Odiya film Kehi Nuhen Kahara: Media Screening held

Bhubaneswar: October 1, 2015: Ollywood Industry, today, saw the exclusive premiere of Susant Mani directed film “Kehi Nuhen Kahara” under the banner of Akshay Parija Productions at Inox Bhubaneswar. Claiming to be the change maker and trend setter in Ollywood, the production house did an exclusive screening before the release for the film critics and the press to get a first hand review and expert critique.

“People have been saying that there has been very little progress in this industry. No quality production, no originality of screenplay and bad cinematography is the reason why people generally avoid going to theatres to watch an odia film. Through this film are trying to bring about a revolution in this industry by experimenting in an entirely new genre of commercial cinema and break the existing trend of copying other regional films. We want people to come and watch this film and give their comments and criticize and most importantly rate it so that we as film makers get to know the lacuna that remains between what we produce and what our viewers actually want to see”, informed by national award winner Akshay Parija.

The film’s trailer and songs have been released on social media platforms and has already gained a wide fan following and seems to promise its audience wholesome entertainment and a superior technical experience of film making. “I have pooled in my experience from my earlier 14 films while executing this movie”, says Director Susant Mani who is excited about the film. The film rightly boasts of a gripping starcast with stalwart actors like Siddhant Mahapatra, Bijay Mohanty, Kuna Tripathy, Samaresh Routray and others like Pinky Pradhan, Nitu Singh and Choudhury Jayaprakash Das. Besides these veterans, the film has in the lead roles, young and upcoming talents, Elina Samantray and Avisekh Rath. The film’s music is also by debut composer Biswaswarup to give the film a fresh feel.

“I feel blessed to have worked with such seasoned actors on an altogether different project at the beginning of my career. Sanu Bhai (Susant Mani) is not only a great director but also a fabulous mentor. I hope anybody who watches this film will know how much effort has gone into the making”, beams Elina.

Avishek too is upbeat about the screening. "I strongly believe in the capability of Susant Mani for bringing out the best in his actors. It was an amazing experience working with him and all the other seniors”.

This exclusive premiere saw not only starts from the Ollywood industry but also some cultural, industrial and political honchos.

I watch Odia films once in a while. After watching Kehi Nuhen Kahara, I am convinced that odia industry can make quality films”, said Ranjib Biswal

Pappu Pom Pom was all praises for the film. “I am really happy to see such a film after a long time. The techniques and cinematography is nothing short of a Bollywood stature. The future of this industry is definitely very bright.”

Debi Mishra, KV Singhdeo, Prashant Nanda, Anu Choudhury, Amlan, Chiranjeeb Biswal, Tejal Biswal, Meera Das, Aruna Mohanty were also present at the premiere. Hara Rath, Kuna Tripathy and Samaresh Routray who have also acted in the film had come to the event.

The romantic thriller-mystery “Kehi Nuhen Kahara” is all set to hit the theatres on 2nd October all over Odisha and is slated for an international release in Muscat and Dubai as well.

Sushant Mani's Odiya film “Kehi Nuhen Kahara"

Elina Samantray and Abhishek Rath in Oriya film 'Kehi Nuhen Kahara'

Susant Mani directed Oriya feature film “Kehi Nuhen Kahara” is scheduled to hit theatres on 2nd October all over Odisha as well as in Muscat and Dubai, revealed Binay Naik and Sanjay Naik of Brajaraj Films who are appointed as Worldwide Distributors for the film.

According to the unit the romantic mystery film promises wholesome entertainment to the audience. Presenting a technically superior film which can be considered being at par with Bollywood, we have painstakingly tried the best talent and technology with a mix of new and old talents giving it a de-glamorised and realistic approach. We are giving something completely new to the audience and hope to be known as Change Makers of Ollywood, says the Non Resident Odiya Producer Akshay Parija.

Director of the film Susant Mani said" I have a made a clean film adding all my earlier 14 films’ pooled experience. ‘Wholesome Entertainment’ is his brief word about the film.

