Awards were announced by the committee headed by Basu Chatterjee, Bhimsain and K. N. T. Sastry for the feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema, respectively, on 14 August 2004;[2] whereas award ceremony took place on 3 February 2005 and awards were given away by then President of India, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.[3]
With 51st National Film Awards, new category for Non-feature Film for Best Narration / Voice Over was introduced and awarded with 'Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus)'.
Awards
Awards were divided into feature films, non-feature films and books written on Indian cinema.
Citation:For poignantly capturing the troubled journey of a middle-aged individual re-examining his political past in the light of prevailing socio-political values.
Citation:For her sustained and subtle portrayal of a young girl trapped in an early, polyandrous marriage and her ability to convey her little joys and large sorrows.
Citation:For a human drama that engages issues of creativity and gender dynamics.
Non-Feature Films
Short Films made in any Indian language and certified by the Central Board of Film Certification as a documentary/newsreel/fiction are eligible for non-feature film section.
Juries
A committee headed by Bhim Sen was appointed to evaluate the non-feature films awards. Following were the jury members:[1][5]
Jury Members
Bhim Sen (Chairperson) • Jose Sebastian • Satyabrata Kalita • Haimanti Banerjee • Rajiv Khandagle • N. S. Shankar • Anwar Jamal
Citation:For setting out to search for the roots of violence manifest in many forms in the current times- from communal forces to nuclear race, Shot in India, Pakistan, Japan and USA, the film achieves a multi-layered understanding of these deep rooted tensions- at the same time recording the aspirations for peace, harmony and secularism, in the backdrop of Gandhian thought.
Citation:For a probing, thoughtful, intense, yet a non-judgmental record of the myriad faces of humanity floating around the Howrah Station that lies by the side of the river Ganga. The director with just his keen eye and an unpredictable symmetry of images, gains an inner eye into the mystery called people. It is as though an entire civilisation is reconstructed through images of floating faces, people and sounds.
Citation:For depicting the plight of a physically incapacitated Sarasu and her cheerful will to live. The director achieves this bringing out the totality, spiritual richness of a "life lived only in the mind" – through an innovative narrative idiom.
Producer: Leo Arts Communication Director: Meenakshi Vinay Rai
₹ 10,000/- Each
Citation:For records the life of the nomadic tribe Ghumantu and their peculiar plight of being labelled "habitual offenders". It also records the efforts made at rehabilitating them.
Citation:For records the life of a pioneer in Ayurvedic medicine Dr. P.S. Varrier. The film also brings out his many faceted personality along with his contribution to performing arts and literature.
Producer: Y. N. Engineer forFilms Division Director: Nandkumar Sadamate
₹ 10,000/- Each
Citation:For its rare attempt at interpreting the works of the legendary painter making him accessible even to those uninitiated to his art. The film examines the troubled times that Picasso lived in, his ideals, his relationships and the inevitable symbiosis of his life and work.
Citation:For using the novel method of elephants narrating their own story (in human voice) to raise a cry against "man centric" concept of development. The film also succeeds in raising bigger issues of ecological balance, and cruelty to animals.
Citation:For its focus on "Navadanya" the movement launched to retrieve the traditional wisdom in alternative farming methods. The film's importance emerges in the face of the current globalisation-led agrarian uncertainties.
Producer:Rajasri Mukhopadhyay Director: Supriyo Sen
₹ 10,000/- Each
Citation:For its recounting of a remarkable journey to a homeland lost for ever, as a result of partition. A family driven out of East Pakistan during partition, undertakes a journey back after fifty years to their "homeland". The journey eventually turns into a story of painful memories, lost relationships and the madness of partition- all achieved through a touching personal narrative.
Citation:This film is the story of "The Gandhian Ashram School" in Kalimpong but it is also a story of the deprived kids gaining their dignity and hope of a teacher who fed their bodies and spirit – all bound by the common thread of music. The director achieves a poignant blend of visual narrative and music to create a heartwarming tale of "sharing and caring" in this film.
Citation:For explores the spirit, the effort and the mammoth ambition behind the making of "Lagaan". The director has rendered this into a gripping and slick tale.
Citation:The film is a forceful statement on the disastrous consequences of millions of people drinking water contaminated with "arsenic". In a simple but effective manner, the filmmaker explores and then brings out the enormity of the problem.
Citation:In a humorous, colourful but effective way, the film conveys the message of wild life protection. The imaginative use of animation techniques enhances the appeal of the film, especially to children.
Citation:For a popular tale relating to the great 14th century reformer Shankara Deva who stood against caste inequality. The tale narrates an allegory wherein Sati Radhika a fisherwoman perform a miraculous feat, which others could not, thus bringing out the noble concept of social equality.
Citation:For sound design which evokes a vision of a world far, far away from the madding crowd, which oscillates between the silences and nature's pristine sounds.
Citation:For documenting the inspiring story of hundreds of women workers in the Lijjat papad making, selling and exporting. Through the first person interviews ranging from the oldest to the youngest, it is a vibrant narration of a unique experiment turned famously successful.
Ek Aakash
Silent
Sudhakar Reddy (Director)
₹ 10,000/-
Citation:For starting off as a simple rivalry of two kids from different backgrounds – in kite flying, becomes a battle of one-upmanship. Both are led by their ego and aggressive instincts, but eventually reach a point when they need others help.
Citation:For enhancing the impact of the film with his eloquent lens, that captures the spirit of the subject of the film.
Best Writing on Cinema
The awards aim at encouraging 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
A committee headed by K. N. T. Sastry was appointed to evaluate the writing on Indian cinema. Following were the jury members:[1][5]
Jury Members
K. N. T. Sastry (Chairperson) • Kodalli Shivaram • Aruna Anant Damle
Citation:For a unique style of chronicling the flip side of film personality through his own biography. It gives an insight into the history of cinema and film journalism in a refreshingly different style
