Joy of a dancer
Rohini, Valli and Arun Khopkar interacting for `Lights On'... — Pic. by M. Srinath
IT IS a film that has a rare luminescence. `Pravahi, the dance of Alarmel Valli' by Arun Khopkar flagged off the `Lights On' series presented by Sathyam Cinemas at the Sree auditorium. The programme has been conceived and curated by Prasanna Ramaswamy. `Pravahi' is a 30-minute work that radiates the energy and the joy of dancer Alarmel Valli, the talent and the understanding of director Khopkar who allows the intensity and the beauty of her art to cascade forth so that the audience is taken along the flow, and the expertise of the cinematographer Madhu Ambat who imbues the frames with a lyrical quality. The singing and the music are excellent in the film produced by the Films Division.
And judging by the overwhelming response, the programme fills a need in the city to both highlight and access the work of those who may not be in the mainstream cinema but who make strong statements in aesthetics and the art of the medium. The monthly event open to the audience on invitation will have artistes from different disciplines of filmmaking featured along with their work.
Prasanna Ramaswamy welcomed the audience and thanked Sathyam Cinemas for presenting the series. She also thanked Nina Reddy of Savera Hotels and the Duchess Club for their support, and the artistes for making the world premiere of `Pravahi' possible. Actor-director Rohini introduced Alarmel Valli and Khopkar. After the screening the two artistes answered questions from viewers on the making of the film- their approach to it, the mode of narration, the backdrop and the use of cameras.
The director's remarks on the NFDC and the Films Division were garnished with humour — "They treat all the films as national secrets till the patina of age and cobwebs settle on them and then they would be celebrated as real art." And, "I may be posthumously making films, so slowly do things move in this country." Director Balu Mahendra paid rich compliments to the director and the artiste. Enquiries regarding availability of "Pravahi" on film, video, VCD or DVD should be addressed to Films Division. E-mail: filmsd@bom4.vsnl.net.in
KAUSALYA SANTHANAM
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
