Excitement and enthusiasm filled the air as Tripura made one step further in fulfilling a long cherished dream – the Tripura Film and Television Institute started its journey from Monday (Nov 28).
In a colourful programme the Tripura Film and Television Institute (TFTI) became functional at the beautifully illuminated Nazrul Kalakhestra in Agartala today.
After electrifying dance performances by children and teens, Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha formally inaugurated the TFTI in a programme in the Nazrul Kalakhestra.
The TFTI aims at developing and fine tuning the talent of the children and youth of the state in the Film and acting arena.
The TFTI has been started for the first in Tripura in collaboration with Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata.
Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma, Information & Cultural Affairs (ICA) Minister Sushanta Choudhury, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumdar, eminent actor of Bangladesh Ferdous Ahmed and Director of SRFTI, Kolkata Himanshu Shekhar Kathwa were present in the inaugural programme.
The institute offers courses on screen acting, film appreciation, production management and news reporting, anchoring , news room automation. Total 47 students have taken admission in the institute this year. Students have to bear 10% course fee only as 90% of the course fees will be borne by the state government.
In his inaugural speech, Dr Manik Saha said, there is hidden talent for music and culture in every person. That has to be further developed. Talent cannot be fully developed without proper infrastructure. He said, as the journey of the institute will depend on the students, likewise teachers will also play an important role in it.
The Chief Minister hoped that the institute will earn good name in the coming days.
Deputy Chief Minister Jishnu Dev Varma said, Tripura has had a long association with the film industry because of S. D. Burman. The TFTI will create the scope for tapping and nurturing the film related talents of the state which was lacking in the State for so long.
Dev Varma hoped that the institute will develop into a reputed institute in future as Tripura already has the base for a cultural development. Moreover, the State has the rich tradition of tribal and composite culture. Now with the TFTI, Tripura will carve a niche for itself in the arena of films.
ICA Minister Sushanta Choudhury spoke about the objective behind opening the institute. He said, our state has rich culture and its natural beauty is incomparable. Through the institute, it will be possible to bring the natural beauty of the state on the fore front. The institute will also play a significant role in socio-economic improvement of the youths of the state. It will be possible to bring out the talent of the youths of the state on national platform. He hoped that the institute will move ahead beautifully.
Director of SRFTI Himanshu Shekhar Kathwa said, Tripura government has a big vision of films. TFTI is the starting point of that vision. Kolkata based SRFTI has recently earned its name and has successfully run different courses. There was a need to start such an institute in Tripura which is filled with natural beauty and talent.
He informed the audience that the classes in this institute will commence from the first week of December this year. SRFTI has designed short courses in this regard. There are plans for starting diploma, and PG courses in future.
Eminent Actor of Bangladesh Ferdous Ahmed said, there is a bond of deep friendship between Tripura and Bangladesh. He hoped that soon a film festival may be jointly organized by Tripura and Bangladesh. He hoped that students from Bangladesh will also be able to take film related courses in Tripura in future. Lastly he expressed that he would be happy to give his contribution to TFTI if required in future.
AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder and secretary of the ICA, Dr PK Chakraborty also spoke on the occasion and Director of ICA department Ratan Biswas was also present in the inaugural programme.
