Patna: Patna Women’s College, under Patna University, hosted a milestone cultural event on Thursday, screening for the first time in Bihar the internationally acclaimed Magahi-language feature film Swaha – In the Name of Fire.
Held at the college’s Mother Veronica Auditorium, the screening attracted a distinguished audience and spotlighted the film’s powerful portrayal of social realities and the endangered Magahi language.
Directed by Abhilash Sharma and produced by Prajna Films, Groundwater Productions, and the Imagination School of Drama and Filmmaking, Swaha follows the harrowing journey of a woman from the Musahar community in Gaya district, as she struggles to feed her newborn amid poverty and social exclusion. The film has achieved significant global recognition, screening at over 30 international festivals and collecting honours including Best Director and Best Actor at the Shanghai International Film Festival’s Golden Goblet Awards, Best Narrative Film at the Socially Relevant Film Festival in New York, and selection as one of the top three Indian films at the Bangalore International Film Festival. It has also been showcased in Italy, Germany, Canada, Turkey, and Bangladesh, and received the Life Award for Best Humanitarian Film at the Imagine India International Film Festival in Spain.
The screening was graced by prominent dignitaries, including Tripurari Sharan, Chief Information Commissioner of Bihar, who attended as Chief Guest. Guests of Honour included A.K. Ambedkar, Director General of BSAP Bihar, and Manoj Kumar, DIG, Saharsa. Dr Smita Kumari, Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and Head of the Sanskrit Department at Patna Women’s College, was present as Special Guest. Guests were felicitated with saplings and shawls in a symbolic gesture of respect and environmental commitment.
Ahead of the screening, the college hosted a felicitation ceremony titled Women of Substance, honouring Padma Shri awardee Sudha Varghese, founder of Naari Gunjan; Jyoti Parihar, director of Kilkari Bihar Bal Bhavan; and Chetna Tripathi, founder of the Chetna Foundation, which works in mental health and hygiene awareness.
An interactive discussion followed the film, allowing students and faculty to engage directly with director Abhilash Sharma, who shared insights into his creative process, inspirations, and the challenges of portraying sensitive social issues through regional cinema.
The event, moderated by Kundan Kumar, theatre director from Imagination Bihar, was coordinated by Dr Sister Celine Crasta A.C., Head of the History Department and Cultural Coordinator; Enakshi Dey Biswas, Coordinator of Performing Arts; and Puja Kumari, Assistant Professor of Commerce, all from Patna Women’s College.
The screening marked a significant cultural milestone for Bihar, celebrating regional cinema’s potential to spotlight marginalised voices and urgent social concerns.
