Biswanath Rath
{{Short description|Indian film director, screenwriter, editor and producer}}
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{{Infobox person
| name = Biswanath Rath
| image = Director Biswanath Rath being honoured at Prabasi Odia Business Summit, Chennai in April 2017.jpg
| caption = Biswanath Rath being honoured at Prabasi Odia Business Summit, Chennai in April 2017
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1984|6|18}}
| birth_place = Jeypore, Odisha, India
| nationality = Indian
| occupation = Film director, screenwriter, editor, producer
| years_active = 2013–present
| spouse = Archana Rath
| children = 1
}}
Biswanath Rath is an Indian film director, screenwriter, editor and producer. His films have received a total of 550 recognition/awards in various International Film Festivals across the globe.{{cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title= Biswanath Becomes First Odia Filmmaker To Win 500 International Film Festival Accolades/Awards|url= https://kalingavoice.com/odisha/biswanath-becomes-first-odia-filmmaker-to-win-500-international-film-festival-accolades-awards/ |newspaper=Kalinga Voice|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=21 October 2017 |title=Global honour for Oriya filmmaker |url=http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/211017/p2.htm |newspaper=Orissa Post |location=Bhubaneswar |access-date=27 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171226134907/http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/211017/p2.htm |archive-date=26 December 2017 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |date=22 October 2017 |title= Award winning Odia filmmaker Biswanath hits Century in International Film Festival Accolades|url= http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/stories-by-people/award-winning-odia-filmmaker-biswanath-hits-century-international-film-festival-accolades |newspaper=Bhubaneswar Buzz|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=30 October 2017 |title= ବିଶ୍ୱନାଥ ରଥଙ୍କ ସିନେମା ଓ ମ୍ୟୁଜିକ୍ ଭିଡିଓ ୟୁକେରେ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ|url=https://odisha.live/2017/10/30/%E0%AC%AC%E0%AC%BF%E0%AC%B6%E0%AD%8D%E0%AD%B1%E0%AC%A8%E0%AC%BE%E0%AC%A5-%E0%AC%B0%E0%AC%A5%E0%AC%99%E0%AD%8D%E0%AC%95-%E0%AC%B8%E0%AC%BF%E0%AC%A8%E0%AD%87%E0%AC%AE%E0%AC%BE/|newspaper=Odisha Live|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=3 December 2022 |title=Sambalpuri Musical Video ‘Kahide Thare’ Wins Three Awards At International Film Festivals|url=https://sambadenglish.com/sambalpuri-musical-video-kahide-thare-wins-three-awards-at-international-film-festivals/|newspaper=Sambad English|location= Bhubaneswar}} He is the first Odia filmmaker to achieve the milestone of winning 500 film festival accolades which includes 143 awards.{{cite news |date=12 March 2024 |title= Award-Winning Film Director Biswanath Rath Becomes First Odia Filmmaker To Win 500 International Film Festival Awards|url= https://odiacelebrity.com/award-winning-film-director-biswanath-rath-becomes-first-odia-filmmaker-to-win-500-international-film-festival-awards/ |newspaper=Odia Celebrity|location= Bhubaneswar}} He is the founder of production company BnR Films LLP.{{cite news |date=12 August 2016 |title=Biswanath Rath's & his venture BnR Films is committed to make films on Indian Cultures with Global appeal |url=http://motivateme.in/biswanath-raths-his-venture-bnr-films-is-committed-to-make-films-on-indian-cultures-with-global-appeal/ |newspaper=Motivateme.in |location=Noida |access-date=4 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143602/http://motivateme.in/biswanath-raths-his-venture-bnr-films-is-committed-to-make-films-on-indian-cultures-with-global-appeal/ |archive-date=30 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}
In 2024, Biswanath has created history in Festival de Cannes by showcasing Odisha's Kotpad Handloom for the first time in the festival.{{cite news|date=25 May 2024 |title=Odia Youth Biswanath Rath Creates History At Cannes Film Festival 2024|url= https://odiasamaj.org/odia-youth-biswanath-rath-creates-history-at-cannes-film-festival-2024/ |newspaper=Odia Samaj|location= New Delhi}}
Work
