Assamese films in 70th National Film Awards
Assamese cinema shines at the 70th National Film Awards with films like “Emuthi Puthi” and “Xunyota” receiving top honours. Director Kulanandini Mahanta, IPS officer Partha Sarathi Mahanta, and more celebrate significant wins. Discover Assam’s remarkable achievements in Indian cinema at the prestigious ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhawan.
Guwahati, Oct 9: In what can only be described as a red-letter day for Assam, the 70th National Film Awards turned into a celebration of the state’s blossoming film industry. The prestigious ceremony, held at the grand Rashtrapati Bhawan, saw the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, bestow not one, but four accolades upon Assamese filmmakers. And if that wasn’t enough to have the whole state buzzing like a beehive in spring, the achievements were nothing short of a feather in the cap for each honouree.
The pièce de résistance, if you will, was director Kulanandini Mahanta’s “Emuthi Puthi”, which snagged the coveted Rajat Kamal for Best Feature Film in Assamese. It’s safe to say Mahanta is now the toast of the town, marking a watershed moment for her directorial career and for Assamese cinema. One can imagine the tea shops of Guwahati chock-a-block with talk of this remarkable milestone, everyone brimming with pride.
And that’s just the half of it! Nabapan Deka’s “Xunyota” also did Assam proud by clinching the title of Best Short Film. A short film it may be, but the impact was anything but small – as big as the Brahmaputra on a monsoon evening, I’d say. The film’s artistic merit certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed, leaving the audience waxing lyrical over Deka’s craft.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bobby Sarma Baruah’s “Sikaisal” nabbed the prize for Best Feature Film in the Tiwa language, making sure that Assamese cinema’s foray into regional languages was duly recognised. A standing ovation seems in order for her and the entire team who’ve put Tiwa culture in the national limelight.
Not to be outdone, IPS officer Partha Sarathi Mahanta made a significant splash with his non-feature film “Hargila – The Greater Adjutant Stork”, earning himself a Special Mention Award. One might think police work and filmmaking are worlds apart, but Mahanta seems to have nailed both. Upon receiving the award, he dedicated it to the Hargila Army, led by the indomitable Purnima Devi Barman, whose efforts in conserving the stork have been nothing short of heroic. If saving an endangered bird doesn’t deserve a tip of the hat, I don’t know what does! As Mahanta put it, it’s the women of the Dadara Pasaria area under Barman’s leadership who’ve turned this stork-saving mission into one of the world’s most celebrated conservation efforts. All we can say is, hats off, ladies!
If you think the celebrations stopped there, think again! Another special mention was awarded to Aimee Baruah’s film “Birubala—Witch to Padma Shri”, a documentary as powerful as it is poignant. The film highlights the life and struggles of Birubala Rabha, a crusader against the archaic and brutal practice of witch-hunting in Assam. Her journey from being accused as a witch to being bestowed the Padma Shri in 2021 is enough to bring a tear to the eye and a cheer to the heart.
All in all, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting certainly outdid itself with these National Awards, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the finest contributions to Indian cinema from 2022. And as for Assam – well, it’s safe to say the film industry there has done itself proud, and no doubt there’ll be plenty more trophies to come. After all, it’s not every day you see a state pump out such an impressive roster of talent.
So, whether you’re sipping a cuppa in a cosy café or braving the hustle and bustle of the Guwahati streets, there’s no denying that this is a moment of sheer triumph for Assamese cinema. Here’s to more reels, more Rajat Kamals, and, of course, more stories worth celebrating!
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