Archive · 11 Nov 2025
Filmmaker Documents Vanishing Bishnupur Dashavatar Tash Art
Imagine a very old way of playing cards in a place called Bishnupur.
These cards have pictures of ten special gods from a story.
This art is super old, like from a long, long time ago when kings were around.
It's been passed down in one family for many, many years.
But now, there's only one person left who knows how to make these special cards, and he feels sad because he doesn't think anyone will learn it.
A filmmaker decided to make a short movie about this disappearing art so that more people can know about it.
He wanted to show everyone how beautiful and unique this old card game is before it's gone forever.
The movie is even being shown at a big film festival so lots of people can see it.
Filmmaker Saurav Bhadra has created a short documentary on the vanishing Bishnupur Dashavatar Tash, a traditional card art.
The art form, which originated in Bishnupur, dates back to the Mughal era and has been practiced by the Faujdar family for 87 generations.
Sital Faujdar, the last craftsman, expressed hopelessness about the revival of the art, which was a reason for his initial reluctance to be filmed.
The documentary aims to raise global awareness about the cultural heritage that is on the verge of extinction.
The 19-minute film is competing in the Indian Documentary Films section at the 31st Kolkata International Film Festival.
- Who
- Filmmaker Saurav Bhadra and Sital Faujdar, the last craftsman of Bishnupur Dashavatar Tash
- What
- A short documentary has been made about the vanishing traditional art and craft of Bishnupur Dashavatar Tash.
- When
- The documentary is being screened at the ongoing 31st Kolkata International Film Festival.
- Where
- Bishnupur, West Bengal (origin of the art); screening at the Kolkata International Film Festival.
- Why
- To bring global awareness to the dying traditional art form, which is on the verge of extinction due to lack of interest from younger generations and the craftsman's despair.
Filmmaker's Perspective
Craftsman's Initial Reluctance
Motivation for the Film
Filmmaker's Perspective
Saurav Bhadra felt compelled to make the documentary to bring attention to the dying art form, ensuring the world knows about it before it disappears.
Craftsman's Initial Reluctance
Sital Faujdar, the last craftsman, was initially hesitant about the film, possibly due to his own despair and lack of hope for the art's revival.
Hope for Revival
Filmmaker's Perspective
The filmmaker highlights the art's precarious state and the general shift of younger generations to other professions, underscoring the art's imminent extinction.
Craftsman's Initial Reluctance
The last craftsman's hopelessness about revival contributed to his initial lack of enthusiasm for the project.
- Art Form
- Bishnupur Dashavatar Tash (traditional card game with images of Lord Vishnu's 10 avatars)
- Origin
- Bishnupur, West Bengal
- Historical Roots
- Dates back to the reign of Mughal ruler Akbar
- Family Lineage
- Carried on by the Faujdar family for 87 generations
- Last Craftsman
- Sital Faujdar
- Documentary Length
- 19 minutes
- Film Festival
- 31st Kolkata International Film Festival