His first short film, Kar Bhalaa, garnered a total of 56 International Film Festivals nominations and three awards.{{cite news |last= K. |first=Sarumathi |date=16 April 2016 |title=Young filmmaker makes a mark |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/downtown/young-filmmaker-makes-a-mark/article8483303.ece |newspaper=The Hindu |location= Chennai}}{{cite news |date=11 July 2017 |title=Famous Short film Director Biswanath Rath at Jaypore |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sDdP3BrJ9Q |newspaper=Odisha TV |location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=28 January 2016 |title=News World Special with filmaker [sic] Biswanath Rath |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVeGdoEkbXQ |newspaper=News World|location= Bhubaneswar}} His debut music video is called "Feel the Passion".{{cite news |date=8 November 2015 |title= International Music Album 'Feel The Passion' Directed by Odia Director goes viral|url= http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/odisha-news/international-music-album-feel-the-passion-directed-by-odia-director-goes-viral |newspaper=Bhubaneswar Buzz|location= Bhubaneswar}} It has received 31 international film festival nominations. His first ad film, The 'Right' Glass is a social ad-film based on child rights, which has garnered 8 awards and 77 international film festival nominations.{{cite news|date= 23 March 2015|title= UNICEF announces winners for short film contest 'Kallola'|url= http://www.dnaindia.com/locality/bhubaneswar/unicef-announces-winners-short-film-contest-kallola-55654|newspaper= DNA India|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} His Tamil music video, "Namma Chennai Chancey Illa," produced by national daily The Times of India with the theme celebration of Chennai and its culture, was premiered at TourFilm Riga - Tourism Film Festival in 2017.{{cite news |date=21 April 2017 |title= ୟୁରୋପରେ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ ହେବ ବିଶ୍ୱନାଥଙ୍କ ମ୍ୟୁଜିକ ଭିଡିଓ
|url= http://www.sambadepaper.com/Details.aspx?id=348681&boxid=1263582|newspaper=Sambad|location= Jeypore}}{{cite news |last= Mishra |first=Prachitara |date=19 April 2017 |title=Biswanath Rath's Tamil music video to be screened at Tourfilm Riga|url=http://www.odishabytes.com/biswanath-raths-tamil-music-video-screened-tourfilm-riga |newspaper=Odisha Bytes|location= Bhubaneswar}} This video is a spiritual successor to Chancey Illa (2014).{{cite news |date=21 Aug 2017 |title=Chancey Illa-Tamil Music Video-Namma Chennai-Biswanath Rath-Anirudh|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSvN5C1Mqgg |newspaper=The Times of India |location= Chennai}} His English documentary, A Zero to Hero Collaborative Approach, released on World Food Day (2016) received the Audience Award at the AgriCulture Film Festival held in Rome (Italy) on 9 December 2017.{{cite news |date=25 Oct 2016 |title=New documentary pays tribute to farmers|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/entertainment/new-documentary-pays-tribute-to-farmers-172747.html |newspaper=The Statesman |location= Kolkata}}{{cite news |date=17 October 2016 |title= Zero to Hero : Documentary on Inspiring Stories of Farmers from Nabrangpur|url= http://www.bhubaneswarbuzz.com/updates/odisha-news/zero-hero-documentary-inspiring-stories-farmers-nabrangpur-dont-miss |newspaper=Bhubaneswar Buzz|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=19 Oct 2016|title= କୃଷକ ସଶକ୍ତୀକରଣ ସମ୍ପର୍କିତ ଡକ୍ୟୁମେଣ୍ଟାରି|url=http://odishanewsnitidin.com/index.php?ID=23&PubId=4&period=1476921600&PageId=12367&ImgId=103541&action=download|newspaper=Nitidin|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |last= Ambaly |first=Anwesha |date=16 December 2017 |title=Farmers' story hits global stage |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/odisha/farmers-story-hits-global-stage-193818 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330143734/https://www.telegraphindia.com/states/odisha/farmers-story-hits-global-stage-193818 |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2018 |newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta) |location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |last=Pattanaik |first=Nishan |date=4 December 2017 |title=N'Rangpur Docu