The news about Oriya film 'Kehi Nuhen Kahara' in Odiya language

Bollywood premiere of film ‘Kaun Kitney Paani Mein’

Bollywood film ‘Kaun Kitney Paani Mein’ starring Kunal Kapoor, Radhika Apte, Gulshan Grover and Saurabh Shukla, produced by one drop foundation in association with eleeanora images and beyond dreams productions, deals with the most critical challenge faced by the 21st Century i.e. WATER!

Several A-listers of the Indian film industry came forward to support the film and their friend Kunal Kapoor at a private screening held at Mumbai. Present at the event were Hrithik Roshan, Imran Khan, Kiran Rao, Dia Mirza and many more and the film received great reviews from all of them.

Actors Hrithik Roshan, Kunal Kapoor and Imran Khan at the premiere

Everyone encouraging the attempt and cause praised the film after watching it. One of the Bollywood’s superstar and Kunal Kapoor’s best friend Hrithik said “Kunal is been an inspiration to me, he is one guy I know who doesn't give up, he is a bulldozer, unstoppable. He has proved himself, he is a great actor and I love him." he added laughing "You have to enjoy the film if you have someone that good looking on screen. Whatever is going on, you would still want to watch it, you know, it’s going to work.”

Imran Khan said “I am a big fan of satire; I think we don't make enough satire films in India. I am really excited to see that someone has tried their hand” when asked about who would he recommend the film to, he added,”Kunu is a very dear friend of mine, I will recommend this film to all of you, to the entire country.”

Dia Mirza at the premiere

Kiran Rao said “Bohot Umda film hai, it talks about a very important resource that is water. How it can lead to discrimination and how people fight for water. The performances in the film are classy, Saurabh Shukla, Gulshan Ji, Radhika, Kunal has done a very good job, I really enjoyed it.”

Dia said “A very interesting film on a very relevant subject for our country. A very simply put but a very pertinent message for all. ”

Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra said “Bohot mazeydaar film hai. Satire is not easy, it makes you laugh but somewhere it also makes you think about the subject and the film is like that. A very good attempt, Kunal and Radhika have worked with all their heart, all the best to the film and all of them.

The film is directed by Nila Madhab Panda (award-winning Director of ‘I am Kalam’) set in a hypothetical village in Odisha. The film is a satire on the issue of water scarcity set against the backdrop of a traditional Bollywood love story. The film seeks to entertain viewers but leave them thinking about the importance of water conservation long after they leave theaters. The film was produced by One Drop, an international organization in the water sector, with the generous contribution of the Royal Bank of Canada and United Technologies, as part of its unique social arts-oriented approach to behavior change with respect to water and sanitation. Radhika Apte, Kunal Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla and Gulshan Grover star in the film that is slated for an all -India release on 28 August 2015.

“Water is a crucial resource for all of us. We should not only conserve water but also use it effectively”, said Arvind Kejriwal, Chief Minister Delhi, at the premiere.

“We are so very pleased and proud to have our film released in theaters. What started as an idea to reach more people than ever before with our social arts approach to water has become a reality thanks to the hard work and brilliant creativity of Nila Madhab Panda, the actors, and everyone who worked on the film, said Catherine B. Bachand, CEO, ONE DROP. “I hope that everyone who sees the film is inspired towards change, because it is only in this way that we can truly resolve the critical water issue in India and beyond.”

It feels good to be a part of a film that is focused on such a critical issue that our country is facing currently. I believe that there is enough water for everyone, everywhere and can be made available to all if we use it judiciously. I would request everyone to watch the film and take the key message to heart: Please do not waste water. It is a finite precious resource”, said Kunal Kapoor.

The film is slated to release on 28th August, 2015.

Law and order situation in Gujarat

Gujarat on 25th Aug 2015 (Photo: Basant)

The situation of Gujarat has turned violent. As per the latest media reports, rioting was reported from some parts of Ahmedabad and Surat after agitation by the Patel community seeking reservation under OBC quota.

Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti (PAAS) convenor Hardik Patel on Tuesday gave Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel 48 hours to accept the group's demand for Other Backward Class (OBC) status.

On Tuesday evening, the Ahmedabad police arrested Hardik Patel, along with five others, under section 151 of the Indian Penal Code for “knowingly joining or continuing in assembly of five or more persons after being commanded to disperse”.

