NANDA MASTER’NKA CHATASALI
Director: Pranab Aich
Language: Hindi, Odia
Year: 2024
Duration: 50
Producer: Abhaya Pati
Director Statement:
Writers: Pranab Aich
Cinematographer Name:
Editor Name:
Producers: Abhaya Pati
Key Cast: Nanda Kishore Prusty, Khageswar Prusty
Other Credits: Music Director: Bibhuti Bhusana Gadnayak; Sound Designer: Anand Prakash
Screenings / Awards:
Festival Recognition & Global Journey: FILM FESTIVALS | Chatasali Film
– World Premiere at 29th Kolkata International Film Festival (December 7, 2023)
– Official Selection at 16th Habitat International Film Festival, New Delhi (May 8, 2024)
– Trailer Poster Shwocase at Bharat Pavilion by NFDC, 77th Cannes Film Festival (May 23, 2024)
– Selected for 67th DOK Leipzig Co-Production & Market in Germany
– Winner Best Documentary Feature, 15th Dadasaheb Phalke Film Festival (2025),Delhi.
-Official Selection, 19th Kanazawa Film Festival, Japan. Official Selection 3rd Tamil Nadu Film Festival
Synopsis
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.