India’s foremost documentary film festival MIFF 2022 to begin on May 29 till June 4.

MIFF Campus: 102 documentary, short fiction and animation films competing for Golden Conch and Silver Conch awards

Swati Bhat

Mumbai International Film Festival 2022

The Films Division complex, which also houses the National Museum of Indian Cinema is getting ready to host the 17th Mumbai International Film Festival for Documentary, Short Fiction and Animation films.

The opening ceremony of the weeklong biennial film festival will take place at the Nehru Centre, Worli, while all the festival screenings will happen in the Films Division Complex, which has state-of-the-art auditoriums. (auditoria).

MIFF 2022 has got an overwhelming response from filmmakers across the world, receiving a whopping 808 film-entries from 30 countries. Out of these, 102 films will be screened under the Competition Category - 35 in international competition and 67 in national competition. 18 Films will be screened under ‘MIFF Prism Category’

Pic Courtesy: PIB

The Best Film of the Festival will receive the Golden Conch award, along with a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs. Other awards carry cash awards varying from five to one lakh along with Silver Conch, trophy and certificate. IDPA award carrying Rs. 1 lakh and trophy for the Best student film and Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari Award for the Best Debut Director will also be presented on the closing day.

The coveted Dr. V Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award that carries a cash award of Rs 10 lakh, trophy and a citation will be presented to a filmmaker of eminence for his/her seminal contribution to documentary films will also be presented. S Krishnaswamy, Shyam Benegal, Naresh Bedi, Vijaya Mulay are some of the prominent film makers who have been honoured with this prestigious award in the past. This award is instituted in memory of legendary filmmaker V Shantaram, who was closely associated with Films Division as Honorary Chief Producer during the 1950s.

In commemoration of Bangladesh’s 50 years of Independence the country has been chosen as the ‘Country of Focus’ this year. A special package of 11 films from Bangladesh including critically acclaimed film Hasina- A Daughter’s Tale will be presented at MIFF 2022.

Netflix original series "Mighty Little Bheem: I love Taj Mahal" episode will make its World Premiere at MIFF 2022.

The first animation film co-produced by India and Japan ‘Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama’, will also have its special screening at MIFF. Contribution of Films Division in documentary culture in India will be showcased through a specially curated package, Image-Nation.

Special packages like Oscar Film package, curated by Shorts TV, Special film packages from Italy and Japan, Indian Panorama- from the recent editions of IFFI will be a point of attraction for film buffs.

Students Film packages from reputed institutions like, National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata, Maharashtra Institute of Technology (MIT) Pune, K R Narayanan Film Institute, Kerala will showcase the spirit of young talent. Also Students’ Animation Documentary Films from Myanmar and films from Students’ Animation Film Festival Brazil will be a unique curation.

Similarly, curated films from North-East India, best of short fiction from Pocket Films Platform and special screening of restored version of Satyajit Ray’s film Sukumar Ray will be showcased.

MIFF, being one of the reputed documentary film festivals of the world, brings together documentary film makers, film buffs, film critics, broadcasters and OTT platforms and students, who debate and discuss contemporary trends in the documentary field.

#thecommunique #tc #miff2022 #event #Filmfestival #mumbai

Inauguration of amenities at Kanheri Caves, Borivali, Mumbai

Mumbai [India], Mumbai 17: The Union Minister for Tourism, Culture and Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER) Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the Kanheri Caves on the occasion of Buddha Purnima with honourable MP of North Mumbai Shri Gopal Chinayya Shetty

Swati Bhat

Pic Courtesy: Twitter

The Minister was in Mumbai on a 2-day visit between 15th May - 16th May 2022 and inaugurated several public amenities at the Kanheri caves.

The Kanheri caves comprise more than 110 different rock-cut monolithic excavations and is one of the largest single excavations in the country. These excavations were primarily undertaken during the Hinayana phase of Buddhism but also has several examples of the Mahayana stylistic architecture as well as few printings of the Vajrayana order. The name Kanheri is derived from ‘Kanhagiri’ in Prakrit and occurs in the Nasik inscription of the Satavahana ruler Vasisthiputra Pulumavi.