to be Screened in Rome Fest |url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/nrangpur-docu-to-be-screened-in-rome-fest.html |newspaper=The Pioneer |location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |last= ଓଡ଼ିଶା |first=ଖବର |date=18 December 2017 |title=ରୋମରେ ପ୍ରଦର୍ଶିତ ହେଲା ଓଡ଼ିଆ ସିନେ ନିର୍ମାତାଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାମାଣିକ ଚଳଚ୍ଚିତ୍ର |url=http://khabarodisha.com/State/Odia-film-maker-Biswanaths-Documentary-film-shows-at-Rome-24450 |newspaper=ଖବର ଓଡ଼ିଶା |location= ଜୟପୁର}}{{cite news |date=18 October 2016 |title=Documentary on success story of Dangarbheja Panchayat in Odisha |url=http://www.odishastory.com/2016/10/20/documentary-on-success-story-of-dangarbheja-panchayat-in-odisha/ |newspaper=Odisha Story Bureau |location= Bhubaneswar}}
This documentary tells the inspirational success story of the collaboration between Dangarbheja Gram Panchayat (Nabarangpur) and a civil society organization named Govindalaya.{{cite news|date=16 October 2016|url=http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/161016/p2.htm|title=Good Times Ahead for Nabarangapur Farmers|location=Bhubaneswar|work=Orissa Post|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330211337/http://www.orissapost.com/epaper/161016/p2.htm|archive-date=30 March 2018|url-status=dead}}
His silent short film, New Champion, received the Best Film in Indian Panorama Award at CMS International Children's Film Festival at Lucknow on 9 April 2018.{{cite news |last=संवाददाता |first=जागरण|date=10 April 2018 |title= साइलेंट फ़िल्मों ने दिया बुलंद संदेश|url=http://epaper.jagran.com/epaper/10-apr-2018-11-lucknow-archive-edition-lucknow-Page-23.html |newspaper=Dainik Jagran |location= Lucknow}}
His English documentary, Kotpad Weaving: The Story of a Race Against Time, was telecasted on DD National on 24 March 2018.{{cite news|date=26 March 2018|url=http://odishasuntimes.com/i-aspire-to-take-kotpad-story-to-global-audience-odisha-filmmaker/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331042202/http://odishasuntimes.com/i-aspire-to-take-kotpad-story-to-global-audience-odisha-filmmaker/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=March 31, 2018|title=I aspire to take Kotpad story to global audience: Odisha filmmaker|location=Bhubaneswar}} It explores the uniqueness of Kotpad Handloom, the issues and possible solutions for revival of Kotpad weaving and dyeing.{{cite news|date=4 August 2018|url=https://epaper.newindianexpress.com/1762945/The-New-Indian-Express-Bhubaneswar/04.08.2018#page/18/2|title=Reels of Kotpad|location=Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news|last= Wangchuk|first=Rinchen Norbu|date=6 March 2019|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/174285/natural-dye-sari-odisha-kotpad/|title=Disappearing Odisha Tradition Holds The Key to Chemical-Free, Naturally-Dyed Saris!|location=The Better India}} The film had its Australian premiere at Sydney on November 15, 2018 as part of a handloom exhibition titled “The Kotpad Collection” organized by brand Kay Collections (founded by Kushma Ram).{{cite news |last= Ambaly |first=Anwesha |date=18 November 2018 |title=Film to Revive Tribal Textile Tradition |url=https://epaper.telegraphindia.com/textview_234017_155428682_4__9_18-11-2018_78_0.html |newspaper=The Telegraph (Calcutta) |location= Bhubaneswar}}{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} It had its Indian premiere at Kashmir World Film Festival, Srinagar on 30 November 2018 where it won the Best Short Documentary award.{{cite news |date=5 December 2018 |title=Kashmir World Film Festival concludes |url=https://kashmirage.net/2018/12/04/kashmir-world-film-festival-concludes/ |newspaper=Kashmir Age|location= Srinagar}} The film also features 2019 Padma Shri award recipient Gobardhan Panika. The documentary film has garnered a total of 51 international film festival nominations and 8 awards.{{cite news|date=6 April 2019|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/kotpad-handloom-weaving-odisha-tradition-tribal-rituals-5661286|title=In the red: Kotpad handloom and its ties with nature, tribal rituals|location=Pune}} This film is the world's first documentary film on Kotpad Handloom.