The city of lakes is a place of traditions and a glorious history that is capturing the eyes of many filmmakers and public figures these days. In an exclusive rendezvous with The Pioneer, Director of Madhya Pradesh Arts and Communication Enterprise (MPACE) Preeti Tripathi and noted film maker and International Consultant of IFFTAC 2013 Rajesh Bajaj shared their voyage in the city of lakes and discovering the old essence of the Bhopalites.
Rajesh Bajaj is a noted film critic and filmmaker. He has made almost 150 movies including feature films and documentary. This Canada based individual has always been interested in city of lakes and the tehzeeb and nawabi daur of the city has always caught his eyes.
On the other hand, Preeti is a noted documentary maker and has already made 40 documentaries on the lifestyle and cultures of the Madhya Pradesh tribesmen. Walking into the forests and searching out the tremendously wonderful world of the tribesmen, she has also been a participant in the International Festival of Films on Tribal Art and Culture (IFFTAC) 2010. Receiving a huge response by the spectators there, MPACE with collaboration with Vanya is organising the 3rd IFFTAC 2013 in the city of lakes. “The biggest captivating essence of this city is the people ‘the Bhopalites’.
They are so cultured and warm-hearted that no one can ever forget their love and affection they shower on us.”
While talking about his experience from the time he has been visiting Bhopal, he said, “This is not my first trip to Bhopal, but the scenic beauty, the welcoming hearts of the people and the kindhearted hospitality always made me feel the same.”
Rajesh’s next three productions would be shot in Bhopal and its nearby locations. “Bhopal is gifted with spectacular scenic beauty and my planning is to shoot Bhopal as it is.
One can explore so much in this city that it is always sigh of satisfaction and contentedness.” He has already recce 20 locations across the Bhopal and nearby to finalise them for the upcoming shooting schedule.
“When Preeti shared her idea with me about the festival I become so excited and agreed to be a part of the IFFTAC” elaborated Rajesh. “The tribesmen life always fascinated me and I always wanted to indulge myself in their art and craft and lifestyle,” says Preeti. “Tribesmen are so rich in culture and their lifestyle, their way of coping up with different situations has always widened my eyes and I always wondered about how they manage, but when I discovered them through my camera I realized how beautiful their
life is.”
On asking about IFFTAC, Preeti says, “As the name says it is an International festival on tribesmen. So the idea behind was to bring the lifestyles of all the tribes under one roof and let them reach in the hearts of the people.” About 33 countries have participated in the festival. The Bhopalites would have a view of as many as 70 quality movies on tribesmen. Further, 500 tribal artist would be performing at different venues of the city during the festival that would capture the interest of the common man. The festival would take place at Tribal Museum, expressing his contend about it, Rajesh says, “It is an astonishing venue for the people as I have traveled across the world but I have never seen such a museum.”