Scripting Lofty Credentials in Filmmaking and Social Work

Screenplay writing, dialogue writing and direction are essentially Sunayana Dutta's forte. Aamis and Emuthi Puthi are two iconic cult films that she has worked for. She is the associate director of Emuthi Puthi and has also co-written the script. Sunayana is also a social work professional. Her research and field work largely focuses on the cultural landscape of Assam and North East India

Sunayana Dutta was born and brought up in Dhakuakhana, a small town in Lakhimpur district of Assam. She hails from a culturally inclined family. "Moreover, some of my uncles and aunts are also into sports and literature,' she told SATURDAY FARE.

Talking about her professional journey and milestones, she says, "Presently I see myself as a filmmaker and a social work professional. After I completed my post-graduation, I had worked in the development sector for three years. I worked in an NGO named Gramya Vikash Mancha in Nalbari for a few months. Then I joined as a research associate for a project under UNICEF that was implemented by TISS (Tata Institute of Social Science) on Community Peace Building. I had a great experience while working in the remote villages of Assam. I always liked video documenting our sessions and had a penchant for the interactive sessions and the story-telling sessions with the children and women. I also loved documenting some facts about Assam and its people which the larger Assamese community do not know much about. That project period was just about to end when I got a call from one of the filmmakers from Assam, Ronald Hussain who wanted me to assist writer-director Bhaskar Hazarika for an Assamese feature film named 'Aamis.' So, I joined the team in the direction department and also did the dialogues along with the director and Sagar Saurabh."

Needless to say the iconic Aamis opened up a plethora of avenues for young Sunayana. "After "Aamis", I have worked in Kulanandini Mahanta's 'Emuthi Puthi' as a screenplay writer along with Bhaskar Hazarika. I was also the associate director of the film. I have worked on short films and documentaries, including one on the late actor and philanthropist Meera Biswas. I have also co-written a script for a feature film, which is adopted from the original story of Munin Barua's 'Poth-Upopoth,' to be directed by Manas Barua. I also work for NGOs on research and project documentation," she elaborates.

Her achievements are indeed significant considering her age. So how has she achieved so much at the young age of 30? "Well I don't think I have achieved a lot. But whatever I have achieved till now, I am certain it's because of the love, honesty and sincerity that I try to pour into whatever I do – love for this land, love for nature, empathy towards all living beings, and respect for the people I admire. My biggest achievement will happen posthumously if and when people remember me as a good human after I am gone," she smiles and replies simply.

Talking about her early life and people who influenced or motivated her to become the person she is today, she elaborates, "My late Grandfather, Rewat Chandra Gogoi was a teacher and he was also a very good singer. He and my grandmother always supported their children and grandchildren to engage in different cultural activities. Since I come from Dhakuakhana which is famous for Phato Bihu, I have been a Bihu dancer myself. I have performed Bihu since I was three years old. My uncle Keshab Gogoi who is the principal of Central School Dhakuakhana also anchors various cultural and social events including Phato Bihu. He is also a very good orator. Almost all my uncles and aunts are active members in all cultural and social events at my hometown. My mother Bharati Gogoi is an associate professor in Dhakuakhana College and is a gifted singer. She has a command over a range of old Assamese songs like Borgeet, Rabha Sangeet, Parbati Prasad Barua's songs, Bishnu Rabha Sangeet, Bhupendra Sangeet, Rudra Barua's songs and so on. She has been a big influence on me, my sister Sukanya and my brother Bhairab. Although we are not professional singers, everyone in our family loves singing. My father Shailendra Kumar Dutta has been a constant support who has always encouraged us to be culturally active." She paused and emphatically states that although these details might seem inconsequential all of these people have indelibly influenced her to become the person that she is today- modern in approach but grounded to the traditions and culture of Assam.

"Our parents always made sure that we go to the paddy fields during the sowing and reaping process so that we remain connected to our roots. During summer breaks in school my mother would encourage me to weave and I enjoyed it a lot. So even now whenever I visit my place, I take out time to visit the paddy field and go to the neighbours to weave," she shares and continues, "I have also seen that my family has always helped those in need. Since childhood, I have volunteered in events like flood relief, distributing clothes to the poor. All these made me decide to pursue Social Work for my post-graduation."

Sunayana says that while she was pursuing her graduation in Delhi University and her Masters at TISS, her teachers had always encouraged her to do what she loved doing. "We started the Alahyaa-Indian Music Society of Daulat Ram College, and I used to participate in singing and folk dance competitions during Inter- College Fests in DU and my teachers were the ones who motivated me the most to participate. Thus, my family, my birth place and my teachers have always played an important role in shaping and moulding me to who I am today," she explains.

Talking about the defining moments in her life journey and her life philosophy, Sunayana says, "Some people learn by seeing others and some by experiencing things themselves. I fall in the second category. As a child I was very obedient. I never learned to question. Our system never teaches us to question. As children, as students, as daughters, we are always taught to accept or obey. So when I faced hardships in life, I realised such a conditioning was making me lose my identity. But some people are also blessed with good friends. And I was blessed with one.With the support of my friend, I was able to overcome all my fears, my anxieties, and there came a point where nothing bothered me anymore. I started doing what I thought was right. I started doing what I loved doing and only doing what made me feel happy. I always believe that if I decide what is right or wrong for me, I alone will be responsible. I also strongly believe that my instincts and whatever observational and analytical skills I have will help me take the best possible decisions for myself. And if that goes wrong, I will accept the blame with grace and no regrets." Sunayana emphatically remarks that she doesn't aspire for material goals. "If I am able to pay my rent and fulfil my basic needs I am happy. I only want a few friends with whom I can share my thoughts and creative ideas with," she sums.

At the moment, Sunayana is working on a documentary project and is working through some scripts.

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