Cyclopaedia of Indian Cinema/Sushil Arora. New Delhi, Anmol, 2004, 2
Vols., xxxv, 694 p., tables, 28 plates, (set). ISBN 81-261-1933-0.
Cyclopaedia of Indian Cinema/Sushil Arora. New Delhi, Anmol, 2004, 2
Vols., xxxv, 694 p., tables, 28 plates, (set). ISBN 81-261-1933-0.
Contents: Vol. I: Introduction. 1. Indian movie films in historical perspective: silent era: i. Importance of studying film history. ii. Background of the advent of films. iii. The Silent era of Indian films. 2. Indian movie films in historical perspective: talkie era. 3. Typology of Indian films: i. Importance of studying typology. ii. The problem associated with framing a typology. iii. Typology framed by others. iv. Typology of Indian films as in the present study. 4. The Indian 'New-Wave' films: i. New wave and its origin abroad. ii. Relevant views denying existence of 'New-Wave' films. iii. Factors of origin of Indian 'New-Wave' films. iv. New wave film-makers and the issues covered. v. Charges against the 'new-wave' films and defence. vi. Future of 'New-wave' films in India. 5. Socio-cultural realities as reflected in movie films: types of realities, filmic realities, the film culture, ethnographic films, religious films, historical films, music and dance: i. Broad categories of films. ii. Types of realities. iii. Filmic realities. iv. The film culture. v. Ethnographic films. vi. Fiction films with coherent themes. vii. Religious films. viii. Historical films. ix. Music and dance. 6. Socio-cultural realities as reflected in Indian films: social evils and problems, messages and reforms, patriotism, revolution and nationalism, family, social life and social change: i. Social evils and problems. ii. Messages and reforms. iii. Patriotism, revolution and nationalism. iv. Family, socio-political life and social change. 7. Indian movie films: a psychological perspective: i. Psychological perspective. 8. Indian movie films: government's view point and involvement: i. The cinematograph acts. ii. Censor board. iii. The film institutes. iv. National awards. v. The international film festival of India. vi. The state government's incentive. vii. Amelioration of cine workers. viii. Fraternity and alliance at other fronts. 9. Indian movie films: audience's view point: i. The universe. ii. The film viewing habit. iii. The audience's views on the movie-films.
Vol. II: 10. Indian movie films and its impact: positive and negative: i. Some relevant views. ii. The present framework. iii. Impact of films. iv. Cinema's contribution to national integration. 11. Indian movie films: expanding horizons and a vast potential: i. Expansion schemes for television. ii. Television programmes. iii. Impact of television and videos. iv. The prospect. Conclusion. Appendices. References. Index.
"Cyclopaedia of Indian Cinema is methodogically based on primary and secondary sources, the author focusses his findings on many of the unexplored dimensions of Indian Cinema at one hand and cine-observer's views on the other.
A pioneering work, besides a befitting introduction and conclusion, covers details on the history of Indian Cinema and its typology, psychological dimension of films, Government's policies and involvement, audience's view point, socio-cultural realities that the films reflect, new wave and regional films, impact of films on Indian society, its expanding horizons in the form of television, video and future potentials. Besides the main body, the appendices covers important information on various aspects including emphasis on the constituents or elements of Indian Cinema in terms of various sub-headings viz. elements f absurdity, sexy scenes, scenes of crime, idealism, pathos, comedy, symbolism and ethnographic elements.
The book excluding introduction and conclusion, covers eleven chapters and ninety three tables. It also includes various photographs as illustrative materials vividly exposing various dimensions of Indian Cinema. The book is of immense value for all those having casual or serious interest in the study of cinema. It is of utmost importance for the social scientists in general and for anthropologists, sociologists, media people, cinema people in particular." (jacket)