Kolkata, Nov 13 (IANS) Debutante Bangladeshi filmmaker Shahneoyaj Kakoli, who grew up watching legendary Bengali director Ritwik Ghatak's movies Tuesday said she and her first film have been greatly influenced by her idol.
"Like all Bengalis, I too have grown up watching movies of Satyajit Ray and Ghatak, though I like Ghatak more and I idolise him. I am greatly inspired by him and consequently my movie 'Uttarer Sur' (Northern Symphony) too is influenced by Ghatak," said Kakoli.
"Uttarer Sur", being screened at the 18th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF), has been praised by the audience. The movie deals with the gradual demise of Bhawaiyaa - a musical form popular in northern Bangladesh, especially Rangpur district.
The film depicts the life-story of a singer and his little daughter, who earn their bread and butter singing in the streets.
"Poverty and art have always been at loggerheads and my film focuses on how due to poverty Bhawaiyaa folk is dying a gradual death," said Kakoli, who hails from Rangpur district.
"Even a few years ago, street hawkers, basically sweet sellers, used to attract people by singing. We don't see such sellers these days. I've made the film being inspired by my memories of those street hawkers," said Kakoli.
"The character of the little girl played by Meghla is the essence of my film and her death symbolises that Bhawaiya folk is also heading towards a gradual demise and we must do something to revive it," she added.
Kakoli, also a painter said the art form helped her visualise the scenes of her movie.
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