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Bhubaneswar, Sept 17: The inclusion of two lyricists and a music director in the seven-member jury that is to decide Orissa State Film Awards appears set to give rise to a controversy.
The Cine Division Association (CDA) has contested the selection of lyricists Devdas Chhotray and Brundaban Jena, and music director Basudev Rath, to the jury. Dilip Hali, the secretary of CDA, said: “Lyricists don’t have technical knowledge of editing and should not be given a place in the selection panel. What is their justification for selecting these lyricists and a music director to the jury? Musicians and lyricists can only judge music and lyrics.”
Sources in the know say juries adjudging film awards should include experts from different roles in film-making which includes technicians in the trade. No member in the selected this year, they believe, has any knowledge of technical aspects such as editing, lighting and photography.
Actor Ajeet Das, writer Bijay Mishra, film journalist Asohk Palit, and scriptwriter Ajay Swain are the remaining members of the jury.
Dilip went on to point out that no member in the jury selected is from film production. “The department has selected Ajay Swain, who has never written a script for any film. He wrote scripts for a few television serials and has no experience in the film industry,” Dilip said.
He further said , ‘Gapo Rahe Alpo Dina Ra’, a movie put up for consideration for the award, has jury member Ajeet playing the lead. “How can someone judge a film in which he has himself played the lead role? It is very strange. This way the state award will lose its value,” he added.
A similar controversy had arisen following the announcement of the jury for Orissa State Television Awards. That jury included lyricist Vijay Malla and music director Santanu Mohapatra.
“The procedure for selection of juries for such awards is completely wrong. Transparency would be compromised if this remains the case and the culture department will have to look into the matter immediately,” Dilip said. Culture secretary Manoranjan Panigrahi was not available for comment.