The situation became more complex by evening after police took Hardik Patel, the convener of Patidar Anamat Andolan Samiti into custody. He was release later,however, but then violence had spread into several parts of Gujarat.

According to a PTI (Press Trust of India) report, clashes took places in Vadaj, Vastrapur, Nikol and Paldi areas of Ahmedabad. The police lathi-charged the agitators and lobbed tear-gas shells to control the situation.

Former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam is no more

Former President of India Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is no more. As per reports he passed away Monday at 7.45 p.m. at the Bethany Hospital in Shillong at the age of 83. The legendary scientist died after collapsing during a lecture at the IIM-Shillong. He was delivering a lecture on 'liveable planet' when he suddenly collapsed.

Born October 15, 1931 Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam raised in Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu. He joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) after studying physics and aerospace engineering. He graduated from Madras Institute of Technology. Later he involved himself in the India's missile programme. His contribution to the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology earned him the epithet "Missile Man of India". Dr Kalam played a key role in India's nuclear test in 1998 during the Prime Ministerial stint of Atal Bihar Vajpayee.

One of India's most accomplished scientists, Dr Kalam was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1997.

Dr Kalam became India's 11th President and resumed office from 2002 to 2007. He earned the reputation of being the "people's President" who endeared himself to all all sections of the society, especially the youngsters and students. He succeeded K R Narayanan and served a full five-year term after winning the Presidential elections which was a highly one-sided contest with Lakshmi Sahgal as his rival.  Dr Kalam was the first scientist and first ever bachelor to occupy the Rastrapati Bhawan.

Demise of Dr Kalam is an irreparable loss to India. May his soul rest in peace.

Janaki Ballabh Pattnaik died

Former Odisha Chief Minister Janaki Ballav Patnaik passed away 21 April 2015. The Former Governor of Assam and three-time Chief Minister of Odisha Patnaik passed away in a private hospital at Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh at 3 am on Tuesday, family sources said.

Mr. Patnaik was 89 years old and is survived by his wife Jayanti Patnaik, son Pruthvi Ballav Patnaik and two daughters – Sudatta Patnaik and Supriya Patnaik.

According to his son-in-law Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, Mr. Patnaik had gone to Tirupati from Bhubaneswar on Monday to attend the convocation ceremony of Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha there on Tuesday. Mr. Patnaik was Chancellor of the university.

He felt pain in his chest at around 11 p.m. on Monday night and was rushed to a private hospital where he passed away at 3 a.m.

The body of the late leader will be brought to Bhubaneswar by a special flight in the afternoon for cremation at Swargadwara in Puri.

Mr. Patnaik had returned to Odisha in December last after completing his full term of five years as Governor of Assam.

He was born in Puri district on January 3, 1927. He was Chief Minister of Odisha from 1980 to 1989 and again from 1995 to 1999. He was also the Leader of Opposition in Odisha Assembly from 2004 to 2009.

Mr. Patnaik, who started his career as a journalist, was a Sanskrit scholar and wrote several books.

Bhima Bhoi, an early revolutionary poet of India

Bhima Bhoi was a great thinker, philosopher and a revolutionary born in the western part of Odisha in the nineteenth century. Although there is no one opinion on his time of birth, all agree that this great man took leave of this mortal world in the year 1895 in the village Khaliapali of  present Sonepur district which was then a princely state under  the British suzerainty.

In Odia literature Bhima Bhoi is known as a saint poet; it is because he was leading life of a saint after coming under the influence of Mahima Gosain, a great saint of that century who as per certain researchers was born in Boudh state which was another princely state. Mahima Gosain, through high philosophical preaching had many followers and the religion he founded came to be known as Mahima dharma or Alekha (“un written”, if translated to English) dharma. Mahima Gosain had not left behind any book containing his philosophy, religious teachings for his followers.

During his childhood days, once Bhima fell into a pit in a jungle while taking care of the cows of the villagers in Redhakhol and was rescued by this wandering Yogi who gave his blessing to young Bhima who instantly became his disciple. Bhima Bhoi had embodied the entire philosophy of Mahima Gosain in a book with rubric “Stuti Chintamani” in one hundred cantos. This book is a treatise on Mahima order. Besides this book he has composed many short poems in the form of prayer or bhajan (Devotional songs) compiled in a book called ‘Bhahana Mala’. These two immortal books have left land mark in Odia literature.

