New Delhi: The Siri Fort Auditorium here was fully packed for the Odia Cinefest 2024 as four critically acclaimed movies were screened last weekend.
Organised by the Delhi-based Institute for Promotion and Research on Odisha’s Cultural Heritage (IPROCH), the Odia film festival featured two National award-winning movies ‘Matira Manisha’ and ‘Adim Vichar’, besides two recent successful movies ‘Daman’ and ‘My Sweet Housewife’.
‘Matira Minisha’, directed by Mrinal Sen assumed significance on the acclaimed filmmaker’s centenary birth anniversary. ‘Adim Vichar’, directed by Sabyasachi Mohapatra, is a compelling narration of ancient justice system among Odisha’s Kondh tribe.
‘Daman’ highlighted the heroic effort of a young doctor who fights the menace of malaria in Malkangiri district, while ‘My Sweet Housewife’ is a subtle story of issues between a middle-class Odia couple that creates confusion in their otherwise harmonious relationship.
Eminent Odissi danseuse Guru Sharon Lowen was an esteemed guest at the festival’s opening on January 13, while former Chief Justice of India Deepak Mishra and Director of National School of Drama Chittaranjan Tripathy graced the closing ceremony.
Among a galaxy of artistes from film, television, theatre and art who attended the festival were veteran director Sabyasachi Mohapatra, internationally-acclaimed filmmaker, producer Jitendra Mishra, film critic Surya Deo, actor Pritiraj Satapathy, actress Naina Dash, eminent sculptor Jagannath Panda.
Biswajit Mohapatra’s flute recital of popular old Odia tunes during break between films enthralled the audience.
Every film was preceded by a panel discussion with the producer, director and actors of the movie, and moderated by Charudutta Panigrahi.
IPROCH announced a short film contest, to be evaluated by an eminent jury, and offering attractive prizes.
This was the second Odia film festival organised by IPROCH in Delhi, the previous one being in 2011 to mark 75 years of Odia films.
IPROCH president Satyagopal Rajguru and secretary Biswajit Das said that the institute is consciously making an effort to highlight the soft power of Odisha in its rich arts, culture, music, heritage, films and theatre in the national capital and promoting it worldwide.
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