Neighbourhood Video Project: Keeping Bharatmata Alive – II
Duration: 00:20:04; Aspect Ratio: 1.333:1; Hue: 24.025; Saturation: 0.074; Lightness: 0.348; Volume: 0.137; Cuts per Minute: 12.801; Words per Minute: 33.721
Summary: Bharatmata theatre was built on the mill land in Parel during the peak of textile mills in Mumbai in the ‘60s. The cinema was built as a ploy to make the migrant workers addicted to the city. The workers who were mainly migrants from the rural areas of Maharashtra were prone to leave the workplace for long duration and go back to the villages. Hence the mill owners thought of building a theatre as a source of entertainment close to the living quarters of the workers in Parel. Bharatmata continued to screen Marathi cinema for the working class even after fifty years at an affordable price. Without any paraphernalia of large screen, Dolby sound or air conditioning the theatre remains a bastion of mass entertainment.
Kapil Bhopatkar, the manager of Bharatmata, has a ancestral relationship with the theatre. His grandfather Sadashiv Bhopatkar was a silent film hero. He was chosen by the mill owners to run Bharatmata (then called Laxmi talkies). Infact it was Sadashiv who adopted a policy decision to “run only Marathi films”. A tradition that remains to this day, save some tough times during the 80’s with the video revolution. A painting of his is hung on the right hand side of the screen, along with Dadasaheb Phalke, the father of Indian cinema, on the left. During the Quit India movement Bharatmata, in response to patriotic nationalism, had its name changed from Laxmi talkies. Hence all three theatres in this vicinity were named accordingly - Hindmata, Jaihind and Bharatmata.
But since early 2000, with large scale globalization and land acquisition for the service industry in the area, Bharatmata theatre has come under public scrutiny. In 1980 a historical workers’ strike took place in the textile industry of Mumbai. The mill owners took advantage of the inexperienced leadership and siphoned off the capital out of the state. Most of the 54 mills never started again leaving large number workers unemployed. Since mid ‘90s, with the hidden blessings from the Govt., the mill owners started leasing out the mill lands reserved for the industrial use to the consumers’ market and real estate developers. Thus the area today has become an edgy neighbourhood of consumers’ outlets, offices of the multi-national corporations, residential skyscrapers and low rise workers’ quarters. The prime land that Bharatmata stands on, thus become a centre of controversy.
In 2004 Majlis conducted a video training workshop for the members of Rojgar hack samiti. The students were split up into two groups and facilitated to make two short film on their neighbourhood. One group decided to make a short documentary film on haircutting practices in their area and made ‘Kato Magar Pyaar Se’ (Cut but with love).
The other group decided to do a portrait of Bharatmata (literally means Mother India), the popular stand alone cinema in the vicinity. The film was titled ‘Runanu Bandh’ (Enduring ties). These are rushes from Runanu Bandh, shot by those offspring of the mill workers (Ajit Abhimeshi, Jyoti Berde, and others) and aided by the Majlis team.
A wide-angle shot of the street.
A red BEST bus rolls by noisily, On the right is the compound for Peninsula, where there is construction taking place
Peninsula centre is part of the Ashok Piramal Group which acquired the Morarji Gokuldas spinning and Weaving Textile mill established in the year 1871.The Morarji Gokuldas mill survived the textile industrial strike because its owners had diversified into varied businesses since the 1950's. They finally sold their businesses and land to the Peninsula group in 2006-2007. The Peninsula group is busy buying up half of Parel with plans to put up software IT parks, residential towers depicting idyllic up-scale living, and corporate office units.
The old facade of the mill still remains with the row of 'galas' (single storey units of small rooms) bordering the road. The 'galas' still house old shops and small mechanical workshops.
Another bus rolls by, in the opposite direction- bus no.9, which will ply right till Colaba bus station.
The old colonial balcony stumps can be seen vertically in the background in the reflection of the bus window panes. From the interior of the compound, one can see the travesties of alucobond and steel which loom over all else. The swank new buildings are glinting sunlight off their matt finished exteriors and squatting over the more sedate and weathered walls of the old industrial town. The urban redevelopment policy claimed to be modeled on Shanghai is apparent in its inconsistencies and contradictions. .
