NFAI exhibition on cinema history generates enthusiastic response

Panaji, Nov 24 (UNI) An exhibition of film posters, which is a representation of various decades in the history of Indian cinema, is underway in Kala Academy as part of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

There are around 300 exhibits depicting the origin and development of the Indian cinema. The exhibition, which is attracting hundreds of film lovers, was inaugurated by the Directorate of Film Festivals (dff) Director and joint secretary in the ministry of Information and Broadcasting today.

Organised by the National Film Archives of India (NFAI) Pune, the exhibition is the first of its kind in India. Titled ''An Odyssey of Indian representative collections from the Archive,'' it includes posters, song booklets and other memorabilia. One can have a feel of the silent cinema by viewing some compilations of the surviving Indian silent films. Another highlight of the exhibition is a window to the precursor of cinema--the magic lantern. The Indian version of the magic lantern called 'Shambarik Kharolika' by the Patwardhan brothers is also part of the show.

In addition to some rare posters and publicity material, an original citation for 1936 film 'Sant Tukaram,' received from the Venice Festival is also on the show. Sant Tukaram was the first Indian film to get the international acclaim and was adjudged one of the best three films of that year.

The expo is finding favour with the film fraternity, including the industry, so much so that the NFAI has received requests from the Film Chambers of Commerce to shift the exhibition from Goa to Bangalore and later to Hyderabad after the IFFI gets over, the organisers said..

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