Bhima Bhoi has been described as a saint poet because he lived like a saint and like his Master, wandered different places of Odisha preaching the message of his Guru. Bhima had his followers too.  Even though he was a tribal born to Kondh tribe, many high caste people, including Brahmins were his disciples. Bhima was illiterate. It is said that he was also blind. He could not therefore read and write. All philosophical, devotional and revolutionary thought, which he dawned in his mind, came out of his mouth in form of a song. His intuitive thought was instinctive and the song he was composing was instantaneous. His immortal words “Mo jibana pachhe narke padi thau, jagata udhhara pau”, which find place in the U.N. Head Quarter office is a voice of piety of the saint poet for the mankind. 

Earlier Vedic seers in a hymn had  invoked ‘Let all live in happiness, let all be free of ailment; let all look at divinity; let not sadness come at any moment.” With this invocation the Vedic Rishis include themselves with the word ‘All’ and for themselves also.  Bhima Bhoi on his part volunteered to take all suffering of the world (both animate and inanimate) upon to himself if in exchange the whole mankind would get salvation. These words speak of a large heart with sublime sympathy for the suffering of the world.

The other aspect of Bhima Bhoi‘s poetry is the voice of revolt he has raised on behalf of the marginalised people. While observing the injustice in the society and exploitation of the strong over the weak, of the haves over have nots, of the upper castes on suppressed castes. In observation of such inequity and sufferings, he could see in his wisdom and inner look that a dark cloud would engulf soon this world; he was searching for a light of hope. Bhima says when exploitation of the strong and the rich would be unbearable and cross the, threshold, people at the receiving end would rise in revolt against the exploiters; such revolt of the suppressed class against inequity and injustice would galvanise. All arrogant rich, so called intellectual, wise and strong will also be exterminated for their sin and vices. Such a voice of revolt is for the first time in Odia literature. Bhima Bhoi’s life was approximately from 1850 to 1895. 

Karl Marx got ‘Das Capital’ out in 1867 when Bhima Bhoi would be a young boy of seventeen years. In Das Capital Marx says, “The expropriators shall be expropriated.” However there is a difference in the approach of Marx and Bhima Bhoi towards the path of revolt. Marx adopts the principle of dialectics which depicts perpetual struggle between thesis and anti thesis ultimately leading to a stage of synthesis which again becomes thesis in the next stage of human history encountering another anti thesis. He has explained it through materialistic interpretation of human history. Bhima Bhoi on the contrary has expressed his absolute faith in the Supreme. He could perceive the Supreme in his Guru Mahima Gosain. As a representative of the mankind, he prayed to the Almighty through his Guru that let the Supreme bring salvation to the world. In a revolt, if there is any deficit in commitment then the revolution becomes weak and unsuccessful. Bhima therefore prays that if there is slightest deficiency in his devotion to God, let the entire suffering befall him but the living world be rescued. While wandering in the princely kingdom of Sonepur, Boudh, Redhakhol and Dhenkanal, he was not afraid of the kings and the rich people. He, in ‘Stuti Chintmani’ says that he is not any king’s subject or indebted to any money lender. Nobody can stop him from the path of the Guru. His most fiery words come in the stanza where he says that sitting on the bank of Mahanadi he touches the river’s water and swear that he would himself commit sin by taking alcohol and would violate the sanctity of a Brahmin woman, if the Supreme would not rescue the world. What a voice against Almighty fighting for the oppressed and marginalised beings. At times one feels that Bhima Bhoi is more a revolutionary poet than a poet of devotion.

By - Sanjib Chandra Hota, B.J. 20, B.J.B. Nagar, Bhubaneswar

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4th annual ceremony of M-Zone Academy held

M-Zone Dance Academy bringing hidden talents to limelight

Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India: M-Zone Dance Academy, a leading institute on dance in Bhubaneswar, organized its fourth annual function titled 'M-Zonians Fantasia-4' at Utkal Mandap February 3, 2015.

