Odia Classic ‘Kanakalata’ to Shine at 10th Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop India 2025 in Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: The timeless Odia film Kanakalata (1974), directed by Ghanashyam Mohapatra, will be the second Odia feature screened at the 10th edition of the Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop India (FPRWI) 2025, scheduled to take place in Bhubaneswar. The screening is set for November 16, 2025, at 6:30 pm at Keshari Talkies, with an introduction by the director himself, Ghanashyam Mohapatra.

Based on Nanda Kishore Bal’s classic novel of the same name, Kanakalata offers a poignant critique of the dowry system in rural aristocratic society and portrays the tragic plight of child widows, condemned to lives of hardship and social ostracism. The film remains a significant reflection on the social evils that shaped rural Odisha decades ago.

The film has undergone meticulous restoration in 4K from the original 35mm camera and sound negatives by the National Film Archive of India (NFAI) under the National Film Heritage Mission. The original negatives were carefully preserved by the NFAI, ensuring that this cinematic gem retains its historical and artistic integrity for contemporary audiences.

Film Details:

Language: Odia (with English subtitles)

Format: 4K DCP, Black & White

Runtime: 114 minutes

Credits:

Director: Ghanashyam Mohapatra

Writers: Nanda Kishore Bal, Tulsi Devi, Basant Mahapatra

Producer: Ghanashyam Mahapatra

Cinematography: V.K. Shenoy

Music: Balakrishna Das

Cast: Sujata Anand, Namrta Das, P.C. Jena, Jostshna, Gokul Kar, Meena Kumari, Harish Mahapatra, Premlata, Kasi Rath, Rebati, Shantilata

Film enthusiasts and cinephiles attending the Film Preservation and Restoration Workshop India 2025 have the rare opportunity to experience this restored classic on the big screen, celebrating both Odia cinematic heritage and the timeless narrative of Kanakalata.