About The Film
English Title: Nanda School Of Tradition
Status: Awaiting International Premiere
Duration: 90 min
Debut Feature Film
Genre: Documentary Feature Hybrid, Coming Of Age
World Premiere: Asian NETPAC Competition, 29th Kolkata Intl. Film Festival, India
Born in pre - independent India, Nanda Prusty provided 70 years of free education to the poor extending across three generations of his village without seeking any funds or fame. The government of India awarded him the country's fourth highest civilian honor Padmashree in 2021 when he had turned 103, just before his death.
His present life is captured in a span of 2 years while his past life is enacted by local non-actors. The film narrates his struggle to sustain the last traditional roofless school called Chatasali.
An actor turned teacher, who rose to fame as he climbed up the stage to bless the President of India when receiving the award, remained a silent purist unaffected by recognition.
While free education is at the heart of the story, this film explores human quest to achieve salvation through service.
Nanda Prusty Receiving Padma Shri
"At the age of 103, he climbed up the stage barefoot to bless the President while receiving one of the highest civilian honours in India, Padma Shri. Instantly becoming popular across India due to this act, which is rare and against the norm."
About The Director
Pranab Aich is an internationally recognized documentary photographer and filmmaker from India. His stint as a volunteer with NGOs shaped his early work.
Highlighting issues related to human-rights, health, environment & education, his work frequently features in international forums.
Winner of the Sony World Photography Award Cannes 2009, his short documentaries have been showcased at more than 50 film festivals globally which includes Durban International Film Festival 2022, IFF Ekotop 2016- Bratislava, DocuTIFF 2016-Tirana, BJIFF 2016-China to name a few. Recently, he has been selected by Platform Busan 2024 as an emerging filmmaker from Asia.
This is his debut feature film. He has written, shot, directed and edited the film himself.
About The Producer
Abhaya Pati is a senior journalist, educationist and an entrepreneur who owns a media firm in Odisha state of India.
He is also a philanthropist who works for the rights of grassroot journalists through many associations. His experience in journalism made him inclined to producing documentaries.
While doing a story on Centenarian Nanda Prusty, he got inspired to produce a documentary. This is his debut film as a producer.
PRODUCED BY
Abhismita Films
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Studiowaala Films
