* FILM ART AND ARTISTRY - INDIAN WOMEN DIRECTORS
The notable contemporary
Indian female film makers have made outstanding contributions in World Cinema,
a distinct categorization may be constructed about their independent and
scholarly minds as they personify diverse concepts and wisdom convincingly, their
keen observances moulded and excellently illustrated, they continue to vitalize
and enrich the immensity of Indian Cinema Internationally. The artistic passion
of famous women directors with power of logical observation, cemented with
profound visualization and intellectual alertness, deepens the enormity of
fictional genre, they have enormous success in arousing public enthusiasm with
their varied narratives.
Aparna Sen, a leading
actress and a renowned multifaceted film maker initiated a powerful medium of
modernism and feminism, portrayed compassionate, typical ordinary humans,
broadened the merits of courageous women and their societal encumbrances of existence
in present era, she alluded the subject of unrepentant women in her
filmography. Predominantly, she exposed the patriarchal
society deeply rooted in Bengal through the ages, however also relatable
to broader Indian way of life.
In woman-oriented
roles, Jennifer Kendell, Rakhee Gulzar, Raima Sen, Mousami Chatterjee, Shabana
Azmi, Konkona Sen, Rituparna Sengupta and many other with amazing performances,
portrayed unique perspective of modern woman’s ongoing struggles, intwined in
prevalent social structures.
In her cinematic journey of over 50 years
Aparna has been associated with legends like Satya Jit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Ivory Merchant,
she has earned BFJA awards, Golden Maile, Net Pac and innumerable National and
International awards/ distinctions, and has been appreciated and honored profusely.
Aparna Sen’s remarkable
masterwork stimulates and inspires women to play a significant role in societal
expectations, she evokes meaningful credibility and provides substantial evaluation
of her characters in modern times.
Mira Nair, a
visionary and a famed Indian American director, prominently known for factual documentaries
and movies for International audience, manifests events, particularly specifies
the common problems among families and their constant efforts to overcome the
obstacles and complications in life’s passage, their economic condition, willpower and strength of character and social
purposefulness in culture, defining societal practices associated with progressive
socialism in prevalent times.
In 1979, Mira produced her first documentary, Jama Masjid Street Journal, depicted Delhi’s Grand Mosque and the daily life rituals and practices of traditional customs in this centre of complexity. Mira Nair ‘s TV films and documentaries such as Far from India, India Cabaret, Hysterical Blindness portray the facility of a customary and current pattern of thoughts and behaviour, the frequent exploitation of women strippers in a popular city, affirmed the constant persistence for balanced approach, required by changing social forces within suppressive societies.
Mira Nair’s intellectual
perception reflects in her movies Mississippi Masala, Kama Sutra-a tale of love,
The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding, Salaam Bombay etc, expresses nuances and
peculiarities in cosmopolitan culture. Mira relates extremely difficult cultural
challenges confronting Indian Immigrants, spirited love affair between
contrasting backgrounds, their articulation and interaction, livelihood and
safeguards, cultural identity and implications for inheritance rights and
family. She highlights the connection between old and new cultural traditions
and defines realistically the dominant influential factors which induce the changes
in observation, with heart-rending reality of slum life, Mira Nair creates a
moving human saga.
Mira always brings out
the best performances from well-known actors Irfan Khan, Lillete Dubey,
Vasundhara Das, Vijay Raaz, Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Shefali Shah, Tabu,
Kate Hudson and lots of other performers. She won various National and International
accolades, numerous nominations, Awards and Medals for best Documentaries and
Movies, Audience Award, Jury Prize for most popular film, New Generation Award,
Golden Osella. Critics Special Award, Golden Lion, Academy, BAFTA, Golden Globe,
Gotham Award and received a multitude of rewards and honours.
Suitably, her movies have significant educational and literary value, actively succeed to engage audiences with other World cultures. Mira Nair thoughtfully underlines a definite statement in her films, compassionately elaborates and explores the affinity of inner desires, and distinguishes comprehensively the understanding of human nature.
Kalpana Lajmi, a
critically acclaimed director, widely recognized as the inspiration behind
women oriented parallel cinema, focused on different ideologies and insights toward
larger female issues and crises with candour and realism. Her career started
with circumstantial documentaries, D.G.
Movie Pioneer, A work Study in Tea Plucking and Along the Brahmaputra followed
by TV series Lohit Kinare.
