London: A unique book on Indian cinema legend Niranjan Pal, combining his articles as well as his autobiography, has been launched here by the London-based South Asian Cinema Foundation.
The book titled ‘Niranjan Pal: A Forgotten Legend and Such is Life, an autobiography by Niranjan Pal’, is edited by social historian Dr Kusum Pant Joshi and film historian and documentary filmmaker Lalit Mohan Joshi.
Part one of the two-part book has academic articles on Niranjan and Part two contains his insightful and thoroughly readable autobiography. It was produced as part of a year-long project by UK’s Heritage Lottery Fund on the theatre and film pioneer Niranjan, son of Indian freedom fighter and political analyst, Bipin Chandra Pal. Releasing the book at the British Film Institute’s prestigious National Film Theatre, Colin Chambers, Professor of Drama at the Kingston University, said, “SACF’s book is a highly significant publication on a pioneer of both Indian theatre and Indian cinema in the UK who had been so far ignored in both countries. “It’s launch this year is particularly apt because 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of Indian theatre in Britain.”
Commenting on their role as editor Kusum Pant Joshi said, “As editors, we have not tampered with Pal’s original style and content but have added brief notes at the end of each chapter of the biography to enable readers to quickly connect with people and places mentioned by Pal.”
Co-Editor Lalit Mohan Joshi said, “Pal’s absorbing narrative has been further enlivened by sprinkling it with many rare photographs that are being made public for the very first time.” A foreword by Indian film archivist P K Nair and an index at the end also adds value to his unique publication. BFI’s Education and Film Curator, David Somerset praised SACF’s efforts in showcasing the life and works of Niranjan. (PTI)
