Renowned film critic, curator, and scholar Aruna Vasudev, fondly known as the ‘mother of Asian cinema,’ has passed away at the age of 88. Vasudev’s close friend Neerja Sarin confirmed that she died on Thursday morning at a Delhi-based hospital due to age-related illness. Vasudev had been receiving treatment at a multi-specialty hospital for the past three weeks.
“She was not keeping well for some time. She had Alzheimer’s and other old age-related health issues,” Sarin stated. Vasudev, spouse of the late diplomat Sunil Roy Chowdhury, is survived by her daughter Yamini Roy Chowdhury, a graphic designer married to politician Varun Gandhi. Her last rites will take place at the Lodhi Road crematorium at 3 pm.
Born in pre-independent India, Aruna Vasudev’s journey from modest beginnings to becoming a towering figure in the cinematic world is nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout her illustrious career, she donned numerous hats, including those of a critic, author, editor, painter, documentary maker, trustee, and panel member. However, she is best remembered as a relentless advocate for Asian cinema.
Aruna Vasudev was the founder-editor of “Cinemaya: The Asian Film Quarterly” and the mind behind the creation of the renowned Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) over three decades ago. Established to promote Asian films, Netpac has since become an influential global organization.
Upon her passing, social media platforms overflowed with messages of condolence and tribute. Veteran actor Shabana Azmi expressed her sorrow, “She was the pioneer for making Asian films a genre to be discussed as an identity of its own. Her observations were always insightful, and I enjoyed being with her a lot. My condolences to her family. RIP dear dearest Aruna,” Azmi wrote on Instagram.
Film critic and author Namrata Joshi also paid homage, “Thank you for the movies, Aruna Vasudev. Growing up in 80s-90s Delhi, world cinema, especially from Asia and the Arab world, first came home to us because of Aruna and Latika Padgaonkar through their Cinefan film festival and Cinemaya magazine.” Filmmaker Sania Hashmi added, “Rest in Peace, Aruna Ma’am.
… Thank you for curating one of the best film festivals of Delhi. A lot of us were introduced to some of the finest world cinema because of you.”
In 1999, Vasudev founded the Cinefan, the Cinemaya Festival of Asian Cinema, one of the world’s first festivals focused solely on Asian cinema. Her influence extended to prestigious international film festivals, including Cannes and Locarno, where she served as a jury member. The Tripoli Film Festival in Lebanon has even instituted the ‘Aruna Vasudev Award’ for the best creation of cinema as a tribute to her legacy.
Vasudev carved a niche for herself not only in film criticism but also in documentary filmmaking, directing or producing around 20 documentaries. She also edited or co-edited several books, including the translation of Jean-Claude Carrière’s “In Search of the Mahabharata: Notes of Travels in India with Peter Brook” from French to English. “Aruna Vasudev: Mother of Asian Cinema,” a documentary by Supriya Suri on her life and achievements, was released in 2021, encapsulating her journey as a film critic, programmer, and cinema activist.
In addition to her cinematic endeavors, Vasudev served as a board member of Alliance Française de Delhi, a leading Indo-French cultural center. She studied at the Paris-based Institut des Hautes Études Cinématographiques (Institute for Advanced Film Studies) and later earned a PhD in cinema from the University of Paris, Sorbonne. Her long association with France was celebrated with some of the highest French cultural honors, including the Officier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2019 and Chevalier dans l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) in 2002.
Neville Tuli, founder of the Tuli Research Centre for India Studies, mourned the loss of his dear friend, describing her as the “epitome of a confident individuality rooted in a deep knowledge and appreciation for creativity, cinema, scholarship, and genuine compassion.” He further elaborated, “She carried her knowledge and leadership lightly, seamlessly blending theory and practice into daily creative thought, activities, and effective communication to support and develop a cinematic culture.”
Tuli noted that Vasudev’s passion for nurturing young and independent-minded film enthusiasts was unparalleled. “Naturally, she did not suffer fools or mediocrity gladly,” he stated.
Aruna Vasudev’s profound influence on Asian cinema and her indomitable spirit will continue to inspire future generations. As cinema enthusiasts and the broader film community mourn her loss, her legacy as a true pioneer and advocate for Asian cinema endures.
