After the critical acclaim and awards for his documentary "Veerangana," Guwahati-based filmmaker Kishore Kalita is making waves with his new project, "Letters From Vietnam." This travelogue through the Southeast Asian country has been officially selected for the Max Sir International Film Festival 2024 in Costa Rica.
Kalita's journey through Vietnam captured the country's stunning landscapes, historical landmarks, and vibrant culture. From the serene Halong Bay to the bustling city of Hanoi, the film showcases the diverse experiences and insights gained during his visit.
"It was a spiritually moving experience to visit and film such fascinating places in Vietnam," Kalita said. "The boat trips, local culture, and breathtaking views were unforgettable."
The documentary features iconic landmarks like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One-pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature, offering viewers a glimpse into Vietnam's rich history and traditions.
"Letters From Vietnam" is a testament to Kalita's passion for storytelling and his ability to capture the essence of a place. With its selection at international film festivals, the film is poised to reach a wider audience and showcase the beauty and diversity of Vietnam.
Assamese cinema is set to explore the enigmatic depths of storytelling with its second anthological film, ‘Kahini Nohoi’ (Not a Story), a suspenseful homage to the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. Seven years after the release of the state’s first anthology, ‘Ji Golpor Ses Nai’ (2019), this new project promises to unravel mysteries hidden in everyday life through three interconnected yet distinct narratives.
Inspired by Hitchcock’s mastery of thrill and intrigue, ‘Kahini Nohoi’ adapts celebrated literary works into cinematic tales, each helmed by a different director. The anthology format allows for diverse storytelling styles while maintaining a cohesive thematic thread—exploring the unseen...
A soulful musical evening, "Hiya Bhora Shubha Kamnare," was organized at the Sri Sri Madhabdev International Auditorium of Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra to commemorate the 72nd birth anniversary of renowned music composer and sound engineer, the late Bhupen Uzir. The event, hosted by the Bhupen Uzir Smriti Raksha Samiti in collaboration with the Assam Government’s Directorate of Cultural Affairs, brought together eminent personalities from the cultural sphere, artists, and music enthusiasts for a night of melody and remembrance.
Bhupen Uzir’s contributions to Assamese music and sound engineering remain unparalleled. His timeless creations continue to enrich the musical heritage of Assam...
Acclaimed director Neeraj Pandey’s web series ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’, presently available on OTT platforms, has faced criticism for purportedly utilising the melody of a famous Assamese song without acknowledging its original composers. The song “Moina”, presented in the fourth episode of the series, bears resemblance to “O Moina Kon Bidhatai Sajile”, a classic piece from the 1969 Assamese blockbuster movie ‘Dr. Bezbarua’, directed by Brajen Barua.
Notably, the web series does not specify if the melody was obtained with permission, raising issues about unauthorised usage. Film critic Utpal Datta has strongly condemned this work for its plagiarism, urging the creators to recognise...
The Assamese music industry welcomed a fresh romantic melody with the release of “Eti Eti Kotha”, a soulful new song launched on Friday at Auditek Studio, Guwahati. The music video was unveiled by renowned artiste Shanta Uzir, adding to the excitement surrounding the release.
The song features the mesmerizing voice of Surabhi Sonmoni Hazarika, a talented singer from Gohpur, who has also composed and tuned the track. It beautifully captures the depth of a woman’s love, expressing both the joy and sorrow that come with it.
The launch event saw the presence of eminent musician Manash Hazarika, singer Saju, musician Deep Rajbangshi, and celebrated music director Palash Surya Gogoi, all of...
Assamese music has made a mark on the global stage! The Assamese song "Roon Jhoon Jhoon" has won the Best Music Video award at the 5th International Star Film Festival, held on March 9 at Swami Vivekananda Hall in Kolkata. The festival, which celebrated the centenary of legendary music director Salil Chowdhury, featured participation from 65 countries and presented 290 awards across 47 categories.
The song, which features lyrics, melody, music arrangement, and direction by Dr. Aparna Buzarbarua, also earned her the prestigious Salil Chowdhury Award for Best Music Director. The soulful rendition by Dr. Sangita Kakati and the graceful dance performance by Meghranjani Medhi added to the...
Late Bhupen Uzir, a renowned music director, sound recordist, and guitarist, made an indelible impact on Assam’s music and film industries. He continues to inspire generations with his love of music, creativity, and commitment to developing fresh talent. Starting as a guitarist at the young age of 13, Uzir’s passion and dedication to music brought him to the recording industry, where he played guitar with several well-known musicians. He made his debut as a music director in 1982 with the Assamese feature film ‘Devi’, and during the course of his distinguished career, he directed music for over 25 films. In 1989, Bhupen Uzir founded Auditek, a cutting-edge recording studio in Guwahati,...
The second North East India Film Festival (NEIFF) 2024, organized by THOUNA, Manipur in association with Film Forum Manipur & Directorate of Information & Public Relations, Government of Manipur and sponsored by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), successfully concluded at the Library & Information Centre in Kakching with cultural performances and an award ceremony.
In addition to celebrating Manipur’s rich cultural and cinematic heritage, the festival brought together eminent academics, artistes, filmmakers and cultural icons to showcase the power of cinema as a vehicle for social change,...
The prestigious Roopkar Awards, instituted in memory of distinguished cine-journalist and litterateur Pabitra Kumar Deka, was presented to eminent writer-film critic Utpal Datta and noted actor-filmmaker Sanjiv Hazorika for the years 2023 and 2024 respectively, in a low-key function held at the premises of the Pabitra Kumar Deka Archive on January 5.
Instituted in 2011 in the memory of its founder Pabitra Kumar Deka, the awards, given away biennially, were presented by the state’s eminent fine arts artist Chandan Chutia.
“Despite being surrounded by many accomplished writers, Pabitra Kumar Deka always encouraged fresh writers like us to contribute to the ‘Roopkar’ magazine. ‘Roopkar’...
Munindra Sakia has been a well-known singer and songwriter in Assam’s music scene for over 30 years now. Assamese music aficionados will be delighted to know that Munindra Saikia’s rendition of the wonderful melody “Sewali Tumi Phulisa Saradi Raati” is now accessible to the public, and is garnering good response from music lovers. The song is penned by the late Puspa Kanta Bora, a noted Assamese tabla player and Akashvani Guwahati artiste. Munindra Saikia sings and tunes the beautiful melody, which features a soothing composition by well-known music director Abhijit Barman. Munindra Saikia’s voice gives the song a fresh vitality, as the lyrics and melody blend together flawlessly. A number...
A solemn and heartfelt memorial event was held today at Surjya Club, Chenikuthi, Guwahati, to commemorate the life and legacy of renowned filmmaker and scriptwriter Bhaskar Jyoti Das, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at the age of 51, after a courageous battle with cancer.
The event featured a special screening of his acclaimed documentary ‘An Unknown Summer’, a competition entry at the 2024 International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala. The screening was followed by emotional tributes from close friends, collaborators, and admirers who gathered to reflect on the indelible mark Das left on Assamese cinema and the broader world of storytelling.
Aparna Sarma,...
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