{{cite news|date=6 April 2019|url=https://www.theindianwire.com/entertainment/biswanath-rath-kotpad-weaving-short-film-117001/|title=Filmmaker Biswanath Rath's short film based on Kotpad weaving is first on the subject|newspaper=The Indian Wire|location=Pune}} In June 2020, the film premiered on Amazon Prime US, UK, Canada, Australia and other English-speaking territories of Amazon Prime, making it the documentary from Odisha to feature on a major global OTT platform.{{cite news|date=2 July 2020|url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/zeeodisha/national-international/story-on-documentary-cinema-kotpad-pata/704890?fbclid=IwAR1xBYlVbPoCFuNh7hreZmlL6JxQ09VRRPJkAuukRcg0OT2J4CuKw-3t_IU|title=ଅବହେଳିତ କୋଟପାଡ଼ର କାହାଣୀ କହିବ କୋଟପାଡ଼ ପାଟ|newspaper=Zee Odisha|location=New Delhi}}{{cite news|date=20 July 2020|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhClSmUC0VQ|title=Zilla Khabar|newspaper=MBC TV|location=Bhubaneswar}}
In June 2020, his romantic Odia music video "ବର୍ଷା ଭିଜା ରାତି" ("Barshaa Bhijaa Raati") premiered on an OTT named IndieShorts, making it the first Odia music video to feature on a national OTT platform.{{cite news|date=7 July 2020|url=http://www.prameyanews.com/oida-music-video-barshaa-bhijaa-raati-featured-on-indieshorts/|title=Odia music video 'Barshaa Bhijaa Raati' featured on IndieShorts|newspaper=Prameya News|location=Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news |date=13 July 2020|title= First Odia Music Video Barsha Bhija Rati Released On OTT|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oflPrBF6HpQ|newspaper=Kanak News|location= Bhubaneswar}}
In August 2020, his friendship-themed Hindi music video, “Woh Bhi Kya Din the Yaar,” premiered on YouTube on Friendship day. This music video is India's first independently made crowd-sourced music video.{{cite news |date=10 August 2020 |title=Woh Bhi Kya Din the Yaar: India's first independent crowd sourced MV|url=https://www.odisha.plus/2020/08/woh-bhi-kya-din-the-yaar-indias-first-independent-crowd-sourced-mv/|newspaper=Odisha Plus|location= Bhubaneswar}}
In November 2023, his feature documentary proposal 'Habaspuri Weaving: The Second and Last Death???' got selected in NFDC Film Bazaar Documentary Co-Production Market and was pitched in Film Bazaar Goa held between 20-24 November 2023.{{cite news|date=26 October 2023|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1971667|title=NFDC Film Bazaar presents 12 promising documentary projects for this edition of the Documentary Co-Production Market|location=Mumbai}}{{cite news|date=26 October 2023|url=https://filmbazaarindia.com/media/3389/pressrelease-nfdc2023_documentaryco-productionmarket.pdf|title=NFDC Film Bazaar presents 12 promising documentary projects for this edition of the Documentary Co-Production Market.|location=Mumbai}}{{cite news|date=3 November 2023|url=https://www.orissapost.com/documentary-on-habaspuri-weaving-selected-for-nfdc-film-bazaar-2023/|title=Documentary on Habaspuri Weaving selected for NFDC Film Bazaar 2023|location=Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news|date=26 October 2023|url=https://www.publicnow.com/view/19D20C7B07596CC9B274596C98F722BE890A832E?1698396367|title=NFDC Film Bazaar Presents 12 Promising Documentary Projects For This Edition Of The Documentary Co-Production Market|location=Mumbai}}{{cite news|date=3 November 2023|url=https://kalingavoice.com/odisha/habaspuri-weaving-the-second-and-last-death/|title=HABASPURI WEAVING : THE SECOND AND LAST DEATH???|location=Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news|date=27 October 2023|url=https://thenewshashtag.com/odishas-cinematic-talent-shines-at-nfdcs-film-bazaar/|title=Odisha’s Cinematic Talent Shines At NFDC’s Film Bazaar|location=Bhubaneswar}} This documentary is the spiritual successor to his acclaimed handloom documentary 'Kotpad Weaving' and aspires to explore the uniqueness of Habaspuri Handloom as well as the issues and challenges faced by Habaspuri weavers from Kalahandi district (Odisha). This documentary proposal featured in the list of 12 Documentaries selected by NFDC team (for co-production market) out of 98 International entries. The documentary was shot in September 2024 and is currently in Post-production stage.
