Profile
Kumar Shahani (1940-2024) was a filmmaker and screenwriter based in India. He was widely recognized for his contributions to parallel cinema and for his experimental and non-linear approach to storytelling. Shahani's films often delve into themes of Indian philosophy, socio-political issues, and personal identity. His cinematic style blends traditional Indian aesthetics with contemporary narratives, offering a fresh perspective on Indian culture and society. Critics often associated him with filmmakers such as Pier Paolo Pasolini, Andrei Tarkovsky and Jacques Rivette.Shahani's films works include "Maya Darpan" (1972), considered one of the pioneering works of Indian art cinema, and "Khayal Gatha" (1989), a film that reimagines the history of Indian classical music. Beyond filmmaking, Shahani was respected for his theoretical work and lectures on cinema, contributing to film education in India. His impact on the Indian film industry lies not just in his cinematic creations, but also in his role as a mentor and educator, inspiring a new generation of filmmakers.
