Most of the speakers at a State-level symposium about progressive roots of cinema organised by Bandaya Sahitya Sanghatane in Belagavi on Saturday focussed on human sensibilities of artists.

Writer and director Baraguru Ramachandrappa asked youth to take up art seriously and ensure that all their creations are based on sensitivity towards fellow human beings and the environment.

“Though there are several similarities between literature and cinema, there is a fundamental difference. Cinema, according to me, is a democratic art. While literature can be individualistic, cinema can never be so. It is a coordinated team effort. It may happen as per the story in the script and the vision of the director and, it calls for dedicated work by several hundred people,” he said.

“Recent trends in Kannada cinema are highly positive. However, progressive films have been made since the beginning. Several films by actors like Rajkumar and Vishnuvardhan have conveyed progressive messages. They spread the message against social evils. Current negative trends include celebration of violence and blind belief and using films for propaganda. Vested interests are using them to divide society on caste and communal lines,” Prof. Ramachandrappa said.

“The new generation of writers needs to face challenges and create art that is progressive while aiming at peace and harmony,” he said.

He asked them to include themes like feudalism, caste-based discrimination, poverty, gender discrimination and blind belief.

Film-maker Vijayakumar M.G., who delivered the keynote address, said that the world over it is the shared taste of the audience that drives cinema and creates trends.

He gave examples from Iran, Europe, China and films from various Indian languages to describe various trends. He urged the common people to support good cinema and provide a platform to emerging film-makers.

“At times, pro-people films are not seen as popular films. We need to ask questions like, Is the mMarket dumbing us down? and Is the market not accepting the hard realities of life?” he said.

Poet Nadeem Sanadi spoke on Literature and Cinema: Nature of Creation and Nirmala Battal on Kannada Cinema: Progressive Bases in Mythology.

Vinay Nandihal spoke on Kannada Cinema: Popular Construction of History and Santosh Nayak spoke on Kannada Cinema: Progressiveness in Social Material.

Mr. Nandihal lamented that several progressive themes found in mythological films are not found in modern social cinema. Mr. Nayak said that several film-makers focus on problems in society but fail to suggest solutions.

Theatre personality D.S. Chougale asked film-makers to create art that connects with the common viewers.

“If a piece of art doesn’t connect with you, then, it has not served its purpose. Whether it is painting or music, film or theatre, or any other art form, the basic principle is the same. It should arouse and entertain us,” he said.

He gave examples of several Marathi works that have been portrayed differently in cinema and theatre.

A poetry recital session was also organised.

Sarju Katkar and Rajappa Dalwai spoke at the valedictory event.

Bandaya Sahitya Sanghatane district convener Yallappa Himmadi, Satish Kulkarni and others were present.