The National Awards for films, which were started as
an annual incentive by the Government of India , for the making of artistic,
competent and meaningful films have come a long way, to cover the entire
national spectrum of Indian Cinema, to judge merit by the highest possible
yardstick and to become the most coveted and prestigious award in the country.
From 1954, when the very first awards for the films
of 1953 were given down to the current year when the top awards for the films
of 2009 were recently given, there lies the 25 years old story of an awards
scheme, which is surely the most unique of its kind.
In no other country, has State encouragement to good
cinema taken such a vast and monetarily rewarding form year after year. In
turn, this has influenced and encouraged the making of creative, serious,
cinematic and significant films over the years.
Obviously, the impact is bound to be on a
comparatively small section, in a country where films are mass produced and the
industry has hit the record of being the biggest in the world over the past few
decades. But what is gained in quality makes up for what is lost is bulk. Every
year, the best works as well as individual achievements stand out on the
highest national level, for all to see. This itself provides a tremendous spur
and initiative for better film making, by creating a desire to win recognition
and also the substantial cash prizes going with it.
Another commendable aspect of the National Awards is
to encourage good films in all languages which is a marathon task, considering
that India makes films in some twenty languages and dialects. Similarly, awards
for documentaries, whether short or full length, have been given in different
categories.
If we take a quick look-back at the decades which
have rolled by, we find that the Awards, which were initially called “State
Awards”, had started off in a small way, with two President’s Gold Medals, two certificates of merit and silver medals
for a dozen regional films. For the first six years, it was the practice to
give the regional best award to the national best film itself. Later, a medal
or certificate of merit was given to two or three films in each language.
Separate awards for artistes and technicians were
instituted in 1968 for the films of 1967, Nargis Dutt and Uttam Kumar being the
first actress and actor to get them. For some time, these were called Urvashi
and Bharat Awards but the names of the Awards were later changed.
In their aim and purpose, the National Awards have
undergone several changes since their inception. In the early years, except for
a rare case like Pather Panchali, the content seemed to be given more weightage
than the form. It was believed that laudable social themes, sentiments of
patriotism, messages for national welfare and so on made the films worthy of
National Awards even in the absence of cinematic values. At times, producers
thought that including dialogues or songs about government-approved plans and
campaigns, portraying national leaders and their ideas and appealing to the
patriotic spirit would make the films qualify for the awards.
But over time, with film-makers exploring different
facets of the medium and enlightened cineastes being appointed on the Jury,
this has changed enormously and now the form cum technique is considered as
important as the content and thematic ideas.
And thus, as the National Awards step into their
58th year for the films of 2010, we can hope that the scheme shaping into its
full maturity and shorn of all shortcomings will encourage and bring to light
all attempts at better film making, from whatever source they come and in
whichever language they may be.
National Awards aim at encouraging the production of
films of aesthetic and technical excellence and social relevance contributing
to the understanding and appreciation of cultures of different regions of the
country in cinematic form and thereby also promoting integration and unity of
the nation.
The National Awards along with cinema's highest
honour, Dadasaheb Phalke award, are presented by the President of India in a
solemn function in the presence of the Union Minister of Information and
Broadcasting, Chairpersons of the three juries, representatives of Film
Federation of India and Confederation of All India Cine Employees and senior
official. Since the Awards for 2007, two live playback singing performances are
also held during the ceremony.
In their 58th year now, the National Film Awards
continue to underline cinematic excellence. The awards have over the years
brought the best talent present in India Cinema to national limelight. In its
over a half a century long history, the National Film Awards have nurtured
numerous talent who are now national icons and also known internationally.
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