I/III. http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/saffron-raj-at-ftii-appointing-gajendra-chauhan-as-pune-film-institute-head-is-latest-instance-of-bjp-overreach-2296428.html
Saffron raj at FTII? Appointing Gajendra Chauhan as Pune Film Institute head is latest instance of BJP overreach by Rohini Chatterji Jun 16, 2015 07:16 IST It was only a few months ago in January that there was a huge uproar over the appointment of Pahlaj Nihalani as the chief of the Central Board of Film Certification of India (CBFC). Apart from Nihalani, several other people who were inducted into the board are known to be active BJP workers or supporters. Now, an appointment to another film-related institution has left people fuming. ***Students of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) have been on strike since 12 June over the appointment of Gajendra Chauhan as the new chairman.*** [Emphasis added.] While the students shunned the appointment calling it a 'political' move, noted filmmaker and FTII alumnus Jahnu Barua dubbed the appointment a 'matter of concern,' an Indian Express report said. Gajendra Chauhan. IbnliveGajendra Chauhan. Ibnlive Scroll.in quoted a student as saying, "We have nothing personal against Mr Chauhan, but we are protesting the selection process. If you are selecting somebody to head the governing council, it needs to be somebody who understands our issues. We are going through tremendous transition, especially in the field of digital technology, and tomorrow, if we need a syllabus change, we need somebody who will responsibly handle the change. We cannot take the selection process so lightly." Recent appointments by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has come under a lot of criticism. Critics believe that the BJP government is rewarding those who campaigned for the party prior to the elections. Recently, the government appointed Mukesh Khanna, who played Bhishma in Mahabharata and later Shaktimaan, as the head of Children's Film Society. Khanna too had campaigned for the BJP, and was caught on camera calling Modi, "the Shaktimaan in Gujarat." And the critics may not have been wrong. A look at Chauhan's profile shows that he is indeed the perfect candidate for the BJP. The Hindu reports, "He is best known as Yudhishthira in the hugely popular Mahabharata TV series produced by B.R. Chopra and aired on Doordarshan between1988-90. Other than this, Mr. Chauhan has appeared in numerous television soaps, generally of inferior quality, and several ‘B’ grade Bollywood ventures. Associated with the BJP for two decades, Mr. Chauhan formally joined the party in 2004. He extensively campaigned for the BJP in Haryana during the Lok Sabha elections last year." Be it the head of Doordarshan to Nihalani, the past few appointments in film bodies have made it clear that the government now wants to strategically place its own people at the helm of these institutes, thereby gaining control over them. National Award winning filmmaker Anand Patwardhan was quoted by The Times of India as saying, "I came here to understand the situation. The students know what they are doing. It is not shocking that the BJP is saffronizing all public institutions in the country. There is no transparency in Chauhan's appointment. They could have appointed Jahnu Barua or Rajkumar Hirani for the post." The fact that four of the eight members nominated under ‘Persons of Eminence’ category to the FTII society have BJP or RSS backgrounds only reinforces Patwardhan's 'saffronisation' argument. Here's how The Indian Express describes the four people, "Anagha Ghaisas, who has a strong RSS background and whose husband was a long-serving Sangh pracharak, has made documentary films supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and about Ayodhya. Narendra Pathak had been the Maharashtra president of the ABVP for four years, Pranjal Saikia is an office-bearer of the RSS-linked Sanskar Bharati, while Rahul Solapurkar admitted he was in contention for a BJP ticket in last year’s state Assembly elections." Cinema, the medium, is considered a means to explore ideas, conflicts and cultures. And ideally should be under no compulsion to endorse or submit to traditional morality. The RSS, on the other hand, is all about traditional morality. That's not an assumption, their leaders have repeatedly issued dubious statements about gender, religion, morality making it evident that they work predominantly on social and cultural prejudices. Even as Indian cinema is breaking out of its 'girl meets boy and runs around trees' mould, the need of the hour is freedom of expression and a truly liberal outlook. And what people like Ghaisas and Pathak, who are neck deep in RSS' ideologies, have in mind should make the Indian film industry wary. While Ghaisas says she is proud of her RSS background, Pathak tells The Indian Express, "We are Indians and work for the nation. There shouldn’t be any anti-national activity at the institute. If there are mischief makers who work against the government, to unko sabak sikhana zaroori he (they should be taught a lesson)." Pathak's and Ghaisas' comments make it evident that freedom of expression is not something they have great respect for. And for such people to be at the helm of any educational institute is highly counter-productive. The government has dismissed these protests like they had ignored protests against the BJP-fication of the Censor Board. We have seen how doling out important positions in film bodies as gifts to people who back BJP turned out with the censor board. Not only did Nihalani come up with absurd ideas to censor films, a major ego tussle and power struggle ensued among the board members, some of them BJP supporters too. The Censor Board mess is a clear example of the consequences of appointing people in positions of responsibility not on the basis of merit and relevance, but as rewards for political patronage. We can only imagine what Chauhan and his coterie of saffron supporters can do to FTII. In fact, Ghaisas has said, "Films are not just entertainment. A new thought process should start at FTII. Students should have nationalistic feelings.” It is clear from Ghaisas' statement that she believes that students in FTII don't usually have sentiments that respect the country. And she also believes that 'nationalistic feelings' - whatever her definition for