Nanda Master'nka Chatasali
| Nanda Master’nka Chatasali | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Pranab Kumar Aich |
| Written by | Pranab Kumar Aich |
| Produced by | Abhaya Pati |
| Starring | Nanda Prusty |
| Cinematography | Pranab Kumar Aich |
| Edited by | Pranab Kumar Aich |
| Music by | Bibhuti Bhusan Gadnayak |
Production companies | Abhismita Films Studiowaala Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 92 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Languages |
|
Nanda Master’nka Chatasali (English: Nanda School of Tradition) is a hybrid documentary film directed by Pranab Kumar Aich. It is produced by Abhaya Pati under the banner of Abhismita films. The film narrates the journey of Indian centenarian free educationist Nanda Prusty's unwavering commitment and selflessness towards the people of his village. The film premiered at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival on 7 December 2023, where it competed in the Asian Select (NETPAC Award)[1] category. The film was theatrically released in India on 12th December 2025.[2][3] Official trailer and poster of the film was launched at Bharat Pavilion at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, 2024.[4][5]
Cast
- Nanda Prusty
- Khageswar Prusty
- Saisresth Das
- Nityasha Pattnaik
- Shivangi Tripathy
- Rabindra Rout
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 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.
Production
This hybrid documentary follows centenarian Nanda Prusty who ran a roofless school (called Chatasali) for over 70 years in Kantira[6] village in Jajpur, Odisha. Pranab Kumar Aich[7] when offered the chance to make the biography said, “When Nanda Sir’s story came to me, who was I on the earth to reject it. I instantly agreed to do it.”[8]
Release
The film world premiered at the 29th Kolkata International Film Festival on 7 December 2023 and competed in Asian Select (NETPAC Award) in the festival. On 11 May 2024, it was screened in 16th Habitat Film Festival, 2024, in Delhi.[9]The film was theatrically released on 12th December 2025 in India.[10]
Reception
Ganesh Aaglave, writing in Firstpost, praised it as an "emotional experience, and inspiration and above all a symbol of truthfulness, which teaches the true essence of life".[11]
Awards and recognitions
Nanda Master’nka Chatasali also known as Nanda School Of Tradition was nominated in the Asian Select (NETPAC Award) category of 29th KIFF 2023.[1]The film was presented in DOK Leipzig Market Exclusives in DOK Leipzig 2024.[12]
| Festival Name | Category | Status | ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 67th DOK Leipzig, Germany | Market Exclusives | [12] | |
| 34th St. Louis International Film Festival, USA | Official selection | [13] | |
| 29th Kolkata International Film Festival, India | Asian NETPAC AWARD | Nominated | [1] |
| 19th Kanazawa Film Festival, Japan | Choice of Kanazawa | Official selection | [14] |
| 1st Celebrating India Film Festival, India | Best Documentary Award | Nominated | [15] |
| 15th Dada Saheb Film Festival, India | Best Documentary Award | Winner | [16] |
| 3rd Tamilnadu Film Festival, India | Official selection | [17] | |
| 16th Habitat Film Festival, India | Official selection | [18] |
References
- ^ a b c "Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema | Festival Reports". Network for the Promotion of Asia Pacific Cinema. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
- ^ Mullappilly, Sreejith (18 December 2025). "Pranab Aich: Nanda Master'nka Chatasali is my love letter to Bharath". Cinema Express. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (20 December 2025). "A Centenarian Hero Battles The Tough Screen Economy". ETV Bharat News. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
- ^ "Odia film trailer on Padma Shri teacher to be launched at Cannes". The Times of India. 21 May 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ Pattanayak, Pradeep. "Trailer of Odia Film "Nanda Master'nka Chatasali" Screened at 77th Cannes Film Festival - Odisha TV". Trailer of Odia Film "Nanda Master'nka Chatasali" Screened at 77th Cannes Film Festival - Odisha TV. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ Senapati, Ashis (7 November 2021). "Documentary on Odisha's centenarian Nanda master in the works". Down To Earth. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ "Nanda Master'Nka Chatasali A Feature-Length Documentary From Odisha". North East Film Journal. 20 March 2024.
- ^ Pattanayak, Pradeep. "Trailer of Odia Film "Nanda Master'nka Chatasali" Screened at 77th Cannes Film Festival". Odisha TV. Retrieved 24 August 2024.
- ^ "HFF | 2024". www.habitatworld.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "Nanda Master'nka Chatasali (2025) - Movie | Reviews, Cast & Release Date in Bhubaneswar". BookMyShow. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ "Nanda Master'nka Chatasali review: Pranab Aich's hybrid documentary on Indian Centenarian Free Educationist Nanda Prusty is heartfelt & inspiring". Firstpost. 4 December 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2025.
- ^ a b "Nanda School of Tradition · DOK Leipzig". www.dok-leipzig.de. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "Nanda School of Tradition". SLIFF 2025. Retrieved 9 December 2025.
- ^ "カナザワ映画祭２０２５「聖なる映画」｜カナザワ映画祭公式note". note（ノート） (in Japanese). 1 August 2025. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ Bhavishya (28 July 2025). "NANDA MASTER'NKA CHATASALI - Celebrating India Film Festival". Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "Dada Saheb Phalke Film Festival". educationexpo.tv. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "Official Selections 2025 – Tamil Nadu Film Festival". Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ^ "Account Suspended". www.habitatworld.com. Retrieved 27 August 2025.