Art is a strong tool to influence society: Nandita
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, APRIL 10
Asserting that Art is a strong tool which can make an impact on society, noted film maker and activist, Nandita Das has said that film making and activism are two modes of reaching the goal.
She was delivering a lecture on Film and Activism – a personal journey at the Ravindra bhavan here on Saturday evening organized by the Konkani Bhasha Mandal and Ravindra bhavan.
“Art is indeed a strong tool. It does make a difference, otherwise why are the right-wing people and radicals worried about films. They do realize the power of the brush, pen and films”, she said.
Saying that any form of violence cannot be justified, Das called for a debate on Naxalism and a need to define terrorism. “The Naxals contend that they are not terrorists after they killed the CRPF personnel. So many questions come to play, whether the Naxals are terrorists, what is the root cause of naxalism, what is the role of the state”, she added.
Referring to her film on Gujarat riots Firaaq, Das said she was happy to champion the film and has triggered a debate on the role of the state, adding if the film has turned out a mirror of what has happened, the job is done.
Saying the film Firaaq has raised questions whether life is being valued in the country, she said there cannot be a plank of development versus the lives of the people as is made out by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.
Das said her mantra to see a more peaceful, equal world where there is justice and no violence has moved to produce films. “If we want to see justice, we cannot afford to sit quite, we get to participate to get justice”, she said and recalled that her first seed in activism was sown during her stint in a street play theatre. “For me, activism is not a thing, but a means to participate in what’s going on”, she said, adding that she did not come across any clash between activism and film making.
Earlier, Konkan Bhasha Mandal Prashant Naik and noted Konkani writer, Damodar Mauzo spoke on the occasion, which was attended by a large number of people.