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
alucobond
b.e.s.t
best
chawls
cinema
colonial structures
common man
construction
corporates
cranes
entertainment
galas
gentrification
konkan
lower middle class
malls
masses
mill owners
mills
mnc
modes of entertainment
movies
multinational
property deals
recreation
redevelopment
shanghai
shopping malls
shops
textile mill workers
textile mills
theatre
village
workers
working class
Girangaon, Parel, Mumbai
The contrast is evident immediately in the older fabric of the city. The buildings, obviously much older, are solidly built though, and have mostly L shaped designed chawls and placing two of these L buildings opposite each other formed a community space and offered two exit routes.
There are solid columns in these buildings and the moss from each monsoon has dried in the summer on the outside walls of the buildings. Drainage pipes run in grids along the walls, and the balconies have old rusted iron grills which might have looked pretty at one time. Small household objects are scattered in the window seals -a cycle wheel, potted plants, clothes drying over railings, creepers, etc.
As the camera pans, we see immediately a sight which is nowadays common from the street level in any street in Bombay. Old or older construction sidelined or rather, dwarfed by images of redevelopement and monolithic skyscrapers.
The skyscraper towers shooting up between any two old buildings has almost become an ingrained visual.
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
chawls
cinema
common man
entertainment
konkan
lower middle class
masses
mill owners
mills
modes of entertainment
movies
recreation
textile mill workers
theatre
village
workers
working class
Across the road from Bharatmata, where it stands proudly on the bustling corner of National Textile Mills in Mumbai's mid-town Parel, the only slightly perturbing sight is the tearing down of the outside plastering of the theatre. But that could be a good sign, because if they were going to pull the entire theatre down, then the owner wouldn't bother repairing it, would he?
The sun sets as it adds a warm glow to the surrounding street, lighting up the asphalt in a thin veneer of nostalgia which seems to surround the heritage movie-hall…
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
bharatmata
chawls
cinema
class
common man
entertainment
heritage
konkan
lower middle
masses
mill owners
mill workers
mills
modes of entertainment
movies
nostalgia
recreation
role
talkies
textile mill workers
textile mills
theatre
theatre for the masses
unskilled labour
village
workers
working class
working class theatre
The tricolours flutter from a roof as the funnel of yet another mill shoots out. The street sounds fill the street as motorcycles, cars, buses and trucks honk and negotiate their way ,all passing the movie-hall. Tacky, comical looks flaunted by the dada Kondke and Ashok Saraf characters and somewhat bemused expressions of the pedestrian that glance up, either from their motorbike, or from a bus. The current flick-"Tumche Amche Jamle" meaning 'Our union/marriage is set' is displayed on the huge billboard.
Dada Kondke was extremely popular for the rural masses because he always played a character from the masses. The village idiot, the bumbling imbecile, the uncouth, uncultured underdog who always got the girl. His humour moreover was raucuous, ribald, super-tacky and extremely appealing. It was also parochial, but popular nevertheless.
The general public throng the evening streets, crossing, going about their chores or probably walking home from work or errands etc.The outer fascade of the theatre has the name of the theatre in Marathi script.
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
bharatmata
cinema
funnel
heritage
industrial estate
millworkers
role
talkies
textile mills
theatre
theatre for the masses
working class theatre
Interviewer: - Your full name?
DM:- Full name is Devji Maru
Interviewer: - Where do you stay?
DM: - Bhayandar...
Interviewer: - Since when,
Since I was born, Bombay is my birthplace, been here since.
Interviewer: - What do you think about Bharatmata?
DM:- It is a very good theatre, a very old talkies. My childhood has come and gone, since then I've been seeing Bharatmata
Interviewer: - There was some talk of Bharatmata shutting down, a year back. What are your views on that?
DM:- Well, you see, they're all saying….close the theatre, they talk because it's about making some money out of a deal, some talk of making new skyscrapers, and such things.
Talkies all over Bombay are closing anyways.It's not that they don't shut down…, they do infact shut down.(emphasizes) . They all do it to earn money
Interviewer: - All these theatres shutting down..Etc, what are your thoughts?
DM:- That's exactly the question I posed, no? It's all being done for money. They make buildings, towers, crores of rupees. So these places shut down over issues such as this, no? Opera cinema shut down, Diana cinema shut down….all these good theatres have closed doors.
Some general vox populi interviews conducted by the workshop participants.
A jovial man gives an interview to them. Every common man, as noted, wears his politics on his sleeves and usually waits for an opportunity to be able to say his two bits, as seen in the interview.
The general consensus is a strong , passionate support to the theatre. However the ordinary citizen is well aware of the real estate politics of the metropolis.
