Folklore in Cinema (study)
by Meghna Choudhury | 2022 | 64,583 words
This essay studies the relationship between folklore and cinema by placing Special emphasis on the films by Assamese filmmaker Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia. The research focuses on the impact of of folklore on audience engagement and exposes Assamese folktales and cinema as a cultural mirror by showing how it preserves oral literature, material cultur...
Part 4.3 - Recreation and Games
[Full title: Cinematic Narrative through the Social Folk Customs (3) Recreation and Games]
Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia worked with many child artists in his films. As such, scenes of children playing traditional games in courtyards, fields, or roadside spaces are commonplace in the narrative. Sandhyarag, Anirban, Agnisnan, Kolahol, Sarothi, and Itihaas had shots of children playing, which constituted important parts of these films.
Sandhyarag has shots of children playing different games. One of the games played by them was Golap-Togor, a folk game popular in Assam. To decide the members of both the parties in the game, the players disguise themselves with names of flowers or small objects. When there was a lack of players, the children asked Saru if she could join them. While disguised, the other girl asks Saru to take the name of a ‘dry leaf� while she herself takes the name of a ‘flower petal� (Image 25). The filmmaker has beautifully portrayed the social position of Saru through this simple children’s game.