Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla is an Indian documentary filmmaker, author and social activist. He is well known for his work in the field of documentary film making and his contributions to the Indian film industry.
Born in Bihar, India, he attended the Ansar Film Institute in Ahmedabad and later the Film and Television Institute of India in Pune. He began his career in film making in the late 1960s, making his first documentary, "A Suitable Girl" in 1972. This was followed by several other documentaries including "The Golden Thread" (1974), "A Place in the Sun" (1981), "The City of Dreams" (1984) and "The Dreamers" (1986).
In the 1980s, Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla began to focus his attention on the plight of India's poor. His documentaries often focused on issues such as poverty, human rights and social injustice. In 1988, he released the documentary "We the People", which won numerous awards and established him as one of India's leading documentary filmmakers. He has since produced and directed numerous other documentaries including "The Children of India" (1989), "The Power of Silence" (1992), "The Dream of a Thousand Voices" (1996) and "The Light of Hope" (2002).
In addition to his work in documentary filmmaking, Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla has also written several books, including "The Human Rights Revolution in India" (1988), "The Dalit Revolution" (1993), and "The Struggle for Human Rights in India" (1997). He is also an active social activist and has worked to promote awareness of issues such as gender inequality, human rights and social justice.
Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla has been recognized for his work in the film industry and social activism, receiving numerous awards and honors including the Padma Shri, one of India's highest civilian awards, in 2002. He has also been awarded the National Award for Best Documentary Film for his 1992 film "The Power of Silence", and the Rajat Kamal for Best Documentary for his 2002 film "The Light of Hope".
Abbas Alibhai Burmawalla remains an important figure in the Indian film industry and his work continues to inspire and educate many. His films and books are a testament to his dedication to the cause of social justice in India and his commitment to making a difference.
