Keekli Reporter, 26th March, 2014, HPU, Shimla
A two day event Filmbook based on the theme “Lets watch, read and discuss films” was organized by the HPU Community Radio Club in association with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. Chief Guest Prof. ADN Bajpai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor HP University inaugurated the show by lighting the lamp. Others present during the event were Prof Suresh Kumar, Dean of Studies, Prof PK Ahluwalia, Dean Planning and Teachers’ Matters, Prof Vir Bala Aggarwal, Chairperson, Dept of Journalism; Dr Devkanya Thakur, Broadcaster, Alumnus, and SJVNL PRO, Assistant Prof Vikas Dogra and students of the Journalism and other departments.
Indu Negi and Kuldeep Feran, anchors for the event gave a delightful and charming presentation. The solo act by Vinod Attri mimicking various Bollywood actors was highly appreciated and applauded by all present. Prof Vikas Dogra while elaborating about the event said, “We watch movies and gain individual experiences, but when we view a community screening, the idea is to see what we take back and how we discuss the subject. The students should explore the issues that concern them as well as the society”. He further added that an attempt was being made to use films as catalysts to understand them better.
The talent of the students was highlighted by a couple of short films that were screened. The award winning Nike commercial was created by Varsha Sisodia and Siddharth Chauhan; Many Voices One World was directed by Rahul Mahajan and Nitki Sharma; It Happens When People Communicate was directed by Rahul Mahajan, and Wings Without Fire by the Department of Journalism (see video clips below). “Through these short films we wish to emphasize that our students have the potential to do much more but for that we need more space and resources”, said Prof Dogra. He added that to understand the impression of films – That Day After Everyday by Anurag Kashyap and Ship of Theseus by Anand Gandhi will also be screened during the day.
Dr. Devkanya Thakur spoke on film appreciation and further elaborated on the mysteries of films, how films started and how to better understand the concepts behind their creations. The whole idea was to understand the film media.
Dr Bajpai admired, appreciated and encouraged the students of the journalism department for their impressive performances and such innovative concepts put forth by them. He also said that steps should be taken by the department to publish a news magazine, which should cover daily news/events as well as publish student’s articles and poems.
A pre-cursor to the event was a street play, staged at various places around the University campus a day before. The ensemble cast for the parade had students of Department of Journalism and Mass Communication wearing masks of Bollywood stars Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Salmaan Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, et al. As a part of a street play, the ‘film stars’ were ‘dragged’ through the University campus by a wanna-be star and were questioned on Indian cinema’s real contribution towards the issues of concern to the society.
“At a time when our country is going to general election, the youth have a responsibility to participate in the public discourse. We have planned this event to initiate a collective dialogue,” said Indu Negi, Student Secretary of the HPU Community Radio Club.
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