The weeklong children’s film festival concluded with a lot of ecstasy at Bharat Bhavan here on Sunday. Two interesting movies - ‘Krish Trish and Baltiboy’ and ‘Woh’ - were screened on the last day of the fest. Krish Trish and Baltiboy animated series has already wooed the little filmy buffs. Directed by Munjal Shroff Krish, Trish and Baltiboy the three lovable minstrels take the children on a wonderful journey into the world of Indian folktales and folk music.
The rich cultural heritage of Karnataka, Bihar and Bengal unfolds right in front of the eyes as the children enjoy their antics that lighten up the screen through the wonderful animation. The classic story of the monkey and the crocodile was great fun when shown using the beautiful leather puppets of Karnataka. Then the colourful Bihar is witnessed and the children meet the two village monkeys who set out for the city in search of a better life. Their experience is presented in the exotic Madhubani style of paintings. Their humorous bickering is sure to keep the children in splits as they watch them get a taste of the city and its ways. The popular folk story of the lazy barber’s brilliant wit is beautifully presented in Patachitra the traditional art of Bengal. When the lazy barber is pushed out of his house by his wife to go and make a living, he sets off into the forest. It was interesting to watch how Brahmarakshasa changes his fortunes.
Then the thriller movie ‘Woh’ was screened. Directed by Buddhdeb Dasgupta it is about a girl Poupe. little PoupeRs comes to her Grandfather, a celebrated author, for the first time when her mother falls seriously ill. Her gloomy stay in the age old mansion with a grumpy faced Mary Aunty and a lonesome Grandfather slowly takes a turn with the arrival of a circus troupe, a talking fox, a nagging tiger, a magic tree and Woh, the anonymous commoner from the Grandfather’s writing. With Woh intruding the ordinary day to day activities, PoupeRs and her ‘Daddu’s’ life takes a sudden leap and becomes adventurous. Woh is inspired by Rabindranath Tangore’s novel “Shey” (That Fellow) written in Shantiniketan, 1937 about his own relationship with Grand Daughter Nandini. The grand closure of Children Theatre Fest was much enjoyed by the little theatre buffs of the city.