Their library, known as 'The House of Treasures' has 10304 films, 14768 books related to cinema, and 214 film periodicals.
The youngest form of art, cinema has become a powerful tool of mass communication; be it for the purpose of mere entertainment or conveying a social message.
The National Film Archive of India (NFAI), established by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in February 1964, was founded with the very aim of preserving, documenting and disseminating film culture.
“The three major objectives of the Archives is the acquisition, preservation and dissemination of cinema. Apart from that, the organisation also plays a central role in almost every film related event that happens in the country,” says Prashant Pathrabe, the director of NFAI.
Their library, known as ‘The House of Treasures’ has 10304 films, 14768 books related to cinema, 214 film periodicals, many classic films’ posters and pamphlets, scripts, disc records and audio tapes of veterans speaking about their craft.
NFAI aids in the screenings of these classical films at various festivals and allows cinema buffs to get a look at cinematic heritage left behind by these films.
Phalke’s films have survived the years only due to NFAI’s intervention and attempts to preserve the works of this pioneer.
Over the past three years, the NFAI has undertaken a process to digitize their belongings to increase their shelf life. “Digitization of ancillaries like posters, pamphlets and photographs is simple. But digitization of films is an expensive and painstaking process. It requires nearly 10-12 lakhs and about 2-3 months for one film to be restored and digitized,” Pathrabe says.
The archives have digitized 566 films in the past 3 years and have also restored 329 out of the lot. “After all, the film strip is plastic with chemicals on it. It has a good shelf life, but it starts deteriorating with time,” he says.
It is Pune’s honour to house this temple of cinema that chronicles the tales that reside within a magic box. As Indian cinema proudly looks at the future after completing 100 years, the NFAI records and nourishes its glorious past and its vibrant present.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}