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
bharatmata
cinema
heritage
millworkers
role
talkies
textile mills
theatre
theatre for the masses
working class theatre
The issue of eviction of Bharatmata has stirred the sentiment of the working class who are also Marathi speaking people. In the days of strong trade union movements this issue could have been converted into organised workers' struggle. But in the present scenario of right wing chauvinist politics in the city this issue has the possibility to turn into a narrow identity politics. It is possible that Shivsena or some other right wing outfit would take advantage of the situation and twist the case from the issue of anti-people development policy to anti-Hindi chauvinist agenda. Though the nexus between politicians and the builders would not really allow any strong movement against the demolition to rise. Only hope is an alliance of working class and the artists and intellectuals of the city to come together and resist. Fortunately for Bharatmata, unlike many other theatres which were demolished without any resistance, there have been consistent campaigns to protect the theatre.
Bombay
Bystander:-Even Kohinoor shut down….
Interviewer: - What do you feel about all this?
Bystander:-This is Girangaon area. In this place anywhere, ticket prices of Rs10 and Rs. 20, one will not find anywhere in Girangaon or dadar.In 10 rupees, mainly people from lower classes, textiles workers, etc come to watch pictures. There is no place in Bombay where you will get tickets for 10 rupees. If this place goes…if a shopping centre replaces it…a big building will come in its place. The theatre will definitely come, but the ticket will be Rs 40 or Rs50, the way it happened with Premier Theatre.
The same thing will happen here, and at Hindmata.
-the mills are being sold. And the land is too….
Bystander: - Crores of rupees to be earned. The way the Govt. is operating - it has sold the NTC mills recently; they would get crores of rupees. Where will that land go?
To the builders, obviously.
Bystander 2:- In the end, what is it all about? The Marathi common man, who lives in Girangaon….he, is Marathi. And Marathi films are screened only here. So… we shall not allow them to demolish Bharatmata.This is a promise.
Interviewer: - What can you do to stop them?
Bystander 2-No, no, we will protest. There have been marked protests, rallies…
Bystander 1- There have been rallies, and movements. To the best of my knowledge, Dr Dutta Samant has been fighting the cause of the working class masses. At his time, he saved Bharatmata once, and then there was another rally at the time of the Shiv Sena Govt. As a result of that, atleast till now, the place is still up and running. The place was given, but in the end you will take it and sell it and erect a shopping centre.
Interviewer: - So, what needs to be done?
Bystander 1- A protest rally has to happen. People have to come here, things have to be obstructed.
Interviewer: - Your name?
Bystander 1-My name is Shivaji Patil
Bystander 2:- I'm Atmaram Shedar., yes we're from Mumbai itself
Interviewer: - What kind of work do you do?
A.Shedar:- I am a worker, and Bharatmata shouldn't shut down, we will make sure of it.
Interviewer: - What work do you do and where?
I am a Mhatadi worker (unskilled labour) and I work at Vashi.
Interviewer: - Who all do you have at home?
A.Shedar:-A wife and such…(smiles)
Dadar,Mumbai
Girangaon
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
bharatmata
cataract
cinema
cinema hall
crores
girangaon
heritage
hindmata
kohinoor
marathi cinema
marathi films
mill
millworkers
movie talkies
movie-going experience
movies
ntc mills
picture girangaon
role
shopping arcades
talkies
textile mill workers
textile mills
theatre
theatre for the masses
working class theatre
The passage that leads to the side entrances, Door no 1, 2 and so forth, is lit like fire due to the setting sun. People enter the hall as the food stalls line the side of the passage.
Bombay
Girangaon
Konkan
Lalbaug
Maharashtra
Mumbai
Parel
bharatmata
cinema
heritage
millworkers
role
talkies
textile mills
theatre
theatre for the masses
working class theatre
Some reluctant interviewee. The young interviewers make the classical mistake of intimidating the poor woman by intimidating her with all the shooting paraphernalia and asking inane questions. For a woman of her age and class, name is the most distant word. Nobody in the world must be calling her by name. It is used only on official documents which either she does not have or are handled by the men in the family.
Interviewer: - Please tell us your name
Ashabai: - Ashabai…
Ashabai.
Interviewer: - What do you think about Bharatmata?
Have you come here before?
Ashabai:- No, first time,
Interviewer: - Where do you stay?
Ashabai:-Far off, Koliwada.
Interviewer: - Ok, thank you.
