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Nanda School of Tradition

A coming-of-age journey of an inherent minimalist, who struggles to preserve one of India's last traditional open-air schools called Chatasali. This documentary hybrid delves into the life of a mystic teacher, centenarian Nanda Prusty, an ordinary Indian villager who gave free education to the poor for more than 70 years. Transforming from an actor to a teacher, Prusty's narrative extends across three generations, marked by his unwavering commitment to selflessly serve his village on a profound spiritual path. Just before his unexpected death, at the age of 103, he eventually came to limelight after receiving Padma Shri, India's prominent civilian award.

  • Pranab Aich
    Director
  • Pranab Aich
    Writer
  • Abhaya Pati
    Producer
  • Nanda Kishore Prusty
    Key Cast
    "Nanda Kishore Prusty"
  • Khageswar Prusty
    Key Cast
    "Khageswar Prusty"
  • Saisresth Das
    Key Cast
    "Nanda Mid Aged"
  • Anand Prakash
    Sound Department
    Sound Designer
  • Bibhuti B Gadnayak
    Sound Department
    Music Director
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Nanda Master'nka Chatasali
  • Project Type:
    Documentary, Experimental, Feature, Other
  • Genres:
    Education, Social, Drama
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 30 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    December 7, 2023
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Language:
    Odia
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Aspect Ratio:
    2.22:1
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
  • 29th Kolkata International Film Festival
    Kolkata
    India
    December 7, 2023
    World Premiere
    ASIAN NETPAC Official Competition
  • 16th Habitat Film Festival
    New Delhi
    India
    May 8, 2024
    Official Selection -India's Finest Cinema
  • DOK Leipzig

    Germany
    November 3, 2024
    Film Market Exclusives
Director Biography - Pranab Aich

Pranab Aich is an internationally recognized documentary photographer and filmmaker from India. His stint as a volunteer with NGOs shaped his early work.

Highlighting issues related to human-rights, health, environment & education, his work frequently features in international forums.

Winner of the Sony World Photography Award Cannes 2009, his short documentaries have been showcased at more than 50 film festivals globally which includes Durban International Film Festival 2022, Bradford Small World Film Festival UNESCO 2017, IFF Ekotop 2016- Bratislava, DocuTIFF 2016-Tirana, BJIFF 2016-China to name a few.

Recently, he has been selected as a an emerging Asian filmmaker by Platform Busan 2024.

This is his debut feature film. He has written, shot, directed and edited the film himself.

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Director Statement

This film is a tribute to teachers across the globe, a glimpse of India's selfless teaching tradition, a proof of one man's conviction that changes the fate of generations to come.