it is - should be shoved down the throats of the students. That's actually a prelude to a horror story. Trying to clamp down on films is a blatant strike on freedom of thought and expression. We can only hope that the BJP government takes cue from the protests and tones down it's saffronisation process. II/III. http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/open-letter-from-pune-film-institute-student-to-newly-appointed-chief-gajendra-chauhan-771750 Letter From Pune Film Institute Student to Newly-Appointed Chief Gajendra Chauhan All India | NDTV.com | Updated: June 15, 2015 13:49 IST Open Letter From Pune Film Institute Student to Newly-Appointed Chief Gajendra Chauhan Actor and BJP member Gajendra Chauhan has been appointed as the president of the governing council of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune submit to reddit inShare Flip The students of Film and Television Institute of India or FTII in Pune are on a protest against the appointment of BJP member and actor Gajendra Chauhan as the president of the institute's governing council, calling it a "political" appointment. Mr Chauhan - best known for his portrayal of Yudhishthir in the tele-serial Mahabharata - was picked ahead of lyricist Gulzar and filmmakers Shyam Benegal and Adoor Gopalakrishnan, who are learnt to have been shortlisted by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry. Here is an open letter from one of the students to Mr Kumar: RELATED Pune Film Institute Director Row: 'I am not an Asaram Bapu Bhakt,' Says Gajendra Chauhan FTII Director Row: 'Students Haven't Seen My Capabilities,' Gajendra Chauhan Tells NDTV Pune Film Institute Students Await Centre's Response as Stir Intensifies (Disclaimer - This is an expression of an individual student and in no way is representation of FTII's official position) Dear Mr Chauhan, I am choosing to address you personally after listening to you respond on several TV news debates about the recent opposition against your appointment as Chairman at FTII. I am a student of FTII and part of the protest. When we first heard about your appointment we knew little about you except those of us who had grown up on 'Mahabharata' the B.R. Chopra serial. We then began to look for more information to get to know your background and work profile. When we did, we saw a huge anomaly in your body of work and the very principles and aesthetic, FTII stands for. We began to smell a rat. Given your political affiliations and given the fact that the ruling party is becoming notorious for making completely irrational and high-handed appointments since it has come to power, it was clear to us you were meant to be a puppet of the Government and chosen despite your capabilities and inspite of your body of work. The protest wasn't against you personally, coz we never knew you or about you. You, as we saw, are unfit for the job (reasons below) but more important than that this is a strike against the increasing interference of the ruling party to drive their agenda throughout the country without considering the principles of democracies and those of the said institutions. I think, this may satisfy the 'surprise' you felt when you heard about the protest before even you joining. This protest was not about you, Mr Chauhan as an individual. This may also satisfy a certain insecurity you may have, going by your own admission of you being a 'chhota aadmi', of depriving you of your chance to shine and become 'big'. (Given your political affiliations I am sure you will receive a much better post, as you again by your admission iterated, that, 'If you had to use your political power than why FTII, why not a big and more important post?' I hope you see the contradictions here, Mr Chauhan. First you say give me a chance to progress, then you imply FTII isn't that important a place to progress with. Strange.) Now it is comments like these that compel me to write this letter. Because, now that we have heard you speak, we know you better and now that we know you we are dead sure you are wrong for this post. Before I tell you why you are wrong, let me educate you a bit about FTII and what this institution means to cinema as well. On the way you may learn something about cinema too, because as you may not be aware, 'Khuli Khidki' isn't exactly cinema. What FTII stands for - Freedom of thought - We are allowed, encouraged and groomed to think independently to understand the world around us and our own art without any agendas, something I don't see many institutions that can boast of. We are also taught to respect each other's opinions as artists. Do you see yourself being able to encourage that? Freedom of speech - We are allowed, encouraged and groomed to express our independent opinions without fear of repercussions, disturbing the status quo or upsetting power equations. This, you may not know, is a very important constitutional right of every citizen of India and the cornerstone of democracy which the ruling party you are associated with is trying to systematically euthanize. Individuality and unbridled self-expression - FTII grooms students as individual artists above their technical domain, constantly keeping in mind that it is the person who creates and not technology. We are pushed to develop and express ourselves through our art for constant evolution irrespective of our specialisations. Having said that, FTII produces the best technical experts the industry has, on a yearly basis too. Justice and fairness in all areas to all sections of society based on the philosophical principles of the Socialist Democracy we are. FTII has always stood for equality and justice for all irrespective of class, creed or gender and this has shown in the films it produces. Cinema, you see, is a wonderful tool of mass communication and if it can be used for propagating ideas of equality and justice, then why not?! These ideas don't go down very well with your political party unfortunately and that is worrisome for us. Only film institute in India to have a global perspective on cinema as a pure aesthetic medium without any mercenary considerations. It is an art form and it is upheld as one here, without compromises. Cinema here is taught from the lessons and learnings of world greats by people who understand it as an art-form, to students who want to become artists not assembly line film-makers. This