IGNCA inaugurates Shyam Benegal’s personal collection of books

SHRI SHYAM BENEGAL’S personal collection of about 2500 books was formally inaugurated by Shyam Benegal at Kala Nidhi Reference Library, recently.

Benegal has been considered one of the

leading filmmakers of the country. His personal collection of 2,500 books, which has been donated to IGNCA, comprises of books on arts, history, literature, theatre, and cinema. Some important books from the col

lection include ‘Battles of the Indian mutiny’ by Michael Edwardes, London: B.T. Batsford, 1963, ‘A memoir of central India’ by MajorGeneral Sir John Malcolm, Calcutta: Thacker, Spink, and Co., 1880, ‘Portrait of myself ’ by Margaret Bourke-white- London: Collins St. James’s Place, 1964, ‘Thoughts of national language’ by MK Gandhi Ahmedabad Publishing House, 1956, ‘The Devil’s wind’ by Manohar Malgonkar, Bombay: Hamish Hamilton London, 1972.

Atul Tiwari another noted film director and writer, Dr Sachchidanand Joshi, MS, IGNCA were among the others who attended the inaugural ceremony. In the inaugural session, Shyam Benegal said: “I am fascinated by books. Today you can read books on the laptop or kindle but you can’t feel it, you can’t smell it.”

Whereas Atul Tiwari said, “IGNCA should organise a festival on Shyam Benegal’s films in the name of “Best of Benegal-must of Benegal”.

Dr Sachchidanand Joshi said, “It is a privilege for us that Shyam Benegal has entrusted us with the responsibility to save the heritage of his books. He added, “IGNCA organise a culture dialogue ‘Sanskriti Samvad Shrinkhla’ every 3 months on someone who has made a significant contribution in the field of art and culture. We have so far organised nine series and following the custom, we will organise a Sanskriti Samvad Shrinkhla on the Shyam Benegal and his work in 2019.

Dr Ramesh Chandra Gour, HOD of the Kalanidhi Division said, “Library of IGNCA is being enriched by such personalities’ personal books collection like Shyam Benegal.”