[Assam] For those living in Bangalore

[baruah at bard.edu]

Bangalore International Centre

In collaboration with
India Foundation for the Arts

Cordially invite you to the screening of the

The Nine Months

Directed by

National Film Awards winner
Merajur Rahman Baruah

Duration: 80 minutes
Language: Assamese/ English subtitles

(This film was funded by India Foundation for the Arts and Infosys Foundation)
Venue:   Bangalore International Centre, Bangalore

Date: June 25, 2010

Time: 6.30 pm

(Entry is free)


Please register with Bangalore International Centre on 25359680
You may also RSVP Samarpita on contactus at indiaifa.org


The Nine Months, an evocative film that has been funded by India  
Foundation for the Arts (under our Arts Research and Documentation  
programme) and Infosys Foundation, explores the history, form, style  
and aesthetics of Assam?s mobile theatre. It records the  
transformation in themes and repertoires in the genre of performance,  
captures the experience and perspectives of its promoters, directors,  
actors, technicians, and stagehands and documents the impact of  
globalisation on its practice.

The film explores the various kinds of play stages by the mobile  
theatre, the issues they deal with and how the genre has transformed  
from presenting mythological and folk stories to contemporary themes  
with social and political implications. The film maker traveled with  
several theatre companies across rural Assam to create this piece of  
documentation. One more exciting element of the mobile theatre is that  
it survives on ticket sales alone. The ticket prices range from Rs 30  
to Rs 100 and it is mandatory for the companies to spend at least 40 %  
of their earnings to develop schools, colleges and village clubs.

The Nine Months is about the genre and aesthetics of the unique form  
of performing art and reflect the life approximately 5000 people  
engaged in the theaters during the nine months of stay in a theatre  
season.
About the filmmaker:

Merajur Rahman Baruah is an independent filmmaker; for last ten years  
he has been involved in making documentaries and television program in  
various capacities. He has received the Commonwealth Vision Award 2006  
as commanded for his film ?Beyond the Zero Line? from the Royal  
Commonwealth Society United Kingdom. He has also received Rajat Kamal  
for the best film on social issues at the 55th National Film Awards  
and also the best director award for his film ?Shifting Prophecy&r  
dquo; at the Hyderabad International film Festival 2008.