“It is also a kind of ritual to see the film. When the lights are extinguished, the curtains are alive. So all the viewers become one. It becomes a community feeling. We can compare it to a church, a mosque or a temple. “- Ritwik Ghatak
A visionary, a protagonist, a proclaimed eccentric and a rebel; Ritwik Ghatak can be attributed to all of these. An ardent fan of Eisenstein, Ritwik Ghatak had always been a strong proponent of egalitarian society. Stirred and devastated by the event of partition, Ritwik Ghatak choose to express his agony and pain through the medium of cinema.
He made only 9 films in his career, only 9!! But the impact of those films; in all aspects, are a subject that all film schools teach to all aspiring filmmakers across the world!! Even in the age where most of the work is done through aides of superior technology; one can never dare to ignore the contribution of this man to the art of making films.
A tragic figure in his personal life, he was asked in what was possibly his last interview, what should be the primary objective of making films. His answer was “…to do good to mankind”.
His most famous quote was “think, think….practice thinking.”
His films like his words were enough to ignite the creativity as well as the inherent indignation that resides in the hearts of all individuals.
Although all his works were devoid of visual effects or animation but since long he has been serving food for thought to all renowned and thoughtful filmmakers.
Thought is the indispensable aspect to achieve ingenuity. Without that animation or any other creative art form will lose its enigma and charm. The alphas of the wonders we create in our studios everyday are the imaginations of each of us that we transform into reality.
In a world enriched with technological advances and devices which provide easy access to information in a click, we sometimes obliterate our thoughts and imaginations. The expression of vision can be called art. Ideas and images which appear as random contours somewhere in our fleeting thoughts are the lifeline to all animators. On further contemplation they slowly take shape and form in reality.
The maestro reminds us never to forget thinking. Thinking stimulates more ideas, new concepts and fresh perspectives to the work we do. As animators, our work is a source of relief and breathes fresh air in the lives of the masses who view them.
We must not let apathy towards thinking wear out this vital facet. At the end of the day, it is the impact that we have on people that will be prime relevance to what we create.
Here at Moople, we strive to carry forward the legacy of nurturing and thoughtful minds. At Moople, they get their desired launch pad to exhibit their talents and propel their dreams further.
Moople-Institute of Animation and Design celebrates the birth of one of the greatest Filmmakers to have ever lived in history today, the 4th of November. Ritwik Ghatak.
We shall continue practicing thinking Sir, we assure you!!! The flame will never die.
Akash Acharya
Content Writer
Moople
Hi-Tech Animation 