She placed strong emphasis on the importance of female sexuality and women’s empowerment, fortified the importance of women’s participation for achieving emotional security and raising life determining decisions through difficult and hazardous experiences in society.
Her movies Ek Pal,
Rudali, Darmiyaan, Daman and Chingaari, explore the impulses and desires of a
woman, misfortunes and hardships of a widow, the predicament of women across
the country or a reflection on the practices in the feudal and casteist society around the Indian
countryside or inequality and the third gender
discrimination, adultery or about a victim of domestic violence subjected to
mental and physical torture by alcoholic husband, exploitation by powerful and manipulative
priests in a primordial village or mother saved by son from self-destruction as
she defines fortitude amidst grief and misery thrust upon women tormented by
tragic and outrageous actions of unscrupulous characters.
Shabana Azmi, Dimple
Kapadia, Raveena Tandon, Kirron Kher, Tabu along with others, have displayed
their versatility in significant roles sculpted by Kalpana, her poignant tales shrouded in haunted traditions
and terrifying real-life events, accentuate heavy and unfortunate challenges
for women. Kalpana Lajmi stresses that women have right to fight against
injustices and are as important as their male counterparts and should be
treated equally.
Being a feminist,
Kalpana Lajmi understood the grim occurrence of human fallibility, asserts that
women are the prime initiators, with their influence, power, and decision, they
easily support and motivate society to embrace new social consciousness.
Gurinder Chadha is a
British film director of Indian origin, Internationally known for critically
and commercially successful movies with comedic flair, predominantly her thematic
portrayals explore the sensitivity of the Indian women in adjusting to the
western culture yet adhering to the Asian values, their initiative to challenge
the dogmas of family traditions, the existing social situations and especially the
young Indian British women’s defiance to the patriarchal traditions, social
criteria and intense interest to adapt and be a undistinguishable part of the
modern English society.
Gurinder directed award winning documentaries notably ‘I am British but…’, for British Film Institute, BBC, and Channel 4, has contributed to the progression of culture with movies and TV series, Rich Deceiver, Desi Rascals and Indian historical series Beecham House. Her first feature film Nice Arrangement, followed by family-oriented movies, It’s a Wonderful Life, What’s Cooking, Bhaji On the Beach, Bend It Like Beckham, Bride and Prejudice, Viceroy’s house and few more have appealed to all ages, universally.
Gurinder Chadha gives
relevance to contemporary social issues, psychological and community based barriers
which are usually encountered by immigrants trapped between Indian and Western
world, the anti-immigrant rhetoric and sentiments, Indian British family‘s identity
issues, struggles and prejudice against racism, sexuality and domination of white
supremacy, the older Indian woman’s judgemental observation about the modern outlook and deeds
of young adults. Domestic physical and verbal violence by abusive husband and
his family or the survival of young Asian in a foreign land, discovering family
roots, and boundless dreams of prosperous life, the pregnancy and shocking reaction,
the ability to cope and reconcile or the ambitions of an Indian British woman
to defy and play professional soccer or father and son’s troubled bond,
eventual compromise, are some of Gurinder Chadha’s presentations.
The fundamental human beliefs and values critical to apprehend intricacies in relationships and other social mores, essential for a fine human and citizen, Gurinder imbibes the same in her characters with casual ease. Kiera Knightly, Parminder Nagra, Anupam Kher, Huma Qureshi, Aishwarya Rai and lot more actors have given amazing performance in her prolific direction.
Gurinder Chadha’s
works were recognized and received top International awards and nominations, Alexander
Korda Award, BAFTA, Special Jury Award, Audience Award, ESPY Award, Glamour
Award, Best Nordic Children’s film, Evening Standard British Award, Guild Film Award,
Truly Moving Pic Award, London’s Critics Circle Film Awards, ALFS Award Prix U,
Paul Mazursky Award, Silver Raven, Gold Hugo, Golden Hitchcock and innumerable
felicitations.
Gurinder Chadha,
through her cinematic journey has analyzed and sought truth in the social,
cultural and political matrix of the society around her, without evoking any judgemental
viewpoint.
Sai Paranjpye, an acclaimed director, powerfully articulated the actions of Indian middle class in 80’s, she has written and directed commendable stories, comedies ,dramas and Marathi plays, TV serials, documentaries and movies for children, significantly reasoned to include all the pertinent details in daily life conditions, educating audience with her films, invoked sense of self-contentment with realization to live in amity. She asserts the goodness in humanity as a vital quality, which can easily subjugate the obstacles and destabilize the perturbed uncertainties and guides us to live together in a free society.
