Nagpur Celebrates Guru Dutt's Legacy with Captivating Film Festival

In Nagpur, enthusiasts gathered in large numbers last month for the concluding day of the two-day festival 'Celebrating Guru Dutt'. Organized by PIFF Nagpur Edition and Meraki Theatres, the festival paid a multifaceted tribute to the renowned filmmaker whose works like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam remain etched in Indian cinema's memory.

The second day of the festival opened with a lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by the screening of two documentaries. 'Saluting Guru Dutt' by Ravikant Soitkar and 'Light, Shadow and Me' by Film Division, which explored the creative processes behind Dutt's collaborations, particularly with legendary cinematographer V.K. Murthy.

One of the highlights was an unconventional reading of Pyaasa by renowned Nagpur-based architect Habib Khan, who analyzed the film through the lens of architecture and space. Khan noted that Pyaasa vividly reflects the socio-economic climate of its era and praised Dutt's ability to use non-verbal elements with remarkable depth.

Cinematographer Jehangir Choudhary and film expert Samar Nakhate further enriched the discussion, unpacking Guru Dutt's innovative use of light, shadow, and visual storytelling techniques. Their insights offered students and researchers a rare opportunity to understand the technical brilliance behind the director's enduring style.

Beyond the screenings and talks, the festival featured a black-and-white art exhibition 'Portraits of Poetry', showcasing canvases inspired by Dutt's imagery and emotional palette. The event also included a 'Lamppost Melody' presentation by the International Suyog Party, performing songs from the filmmaker's iconic works.