# 29th National Film Awards

The 29th National Film Awards, presented by Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India to felicitate the best of Indian Cinema released in the year 1981. Ceremony took place in April 1982.
With 29th National Film Awards, new category for books on Indian cinema was introduced. The awards aim at the encouraging the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles reviews etc.

## Juries

Three different committees were formed for feature films, short films and books on cinema, headed by veteran actor Ashok Kumar, Vasant Joglekar and Asok Mitra respectively.
* Jury Members: Feature Films
** Ashok Kumar (Chairperson) • B. A. Arasukumar • Leela Chitnis • B. R. Chopra • Salil Chowdhury • Suresh Kathuria • Yamini Krishnamurthy • R. Lakshman • Dnyaneshwar Kulkarni • Bhabendra Nath Saikia • M. Shamim • Sundari K. Shridharani • S. G. Vasudev • Inturi Venkateswara Rao
* Jury Members: Short Films
** Vasant Joglekar (Chairperson) • Harisadhan Dasgupta • Jagat Murari • Ramesh Sharma
* Jury Members: Books on Cinema
** Asok Mitra (Chairperson) • P. V. Akilandan • Chidananda Dasgupta • Sunil Gangopadhyay • Pritish Nandy • P. Padmarajan • Na. Parthasarathy • M. T. Vasudevan Nair

## Awards

Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.

### Lifetime Achievement Award

| Name of Award | Image | Awardee(s) | Awarded As | Awards |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | | Naushad Ali | Music director | Swarna Kamal, ₹40,000 and a Shawl |

### Feature films

Feature films were awarded at All India as well as regional level. For 29th National Film Awards, a Bengali film, Dakhal won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film whereas a Hindi film, Umrao Jaan won the maximum number of awards (four). In the honour of veteran actress Nargis Dutt who died in 1981, award for best feature film on national integration was renamed as Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration. Following were the awards given in each category:

#### All India Award

Following were the awards given:
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Feature Film | Dakhal | Bengali | Producer: Government of West Bengal | Swarna Kamal and ₹50,000/- |
| Best Feature Film | Dakhal | Bengali | Director: Gautam Ghose | Swarna Kamal and ₹25,000/- |
| Citation: For the visual eloquence with which it portrays the travails of a daughter of a soil courageously fighting for a social justice in the face of all odds and for the remarkable ability of its young director who writes the screenplay, handles the camera, scores the music and directs the film in a poetic manner. ||||
| Second Best Feature Film | Pokkuveyil | Malayalam | Producer: K. Ravindran Nair | Rajat Kamal and ₹30,000/- |
| Second Best Feature Film | Pokkuveyil | Malayalam | Director: G. Aravindan | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Citation: For visualising in a sustained, poetic manner the gnawing agony of the human mind dangerously hovering on the edge of insanity; for marrying the images superbly with haunting classical music on the sound track and creating an unorthodox, sensitive, deeply moving work of exquisite beauty. ||||
| Best Feature Film on National Integration | Sapthapadhi | Telugu | Producer: Bheemavarapu Buchhireddy | Rajat Kamal and ₹30,000/- |
| Best Feature Film on National Integration | Sapthapadhi | Telugu | Director: K. Viswanath | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Citation: For focusing on the problems of the society whose orthodoxy inflicts grave injustice on the under-privileged, for the dilemma faced by a Brahmin disciplinarian in confronting his grand-daughter's love for Harijan, for resolving the problem in a rational manner, worthy of the country's best secular traditions. ||||
| Best Debut Film of a Director | Aadharshila | Hindi | Producer and Director: Ashok Ahuja | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For making a bold statement on the aspirations and frustrations of the young generation of film-makers he himself represents and for a very sensitive treatment of the relationship between an idealist director and an inscrutable story-write. ||||
| Best Direction | 36 Chowringhee Lane | English | Aparna Sen | Rajat Kamal and ₹20,000/- |
| Citation: For effectively orchestrating the creative and technical elements in her first film, for a poignant portrayal of loneliness in old age and for bringing to the screen a true-to-life situation in post-independence India. ||||
| Best Screenplay | Thanneer Thanneer | Tamil | K. Balachander | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For translating the suffering of the people in drought-affected areas into a gripping visual narrative. ||||
| Best Actor | Arohan | Hindi | Om Puri | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For a very convincing portrayal of a harassed farmer courageously fighting vested interests who seek to block the implementation of land reforms. ||||
| Best Actress | Umrao Jaan | Hindi | Rekha | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For appealing portrayal of Umrao Jaan, a real life courtesan and poetess of the 19th century. ||||
| Best Child Artist | Imagi Ningthem | Meitei | Leikhendra Singh | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- |
| Citation: For an endearing portrayal of a child and his yearning for a mother's love. ||||
| Best Cinematography (Color) | 36 Chowringhee Lane | English | Ashok Mehta | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For the technical excellence, for highlighting the tonality, texture and nuances of the story and for an outstanding work as a cameraman. ||||
| Best Cinematography (Black and White) | Mooru Darigalu | Kannada | Shripati R. Bhat | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For projecting the mood of the film in a vivid manner. ||||
| Best Audiography | Elippathayam | Malayalam | P. Devadas | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For a brilliantly mixed soundtrack and impressive use of silences to underline the dramatic moments of the film. ||||
| Best Editing | Arohan | Hindi | Bhanudas Divakar | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For precision in timing, for excellent juxtaposition of images, for sustained tempo and rhythm and a masterful creation of the deluge sequence. ||||
| Best Art Direction | Umrao Jaan | Hindi | Manzoor | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For re-creating the sets of the Lucknow Kothas and aristocratic homes with an unerring sense of the historical period portrayed. ||||
| Best Music Direction | Umrao Jaan | Hindi | Khayyam | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For a finely turned score which invokes the spirit of the period and for a felicitous use of music to enrich the central character of the film. ||||
| Best Male Playback Singer | Ek Duuje Ke Liye | Hindi | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For great feeling and sense of rhythm which he brings to his vocal rendering. ||||
| Best Female Playback Singer | Umrao Jaan | Hindi | Asha Bhosle | Rajat Kamal and ₹10,000/- |
| Citation: For the style with which she invests the rendering of the ghazals that form a part of the texture of the film. ||||
| Special Jury Award | Sadgati | Hindi | Satyajit Ray | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- |
| Citation: For making the strongest of comments in the simplest of languages on the caste system and for probing the complex relationship between a downtrodden tanner and a callous Brahmin priest in a village. ||||

