CINEMA OF MITHILA

Cinema is supposed to be the vehicle of expression of literature of a language. Cinema is the biggest form of cultural representation. It may say that Cinema is the representation of us on the screen. Cinema is the biggest form of entertainment . It is the weapon which can change the point of view of the society . This is the time when the Cinema is not only limited to the Entertainment , it is going beyond this. It raises the issues of the society, it makes the vision clear towards any topic, it makes us understand the different aspects of any theme. Cinema is more than it appears in front of us. It is the language in which people can connect. There are millions of stories in me , in you and in all of us that are dying to be told. Cinema is the way in which our stories could come in front of the world.

Cinema make lives beautiful.

MAITHILI CINEMA

Maithili Cinema is the cinema of Mithila region of India and Nepal in the Maithili language . Maithili language is considered to be the sweetest and the most cultured language. There are 6 – 7 crores people in India and even in abroad too who speak Maithili.

INTRODUCTION

It was happening for the first time in the history when a Maithili film was nominated for the National Film Award . It was the year 2016 when MITHILA MAKHAAN won the 63rd National Film Award. Mithila Makhaan is the first ever film from Bihar and Jharkhand to get a National Award. Director Nitin Chandra said it was possible because he has always believed in standing by his roots. He is adding more by saying ” more rooted you are, more global you would be”. It is the collective achievement for the Maithili language and the identity. This movie takes Maithili Language Cinema on to a new horizon in terms of Film’s budget , script, cast and cinematography. Its 2nd part has also released in the year 2020.

Achieving a National Award by any regional Film,is not as easy. For this milestone to reach The Maithili Film Industry has to see many hurdles, many unsuccessful nights and many sacrificing faces. Lets come with me in this journey of Maithili Cinema where I will talk about every aspect of Maithil Films.

REGIONAL CINEMA

Regional Cinema is the Cinema of any specific region in its own regional language . There are five dialects of Bihar in which Regional Cinema is being made and those are Bhojpuri, Maithili, Maghi, Vajjika and Angika.

Bhojpuri Film Industry , is often mistaken as the only Film Industry in Bihar . But what people don’t know is that there are three other Film Industries too and they are : Maithili , Angika and Maghi . These all three function simultaneously. In these three Industries the Filmmakers of Bihar make films in all five dialects of Bihar.

Maithili Films in those times were mostly made on the lives of POETS and on the happenings in the society. Talking about the issues of making Maithili Films are that, Films don’t get enough exposure as most of the small theatres have shut down in Bihar . And as the Box Office collection for those movies are not enough . Due to the absence of the proper space for Film releases even good Maithili Films don’t reach the audience .

Going back in the time when the Maithili Film Industry was emerging, that was the time when the Filmmakers were experimenting , soon the Films deviated from local issues and started copying films from the mainstream Bollywood and the South Industry. Thus Cinema from Mithilanchal hardly has an original story. There is also another aspect with the Maithili Films which we can put that in the issue . Most of the people think that the regional Films are made for lower segment of the society. They think these films are not for the sophisticated people.

Today we are in 2020 and Maithili Cinema has completed its fifty years . The Industry is still struggling and aspiring to be a known regional Film Industry in India.

HISTORY OF MAITHILI CINEMA

First MaithilI Film was Kanyadaan , which was released in 1965 , directed by Phani Majumdaar . It was not completely in Maithili language , but its significant portion was made in Maithili language. The film’s story revolves around a man , who is the protagonist of the story too who does not know Maithili language , but decided to learn Maithili as his wife knows only this language. This movie is based on Hari mohan Jha’s novel by the same name .

In the year 1984 – 1985 , another Maithili Film was released Mamta Gaave Geet . The melodious songs and good story line had attracted audiences and it had become very popular among folks. The film was directed by C. Parmanand. After that most of the films made but in dubbed form, one was Bhauji May . This film was dubbed from Gujarati film. Jai Baba Bijunath , and Ijot were some more movies of the time. The film Ijot means ray of light was produced by famous playback singer Udit Narayan . The songs of the Film were very good, but it flopped because of the bad script.

The year of 1999, a film made which went a long way in revival of Maithili Film Industries . The name of the film was Sasta Jingi Mahag Sinur . Muarli Dhar , a great director , Music Composer , Singer, Actor was directed this film. Moreover, Balkrishna Jha’s contribution in the film can also not be ruled out. It was the super – duper hit of that time. The songs in the movie were given by Md. Aziz, Sadhana Sargam , Udit Narayan and Deepa Narayan . The series of films were made in this time .Film like Senurak Laaj was also a good film of that time.

The main agenda of these films were more than entertainment. These films focussed on the daily lives of the natives and present them in the cinematic screen . Most films were based on local isuues like Dowry, Untouchability, Unemployement and Poverty. Some films also made which showed the actual problems of the region related to the environment , related to the government . These films had become the platform where problems were being told and discussed in the society . The films also showed the local culture and traditions .

The Maithil Films was facing ups and downs and in between all these, a film named Sindurdaan was released in 2007 , but it was quickly withdrawn from the theatres due to some sound problem.

Kakhan Harab Dukh Mor . It was a successful Maithili Film based on the life of Maithili Poet Vidyapati.

In the year 2000 when the world was meeting the new millenium, The Maithili Film Industry was also growing by making more films. The film Aau Piya Hummar Nagari was released in the year 2000.

Senuriya , directed by B. D. Prasad Chaudhary with music by Gyaneshwar Dubey , is dubbed from Tamil into Maithili with Surya and Divashree in lead roles as actors and Rami Reddy as an antagonist.

In 2005, Garibak Beti listed in the list of successful Maithili Films. Manoj Jha was the director of the Film and Ajay Yash was the producer.The film was made in low budget and that is why it is considered as the low Budget Maithili success. Manoj Jha is considered as one of the best Filmmakers of Maithili Cinema. 2011 was the year when the films like Suhagin and Khurluchhi came on screen.

Director Murli Dhar directed Film Sajna ke Anagna me Solah Singaar and Mukhiya Jee was directed by Vikash Jha . In the year 2014 a successful Maithili Film was directed by Niraj Yadav and Randhir Singh and the film was An ideal Lady – Ramaulwali.

In the year 2019 , Gaamak Ghar was premiered at 21st Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2019, becoming the first Maithili Film to be selected for the Festival . It was cited as the first art – house film from the region , the film received a warm reception both at the Festival and Online release on streaming Platform Mumbai.

Films like love You Dulhin, Premak Basaat, Lalka Paag,Hero Tohaar Deewana, Half Murder , Premak Basaat these are more in the list of Miathil Films.

Deswa , the film had gone through 37 Film Festival and was also showcased at IFFI in the Indian Panaroma.

From the year 1965 to the year 2020, The Maithil Cinema is growing day by day . The Maithili Films which have been shot at the sacred soil of Mithilanchal have always been proved to maintain and save the culture as well as cultural environment .