Screened as part of NZIFF 2011

Nainsukh 2010

Directed by Amit Dutta

This exquisite film contemplates the life and work of 18th-century Indian painter Nainsukh through recreations of his extraordinary, naturalistic miniatures, portraying the beauty of the landscape and the extravagance of court life.

India / Switzerland In Dogri and Kangri with English subtitles
82 minutes HDCAM

Director

Producer

Eberhard Fischer

Screenplay

Ayswarya Sankaranarayanan
,
Amit Dutta
,
Eberhard Fischer

Photography

Mrinal Desai

Editors

Amit Dutta
,
Ujjwal Chandra
,
Eberhard Fischer

Production designers

Manish Soni
,
Eberhard Fischer

Sound

Ajit Singh Rathor

With

Manish Soni
,
Nitin Goel
,
K. Rajesh
,
Srinivas Joshi
,
Sat Salarwi
,
Mohan Singh
,
Alpana Vajpeyi
,
Srishthi Gupta

Festivals

Venice 2010; Rotterdam, San Francisco 2011

“Amit Dutta, one of the most intriguing experimental filmmakers of the Subcontinent, depicts in a very delicate manner the spirit of the art of a great miniature painter Nainsukh. Inspired by the amazing work of the 18th-century Indian painter… the story evolves around the master’s passions and devotions. After leaving his father’s workshop Nainsukh becomes an official court artist of the Rajput princes of Jasrota. Recreated images of the artist's miniatures depicting the daily life at the splendid palace perfectly merge with the gorgeous landscapes of the locations in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh where the artist also lived. The meditative spirit of the film is deeply rooted in Indian tradition and philosophy. The actors are locals, while Nainsukh is played by Manish Soni, himself a renowned miniature painter.” — International Film Festival Rotterdam