Film producer and former director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Jagat Murari passed away on 15 April in Pune.
Murari, who was 85, studied filmmaking in the US before joining the Films Division in India where he worked in various capacities before taking up the FTII assignment.
He worked as lecturer in FTII between 1962-72 and later became its director between 1976 and 1979.
“In those days, he was one of the few people to have acquired a degree in filmmaking,” said FTII dean Satish Kumar, who studied sound recording at the institute during Murari’s tenure. Those who have followed his work insist that Murari’s contribution to the industry is noteworthy since he did 50 years ago what is considered world class today.
“The institute that spawned a number of leading Bollywood lights flourished under his tutelage,” said Kumar.
Murari, known for his quick wit and persuasive manner with temperamental students, headed FTII for nine years between 1962 and 1971 — a period when a new breed of talented actors and directors (including Jaya Bhaduri, Shabana Azmi, Subhash Ghai among others) graduated from the institute. Most of his students remember him as a polite, kindhearted and dedicated man.
“Jagat Murari was a thorough gentleman who cared for his students. He constantly tried to reinvent teaching methods in filmmaking at FTII, the first national institute of its kind in Pune,” said Ghai.
“He never antagonised anyone and went about his work with quiet determination,” Kumar said.
The acclaimed filmmaker won the first ever President’s gold medal for his movie Mahabalipuram in 1954. His films won several national awards and international acclaim at festivals in Berlin, Venice, Edinburgh, San Francisco and Cannes.
“He saw filmmaking as a way of building the nation. He raised the calibre of the Indian film industry by bringing in structure and professionalism,” saidwife Lakshmi Murari.
Murari had won the President's gold medal for his film Mahabalipuram. He also produced many documentaries for Films Division and was appointed selector at various international film festivals.
Among the film personalities who have been Murari's students at FTII, are Jaya Bachchan, Shabana Azmi, Adoor Gopalkrishnan and Subhash Ghai, says a release.