Shubha Gupta - Session 01

AR-020-8-1

(00:00:00 – 00:02:13) Casual start; she discusses her background. Taught film appreciation and documentary filmmaking for 2 years. Later worked at Observer Research Foundation handling media. Retired around 10 years ago.

(00:02:14 – 00:02:46) Short introduction before diving into her CENDIT journey.

(00:02:47 – 00:05:06) Joined CENDIT in August 1974, started with documentation and transcription. Had secretarial training, so was proficient at typing. Was introduced to CENDIT via Avik Ghosh, whom she met through All India Radio.

(00:05:07 – 00:07:06) Chose to stay at CENDIT because the work was unconventional, creative, and non-bureaucratic. Didn’t want a typical government job like her father or peers. Found the work and environment motivating.

(00:07:07 – 00:09:16) Worked at CENDIT for over 10 years. Started with audio recordings. Office environment was informal, and she worked alongside two other women handling writing and documentation.

(00:09:17 – 00:10:32) Personal interest in film rooted in watching films with her brother, a professor. They were members of a film club, which sparked a lifelong engagement with cinema.

(00:10:33 – 00:24:29) Learned on the job — early exposure to video tech, editing, and machine setup. Used U-matic, Betacam, and SVHS. Described editing flow: record, transfer, transcribe, paper edit. Editing was manual and risky (no backups). Also did celluloid editing using physical spools and markers.

24:30 – 35:09 Shift to non-manual editing began when a colleague built an early editing console. Later used Sony and JVC systems. Maurya Hotel project (India’s first cable TV) allowed for regular program slots. Used placards for titles before caption tech was accessible.

(00:35:10 – 00:41:55) After Maurya contract ended, returned to CENDIT. Got involved with women's NGOs and began filmmaking. First film in 1983 changed her — Sultanpur, Saharanpur, and Tilonia workshops were pivotal.

(00:42:00 – 00:43:08) Discussed how to approach technical training for women without fear. Emphasized fun, accessible learning by meeting them at their level — just like she once started.

(00:43:09 – 00:46:36) Faced sexist comments about women and machines. Trainers countered this by teaching full media production processes — cameras, lighting, editing, batteries, etc. Women reacted with excitement and joy at learning.

(00:46:37 – 00:49:22) She never worked with very advanced machines — only what was available in the 1980s. Conducted training for 6–7 years. Trainees enjoyed workshops but rarely pursued careers further.

(00:49:23 – 00:53:55) Became a freelancer in the late 1980s. Needed both equipment and skills, so often worked with familiar ex-CENDIT colleagues. Used paper edits to save time (paid hourly). Left CENDIT as it moved toward a more corporate/management style.

(00:53:56 – 00:57:29) Recalled fieldwork in Ladakh. Remote locations meant she always travelled with technicians and hired equipment. No major issues occurred thanks to team coordination. Some discomfort, but collective effort overcame it.

(57:30 – 1:02:22) Reflected on team-based working environments. Built comfort and trust, even when traveling alone with men. Saw an increase in women in the field over time. In freelance world, independence grew post-1990s. Felt lucky to have always had supportive peers.

(1:02:25 – 1:08:28) Describes the transition from U-matic to Beta — found it smoother. Admitted to having a mental block with non-linear editing despite training. Preferred paper edits. At ORF, worked on stills and documentation. Editing was handed to IT team.

(1:08:29 – 1:12:55) Participated in regional women-in-media workshops (South Asia, 1980s–90s). Gave hands-on training in countries like Pakistan. Noted how training then was more immersive and skill-focused.

(1:12:56 – 1:15:00) Could manage basic equipment troubleshooting thanks to her training. Earlier, video literacy was rare; now, mass comm degrees are widespread. Taught at YWCA and Ayan School — most students didn’t pursue media seriously, but teaching was fulfilling.

12 March 2025

Oral histories of technical personnel in Broadcast and Community Video

Shubha Gupta