requires a certain bent of mind and commitment to cinematic arts. Do you think you have it? The only film institute in India that considers cinema as a vehicle as much of self-expression as much as a mirror to the society we live in. Cinema, for us, cannot be divorced from a personal voice and the socio-political context within which we live. Cinema, for us is about comment and expression not distribution and titillation. Do you understand this distinction? Now you may say, you will uphold all these principles. Fine, we may consider your earnestness to get your 'chance' but what about the fact that one must understand these principles to execute them? Your body of work and now more importantly, your responses, clearly show you don't. If you still don't get it, let me tell you why you are wrong for this post - You have no connection whatsoever with FTII to understand this space. You are not an alumnus nor have you worked or associated professionally with students or artists from here. I doubt you have even visited this place ever. You may say you will learn on the job, but Sir we aren't talking about hiring an intern. YOU are supposed to be guiding US, deciding our future. Without knowing what this place is all about, how will you? You have nothing in your body of work that shows any kind of affiliation to the philosophy or aesthetics of cinema we practice here. If you haven't studied or practiced then you don't understand, you see. Then how will you show us the way ahead? How will you approve, disapprove and draft policies, make decisions, appoint people to take our learning forward in the way it should be done? You have nothing else in your body of work to show any kind of inclination to arts and aesthetics, or an intellectual or questioning bent of mind. This especially, is disastrous for both of us. You may not know, but the key ingredient in learning and teaching, especially of arts and aesthetics is a constantly questioning mind. And because of these three points above, your political affiliation troubles us a lot. Because a fourth standard student can see why you are not fit for this post but the Government of India has handed it to you on a platter. Hence, even if you are sincere this very lack of understanding can easily make you a pawn in the hands of the Govt to push their decisions on to the institution. In that case, for your own peace of mind and job security with your bosses I think this could be unhealthy for you. Why would you want a job where you can't prove your own mettle as you so badly seem to want to do? Please seriously re-consider and withdraw. If we talk of pure heritage, the post of the Chairman has been held by the following - (Please google them if you don't know of them and you will know more about why you are wrong for this place.) Adoor Gopalkrishnan - Director, writer and producer, FTII alumnus and 16 National Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee. (The last, you may not know, is the highest honour conferred in the field of cinema.) If awards don't cut it for you, it doesn't for some of us either, then maybe the fact that he started the 'New Cinema' movement in Kerala that synthesized the mainstream and so-called art cinema for a wider appreciation of cinema as an artform. Shyam Benegal - Director, writer, faculty at FTII before he became the Chairman twice. 12 National Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. His films have been nominated at Cannes, Berlin and Moscow in competition sections. But more importantly he was a huge influence and constituent of the parallel cinema movement in India which changed the shape of cinema forever. Girish Karnad - Actor, director, writer, playwright, recipient of 9 National Awards, Padma Shri, Padma Vibhushan, Sahitya Akademi and Janpeeth Award (highest literary honour of India). He marked the blooming and maturing of Kannada literature in the sixties. U.R.Ananthamurthy - Novelist, playwright, poet and literary critic, Padma Bhushan, Sahitya Akademi, Jnanpeeth awardee. Finalist of the Man Booker prize. He had no association with cinema and we protested his appointment too despite holding his body of work and the power of his intellect in high regard. Saeed Mirza - Director, writer, novelist, producer, FTII alumnus, 3 National Awards winner and a very important film-maker whose films gave impetus and shape to the parallel cinema movement of the 70's. And now some GK about FTII in the last decade, actually just last two years is enough. I wouldn't have taken the pain but I read you mention somewhere that Rajkumar Hirani was the last film-maker of reckoning FTII produced. Not so long ago, in 2009, 'Vihir', a terrific Marathi film was chosen at Berlin in the competition section and it was made by an FTII alumnus. Last year, in 2014,'Killa', a Marathi film has won the Crystal Bear at Berlin. And you know, the director was a cinematography student here, by the way. He also shot 'Masaan' which won two awards at Cannes this year. Yes, two. And to talk mainstream, he has also shot the soon-to-release Ajay Devgan starrer 'Drishyam', and this guy is hardly in his early thirties. Another film in competition this year at Cannes was 'Chauthi Kooth', made by another FTII alumnus. For God's sake our diploma films have been selected in competition at Berlin this year, 'Kamakshi' being a case in point. Oh by the way, 'Chitrashala', another short film selected at Berlin this year is made by Amit Dutta, an FTII alumnus again, and an avant-garde and important film-maker of our times. (If you can, please note how your reference points are so mainstream that you are not even aware of the wonderful and important work FTII alumni have been doing and which have even made recent headlines.) I can go on, Sir. But I think I have explained myself in so much detail that you must have got the point. And in case you didn't, it proves once again why you just aren't right for this post. Apologies but we can do little about that except protest until you step down. Thank you Most Sincerely An FTII studentStory First Published: June 15, 2015 13:49 IST III. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10155674685245368&set=np.1434462206515974.1387786704&type=1 [Just visit the site. It's good fun.] -- Peace Is Doable -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/greenyouth. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
