‘When the first “President’s Gold Medal for the best feature film of India was instituted in 1953, for the Marathi film ‘SHAMCHI AAI’ (Shyam’s Mother), none of the jury member was Marathi. Every frame, every characterization was important. Film has its own language of expression, says veteran actress Vanamala, during presentation of special screening of yester years ‘Shamchi Aai’ was organized at iffi-Goa.

‘Shamchi Aai’ is a landmark film based on the book by Sane Guruji, a nationalist and political activist.

The film relives the memories of a prisioner, particularly those concerning his mother. Vanmal as the mother was down –to-earth and religious, and her characterization had a profound influence on maternal character in Marathi cinema in years to follow.

Madhav Vaze performed legendary role of ‘Shyam’, and it remain his lifetime achievement.

It is a highly successful film. It is an evergreen tale of bond between a mother & child and a comment on the importance of family.

Its director Acharya (Pralhad Keshav) Atre (1898-1969) was a playwright and Novelist in the Marathi language. He was a all-round personality in Marathi literature and a teacher by profession. Atre’s autobiographies, novels, journalism, and social life is considered to be a valuable contribution to Marathi literature.

A report by Rajendra Joshi.