Sai Paranjpye connects intimately with the audience and touches all aspects of life , produced a parody about man women relationship, illicit affairs, subsistence life in chawls, life about singing sisters, a heart-warming story about visually impaired and a sighted teacher and their complicated relationship, their reconciliation with lingering love or internal migrant workers crises in metropolitan cities in India or a sweet tale of love between young anthropologist and a forest officer in the backdrop of a tribal milieu or the need to safeguard environment and how men are driven into felling of tress, the revolt by rebellious women or fresh stories of close college mates, impressing and pursuing girls and their naughty tricks with hilarious moments, finding joys in simple things, borrowing milk, the persistent common toilet and water problems, instead of focusing over the tough severe realities of life, her message to appreciate the everyday tasks and be contented. In a compassionate move, a man secret love for his pregnant neighbour and his acceptance, based on Indian legendary myth ‘Hare and Tortoise’, Sai reasons it’s worth the wait for better outcome, with deeper sensitivity, contends and divulges the beauty in simplicity.
Shabana Azmi, Farooq Shaikh, Om Puri, Deepti Naval have given award winning performances in Chashme Buddoor, Katha, Saaz, Sparsh, Disha. Having won many National Film, Filmfare and social awards, Sai Paranjpye’s creative vision constitutes alternate doctrine to create a new kind of theatrical consistency.
Farah Khan, a quick-witted
personality, successful commercial director, producer, famous choreographer and
TV reality show presenter and anchor, started as a choreographer and went on to
direct multi starrer blockbusters, the typical Bollywood Masala movies with great
panache.
In the cinematic canvas of Farah Khan, attractive girls and handsome heroes celebrate the power of beauty and fashion, enamoured with their glitzy personas, bold capers and amorous adventures. Farah, an entertainment industry director, brings out the glossy sharpness, keenness, dramatic storylines, the theme revolves around characters with the super elements of romance, action and drama, she magnificently transformed Deepika to ‘dream girl Hema’, and brought forth the aura of glamourous Zeenat to Sushmita’s beauty and vivacity.
Her movies in magnificent
urban settings, the flavours of mass entertainment amplified with exceptional
quality in Main Hoon Na, Om Shanti Om, Happy New Year etc., the films are
fluent and bring melodramatic sentiments, emotions, humour, sweet encounters, romance,
thrills, action and message of regional peace or reincarnation, supernatural events,
dreams of film stardom or the grand robbery thriller plot, typical twists and
turns reminiscent of 70’s and 80’s multi-starrers. Farah’s light-hearted films,
made for Indian mass entertainment, dazzle the society’s biggest obsession,
with the feeling of emotional well-being, optimism and humour as treatment for
their daily stress and struggle.
The lead roles
played by popular actors Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone, Shahrukh Khan, Amrita
Arora are engaging. Farah has won nominations, awards and rewards for choreography
and direction, nominated as best choreographer in Vanity Fair, National Award for
best choreography, Guild Award, Filmfare Award, Zee Cine Award, IIFA Award, Faten
Hamama Excellence Award, Stardust Award, and several others.
Farah Khan has a terrific sense of humour and liveliness, makes her popular in various entertainment platforms. Her energetic and cheerful disposition, relaxed and confident approach is lit with vibrant colours in her directorial presentations, offering perfect merriment and contentment to masses.
Deepa Mehta, Tanuja
Chandra, Meghna Gulzar, Zoya Akhtar, Gauri Shinde and few more are also
re-writing the subject of social change which started in Indian film Industry
after Independence but faded in the 60’s. In recent times of global crisis, some
have taken a strong lead in scripting and directing their short stories through
different OTT’s, the most popular Ekta Kapoor, a pioneer of digital Indian entertainment,
provides alternate segments of showbiz.
Prominent women
directors share their beliefs about feminism, emerging female identity, power
and specifically perceive the essential attributes of human existence. They set
the framework for comparative study through their reasoning and realism, above
all with empathy, have given neo-cinematic portal to the art of storytelling in
the modern society.
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My articles on the related subject are as follows...
Anuradha Singh (2020). FILM ART AND ARTISTRY-INDIAN WOMEN DIRECTORS
https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2020/11/film-art-and-artistry-indian-women.html
https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2020/08/mira-nairs-suitable-tabu.html?m=1
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