Bhubaneswar: Nanda Master’nka Chatasali, the feature film on Padma Shri awardee and centenarian teacher Nanda Kishore Prusty has been screened at 16th Habitat Film Festival.
The Habitat Film Festival (HFF), organized by India Habitat Centre, has carved a niche for itself as one of the premier festivals of Indian Cinema and as Delhi’s finest. What makes the festival unique is its dedicated focus on Pan-Indian cinema, bringing the best of regional and independent Indian cinema to the film lovers of Delhi. Additionally, each year, the festival honours the work of a pathbreaking director, actor, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, or film technician who pushes the boundaries and enriches the medium.
Amidst a selection of many films for the esteemed festival, Pranab Kumar Aich’s directorial Nanda Master’nka Chatasali stood out as a representative of Odisha’s cinematic prowess. The movie screening was held on May 8 and earned kudos from filmgoers and critics.
Previously, the film was viewed and appreciated by Documentary Mogul Ikka Vehkahalati from Finland, International producer Leena Vurma from Germany, SRFTI Director Himashu Khatua and Film Curator Jitendra Mishra at Film Bazaar, International Film Festival of India, Goa. Then the film was also world premiered at the prestigious NETPAC Award Section of the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival where it won special praise from the international jury and audience.
Talking to Ommcom News, the director of the movie Pranab Kumar Aich said, “It was a proud moment for us to get appreciated by renowned filmmakers and filmmakers present at the festival for the film. They simple fell in love with the movie. The biography delves into the life of the iconic centenarian teacher known for operating one of India’s last traditional open-air schools, Chatasali. The film portrays him as an ambassador of change and a saviour of our culture. He selflessly provided free education for 70 years to three generations of children in his village. It is expected to be released by the end of 2024 in Odisha after travelling across the world in film festivals.”
Produced by Abhay Pati and directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Aich, the team has plans to approach OTT platforms like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime and Voot to spread the cause for which Nanda sir lived all his life.
Let’s Know Who Is Nanda Sir
Nanda was a ‘chatasali’ teacher hailing from a remote village named Kantira, under Sukinda block in Jajpur district. He shot to fame after receiving Padma Shri from the President of India. Nanda Sir, who was loved by one and all for his selfless dedication towards eradicating illiteracy in his locality, was conferred with the Padma Shri award for his contributions to the field of education on November 9, 2021.
Despite being a Class-VII pass-out, he spent several decades of his life providing free education to children and adults in Jajpur.
It won’t be wrong to say that Padmashri Nanda Kishore Prusty was the oldest teacher of contemporary Odisha who had created a free learning space for local kids since 1946 and did not stop till his death on December 7, 2021.
