Sushila Rawat: The First Garhwali Woman Film Director

Bhishma Kukreti

      [Notes on first Woman film director; first Woman Garhwali language film director; first Woman Uttarakhandi regional language film director; first Woman Mid Himalayan regional language film director; first Woman Himalayan regional language film director; first Woman North Indian regional language film director; first Woman Indian regional language film director; first Woman South Asian regional language film director; first Woman Asian regional language film director; first Woman Oriental regional language film director]

 1983 is memorable year for Garhwali s or Uttarakhand when Parashar Gaud released first Garhwali film ‘Jagwal’.

  As happened in every language film industry the males dominated film industry from producing and directing the films, the same happened with Garhwali film industry too. However, video filming (DVD/VCD films) brought golden moment for Garhwali film industry that Sushila Rawat (Sushila Negi from Mayka-mother side) emerged as first Garhwali Film director.

 Sushila Rawat was born on 20-12-1949in village Udjugyan (Talla Udaipur, Gangasalan, Paudi Garhwal). Her father’s name is Pratap Singh Negi and mother’s name is Sharda Negi. She was married to late Dhiraj Singh Rawat of Pat (Malla Udaipur, Gangasalan, Pauri Garhwal). She was migrated from Garhwal in her childhood to Delhi where her father was working in Government organization. Sushila was married when her higher secondary result was due. Her husband encouraged her to find her recognition. Sushila Rawat passed did M.A (sociology), diploma in personnel management, diploma in labor laws after marriage. Sushila Negi Rawat took a government job in Delhi Transport Corporation and now, she is retired from there.

   She was always attracted to drama from her childhood and was sensitive to social events and unusual incidents. While working with DTC, she did theatre and she performed major roles in Ardhgrameshwar, Kansanukram, Jai Bharat jai Javan the Garhwali dramas written by great Garhwali theater personality Rajendra Dhashmana. She performed in Hindi dramas too.

  Her contribution is immense in Garhwali film industry.

Sushila Rawat directed many Garhwali films (VCD/DVD films) and Sushila Rawat is first Garhwali woman to direct Garhwali films.  

Sushila Rawat wrote stories, wrote script and dialogues for following Garhwali films (VCD/DVD films) and directed them too:

Mangtu Baulya (2005) - The film produced by Rauthan is about the pain of migration from hills of Uttarakhand. A graduate young Mangtu does not migrate from village but the deterring situations in rural Garhwal made him semi mad. His wife leaves him with their child too. The film forces audience to think about stopping migration from rural Garhwal.

Dun daiju (2006) - Dun Daiju produced by Jai Dhari ma films is about the curses of dowry in the society. The marriage of a girl is broken due to not paying dowry. The girl takes revenge against the boy after twenty years later. Virendra Negi provides the music.

Man Twai Bgair (2008)- The film  story is based on true experiences of Rakesh Gaur who produced the film. The film tells that we understand the value of mother when she expires. Virendra negi provides the music.  

Nai Roshani (2008)- Nai Roshani is about girl foeticide.  Thakur marries and boosts that boys are essential for men. He got a girl child. When his wife becomes pregnant second time he goes to doctor to find the child sex, when he finds that the coming child would be girl he lets his wife gets aborted. Same way he gets his wife get aborted for three more times. At last he gets twin sons. His one son dies and second son does not help his father when it is utmost needed. Daughter of Thakur takes care of her ailing father. Virendra Negi provides music.

Peeda (2009) - The Garhwali film produced by Sheetal Jayara shows the various sacrifices and pains of a Garhwali woman. Virendra Negi provides the music.

Maya Jal (2010)-Maya Jal a Garhwali film produced by jai Dhari Devi ma production discusses the pain of lost love. Virendr Negi provides music for the film.

Chham Ghughuru (2010)- Chham Ghunghroo produced by Rama cassette  is one of the popular Garhwali films or could be said a hit Garhwali film. Narendra Singh Negi is lyricist and music director of the film. The story is about the caste system in Garhwal and proves that the caste system is wrong for humanity. The story deals with the life of Badi-Badan society of Garhwal.  

 The films wrote and directed by Sushila Rawat shows that she writes stories on different dimensions of society and does not believe in repetition.

  As a first female Garhwali film director, the contribution of Sushila Rawat is as equally important as the works of  Alice Guy-Blache (first narrative film woman director); Lois Weber (first woman film director of USA), Dorothy Arzner (first woman film director of classic Hollywood films); Germaine Dulac (first French woman film maker/director of French Avant-grade film);   Julie Dash (first African-American woman film director); Senealese safe faya (first African woman film director); Kinuyu Tanaka (first Japanese woman film director); Im- Soon-rye (Korean woman film director); Ana Carolina (Brazilian woman film director); Lenireifenstahl (German woman film director); Marta Meszaros (Hungarian woman film director);Elvira Notari (Italian woman film director); Edith Carlmar (Norwegian woman film director ) and Manuela Viegas (Portuguese woman film director).

 Sushila Rawat is fortunate being mother of a son (works in Delhi) and daughter migrated to Australia.  

(Based on telephonic talk had with Mrs. Sushila Rawat on 27/2/2013)

Copyright@ Bhishma Kukreti, 2013

Notes on first Woman film director; first Woman Garhwali language film director; first Woman Uttarakhandi regional language film director; first Woman Mid Himalayan regional language film director; first Woman Himalayan regional language film director; first Woman North Indian regional language film director; first Woman Indian regional language film director; first Woman South Asian regional language film director; first Woman Asian regional language film director; first Woman Oriental regional language film director to be continued…