What's New? Discover a rare gem! Our 3-part interview series with Kalyan Chatterjee from the Bengal Film Archive is now live on YouTube
ABOUT US
What's remembered, lives. What's archived, stays. Despite all our interest in nostalgia and passion for movies, too little has been done to document the history of Bengal's cinema from the previous century. The pandemic came as a wake-up call for us. As a passionate group of film enthusiasts, we decided to create a digital platform that inspires artists and audiences alike. That's how Bengal Film Archive (BFA) was conceived as a bilingual e-archive. At this one-stop digital cine-cyclopedia, we have not just tried to archive facts, trivia, features, interviews and biographical sketches but also included interactive online games regarding old and contemporary Bengali cinema
OUR YouTube SPECIALs
SOUND OF MUSIC

Since the advent of the talkie era, playback has played a big role in Bengali cinema. From Kanan Devi’s Ami banaphool go to Arati Mukhopadhyay’s Ami Miss Calutta  our films have a song for every emotion. In this segment, BFA tunes in to the music composers, singers and lyricists who made all that happen. The bonus is a chance to listen to the BFA-curated list of hits across seven decades!

The collection features a diverse range of stories, each one showcasing the complexities of human emotions, relationships, and the Manipuri way of life. The themes explored in these stories are universal, yet uniquely rooted in the local culture, making them relatable and fascinating for readers from various backgrounds.

"Manipuri Stories Eina Eigi" is a captivating collection of romantic fiction and stories that offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage and emotional depth of Manipur, a state in northeastern India. The title, which roughly translates to "My Love" in Manipuri, sets the tone for a narrative that is both intimate and expressive.

This collection is a valuable addition to contemporary Indian literature, particularly for its focus on Manipuri culture and its narratives. It provides a platform for readers to engage with the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of people from a region that is often underrepresented in mainstream literature.

The writing style in "Manipuri Stories Eina Eigi" is characterized by its simplicity, elegance, and emotional depth. The language, though translated, retains much of its original flavor, allowing readers to appreciate the nuances of Manipuri culture and expression. The stories are engaging, with well-crafted dialogues and descriptions that transport readers to the scenic landscapes of Manipur.

The stories in "Manipuri Stories Eina Eigi" have the potential to resonate with a wide audience, including those interested in cultural studies, literature, and romantic fiction. They are likely to appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven narratives, cultural insights, and stories that explore the human condition.

OUR FILMS
This archive is essentially a celebration of cinema from Bengal through words and still images. Yet, no celebration of cinema is complete without a tribute from moving images. In this section, BFA presents short films about unsung foot soldiers, forgotten studios and ageing single screens that have silently contributed to make cinema larger-than-life. For us, their unheard stories deserve to be in the limelight as much as those of the icons who have created magic in front of the lens.
BFA Originals
Lost?

The iconic Paradise Cinema has been a cherished part of Kolkata's cine history. Nirmal De’s Sare Chuattor marked its first Bengali screening in 1953, amidst a legacy primarily dedicated to Hindi films. From the triple-layered curtains covering its single screen to the chilled air from the running ACs wafting through its doors during intervals, each detail of Paradise’s majestic allure is still ingrained in the fond memories of its patrons. One such patron is Junaid Ahmed. BFA joins this Dharmatala resident as he recollects his days of being a witness to paradise on earth in this Bijoy Chowdhury film

House of Memories

Almost anyone with a wee bit of interest in cinema from Bengal can lead to Satyajit Ray's rented house on Bishop Lefroy Road. But how many know where Ajoy Kar, Asit Sen, Arundhati Devi or Ritwik Ghatak lived? Or for that matter, Prithviraj Kapoor or KL Saigal during their Kolkata years? In case you are among those who walk past iconic addresses without a clue about their famous residents, this section is a must-watch for you. We have painstakingly tried to locate residential addresses of icons from the early days of their career and time-travelled to 2022 to see how the houses are maintained now.