On 22nd May 2024, Biswanath, in his very first visit to Festival de Cannes (77th Edition) created history by showcasing Kotpad Handloom in Cannes Film Festival for the first time.{{cite news|date=28 May 2024 |title='Habaspuri' handloom posters launched at Cannes|url= https://www.orissapost.com/habaspuri-handloom-posters-launched-at-cannes/ |newspaper=Orissa Post|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news|date=25 May 2024 |title=Odia Youth Biswanath Rath Creates History At Cannes Film Festival 2024|url= https://odiasamaj.org/odia-youth-biswanath-rath-creates-history-at-cannes-film-festival-2024/ |newspaper=Odia Samaj|location= New Delhi}} He also launched the posters of his upcoming Odia feature documentary ‘Habaspuri Weaving: The Second and Last Death???' on the same day.{{cite news|date=28 May 2024 |title=Filmmaker Biswanath Rath creates history at Cannes Film Festival 2024|url= https://kalingavoice.com/odisha/filmmaker-biswanath-rath-creates-history-at-cannes-film-festival-2024/ |newspaper=Kalinga Voice|location= New Delhi}}{{cite news|date=28 May 2024 |title=Odisha Filmmaker Biswanath Rath Shines at Cannes Film Festival |url= https://couturefashion.net/lifestyle/odisha-filmmaker-biswanath-rath-shines-at-cannes-film-festival/|newspaper=Couture Fashion|location= Bhubaneswar}} This marked a significant milestone in his journey to celebrate and preserve Odisha’s rich artisan heritage and create awareness about these lesser-known handloom traditions across the globe.{{cite news|date=1 June 2024 |title=Biswanath Rath showcases Kotpad handloom, unveils poster for Habaspuri documentary at Cannes 2024|url= https://citybuzzclick.com/biswanath-rath-showcases-kotpad-handloom-unveils-poster-for-habaspuri-documentary-at-cannes-2024/|newspaper= City Buzz Click|location= Bhubaneswar}}{{cite news|date=27 May 2024 |title=Filmmaker Biswanath Rath creates history at Cannes Film Festival 2024: Showcases Kotpad Handloom and launches the posters of his Feature Documentary on Habaspuri Handloom|url= https://indusvalleytimes.com/news/filmmaker-biswanath-rath-creates-history-at-cannes-film-festival-2024-showcases-kotpad-handloom-and-launches-the-posters-of-his-feature-documentary-on-habaspuri-handloom/|newspaper=Indus Valley Times|location= Bhubaneswar}}
Personal life
Biswanath Rath was born in Jeypore, Odisha to Raghunath Rath and Pramila Rath. He is an alumnus of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at National Institute of Technology, Warangal.{{cite news|date=12 October 2016 |title="Never to take things for granted in this industry" Interview with Biswanath Rath CEO of BNR Films from Chennai, India.|url= http://theasianentrepreneur.com/blog/2016/10/12/interview-with-biswanath-rath-ceo-of-bnr-films/ |newspaper=The Asian Entrepreneur|location= Singapore}} From 2007 to 2010, he worked in Maruti Suzuki India Limited after which he moved to Chennai to learn filmmaking. At Chennai, he completed formal courses in Screenwriting and Film Direction and started his filmmaking career.{{cite web|last=Bhatia|first=Nandini|title=Social Films Today Cannot Be Preachy|url=http://pandolin.com/social-films-today-cannot-be-preachy/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150915072653/http://pandolin.com/social-films-today-cannot-be-preachy/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-09-15|work=Pandolin}}
In 2015, he founded film production company BnR Films LLP with his wife Archana Rath.
Awards and recognition from Indian socio-cultural associations
class="wikitable" | ||||
Year | Award | Event name | Organisation | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Adarsh Prabasi Odia | Prabasi Odia Business Summit | Odisha Without Border | Chennai |
2019 | Utkal Shree | Utkal Divas (Odisha Day) | Thane Odia Association | Mumbai |
2019 | Adarsh Prabasi Samman | Raja Mahostav{{cite news |date=30 May 2019 |title=Pune Gears Up For Raja Mahostav-2019|url=http://www.odishastory.com/2019/05/30/pune-gears-up-for-raja-mahostav-2019/|newspaper=Odisha Story|location= Bhubaneswar}} | Kalinga Swaraj Foundation | Pune |
2019 | Bartika Artist Award | Odisha Hastatanta Carnival{{cite news |date=5 Nov 2019 |title=Documentary 'Kotpad Weaving' Screened At Odisha Hastatanta Carnival|url=http://www.odishabytes.com/documentary-kotpad-weaving-screened-at-odisha-hastatanta-carnival/|newspaper=Odisha Bytes|location= Bhubaneswar}} | Bartika Handlooms | Bhubaneswar |
Filmography
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:Film directors from Odisha
Category:Film editors from Odisha