HISTORY
50 YEARS OF SUCHITRA
THE FOUNDATION
- SUCHITRA CINEMA ACADEMY was established in March 1979 as a trust with the object to promote the then vibrant film society movement and film appreciation among the public by setting up art theatres, film workshops and institutes for training and research in cinema.
- It was authored by SUCHITRA FILM SOCIETY as an ‘independent, autonomous trust for the General Benefit of the Public’ under the name and style of SUCHITRA CINEMA ACADEMY, with the objects to start a Film Study Centre and an auditorium. In recognition of the stellar contribution of the society in promoting good cinema culture, the Government of Karnataka, through BDA, allocated a civic amenity site to launch a ‘cine academy’.
- The decade of the 1970s, which was marked by a surge of critical and creative exploration of the arts in Karnataka, with Bangalore as its centre, saw an explosion of new literature, new theatre and new cinema. SUCHITRA was an integral part of that renaissance.
- It was SUCHITRA that created in 2006, the popular BIFFES – the Bengaluru International Film Festival – that is now adopted by the government’s Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy as the official international film festival of the city.
- In addition to running the cine academy, SUCHITRA continues its engagement with related arts through its branch bodies of Suchitra Kala Kendra for literature, music, dance and language studies; Suchitra Balajagat for children; and VN Subba Rao Vichara Vedike for discussions and events related to media.
- SUCHITRA signed an MoU with PURAVANKARA PROJECTS LIMITED in 2014 to renovate the old art theatre. Consequently, in the Phase 1 engagement, PPL generously funded and oversaw the conversion of the old hall into a Dolby Atmos theatre and a floor above, which comprises a rehearsal space, classroom, video and sound suites and a students’ work room.
- SUCHITRA is now styled as PURAVANKARA SUCHITRA CINEMA & CULTURAL ACADEMY TRUST (as registered on 16 June 2016).
28 Aug 1971 – Launch meeting
A classroom in a school at Chamarajpete, Bengaluru
Pioneers – (l-r) H. N. Narahari Rao, B. N. Narayana, V. N. Subbarao, N. Lakshminarayan
V.Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (Hindi/1946/16 mm)
V. Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (Hindi/1946/16 mm) was screened at National College, Basavanagudi. Courtesy: Nani and HN (principal)
V. Shantaram introduced his film Padosi at Chamundeswari
Chowdappa Reddy, V. Shantaram & H. N. Narahari Rao
M. V. Krishnaswamy, P. V. Row & K. K. Murthy
Suchitra Bergman Film Festival at Bluemoon and Plaza
Virgin Spring, Seventh Seal, Silence, Wild Strawberries
M.Bhaktavatsala, President, KFCC inaugurated Bergman Film Festival at Bluemoon
M. V. Krishnaswamy and M.N.Srinivasan - chief guests
Govt installed 35mm projectors at Bal Bhavan
H. N. Narahari Rao & P. K. Nair
T. G. Vydyanathan, H. N. Narahari Rao, S. Krishnaswamy, Nani
FFC (Now NFDC) Film Festival in Bangalore at Galaxy
H. E. Governor Sukhadia
B. K. Karanjia & Min. Badrinarayan
Seminar on THE GOVERNMENT AND CINEMA, FFC Festival
B.K. Karanjia, R. K. Hegde, M. V. Krishnaswamy
Snehalata Reddy
Nani with B.K. Karanjia
C. V. Rajagopal, H. N. Narahari Rao & B.K. Karanjia
Mrinal Sen
Discussion with Mrinal Sen during his visit for the screening of his films: Calcutta 71 and Interview.
Film critic and scholar Marie Seton visited Suchitra - Addressed the members with a package of short films.
Marie Seton
H. N. Narahari Rao, M. V. Krishnaswamy, Marie Seton
FILM FESTIVALS
Jena Renoir’s FF - 31/3/75
Hungarian FF - 15/9/75
Swedish FF - 18/4/77
Yugoslav FF 22/8/77
16 mm screening at Balbhavan
Suchitra film workshop Inauguration by renowned Cameraman (late) S. Ramachandra
S. Ramachandran
Someshwar - Life member
Chief Guest - N. Lakshminarayan
Established a mini studio with a 16 mm Bolex camera, imported editing table and necessary accessories.
S. Raghavendra Rao, Suchitra’s first member, a self-taught cinematographer, helped many youngsters make their first films through the Suchitra Film Workshop.
Raghavendra Rao & Adiga - shooting
Anand's film Kalka Kalla
Baba by V. Pandit
All India Film Societies Conference of FFSI organised by Suchitra Film Society supported by KFSDC.
Attended by more than 150 members
M. V. Krishnaswamy had advised Suchitra to visit British Film Institute
M. V. Krishnaswamy
Visit to British Film Institute
M. V. Krishnaswamy had advised Suchitra to visit British Film Institute
Suchitra Library
M. V. Krishnaswamy donated all the magazines from his collections. Accordingly, a very good library of books and magazines was also developed
Suchitra became one of the leading film societies in the country.
