User talk:Kadambini Thakur

Creative critic to the core: UTPAL DATTA

By: Kadambini Thakur

“My first priority in my life is my beautiful wife Namrata and my angel Rahi. If they keep on smiling, then only I can indulge my other interest” was the instant reply of the eminent film critic Mr. Utpal Datta when I popped him the first question on the ‘prerequisites of his life’. “One of my senior Mr Paraj Bakul Baruah once told me – do you know what a happy life is? A happy family life is a happy life. I firmly believe it”, quoted Mr. Datta in a tone of nostalgia.

Mr. Utpal Datta needs no introduction for the people of Assam and beyond. He is a writer, film critic, dramatist, poet, photographer all rolled into one. Often summarizing himself as a simple and honest man, Mr. Datta really turned out to be one right from the day I met him. The very first thing that came to my mind when I saw him was ‘composed’; which he undoubtedly is. But it didn’t take me too long to find another word to describe this dashing man which is: ‘creative to the core’! Someone who is always in search of something new to create be it through his writings, his photography, his blogs (check out Passion for Cinema), his way of dressing, his discussions, his way of life to sum up. I got this opportunity to meet this talented film critic at his Guwahati residence recently.

“Don’t write whatever I am saying, just listen, and I am sure you will register it more”, quoted Datta when I nervously got off with my next question. This is one trait that stands him out from the rest, he is a ‘thinking man’. And thus creates magic with words when he puts his ‘thinking cap’ on.

Being a film critic of repute, Datta has not confined his creativity to films alone. He has over twenty books (both original and edited) to his credit (the recent one being ‘24 Frames’), written a number of plays and has also worked as the Assistant Director for Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia’s two award winning films, ‘Kolahol’ and ‘Sarothi’. But films remain his passion, his first love. He has a number of awards to his booty: Moonlight Media Best Cine Journalist Award 1999, Jyotirupa Best Film Critic/ Cultural Reporter Award 2006, RAPA Award 2007, National Film Award, Jury special mention “Best Writing in Cinema 2006”.

“Coming from a small town (Datta hails from Nalbari) we didn’t have any other forms of entertainment during those days apart from films. I used to watch a lot of films right throughout my childhood”, he said with a sense of reminiscence in his eyes. But it was not a chronological event which turned him into a film critic, he said “I am forever indebted to editor Mr. Pabitra Kumar Deka who encouraged me to venture into the beautiful world of films”, stated Datta. He started very young, reporting for ‘Roopakar’ (a cultural magazine) where he mainly contributed with his photography skills. Later, when he moved to Guwahati from Nalbari for his higher studies (he did his Masters in English Literature from Cotton College) he worked for ‘Bismoi’ (he later went on to become the Asst. Editor of the same) under the guidance of Mr. Sashi Phukan who still remains his mentor. “Bismoi was a school for me, I was learning everything there right from conceiving a story, editing it, finally publishing it and writing advertisement copy also. During my stint with Bismoi I learnt the trade of the editing and publishing industry thoroughly”, Datta stated. The rest as we all know is history.

Mr. Datta is presently working as the Programme Executive, All India Radio, Haflong.

Following are the excerpts from the interview with him:

Being a film critic of repute, what inspires you to criticize a film? U. D: Inspiration comes from inside. I can’t say who inspired me for film criticism. Long back while I was a college student, I had a chance to watch Mrinal Sen’s ‘Mrigaya’. After the show we were discussing about the film in our college campus. One of my senior friend Mr Bhabesh Barman, now he is a bank officer, told me – why don’t you write your opinion on the film? My reaction was – what’s the use of it? He said -I will publish it in our college wall magazine. I wrote, but I sent it to Janambhumi (weekly) and after a few days I felt proud to see my article in print. That was the beginning. I was so inspired seeing my name in print. Later I got blessings from senior critic Dilip Sarma, editor Pabitra Kumar Deka, Sashi Phukan, Manik Bora, film director Padum Baruah and I found a reason to continue. Later the editors, sub-editors of various journals-news papers, readers added fuel to the flame. I also remain indebted to Pradip ‘Prantik’ Baruah and Anil Baruah of Dainik Assam for their support. My wife Namrata and daughter Ragamala also motivates me to watch a movie and write about it. Those are apparent factors, in real sense, the film should have some thing inherent to provoke me to write.

