa, Shri Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, and Shri R.K. Narayan among others are being screened everyday at the pavilion at 5.30 pm.
Eminent theatre and film personality, Ms Sushma Seth who has worked in famous television serial Hum Log and several films like Kalyug, Silsila, Prem Rog, 1942: A Love Story, and Kal Ho Na Ho read out passages from her book titled Stageplay: The Journey of an Actor. During the session, she shared her experience as a theatre and film actor and interacted with people. She said that her thirty years in cinema had been wonderful. She said that acting helps one to improve speech and communication skills, it helps you to learn a lot more about life, people and relationships.
According to Mr.Rajat Chandra-Asst. General Manager-Macmillan Publishers India Ltd. this World Book Fair is really a successful event because the large amount book lovers are visiting their pavilion.
A panel discussion titled Blurred Images: Representation of the Marginalized in Contemporary Indian Cinema and Literature was also organised in which Prof. Satish Kumar Verma, film critic from Punjab, Shri Mangesh Dabral, eminent poet, editor and film observer, Shri Asghar Wajahat, noted playwright and scriptwriter, Shri Asad Zaidi, acknowledged poet, critic and publisher and Shri S Anand, editor and founder of Navayana participated. The panelists discussed in length about the politics of representation in mainstream media, arts, literature and cinema in the post-colonial India.
Shri Javed Akhtar, renowned lyricist released a book titled The Company Red, authored by Shri Shantanu Dhar at the theme pavilion. Shri Satish Kaushik, famous actor & director and Ms Dipa Chaudhary was also present on the occasion. Under the section Literature that Walks, Talks and Sings, the popular black & white movie of 60’s in Hindi titled Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam, directed by Shri Abrar Alvi and produced by Shri Guru Dutt was screen played. The movie is based on a Bengali novel of the same name by Shri bimal Mitra, and takes a look into the tragic fall of the havelidom and feudalism in Bengal during the British Raj.
The cultural programmes being organized at Lal Chowk are enthralling the visitors at the fair. The evening was dedicated to the traditional folk-dances like Raie Dance, Badhai Dance and Lathi Dance and Pandwani folk singing of Madhya Pradesh. Many new features have been added by NBT like selling souvenirs with book related slogan like tea cups, t-shirts, fridge magnates at its counters at Hall No. 1, 7 & 14. These souvenirs are major hit among the visitors.
Mr. Anil Khanna-Assistant Director-National Book Trust, India, informed Dwarka Parichay that the fair started on 25th Feb., and remain open up to 4th March,2012. The people can visit the fair between 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Photo by Joginder Dogra