While addressing the media, the Union Minister Shri G Kishan Reddy said, “Kanheri caves are part of our ancient heritage as they provide evidence of evolution and our past. It is a privilege to inaugurate the works that have been carried out on the occasion of Buddha Purnima. Buddha‘s message is relevant even today in addressing challenges such as conflict and climate change ”.

He added, “If we look at the architectural and engineering marvel of heritage sites like Kanheri caves or the Ajanta Ellora caves it signifies the knowledge about art, engineering, management construction, patience and perseverance that people had back then. Many such monuments back then took more than 100 years to be built. Such caves and monuments are difficult to build even now, in 21st century, with so much of technological and engineering expertise”.

Kanheri was mentioned in the travelogues of foreign travelers. The earliest reference of Kanheri is ascribed to Fa-Hein who visited India during 399-411 CE and later by several other travellers. The scale and extent of excavations, with its numerous water cisterns, epigraphs, one of the oldest dams, a stupa burial gallery and excellent rainwater harvesting system, indicate its popularity as a monastic and pilgrim centre. Kanheri consists of excavations primarily undertaken during the Hinayana phase but also has several examples of the Mahayana stylistic architecture as well as few printings of the Vajrayana order. Its importance is heightened by the fact that it is the only centre where a continuous progression of Buddhist faith and architecture is observed as an unbroken legacy right from 2nd century CE (cave no. 2 stupa) to 9th century CE are observed here. Kanheri flourished under the patronage of Satavahana, Traikutakas, Vakatakas and Silaharas and through donations made by the wealthy merchants of the region.

The Indian Oil Foundation is providing Tourist Infrastructure Facilities at Kanheri caves after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Archaeological Survey of India through the National Culture Fund (NCF). Under the project work of renovation and up-gradation to the existing structures was allowed as the work comes in the protected limit of the monument. The existing buildings such as the visitor pavilion, custodian quarter, booking office were up-graded and refurbished. The area from booking counter to custodian quarter was up-graded by providing landscaping and plants.

As the caves fall in the core area of the forest, electricity and water supply are not available. However, arrangements for electricity were made available by providing a solar system and generator set as an alternative arrangement. The water is available through the bore well that was constructed.

The Union Minister Said, “Public-private partnership, corporates, NGOs and civil Society plays an important role in protecting, preserving and propagating our heritage so that future generations can access these treasures. We all must work together and in partnership with experts and scholars where heritage can be a catalyst for development. It is a moral duty of every citizen of this country to take interest and responsibility for the preservation and conservation of our rich heritage”.

Kanheri is set amidst one of the most beautiful landscapes within a designated National Park and its setting is an integral part of its planning, with beautiful forecourts and rock-cut benches to enjoy the scenic vistas.

#thecommunique #tc #event #heritage #culture #kanhericaves #mumbai #gopalshetty #krishnareddybjp

Karan Johar’s jewellery label 'Tyaani' has a new address in the city of dreams

Mumbai [India] May 12: Designed to cater to the modern Indian woman, Tyaani, an exquisite jewellery brand by Karan Johar inaugurates its new store in Borivali, Mumbai.

Swati Bhat

Pic Courtesy: Tyaani - Karan Johar Instagram

The brand specialises in contemporary polki pieces, from chandbalis, jhumkas, earrings, and chokers to other uncut diamond pieces. Johar sure has an eye for the details, which is why he rings in the wedding season with bedazzling handcrafted jewellery at the new store in Mumbai’s Borivali area. The jewellery brand is brought right back into the city of dreams, marking another successful launch of his store. Much like his quirky yet elegant taste in fashion, the filmmaker elaborates on traditional Indian art forms through his brand, 'Tyaani'.

One can witness B-town’s finest adorning Tyaani’s fine, natural, uncut diamonds and stones adding a touch of magnificence to the same. The aesthetically pleasing brand marked the advent of another store with the presence of Maheep Kapoor, Mr. Shravan Satyani, founder and Partner, and Mr. Sunil A Bhulchandani, CEO and partner.

The jewellery label is beaded together with love by Johar himself, he claims 'Tyaani' is an extension of my personality. The brand imbibes our traditional values with an eclectic modern twist. The collection appeals to women of all ages at all stages of their life.”

#thecommunique #tc #karanjohar #tyaani #mumbai #jewelery