As we all know that criticism is often devoid of creativity, yet you are known as one of the most creative and sensitive critic/ writer in recent times. What is your say on it? U. D: Thank you for holding high opinion about me though I don’t deserve that. A famous saying goes like this – one who fails in creation turns to criticism, but I believe criticism is also equally creative. Criticism is not a fault finding business, it is a work of art. I also believe – authorship is required for each and every writing whether it is critical piece or a romantic poem.

What does creativity mean to u? U. D: Ability to express in the way you want. I strive to express myself in all the possible ways, writing plays, poems, novels, travelogues, book reviews, film criticism, in photography, in designing, with any avenue I find out.

Our readers I am sure will be delighted to know something from you on what essentials are required to make a good/ successful film? U. D: Good is a very relative term. If I like something that is good for me. In film, generally success is measured in terms of box office. I would like to quote Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia - A story of nature and humanity, rich in beauty and creativity, written on the screen by camera – that is my definition of a FILM. And you are asking me about the essentials requisites to make a good film - sincerely, I don’t know.

Tell us something about “24 Frames” your latest book on film appreciation. U. D: It’s a collection of film reviews and other essays on film which I wrote for journals and newspapers. book had a radio premier, which is considered as the first RADIO PREMIER of a book. Some of the famous radio journalists expressed their high opinion on that premier. Mr Prabal Sarma of AIR Guwahati shouldered the responsibility of producing that. Noted writer Homen Bargohain blessed me releasing the book in the first page of AMAR ASOM with his long article on the book. Big FM broadcasted a two hour long programme on the book on the day of the release. Respected writer Nirupama Borgohain wrote a very long article, really a very long, it was published in two parts in ‘Khabar’. Young journalist Khanindra Deka wrote a preview of the book. Readers liked the book which I came to know through phone call and sms. I thank my publisher Mr Ajoy Kumar Datta and Mrityunjoi Datta for their interest shown to my book.

Theater and Films: two different aspects of creative visualization, which is more engrossing for you and why? U. D: Both are equally engrossing for me, though I write more on films. I also write about theatre and I wrote plays for touring theatre also. Mr Rabin Neog of Hengool Theatre came to me with a proposal and I tried with the play ‘Godmother’. The nucleus point of the play was a real case. I developed it and it was a hit. I have also written a play titled ‘Kanchan’, based on office life, especially sexual harassment on woman. I took the plot from Anuradha Sarma Pujari’s novel Kanchan. It was an experimental work from the point of view of theme, presentation, visual appeal and structure. I wrote some scenes from cinematic style. Audience liked those. The play ran for two years. After that I wrote one more play for Rabin Neog, but he did not find that suitable for his troupe. I also lost my interest in writing plays for touring theatre. I have translated two plays by Girish Karnad titled ‘Tughlak’ and Nagamandala. Bhagirathi directed the play for Seagull.

Apart from film criticism, what else inspires you to write? Are ‘love and romance’ prime elements of your writings? U. D: I am a worshiper of words. It was said in Veda that words are like women, they unveil themselves in front of a very special person. I wish to be such one who can witness the unveiled beauty of words, the words may be in poetry form, may be novel may be film criticism may be a short message written in small screen of a cellular phone.

What is ‘art with life’ for you? As you once mentioned that any work of art without co-relation to life doesn’t appeal to you, is it correct. U. D: Yes, Art is an interpretation of life. And at the same time it inspires us to look forward to the better human condition. If you listen to a Raag played by Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, you will find the music is no way related to your daily life and problems. But if you can inhale the sound of music you will feel some force within you. That will be reflected in your life. Recently I saw one film ‘A Wednesday’ by Niraj Pandey. It is a fiction, yet it compels us to think about the society, to find out a way to improve our human condition.

Please share us your experiences working with Dr. Bhabendranath Saikia. You worked as the Asst. Director in two of his films, ‘Kolahol’ and ‘Sarothi’. U. D: It will be a big fat book to write about my experience of association with Sir Bhabendra Nath Saikia. To be brief I learnt from him 1. Punctuality, 2. Simplicity, 3. Human Bonding, 4. Time Management and. . . the list is endless.

Do you see any future for the Assamese film industry? What steps can be undertaken for the revival of the once glorious industry? U. D: I have not seen most of the latest Assamese movies and now a days I have a very thin relation with Assamese film industry, so I don’t have the right to comment on that.

