Cine Guild, Bally was formed as a film society on 24 February, 1982 by the film enthusiasts’ eager to propagate and nourish the study of the film as an art not in isolation but as a form which is a synthesis of all the forms of art. The early bird organizers were basically from Bally Sadharan Granthagar and Belur Public Library, two century old libraries of Bally Municipal area. Cine Guild, Bally was registered with Registrar of Societies vide Act XXVI of 1961 on 6th August 1982 vide legacy Registration no. S/37455 of 1982-83. The digital Registration no. is SO037455. The PAN card no. of Cine Guild, Bally is AABAC0031B.
Cine Guild, Bally is one of the very few film societies of West Bengal to be in operation with its sustained activities of holding regular film shows, seminars, addas and publications for more than 40 years. We publish the bimonthly news bulletin ‘Cine Guild Bally Bulletin’ with unfailing regularity. For last 8 years, 8 pages bulletin are being published on a regular basis . Thanks to our members and well-wishers, the publication costs of most of the bulletins are being patronized and the composing job is being done by the members themselves. As at July 2024, 208 issues of bulletin has been published. The journal of Cine Guild, Bally titled as ‘Prasanga Chalachchitra Ebong’ devoted to film studies has established itself as a thought provoking and well informing publication by dint of its quality and sincerity of approach. Twenty two issues have so far been published, the last of which was published in January 2024 as ‘Mrinal Sen’ number at the birth centenary of the ace director and has been widely appreciated by the media and the readers.
After stepping into the 40thyear of its sustained activity in promoting the appreciation of films as well as other forms of performing arts Cine Guild Bally looks forward to playing more significant role in imbibing the sense of appreciation of multiple dimensions of any creative work of art amongst the people and thereby making contribution to openness and receptivity in our society. To live up to the standards set by ourselves, we have been holding the screening of films from all over the world being firmly rooted in the heritage of Bengali cinema followed by critical discussions and further studies.
Cine Guild, Bally has been active in presenting festival of the performing art of Theatre in commemoration of the milestones in the history of culture particularly of Bengal. Centenary of birth of Bijan Bhattacharya, 150th year of first stage appearance of Ahindra Chowdhury, the occasion of 175 years of birth of Girish Chandra Ghosh, birth centenary of Khaled Chowdhury and 150th year of National Theatre, the first public theatre of India . The 6th Natya Utsav is going to be held in 2024 to mark the 100th year of publication of Raktakarabi, the drama by Rabindranath Tagore. Besides holding of dramatic performances befitting exhibition, thought provoking seminars, exciting thematic quiz contests add important dimensions to those hugely popular festivals.
Our concern for artists and humanity in general has time and again prompted us to extend helping hands to those in the need of help to the best of our abilities. Holding the hands of the Covid-19 stricken or Amphan stricken people were only part of our natural activities. We made it a point to contribute to the cause of the distressed theatre workers. We are always there to stand by the grief stricken people.
Cine Guild, Bally operates through various whatsapps - one for the executive members, one for the general members for general information and posting of films and articles, one for the publication subcommittee, one for the members interested in tours and travels, one for the music lovers and lastly one for the friends and wellwishers of Cine Guild, Bally. The facebook and youtube of Cine Guild, Bally is also in operation and active. During the Covid period, Cine Guild, Bally held more than 30 webinars in both 2021 and 2022 and was the only fully active film society.
