Film: Sri Lokanath (1960)
Singer: Pranab Kishore Patnaik
Music: Balakrishna Dash
Lyrics:
Directed by Prafulla Sengupta and made under the banner of Rup Raga, the cast for the movie included prominent names such as Samuel Sahoo (Babi), Manimala Devi and Akshay Mohanty Kashyap.
“There are a number of interesting trivia about the film that we will be sharing with the viewers before the screening on Tuesday,” said Surya Deo, a member of the organising body.
“A striking fact is that apart from Babi, Khagen Mitra and Kshetrapal Mishra, all the other actors were making their debut. But Akshay Mohanty Kashyapa went a long way as did Manimala Devi, acting in some Odia classics,” he added.
Noted singer Shyamamani Devi had made her debut in playback singing while it was the first film as a solo composer for legendary musician Balakrushna Dash. Until then he had jointly composed music for films along with the revered Pandit Bhubaneswar Mishra.
The film is based on the influence of Lord Loknath of Puri. The filmmakers had used an interesting screenplay to extol the deity. Instead of making it a mythological set up, the film dealt with characters living in modern times but experiencing wonders with the blessings of the deity.
“Shree Loknath was the eleventh Odia film. Sadly, most of the people associated with the film, including its makers are no more. However, our team traced some of the actors and crew members of the film. We will be felicitating them at the event,” said Haraprasad, another member.
The felicitation will be conducted for one of the producers Gopal Chandra Ghosh, singers Pranab Patnaik and Shyamamani Devi and child actors in the film, Indrajit and Jhunu, who are in their sixties now.
“I am glad that film enthusiasts are still in love with Shree Loknath. It is a wonderful gesture by the group to release a booklet of trivia and information on the film at the event,” said copyright holder of the film, Loknath Routray.
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