Parbati Ghose: The Groundbreaking First Female Filmmaker from Odisha

Parbati Ghose - The First Female Filmmaker from Odisha

Parbati Ghose, the first female filmmaker from the state of Odisha, made a significant contribution to the Indian film industry. In this article, we will explore her life, career, and achievements.

Early Life

Born as Chapala Nayak on 28th March 1933 in Manasinghpatana, Cuttack district, Odisha, British India, Ghose was one of eight siblings. Her father, Basudev Naik, was a prominent book publisher who managed the Manmohan Press. Ghose attended Sanat Nalini Girls High School and trained as a dancer under Kelucharan Mohapatra, Dayal Sharma, and Suresh Routray.

Career

Parbati Ghose began her career as a child voice actor on All India Radio before transitioning to on-screen film roles. Her big break came in the 1953 film "Amari Gaan Jhua" (Our Village Girl), where she was cast as the female lead actress. The film explored the controversial practice of child marriage and won her positive reviews.

In 1956, Parbati Ghose appeared as the lead actress in the successful Odia language film, "Bhai Bhai," alongside her future husband, Gour Prasad Ghose, who was also the producer. This film showcased her prowess as a lead actress and greatly increased her profile in the Indian film industry. It also led to her interest in film directing and production.

Parbati Ghose and her husband produced, co-directed, and acted in three films - "Lakshmi" (1962), "Kaa" (1965), and "Stree" (1968) - which won them three national film awards for their work as directors and producers. A few years later, she produced and directed "Chha Mana Atha Guntha" in 1986. She also worked in Hindi and Bengali language telefilms like 'Prashna' and 'Sopan.' In addition, she appeared in "Sansaar" in 1971.

Her last film as a director and producer was "Salabega" in 1998.

Filmography

Here is a list of films Parbati Ghose acted in, produced, directed, or co-directed:

1. Shri Jagannath (1949) (child artist)
2. Amari Gaan Jhua (1953)
3. Bhai Bhai (1956)
4. Maa (1959)
5. Lakshmi (1962) (produced, co-directed, and acted)
6. Kaa (1965) (produced, co-directed, and acted)
7. Stree (1968) (produced, co-directed, and acted)
8. Sansara (1971)
9. Chha Mana Atha Guntha (1986) (produced and directed)
10. Salabega (1998) (produced and directed)
11. Prashna (telefilm)
12. Sopan (telefilm)

Personal Life

In 1959, Ghose married Gour Prasad Ghose and adopted the name Parbati Ghose, given to her by her new in-laws.

Death

Parbati Ghose passed away on 12th February 2018, at the age of 84, in Bhubaneswar. The state government of Odisha held a state funeral in her honor. Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha, paid tribute to Parbati Ghose and her contributions to the local and national film industry, noting that "She was an actor, director, and producer at the same time. In the

Career Highlights

Parbati Ghose was a versatile artist who started her career as a child voice actor on All India Radio before transitioning to on-screen film roles. She went on to become a successful actress, director, and producer in the Indian film industry.

One of her most notable performances was in the 1953 film Amari Gaan Jhia (Our Village Girl), where she played the female lead actress. The film explored the controversial practice of child marriage and received positive reviews, cementing her place as a talented actress.

Parbati Ghose also produced, co-directed, and acted in several films alongside her husband, Gour Prasad Ghose. Their work on Lakshmi (1962), Kaa (1965), and Stree (1968) earned them three national film awards for their directing and producing.

Later in her career, she directed and produced the film Chha Mana Atha Guntha in 1986. Her last film as a director and producer was Salabega in 1998.

Parbati Ghose was a trailblazer for women in the Indian film industry. She was the first female filmmaker from the state of Odisha and helped uplift the industry to new heights. She will always be remembered for her contribution to Odia cinema and her role in empowering women in the film industry.

Conclusion

Parbati Ghose was a gifted artist who made significant contributions to the Indian film industry. Her legacy lives on through her films, which continue to be cherished by audiences in Odisha and beyond. She will always be remembered as a trailblazer for women in the industry and an inspiration to future generations of filmmakers.

Author : Shyamal