Dancers perform on a tribal number at the Jharkhand Cine Award at Gopal Maidan on Sunday. Picture by Bhola Prasad

Women were show-stoppers at the fifth Jharkhand Cine Award hosted by All India Santhali Film Association (AISFA) at Gopal Maidan on Sunday.

While Rani Mardi was adjudged best director for her movie Mulu More Maha, Gangarani Thapa won best film and the best actress awards for Alom Rejina Sakom Sindoor.

Dashrath Hansdah, the lead actor of Gangarani’s movie that depicts a husband-wife relationship in tribal society, won the best actor’s award.

“It gives me immense pleasure to be appreciated for my work at Jharkhand Cine Award. It will motivate me to work more in future and create some better movies,” said a visibly excited Gangarani.

Surekha Nerurka, a noted social worker, and P.N. Singh, president of Tata Workers’ Union, were special guests on the occasion.

Apart from Santhali movies, those in Chhota Nagpuri, Raad Bangla and Bhumij languages were also among the 14 films which were short-listed for the award ceremony.

Altogether, there were 16 categories of awards.

The screening of the selected films had started at Michael John Auditorium, Bistupur, on May 6 and a panel of judges had selected the films under different award categories.

“The week-long programme has been very successful. I think we have been able to promote not only tribal films but also indigenous culture in the steel city,” said Ramesh Hansdah, president, AISFA.

Kalpana Hansdah, a singer from Odisha, also enthralled the audience with her tribal dance and song performances.

While film-lovers enjoyed the award function and the cultural programme, there were others who tasted tribal non-vegetarian cuisine — leto — on sale at the maidan.

Served on leaf plates, the mutton dish prepared with rice and turmeric was loved by the audience.

Feast for the senses, we say.