NFAI to screen rare Raigad film on Monday

PUNE: A rare 1967 film on

Raigad

fort will be screened on November 27 at the National Film Archive of India (

NFAI

) at 5pm.

NFAI acquired a 16mm print of the film, courtesy noted history scholar Babasaheb Purandare, facilitated by the efforts of

Ravi Lohokare

and Anil Damle.

The print was in a heavily damaged state but NFAI managed to salvage and restore nearly 95% of the film.

Thus, this screening at NFAI offers the audience a rare opportunity to witness this unique film and listen to Purandare talk about Chhatrapati Shivaji, Raigad fort and the film in person.

Entry to the event is free for all, and seating is on firstcome, first-served basis.

The film captured on celluloid the legendary fort of Raigad, the capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji’s kingdom nestled among the hills of the Western Ghats, as it was 50 years ago. On November 27, 1967, the one-reel short film Kille Raigad (2017) was officially granted a censor certificate.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the film, NFAI has organized the special screening of this rare 10-minute short film directed by Madhav Shinde, who was among the important filmmakers of the Kolhapur school of filmmaking.

He made noted Marathi films like Shikleli Bayko(The Educated Wife),

Grihadevata

and Dharmakanya. Kille Raigad was produced by

Mahalaxmi Chitra

, the production banner founded by Mangeshkar family.

The short film features some intriguing bits of filmmaking – it’s a hybrid film that combines documentary footage of Raigad Fort in 1967, and superimposes upon it enacted scenes of Chhatrapati Shivaji and his officials. Making the film even more interesting is its use of sketches.

Beautiful black-and- white footage takes the audience to the historic place, while Purandare’s narration further deepens the unique effect created by the film.