Director Nandita Das Gives Lecture at First Japan Screening of “Manto”
September 5, 2019
On Thursday the 4th and Sunday the 7th of July at AGORA Global’s Prometheus Hall, and on Friday the 5th of July at Osaka University’s Nakanoshima Center, TUFS Cinema held the event “South Asian Film Feature: Manto” (sponsor: The Center for South Asian Studies (FINDAS)).
This film looks at Indian and Pakistani society through the lens of the life of Urdu writer Manto (1912-1955), a prominent writer in contemporary Indian literature. TUFS Faculty of Foreign Studies Hindi Department Alumna FUJII Mika, who currently works as an English and Japanese translator for Hindi films, was in charge of translating the film’s subtitles, and as a result it was screened for the very first time in Japan by TUFS Cinema. Before the screening, TUFS Associate Professor HAGITA Hiroshi (Institute of Global Studies, Urdu literature specialist) gave a simple background explanation of Manto and Urdu literature. Following the screening, the film’s director, Nandita Das, who visited Japan especially for this event, talked about the film and answered questions from the audience. Interpreting for this event was done by one of its main organizers, Associate Professor MAMIYA Kensaku (Graduate School of Global Studies, sociolinguistics and Urdu language).
This event drew in such a large crowd that numbered tickets had to be used. Attendees left comments such as “this event was such a valuable opportunity to directly feel the director’s passion”, “it really made me think about India’s religious problems and freedom of expression/speech” and “it was the first time I ever came to one of these events, but it was very good and uniquely TUFS”.
Das’ post-screening talk (from July 7th) can be viewed on the official TUFS YouTube channel, YouTube:TUFS Channel.
On Tuesday the 9th of July, Das also held an international workshop entitled “Issues on Contemporary Indian Female: As an actor, as a social activist”, during which she held discussions with participants.