Suchitra screened more than 400 films and more than 20 film festivals from many countries and India as well.
5th Anniversary-German FF-24-09-1976 Suchitra published brochures for every festival.
Nostalgia film festival
Nostalgia film festival organised by Suchitra Film Society, Karnataka Chalana Chitra Patrakartara Parishat, and KFCC
Inauguration of Nostalgia at Ravindra Kalakshetra
Inauguration of Nostalgia at Ravindra Kalakshetra Vintage Car Rally Procession from West End Hotel to Ravindra Kalakshetra Img - S. Rama Murthy accompanies delegates
Inauguration of Nostalgia Film Festival
Jayamma
Devika Rani Inaugurating
Nargis souvenir Release
Mrinal Sen
Kannada Artistes
A Section of Artistes
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Cras eleifend leo lacus, et semper erat aliquet at. Aliquam nisi risus, dapibus non ex in, imperdiet ultrices lorem.
VISION
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
“…the walls are falling and media types are converging…” – The Guardian
“SUCHITRA academy will establish itself as
a CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
for VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS
to learn, innovate and engage with
Interactive technologies, Internet and AI, and the convergence of Traditional, Broadcast and New Media,
to create narratives for the screen and the stage,
with moving image media, animation and graphics
and performances of drama, dance and music.”
MISSION
SUCHITRA now looks to develop infrastructure to offer academic and research programmes that will enable both students and practitioners to combine academic classroom instruction with immersive, work-based learning to master emerging technologies and trends in Social Media 2.0, Web 3.0 and the Metaverse; Streaming Media, Virtual Reality, Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain and NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens).
SUCHITRA will build a 450-seat screening and performance theatre, studio facilities for hands-on practical training in sound and image capture, editing and post-production, and graphics and animation; rehearsal spaces for acting, yoga, dance and other movement arts; music room, seminar halls and class rooms, residential suites for guest faculty and a lab and INCUBATION CENTRE for practitioners.
SUCHITRA will become a preferred venue for regular screenings and performances in the city by curating and inviting productions designed for the screen and the stage.
SUCHITRA will conduct an annual ARTS’ FESTIVAL in January, featuring cinema from around the world; performances of dance, music, theatre and folk arts; an exhibition of photography, drawing, painting and sculpture; architecture & interior design; and crafts like pottery, weaving and ceramics.
SUCHITRA will collaborate with national and international academic institutions and network with production houses, TV channels and advertising agencies to facilitate students with exposure, internships and placements.
HISTORY
50 YEARS OF SUCHITRA
THE FOUNDATION
- SUCHITRA CINEMA ACADEMY was established in March 1979 as a trust with the object to promote the then vibrant film society movement and film appreciation among the public by setting up art theatres, film workshops and institutes for training and research in cinema.
- It was authored by SUCHITRA FILM SOCIETY as an ‘independent, autonomous trust for the General Benefit of the Public’ under the name and style of SUCHITRA CINEMA ACADEMY, with the objects to start a Film Study Centre and an auditorium. In recognition of the stellar contribution of the society in promoting good cinema culture, the Government of Karnataka, through BDA, allocated a civic amenity site to launch a ‘cine academy’.
- The decade of the 1970s, which was marked by a surge of critical and creative exploration of the arts in Karnataka, with Bangalore as its centre, saw an explosion of new literature, new theatre and new cinema. SUCHITRA was an integral part of that renaissance.
- It was SUCHITRA that created in 2006, the popular BIFFES – the Bengaluru International Film Festival – that is now adopted by the government’s Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy as the official international film festival of the city.
- In addition to running the cine academy, SUCHITRA continues its engagement with related arts through its branch bodies of Suchitra Kala Kendra for literature, music, dance and language studies; Suchitra Balajagat for children; and VN Subba Rao Vichara Vedike for discussions and events related to media.
- SUCHITRA signed an MoU with PURAVANKARA PROJECTS LIMITED in 2014 to renovate the old art theatre. Consequently, in the Phase 1 engagement, PPL generously funded and oversaw the conversion of the old hall into a Dolby Atmos theatre and a floor above, which comprises a rehearsal space, classroom, video and sound suites and a students’ work room.
- SUCHITRA is now styled as PURAVANKARA SUCHITRA CINEMA & CULTURAL ACADEMY TRUST (as registered on 16 June 2016).
