GUWAHATI: A documentary film on an Assam-type house at Latasil, Guwahati, recently screened to much acclaim at the coveted Indian Panorama of the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in November 2023, is set to hit screens across Assam.
On Saturday, the 71-minute-long Baruar Xongxar (The House of Baruas), directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Utpal Borpujari and produced by Nayan Prasad, Jemini Phukan, and Dibyajyoti Saharia, had a special screening at the Rudra Baruah auditorium of Jyoti Chitraban.
“This is a film that needs to be seen by every culturally-conscious person in Assam. There has been no other family in entire India who has made such a huge contribution to such a wide spectrum of the overall socio-cultural space in modern Assam,” said Prasad, one of the producers of the films and renowned theatre and film personality, after the screening.
The screening was followed by a ticketed show which received an enthusiastic response from Guwahatians.
Constructed by engineer Chandranath Barua of Baihata Chariali, the house was built in 1923 with a mix of materials imported from the UK as well as sourced locally.
The house on the eastern flank of the historic Latasil playground, that completed a century in 2023, has been the resident of a slew of Assamese stalwarts – Ramen Barua (musician), Dwipen Barua (cricketer-turned-singer), the late Brajen Barua (filmmaker-actor-musician-singer), Nip Barua (filmmaker-footballer-artist), Dibon Barua (filmmaker), Girin Barua (entrepreneur-sports organiser-politician), and Niren Barua (actor-radio personality), among several others.
Both Ramen and Dwipen Barua expressed their happiness after the screening. “Our entire family is very happy that this documentary has chronicled the story of our family in a year when our house has completed its centenary,” said Ramen Barua.
Calling it a very satisfying experience, “The film will take the story of our family to people not only within Assam, especially those of the present generation. That is a matter of great satisfaction for all of us,” said Dwipen Barua.
“Documentary is an important genre of filmmaking, and it is important that people watch documentaries as a responsible audience, especially when it comes to subjects like this. That is why we want to organize such screenings in different places,” said Jemini Phukan.
Director Utpal Borpujari, who has earlier made documentaries such as Mask Art of Majuli, and Memories of a Forgotten War, among many, said that part of the proceedings of the screenings would be shared with Ramen Barua and Dwipen Barua.
“That will be the least we can do to show our love, respect, and gratitude to them for their contribution to Assamese society. I hope the government would also consider the two living legends for the state and Central civilian awards. There are very few more deserving people than Ramen Barua and Dwipen Barua for these honours in Assam,” Borpujari said.
“We request organisations and educational institutions in Assam, which want to organise screenings of the film, to get in touch with us via email ids mama.nayan@gmail.com and utpalb21@gmail.com,” urged Prasad.