Koliwada
Lalbaug
Mumbai
Parel
class barrier
intimidation
The front of the Bharatmata structure houses the projection room right at the centre, on the ground floor. At the side is a staircase that takes you up to the Balcony section of the theatre. Interestingly, the balcony section of the Bharatmata theatre is extremely small with only a few rows of seats, and hence structure wise it is quite an oddity, but a charming one.
Infact, an actual architectural balcony awaits you as you reach the landing at the top of the stairs. This is a gorgeous waiting space outside the dress circle.
In the clip you can see the exposed beams of the roof directly; - the low open balcony giving it a cosy appearance.
The view of the road from the balcony is always noisy as it is an artery road. The portico is very charming, as it seems an apt place to relax at the intermission or just before the show. The staircase that leads up to it being accessed only by the balcony patrons. There is a good chance that in the olden days, this portico might have been a luxury only for patrons who could afford the higher price of the balcony tickets, such as actors of yesteryears coming for their movie premieres, or politicians and such.
architecture
balcony
bharatmata
dress circle
exclusive
exposed beams
film stars
intermission
landing
luxury
movie premiere
niche
outlet
patrons
politicians
portico
relaxation
roof
staircase
theatre
upper-class
Finally inside the theatre hall, the Dada Kondke movie is being viewed.
Kondke can be seen skipping away in his usual style. His mannerisms have become sort of templates as are his various exploits in the movies. Most of his movies had a double-entendre running in almost every theme and maybe in every dialogue. This bawdiness was adored by the movie going public and he was a superstar.
actor
adoring public
bawdy
brash
chauvinistic
crude
dada kondke
double-entendre
film personality
film producer
krishna kondke
mannerisms
marathi
marathi actor
superstar
theatre hall
vulgar
On the screen a song sequence plays. A young Ashok Saraf sitting in a 'mehfil' or a "place of entertainment" Original definition of a mehfil is of a concert of Hindustani classical music, but in this context it is more of a sleazy joint.
The song chorus – "Don't leave just yet, just as you have arrived….stay awhile".
The heavily made up buxom heroine-dancer implores him not to leave, to stay and enjoy for a while, while Saraf plays it cool.
Song in Marathi: "Aalya, Aalya, jaau naka…" (Don't leave just yet, just as you have arrived….stay awhile)
alcohol
ashok saraf
bar
buxom
dance-routine
dancer
darbar
entertainment
heroine
heroine-dancer
illicit
mehfil
mujhra
place of entertainment
shady
sleazy joint
song
The woodwork of the old banisters of the staircase leading to the Bharatmata balcony has had a few layers of oil paint on them over the years. By the looks of the cracked layers and surfaces which have now been properly sandpapered, they seem to be being given a modest facelift to the theatre. They will soon have fresh coats of paint, since the rain is impending. It's much better to just oil paint it to preserve it. Polishing woodwork which needs to be rejuvenated every few years is not a viable economic option.
Besides the design of the banisters are not affected and it still looks very pretty, oil paint or no paint. The edges of the staircase, solid wood, have gotten worn out over the years, similar to the staircases in the chawls. Old, creaky wood reinforced by repairs will continue to be extremely functional, if slightly unsafe.
balcony
banisters
bharatmata
cracked paint
creaky old wood
facelift
oil paint
painted woodwork
repairs
sandpaper
staircase
theatre
woodwork
All around, as the view switches back to the street, there is rampant redevelopment taking place on all four corners of the streets. A casual pan of the camera on any side catches construction taking place either in the foreground or in the background. The bamboos propping up, new floors being built rapidly one after the other – the metropolis always being constructed…
bamboos
builders
construction
fsi
metropolis
rampant
redevelopment
skyscrapers
urbanization
Announcement-
"In the year 1932, to underline its presence in Mumbai, Bharatmata theatre was established by the mill owners for the entertainment and recreation of textile mill workers"
"To this day, Marathi films are screened in this theatre"
"After the protest, from the assurances given by the government, this cinema-hall still stands with its head held high, but what next?"
The wooden plaque outside the theatre and above the main gate which reads clearly in Marathi "Bharatmata Theatre-Mahadev Palav Street".
The student announces a prepared sound byte at the end.
Yes, What next? For how long?
announcement
bharatmata
cinema-hall
entertainment
mahadev palav street
marathi
mill owners
mumbai
plaque
sound-byte
textile mill workers
warning
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