Mention the name Utpal Datta and we think of an accomplished filmmaker, author and film critic. Based in Guwahati, he is known for his plays, books, and radio shows. Datta has also made short films, a recent one being Through Trust and Fear , a 20-minute film on the philosophy of life of Nirupama Bargohain, an Assamese writer. Earlier his films By Lane 2 and Borgeet have been appreciated widely. Here are excerpts from an interview:
On making By Lane 2 in memory of late Pabitra Kumar Deka.
I was playing with two ideas – one being a film about the evening time of the day, Raga Bhimpalashi , and the other on Pabitra Kumar Deka. I forayed into cultural journalism and photography under his guidance, for the monthly Roopkar magazine that he edited. He was a proficient political commentator, cultural activist, creative writer, translator and journalist. After his untimely demise, a publication group invited me to edit his complete works, and while going through his writing I decided to make the film. It was selected for Indian Panorama and for several International Film Festivals. I got really good feedback from the critics at IFFI as well. The Hindu published an article on my film. A 10-minute film from remote Assam had found a place in The Hindu – it was unbelievable.
Any special memories?
I was a close associate of late Pabitra Kumar Deka for more than 14 years, and my memory space is loaded with the fond moments I spent with him. We watched and discussed films together. But one very special moment would be when I met him for the first time. I was a college student then, trying to find a little space in Roopkar to get my cultural writing published. He treated me like his brother right since those days, and he remained the same till his last breath.
The philosophy of Nirupama Bargohain and Borgeet ….
“Through Trust and Fear”’ is all about Assamese author Nirupama Bargohain's philosophy of life. She has been my favourite author since teenage. Soft yet strong in her writing, she has never held back in criticizing social injustices; she has been vocal against the All Assam Students Union (AASU) and also United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA). She’s also sensitive to fine arts, drawings and music. Despite having no permanent job throughout her life, she’s highly educated. All these contrasts were enablers for me to produce a long audio documentary for All India Radio (AIR). While I was working on the script, Mihir Goswami, a childhood friend came forward to produce the film.
“Borgeet – Eti Dhrupadi Ratna” was my dream project. “'Borgeet” is a special genre of devotional music from Assam, a part of the Sattriya tradition, which to some extent is similar to Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. My idea was to make an introductory film on Borgeet for non-Assamese audiences.
On his love for films and upcoming projects.
I love all types of films and not just that – their stills published in newspaper-film magazines, promotional songs, news, interviews, trailers (although I miss theatrical trailers of the 70s and 80s), promotional TV shows, film hoardings, and screenings in housefull theatres! I cannot feel a film without these organic parts. That’s how we grew up. If the poster of a film does not attract me, I’ll never go to watch it. Some films still haunt me – that’s the reward.
I have started a film on the LGBT issue. It’s tough work to convince concerned persons to speak in front of camera. I was recently offered a promotional film based on an eye hospital dedicated to poor in rural sectors. This will be challenging work. I am also working on a book based on films, an anthology of my selected works.
A message for film journalism students.
A film is a combination of all arts – literature (short stories, novels, poetry, drama), stage drama, dance, painting, music and so on. A student of film journalism should have some understanding of all arts to appreciate a film. Besides that, they must have an understanding of life, because art is a reflection of our lives – this is what I truly believe.
