Nicole Suares
They have been used to tell well-known Indian stories like ’Alam Ahara’, ’Lokmanya Tilak’ and ’Nehru’ and have served on sets of many other films too. The interesting array of cameras, video and sound editing equipment exhibited at the ’Behind the Frames’ exhibition was a real eye opener.
This collection was put together by the Films Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, at the 38th International Film Festival of India.
The exhibition drew film actors and locals alike, to witness a part of Indian cinematographic history. Vijay Shankar Bhat, from the Film Division explained that the cameras on display were used from the days of Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand to those in recent times.
An interesting camera was the 35mm Bomb Spotting Camera, used in the 1950’s, for capturing wartime footage. This was a handheld camera. Other instruments included the Arriflex IIA, one of the most important used in 1950’s for motion pictures and the Arriflex 16mm ST. Some cameras, Bhat informed, were used for special purposes like the Arriflex 11C, used to capture agriculture scenes and used in animation.
However, what really caught one’s attention was the Arriflex IIA, the largest lens used in the olden times in motion pictures and the 10 K.W Light, the biggest in the lights segment. The latter were specially used in film shooting and during the India-Pakistan war.
Among the video and sound editing equipment on display was the Moviola Editing Machine of the 1970’s and 1980’s. This is a 35mm picture and soundtrack model for film editing. After this came the ST-400 Sr. No. 10057609098. This is used till date.
Bhat explained that many of the cameras on display were used in the making of important documentaries and short films. For instance, the 35mm Arri Blimp camera captured important scenes in Nehru, Veer Sarvarkar, Pandit Bimsen Joshi and Pandit Ram Narayan Tarana.
With so many interesting pieces on display, each that has captured a moment in time, videography has made great progress over the past 40-50 years in India. Today, with the latest in video and audio technology, audiences are treated to visual delights that awe and inspire, creating unforgettable memories for years to come.
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