28 Aug 1971 – Launch meeting
A classroom in a school at Chamarajpete, Bengaluru
Pioneers – (l-r) H. N. Narahari Rao, B. N. Narayana, V. N. Subbarao, N. Lakshminarayan
V.Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (Hindi/1946/16 mm)
V. Shantaram's Dr Kotnis Ki Amar Kahani (Hindi/1946/16 mm) was screened at National College, Basavanagudi. Courtesy: Nani and HN (principal)
V. Shantaram introduced his film Padosi at Chamundeswari
Chowdappa Reddy, V. Shantaram & H. N. Narahari Rao
M. V. Krishnaswamy, P. V. Row & K. K. Murthy
Suchitra Bergman Film Festival at Bluemoon and Plaza
Virgin Spring, Seventh Seal, Silence, Wild Strawberries
M.Bhaktavatsala, President, KFCC inaugurated Bergman Film Festival at Bluemoon
M. V. Krishnaswamy and M.N.Srinivasan - chief guests
Govt installed 35mm projectors at Bal Bhavan
H. N. Narahari Rao & P. K. Nair
T. G. Vydyanathan, H. N. Narahari Rao, S. Krishnaswamy, Nani
FFC (Now NFDC) Film Festival in Bangalore at Galaxy
H. E. Governor Sukhadia
B. K. Karanjia & Min. Badrinarayan
Seminar on THE GOVERNMENT AND CINEMA, FFC Festival
B.K. Karanjia, R. K. Hegde, M. V. Krishnaswamy
Snehalata Reddy
Nani with B.K. Karanjia
C. V. Rajagopal, H. N. Narahari Rao & B.K. Karanjia
Mrinal Sen
Discussion with Mrinal Sen during his visit for the screening of his films: Calcutta 71 and Interview.
Film critic and scholar Marie Seton visited Suchitra - Addressed the members with a package of short films.
Marie Seton
H. N. Narahari Rao, M. V. Krishnaswamy, Marie Seton
FILM FESTIVALS
Jena Renoir’s FF - 31/3/75
Hungarian FF - 15/9/75
Swedish FF - 18/4/77
Yugoslav FF 22/8/77
16 mm screening at Balbhavan
Suchitra film workshop Inauguration by renowned Cameraman (late) S. Ramachandra
S. Ramachandran
Someshwar - Life member
Chief Guest - N. Lakshminarayan
Established a mini studio with a 16 mm Bolex camera, imported editing table and necessary accessories.
S. Raghavendra Rao, Suchitra’s first member, a self-taught cinematographer, helped many youngsters make their first films through the Suchitra Film Workshop.
Raghavendra Rao & Adiga - shooting
Anand's film Kalka Kalla
Baba by V. Pandit
All India Film Societies Conference of FFSI organised by Suchitra Film Society supported by KFSDC.
Attended by more than 150 members
M. V. Krishnaswamy had advised Suchitra to visit British Film Institute
M. V. Krishnaswamy
Visit to British Film Institute
M. V. Krishnaswamy had advised Suchitra to visit British Film Institute
Suchitra Library
M. V. Krishnaswamy donated all the magazines from his collections. Accordingly, a very good library of books and magazines was also developed
Suchitra became one of the leading film societies in the country.
Suchitra screened more than 400 films and more than 20 film festivals from many countries and India as well.
5th Anniversary-German FF-24-09-1976 Suchitra published brochures for every festival.
Nostalgia film festival
Nostalgia film festival organised by Suchitra Film Society, Karnataka Chalana Chitra Patrakartara Parishat, and KFCC
Inauguration of Nostalgia at Ravindra Kalakshetra
Inauguration of Nostalgia at Ravindra Kalakshetra Vintage Car Rally Procession from West End Hotel to Ravindra Kalakshetra Img - S. Rama Murthy accompanies delegates
Inauguration of Nostalgia Film Festival
Jayamma
Devika Rani Inaugurating
Nargis souvenir Release
Mrinal Sen
Kannada Artistes
A Section of Artistes
Nulla mollis lorem nec
Cras eleifend leo lacus, et semper erat aliquet at. Aliquam nisi risus, dapibus non ex in, imperdiet ultrices lorem.
Founders
President
(L) B. N. Narayan (Make-up Nani)
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Vice President
P. Vijayasimha Row
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Secretary
H. N. Narahari Rao
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Treasurer
S. Raghavendra Rao
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Jt. Secretary
A. V. Rajagopala Adiga
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Trustees
President
Prakash Belawadi
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Vice President
T S Nagabharana
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Secretary
Vrushanka Bhat
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Treasurer
Abhishek Iyengar
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S Raghavendra Rao
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N Shashidhara
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Anand Sabhapathy
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Krishnan Rangaraju
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Naresh Narasimhan
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Mahesh Karanth
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Ganesh Prasad Udupa
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Krishna Hebbale
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Satyajit Ray
Inaugurating the Suchitra Cinema and Cultural Academy at the site on 8th January 1980, Bharat Ratna, Special Oscar Award winner and India’s greatest auteur of cinema, Satyajit Ray, had said: “We need art theatres to find an outlet for good films. This is happening here, in Bangalore, for the first time (in India).” Moving forward, Suchitra continues to keep in mind the founding vision: to not only expose the audience to fine cinema and engage them in appreciation of it, but also to enable the makers of cinema and other moving-image media to improve their craft and expression.
