Shatabarshe Chalachchitra 2 by Nirmalya Acharya , Dibyendu Palit

One hundred years ago, on December 28, 1895, when the Lumière brothers, Louis and Auguste, showcased their Cinématographe in Paris, the birth of cinema took place. On that day, no one could have imagined that this humble beginning would gradually expand into an immense phenomenon—one that would not only create vast commercial opportunities but also evolve into a high form of art. The impact and influence of cinema would spread rapidly and extensively across the world. As new innovations and technical advancements occurred, creative filmmakers would produce works that would weave a new and unique cultural history.

While the contribution of Bengali filmmakers to this prestigious history has long been recognized, the number of reliable books on cinema in the Bengali language remains surprisingly small. To fill this gap, especially for readers interested in the study of cinema, this unique and thought-provoking anthology titled "Cinema in a Century" has been planned, edited by Nirmalya Acharya and Dibyendu Palit, marking the centenary of world cinema. The book is divided into two self-contained volumes: "Perception and Experience" and "History and Evolution."

This comprehensive work traces the history of film production from its inception, through the next one hundred years, across various countries of the world. It includes assessments of the works of renowned filmmakers, experiences of prominent figures associated with cinema, discussions on different genres and movements, as well as the social, political, and other impacts of cinema. The relationship of cinema with various art forms and a variety of other subjects are also covered, along with a wealth of essential information and essays.

Such a compilation dedicated exclusively to cinema in the Bengali language has never been attempted before. The current (second) volume, "History and Evolution," focuses on the technical and aesthetic developments in filmmaking over the past century. It also includes historical outlines of film production in notable countries such as the United States (Hollywood), France, Russia, Germany, Italy, Britain, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa, Australia, Japan, China, as well as India and the Indian subcontinent. The volume offers separate evaluations of the works of Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Mrinal Sen, and Tapan Sinha, as well as topics like political cinema, documentaries, and more. A particularly valuable feature is the extensive list of Bengali films released between 1919 and the subsequent seventy-eight years.

Each of the forty essays included in this collection has been specially written for this book and has never been published before. Additionally, the book contains over a hundred relevant photographs spread across sixty-four pages. For those who watch films and reflect on them, this two-volume anthology will be an essential resource. No other book on cinema has been published in India with this level of comprehensiveness.