Parallel Cinema

Parallel cinema, or New Indian Cinema, was an art film movement in India from the 1950s to the 1990s that served as an alternative to mainstream commercial films. It was characterized by its realistic portrayal of social issues, independent production, and influences from Italian neorealism and European new waves. Key figures included Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, and Mrinal Sen, and the movement was supported by government initiatives and the growth of film societies.

Characteristics:

Alternative to mainstream cinema: Parallel cinema films differed from commercial movies by rejecting melodrama, elaborate song-and-dance routines, and conventional plots, instead focusing on social realism and complex narratives.

Focus on social realism: The films tackled issues such as poverty, class conflict, and the struggles of the downtrodden, often with a leftist political and aesthetic ideology.

Independent production: Many films were produced by smaller, independent companies or by the directors themselves, and were often made on lower budgets with less reliance on big stars.

Major Directors:

Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha, Shyam Benegal, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Girish Kasaravalli

Key films:

SATYAJIT RAY

Pather Panchali (1955)

Aparajito (1957)

Apur Sansar (1959)

The Big City (1963)

Charulata (1964)

Nayak (1966)

RITWIK GHATAK

Ajantrik (1958)

The Cloud Capped Star (1960)

A River Called Titas (1973)

MRINAL SEN

Bhuvan Shome (1969)

GIRISH KASARAVALLI

Ghatashraddha (1977)

SHYAM BENEGAL

Mandi (1983)

ADOOR GOPALAKRISHNAN

Elippathayam (1982)

Mathilukal (1990)