#### Regional Award

The awards were given to the best films made in the regional languages of India. For feature films in Assamese, Gujarati, Kashmiri and Punjabi language, award for Best Feature Film was not given.
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Awardee(s) | Awards |
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Adalat o Ekti Meye | Producer: Dhiresh Kumar Chakraborty | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Adalat o Ekti Meye | Director: Tapan Sinha | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For its powerful presentation of the problems of rape and its shattering after-effects in the life of a woman. |||
| Best Feature Film in English | 36 Chowringhee Lane | Producer: Shashi Kapoor | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in English | 36 Chowringhee Lane | Director: Aparna Sen | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For eloquently portraying the tragedy of a lonely woman belonging to the Anglo-Indian community in contemporary India. |||
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Arohan | Producer: Government of West Bengal | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Arohan | Director: Shyam Benegal | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For hard-hitting treatment of contemporary reality, especially as it is reflected in the continuing predicament of the West Bengal peasantry. |||
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Bara | Producer: M. S. Sathyu | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Bara | Director: M. S. Sathyu | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For an incisive analysis of the socio-political situation in a drought affected district. |||
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Elippathayam | Producer: K. Ravindran Nair | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Elippathayam | Director: Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For presenting the total decadence of the feudal system with unusual sensitivity and realism and for perceptively portraying the personal tragedy of those caught up in it. |||
| Best Feature Film in Manipuri | Imagi Ningthem | Producer: K. Ibohal Sharma | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Manipuri | Imagi Ningthem | Director: Aribam Syam Sharma | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For its charm, simplicity and freshness of approach. |||
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Umbartha | Producer: D. V. Rao and Jabbar Patel | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Umbartha | Director: Jabbar Patel | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For a sincere cinematic statement on the theme of a woman seeking to establish her identity by pursuing a career, even at the risk of alienation from her family. |||
| Best Feature Film in Oriya | Seeta Raati | Producer: Balram Misra | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Oriya | Seeta Raati | Director: Manmohan Mahapatra | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For a commendable work on the theme of a woman who faces life courageously despite the orthodox forces aligned against her. |||
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Thanneer Thanneer | Producer: P. R. Govindarajan | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Thanneer Thanneer | Director: K. Balachander | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For powerfully projecting the helplessness of a village community living in a drought-affected area and its valiant efforts to solve its problem through self-help being thwarted by an insensitive administrative system. |||
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Seethakoka Chiluka | Producer: Edida Nageshwara Rao | Rajat Kamal and ₹15,000/- |
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Seethakoka Chiluka | Director: Bharathiraja | Rajat Kamal and ₹7,500/- |
| Citation: For skilfully handling the theme of inter-communal marriage and making an impassioned stand against bigotry. |||

### Non-Feature films

Following were the awards given:
| Name of Award | Name of Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Information Film | Faces After The Storm | Hindi | Producer: Yash Chaudhary for Films Division Director: Prakash Jha | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- Each |
| Citation: For a hard-hitting comment on a social problem capturing the anguish and horror of communal violence, made without compromise but with humanism and sincerity. ||||
| Best Educational / Instructional Film | The Four Minutes | English | Producer: Vijay B. Chandra for Films Division Director: B. G. Devare | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- Each |
| Citation: For an effective and purposeful film made with imagination and skill which may save precious lives. ||||
| Best Promotional Film | Hydrum | English | Producer: Omprakash Sharma for Films Division Director: Mahmood Quereshi | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- Each |
| Citation: For putting across innovative techniques of lifting water which will revolutionise the concept and practice of agriculture in hilly areas. ||||
| Best Animation Film | The Thinker? | English | Producer: B. R. Shendge for Films Division Director: A. R. Sen Animator: M. Paralkar | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- Each |
| Citation: For well done animation and for focusing on the problems of man and his environment. ||||
| Best News Review | News Magazine No. 12 | English | Vijay B. Chandra for Films Division | Rajat Kamal and ₹5,000/- |
| Citation: For its overall technical competence. ||||

### Best Writing on Cinema

With 29th National Film Awards, new category for books on Indian cinema was introduced. The awards aim at the encouraging the study and appreciation of cinema as an art form and dissemination of information and critical appreciation of this art-form through publication of books, articles reviews etc. Following were the awards given:
| Name of Award | Name of Book | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
| Best Book on Cinema | Thamizh Cinemavin Kathai | Tamil | Author: Aranthai Narayanan | ₹5,000/- |
| Citation: For being the first systematic full length account of the Tamil cinema from its inception, with pertinent observation on the art of film making, for the likelihood of it enduring as a standard reference work, for lucid, systematic writing with appropriate illustrations, for being based more on original and personal perceptions than on derived or second-hand sources. ||||

### Awards not given

Following were the awards not given as no film was found to be suitable for the award:
* Best Children's Film
* Best Film on Family Welfare
* Best Lyrics
* Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment
* Best Film on Social Documentation
* Best Experimental Film
* Best Newsreel Cameraman
* Best Feature Film in Assamese
* Best Feature Film in Punjabi