Chairman of the public health standing committee Ranjan Kumar Biswal graced the occasion as the chief guest while the other distinguished guests present were A. Sridevi from the Recreation and Cultural Standing Committee of Cuttack Municipal Corporation, eminent Odia cinestar Uttam Mohanty, SCCPL's General Manager Karunakar Nayak, Oriya film producer Annapurna Parida and odia film music director Abhijeet Mazumdar.

After formal inauguration of the ceremony by the chief guest all the guests addressed the audience and praised M-Zone Academy for its contribution towards development of art and culture of the State.

Speaking on the occasion Pravat Kumar Rana, one of the founders of M-Zone Academy highlighted the purpose of the institute. He said that his institute is engaged in tracing out hidden talents in the state and to bring them to the limelight. There are many talents in the state but are not getting opportunity due to lack of financial assistance and M-Zone always comes to the aid of such people – he added.

The trainees are being taught on different contemporary and classical dances such as Salsa, Jazz, Hip, Bollywood Free-Style, Martial Art Fusion and Odissi at the academy. He also intimated there will be a workshop for the senior and junior groups on dance forms in coming March and April, 2015.

Eminent dancer and director Mandakini said, 'Students of this academy have successfully participated in various TV dance reality shows and sponsored competitions in national level and bagged prizes glorifying the Academy and our state as well. Students of M-Zone Academy participated in 'Dance India Dance' on Zee TV in 2013, group dance sponsored by Star Plus and  'Chalk Dhum Dhum' programme sponsored by Colours in 2012,” on the occasion.

A report by Himanshu Guru

Vegetables in winter

Vegetables are plenty available in winter. This is the reason women love to try out some recipe out of vegetables when in kitchen. Even in Orissa people prefer weddings and parties keeping availability of vegetables in this cold season. It is also the time when women prefer to sprout a kitchen garden of their own to get fresh and pure foods. Himanshu Guru asked some women to know about their preparation to feed their families with fresh green vegetables.

“This is the time in the year when we get the small size potatoes; we call it ‘new potatoes’. I try out recipes with a range of green vegetables where methi, carrot, palak, and greens play vital roles. I love the potato fry with peas and masala. It is a dry preparation to make your mouth wet with saliva. Besides, the small size onion also is available only in this time. Importantly, we get every vegetable fresh and green in winter. Cauliflower and cabbage are my favourite when cooked along with tomato, potato and masalas. Ah, I can’t miss the idea of having these recipes in a picnic party. You know, enjoying something green in a green environment doubles the taste. Even I have also managed to erect a kitchen garden of my own,” said Sakina Banoo, a spinster from the capital city.

Alisha Mishra may be an IT professional but her hubby is cooking. Among other reasons she loves winter because of vegetables. “I satisfy my hunger of the whole year only in winter, since in this season vegetables are plenty available. I love to have mudhi with new onions, zinger, dhania leaves, mustard oil along with some masala powder and salt,” said the girl from Bolangir who lives in Bangalore these days for her jobs. “This is the best time in the year as this is the only season that I recall when we were having a lot of fun during my childhood. We were sitting in the open-air in the school and were sunning in the early morning” she also said.

“Out of professional engagements I don’t get time to enter the kitchen. But I always wish to try out something in this season only for the vegetables. Even when roaming in the market, I get attracted with the colour of the vegetables. Even, you can find more numbers of vendors on the road side, because more vegetables are available in this season,” said Arati Mishra, a homemaker from Jeypore. “Among the recipes I love Brinjal, broccoli, cauliflower and the new peanuts. My kids don’t usually beg for broccoli, but I love it a lot. Especially roasted broccoli is my favourite,” she added.

“Usually like in other seasons we focus on non- vegetarian foods, in winter we get a chance for a variety of recipes with the vegetables. Amongst them, I love peas. Here is my favourite -- You take fresh peas, toss them with olive oil and salt, and then grill them until they are lightly charred on the outside and steamy soft on the inside. Then when you eat them, you scrape up some of that smokey, charred, salty flavor, while the peas pop into your mouth. If you want to add to this symphony of flavors, you can sprinkle chopped mint on the peas before eating,” said Sunita Babu from Bhubaneswar.