In a significant victory for Indian regional cinema, the celebrated 1984 Odia film 'Maya Miriga' is preparing for its grand return to the big screen in Bhubaneswar after undergoing an extensive five-year restoration process. The Film Heritage Foundation (FHF), which spearheaded this ambitious project, will host the premiere at the historic Keshari Talkies on November 13, with additional public screenings scheduled for November 14 and 17.
The Challenging Restoration Journey
The restoration of 'Maya Miriga' represented one of the most difficult projects ever undertaken by the Film Heritage Foundation. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of FHF, revealed the tremendous challenges they faced, stating they had to literally raise the film from the grave. The original 16 mm negatives were discovered in a severely deteriorated condition in a Chennai warehouse, requiring meticulous manual repair and advanced digital restoration by Digital Film Restore Private Ltd.
The restoration initiative began in 2020 when Sandeep Mohapatra, son of the late director Nirad Mohapatra, approached FHF for assistance. This marked the foundation's first venture into restoring an Odia language film, expanding their mission to preserve India's diverse regional cinematic heritage after previously working on Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi, and Manipuri classics.
Critical Acclaim and Cultural Significance
Actor Amitabh Bachchan, who serves as ambassador for FHF, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, describing the film's return as a cultural homecoming for the people of Odisha. He emphasized that 'Maya Miriga' is a genuine gem of Indian cinema that deserves to be seen and celebrated by new generations.
The restored version already received international recognition with its world premiere at the prestigious Il Cinema Ritrovato festival in Bologna earlier this year, where critics praised it as a masterpiece and even compared director Nirad Mohapatra to the legendary Japanese filmmaker Ozu.
The film portrays the emotional disintegration of a middle-class joint family in a small Odia town, capturing the complex social tensions between tradition and changing aspirations. With its compelling narrative, haunting musical score by Bhaskar Chandavarkar, and authentic performances by non-professional actors, the film offers a poignant look at family dynamics.
Public Screenings and Broader Impact
The Bhubaneswar screenings are completely free for the public on a first-come, first-served basis, making this cultural treasure accessible to all. The timing coincides with the 10th edition of the Film Preservation & Restoration Workshop India, scheduled from November 12 to 19 at the Kalabhoomi Odisha Crafts Museum.
Dungarpur expressed immense satisfaction at being able to present the restored version of what remains Nirad Mohapatra's only feature film to cinema audiences in Odisha. The re-release not only celebrates a specific film but also highlights the ongoing importance of film preservation efforts across India's rich cinematic landscape.
This project demonstrates that even films that have faded into near oblivion, despite initial national and international acclaim, can be successfully revived through dedicated restoration work, ensuring they continue to inspire and move audiences decades after their original creation.
