The tent cinema owners make the actor of a local film sell tickets, to build up excitement amongst the people. Photograph/ Amit Madheshiya

The tent cinema owners make the actor of a local film sell tickets, to build up excitement amongst the people. Photograph/ Amit Madheshiya

Amit Madheshiya takes a journey with the travelling tent talkies of Maharashtra to trace the tradition of collective viewing of cinema.

I was fascinated to see such an antiquated, yet organised form of exhibition that has been in existence for so long. It is unfortunate that they are facing a fight for survival as DVDs and cable networks penetrate further into the country. — Amit Madheshiya

These tent talkies have preserved the joy of collectiveviewing of films. — Amit Madheshiya

For about six decades now, licensed travelling tent cinema companies have been accompanying the Jatra, an annual religious fair organised in rural Maharashtra after the crop gathering season ends in October. Regional language films, Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters are shown in large tents, using makeshift equipment, with the audience seated on the ground. I was fascinated to see such an antiquated, yet organised form of exhibition that has been in existence for so long. It is unfortunate that they are facing a fight for survival as DVDs and cable networks penetrate further into the country. Despite modern technology, I found myself taken in by the sheer ingenuity and sense of enterprise that defines such tent cinemas. The visual potential was immense, with an old world charm and sense of energy that is infective. This became the impetus to cull out the captivating yet untold stories of the travelling cinemas.

 

 

Children animatedly enjoy a Bollywood film in a village. Photograph/ Amit Madheshiya

Children animatedly enjoy a Bollywood film in a village. Photograph/ Amit Madheshiya

Inculcate the Conviction to Pursue an Independent Project

  • The theme should be something that other people would want to see. This will help you apply for a grant or any help, monetary or otherwise.
  • Always remember that a project may not work out. Keep evaluating your work to figure out where the series is heading. If things do not seem to be working, ask yourself if you should change the approach or visual style.
  • A strong project cannot be finished in a day or a week. It may take several months, or even years.

About Amit Madheshiya
Amit Madheshiya is an independent photographer based in Mumbai. For his work, he has won several awards and acclaim, including the prestigious World Press Photo and Sony World Photography awards. This body of work will also be showcased at the upcoming Delhi Photo Festival.

To see more of Amit’s fascinating work on tent talkies, visit www.amitmadheshiya.photoshelter.com