Have you as a person faced severe criticism in life from any quarters? If so, how you have handled it? U. D: I take it in a positive way. It helps a lot to improve myself.

Any plans of directing a film some day. U. D: Yes, I have a dream to direct at least two feature films. After receiving the National Award, one of my childhood friend came to congratulate me. We were meeting after decades. He said, you direct a short film, I will produce. That will be my congratulation to you. I am thinking of directing a short film for him. (I sincerely wish that the day is not far away)

National Film Award, Jury Special mention, 2006 Best Writing in Cinema and the RAPA Award in 2007. Want to recall those catched moments with us today. U. D: RAPA is related to my professional work that is radio work and National Film Award is related to my passion. Both gave me pleasure in different levels. In RAPA award we shared the same stage with legendary persons from the Radio field like Amin Sayani, obviously with our works. Our work has been presented with some of the best radio productions of India. RAPA is given in a very professional way. That is the most important part of the award. It is a national level competition. While I was in the hotel of New Delhi to attend the National Film Award, I met a tall handsome person there. I could not recognize him. After the award distribution rehearsal, the person came to me and said ‘congratulation for your second national award’. Suddenly I realized he is Mr Darshan Tiwari, a RAPA official and President of a film organization. On the award function he shared the same dais with her Excellency, the President of India. I was really touched by his gesture.

What is the best thing about Radio? U. D: It gives me bread-butter, chance to be associated with lots of known-unknown person, a feeling of working in a National level organization and a scope to explore the creative talents of others and as well as mine.

What makes Utpal Datta happy and what brings a tear to your eyes? U. D: When I come across some good things / experience it bring happiness and tear both, simultaneously.

Your future plans. U. D: Sorry to say, I hardly plan my future. I enjoy the present. Jo hoga dekha jayega.

I feel time constraint has come in the way of knowing much more from the life and times of this creative genius. Before I come to the end of this pleasant rendezvous and find myself back in the realm of things around, I earnestly wish this artistic mastermind, a genius and a gentleman to continue his creative search be it in his film criticisms, his writings, plays, poetry, photography etc. and engross us for years to come.

As a Writer – Utpal Datta’s Original Works Ami Kene Aacho – play Aparupa Andaman – travelogue Naishajatri – Novel, based on life of working women of Guwahati Mozartor Swaralipi –Novel, later adopted for Television serial and radio play Chalachitra – Film studies Ki Naam Ei Premar – Novel Maramar Neha – Novel, translated into Bodo Language Cine-Quiz 24 Frames – Film Appreciation Utpal Datta’s published works (Edited) Chalachitra Katha – Film study, Ist Assamese book on Film Ekhan Swasa Mukhare – poems of Nabakata Baruah Nabakanta Baruar Upanyash – Complete Novels of Nabakata Baruah Satikar Srestha Premar Galpa – Selected Assamese love stories of 20th Century Soi Dasakar Gadya – selected prose of Bhabendra Nath Saikia Sampadakar Kothalit – Bhabendra Nath Saikia’s satirical writings Nobel Bota Bijoyi Lekhakar Galpa – translated stories from Nobel Laureates Amar Chinaki Tassaduk – Anthology of articles written on Assamese Actor - Director Tassaduk Usuf. Kalasandhya – Screenplay by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Saarothi - Screenplay by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Kolahal - Screenplay by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia Dangshan – Short story collection on HIV/AIDS

Utpal Datta’s Plays – Original/Translated Tuglak and Nagamandala – two plays by Girish Karnad Original Play – Godmother, staged by Hengool Theatre Adopted play – Kanchan – staged by Hengool Translated play – Ayn Rand’s Night of January 16th – staged by Aikatan, Telecast by DDK Guwahati, on the occasion of World Theatre Day

Translated play – Shakespear’s Macbeth, staged by Seagull Theatre Group, Telecast by DDK Guwahati on the occasion of World Theatre Day Translated Screenplay – Girish Karnad’s Cheluvi

FAVOURITE 5 FILMS

UTPAL DATTA

1. Anirban – by Bhabendra Nath Saikia

2. Pyasa by Gurudutt

3. Guide by Vijay Anand

4. Sholay by Ramesh Sippy

5. Wild Strawberries by Ingmar Bergman