Nalis exhibition showcases Indian cinema in TT

In celebration of Indian Arrival Day in the National Library and Information System Authority’s (Nalis) Heritage Library mounted an exhibition titled, Indian Cinema in Trinidad and Tobago: Its Impact on Trinbagonian Identity and Culture, in the Rotunda, National Library, Port of Spain. The exhibition began on Monday and ends Tuesday.

A media release said the exhibition focused on the impact of Indian film on East Indian identity and local culture. It highlighted local cinemas such as Prince, Tivoli and Big B, which featured Indian movies and showcased the personalities in Indian radio and television such as Hansley “Hans” Hanoomansingh of Radio Guardian, Sham Mohammed of Mastana Bahar and Kamaluddin Mohammed and his brother Moean Mohammed of Radio Trinidad.

On screen actors highlighted for their contributions to Indo-Trinidadians films include: Ralph Maraj who played the lead role in the film Bim (1974), The Right and the Wrong (1970) and The Caribbean Fox (1970); Basdeo Panday, who starred in Nine Hours to Rama (1963), Man in the Middle (1964) and the Brigand of Kandahar (1965); Grace Maharaj for her role in Man from Africa/Girl from India (1982), Men of Gray II and many others.

Included in the exhibition is Robert Yao Ramesar, producer of over 120 films depicting the culture, history and people of TT. Ramesar produced Sistagod (2006), Journey to Ganga Mai and Mami Wata, the release said.

Bala Joban, was the first full length Indian movie that was brought to Trinidad and by Ranjit Kumar in 1934. The film showcased dances, songs and dialogues in Hindi and was first shown on December 3, 1935 at Globe Theatre.