FilmIndia (Jan-Nov 1942)

June, 1942 FILM INDIA "In the municipal theatre itself there should be a provision of staging a good drama, exhibition of cultural, educational and documentary films. The fees for such should be nominal. The hall itself must be most ccmfortable and tastefully decorated with murals. There should be also an accommodation for firstclass concerts and classical dances With the existence of such a Hall, a Mayor could invite world famous Indian and foreign artistes, such as Uday Shankar and Paul Robson, for a couple of performances for the benefit of the citizens. I would even like to make it compulsory that the big artistes should give a couple of free performances in a municipal theatre at the end of their posh performances in the city, to the citizens who can't afford to visit expensive shows. "A municipal theatre must serve as a people's university for the artistic development of the masses. I firmly believe that art will appeal to all, if not at once, gradually. Classical singers and musicians like Aladiakhan and Heifitz might not appeal to the audience in Parel. but surely there is a mass of audience elsewhere who would be too glad to avail themselves of such opportunities if the charges are kept suitably low and the performances are given in a locality, not far from the heart of the city. Artistes like Uday Shankar would not only benefit the masses, but their art itself will grow and deepen by coming in contact with the toiling masses." "I would like to have also an art gallery, where the local artistes, as well as the artiste-guests, should be able to hold their art exhibitions. In such cases the rent should be nominal, just to cover light facilities, etc. The theatre also should be available for enterprising amateurs and experimentists, at very low rents. There should also be a hall for public lectures on different topics, such as art, science, hygiene, literature, politics, etc." "I would like to have a ccsy and tasteful cafe and milk dairy attached to it, where pure and cheap milk and excellent pastry and confectionery should be procured from a municipal dairy and a municipal bakery." A MUNICIPAL FILM As a lover of art, the Mayor realises that the artistic talents in the city and the country are not given any scope to work and develop. He continued "I would like to have something like Works' Projects Administration in America. I would like to see our youthful and imaginative painters do murals for municipal buildings, the corporation halls, the schools etc. I would like all artistes to be given an opportunity and not allowed to rot. But unfortunately there are not even few who would agree with me in such projects." I drew his attention to the fact that the citizens know so little of the varied functions of the municipal corporation and possibilities of improvements and suggested that the municipality should make a film to convey to the public its various important activities so that there will be intelligent co-operation between the citizens and the corporation. The Mayor considered it as an excellent idea. When I asked him as to why the aid of the films was not taken to educate children and adults, the Mayor replied that in a poor country like India this is feasible only if there is a municipal theatre at the disposal of a municipality. But he agreed that suitable films are an essential part of modern education. To my question whether he had seen any of the films made by the Labour Welfare Department of the Government of Bombay and by the Film Advisory Board, he replied that he had heard about these institutions but owing to lack of time he had not seen their films and added that though he is fond of films rarely does he get time to visit a theatre. But whenever there is an excellent picture, recommended to him by his friends, on whose opinion he can rely, he tries to see it. The pictures that have appealed to him most, just to mention a few, are: "Emil Zola", "Good Earth", "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington,', "Ninotchka" "Lincoln", "Grapes of Wrath", "Life of Beethoven". Of Indian pictures he has seen a few and the ones he liked were "Devdas," "Chandidas," "President" and a couple more. He said that several Indian pictures he had seen were splendid, but others were disappointing. No doubt there is a tremendous improvement dur Aftcr seeing "Basant" many fans would willingly run to do that, but by the time Ulhas will have removed the thorn and. only the delicate foot may be used, though Mumtaz Shanti is known for her sweet nature. 43