Prasad Deshpande, Nikhil Rane, Devadatta Rajadhyaksha
(India)
(India)
"Dialogue of Cultures means precisely what the name states – an open and honest dialogue among people from various cultures, to understand each other better and promote a more aware, tolerant and peaceful world."
Project
Interview with the author
Contacts
Festival of documentary films and tv-spots "here i live"
Documentary
"RED STARS LOST IN THE MIST"
"RED STARS LOST IN THE MIST"
The documentary about soviet books
Film crew:
Director: PRASAD DESHPANDE
Idea: DEVADATTA RAJADHYAKSHA, NIKHIL RANE
Sound: SHANTANU BONDRE
Subtitles: VAIDEKHI PAGDI FANSALKAR
Voiceover: IRAVATI KARNIK
Produced by Owlways Creative LLP
Previous screenings
People's Co-op Bookstore, Vancouver (Canada)
University of Washington, Seattle (United States of America)
Seattle Maharashtra Mandal, Seattle (United States of America)
Godrej Archives, Mumbai (India)
University of Washington, Seattle (United States of America)
Seattle Maharashtra Mandal, Seattle (United States of America)
Godrej Archives, Mumbai (India)
— What are you expecting from the upcoming Media-Forum Dialogue of Cultures?
— I am expecting to interact with documentary makers and journalists from various nations and cultures, and have discussions about documentation of various aspects of cultures, especially in the audio-visual form.
— Who came up with the idea to film documentary revealing this theme?
— Nikhil and I (Devadatta) had some vague idea on doing a project about children's books from the erstwhile USSR. Prasad, with his prior experience in films as a medium, came up with the idea of creating a documentary on this theme.
— What Russian books do you personally remember from your childhood?
— I remember reading quite a few Russian books in my childhood. The ones that I enjoyed the most were 'Adventures of Dennis' by Viktor Dragunsky, 'Ivan' by Vladimir Bogomolov, 'How Man became a Giant' by Mikhail Ilyin and Yelena Segal.
— Have you ever thought about learning Russian to read these books in the original?
— Yes, I have! I've taken beginner-to-intermediate level lessons in Russian language at Mumbai University recently. I would love to improve my Russian language skills, and hopefully read these books in the original. (Well, reading 'Crime and Punishment' in Russian will be a tough task, but hopefully I'll be able to read Chekhov's short stories in a few years' time.)
— Have you ever been to Russia? What are your expectations?
- I have been to Russia once, in September 2017. I wanted to soak in the atmosphere, and see if it matches to some extent to the image I had created after reading Russian books in my childhood.
The visit was very enjoyable and rewarding. The sense of history and progress was palpable in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Visiting Russian State Library and Russian State Children's Library, exploring the Museum of Cosmonautics, visiting the Red Square and the Winter Palace, book-hunting at Dom Kniga, trying out traditional Russian food and drinks, travelling on the Metro and bus and interacting with fellow passengers in my rudimentary Russian – it was a fantastic experience.
The visit was very enjoyable and rewarding. The sense of history and progress was palpable in both Moscow and St. Petersburg. Visiting Russian State Library and Russian State Children's Library, exploring the Museum of Cosmonautics, visiting the Red Square and the Winter Palace, book-hunting at Dom Kniga, trying out traditional Russian food and drinks, travelling on the Metro and bus and interacting with fellow passengers in my rudimentary Russian – it was a fantastic experience.
— The 2018 is the 70 th anniversary of India-Russia Diplomatic relationship. In your opinion, how our countries could strengthen their cultural ties. Maybe you know any cross-border projects between our countries that are aimed to maintained these positive environment and intercultural communication?
- Russia and India have been friends since decades. According to me, the cultural ties between the two great nations can be strengthened by increasing the visibility and awareness in both the nations. Possible measures can be re-introduction of magazines like Misha, Sputnik, etc. (in paper and e-book formats), which had played a major role in the average Indian of 1970s and 1980s knowing about Russia and having a very positive image about her. A similar magazine about India should also be made available in Russia. Also, Russian language can be introduced as an elective course in
Indian schools and colleges.
Indian schools and colleges.