Kailash Chand Panwar - Session 01

AR-020-14-1

(00:00:00 – 00: 01:05) The interview opens with a brief introduction where the speaker sets the context for his early years before joining SWRC. He talks about the kind of work he was involved in and how those experiences shaped his initial understanding of collective labour and craft-based work. (00:1:05 – 00:7:50) He describes his time working with a group of people doing painting work, along with his elder brother. During that period, visitors from Tillonia often came to observe and collaborate. When SWRC began working on a series about a girls’ school in Kishangarh, they sought local assistance, and his brother’s previous experience proved useful. Through this connection, he got acquainted with someone from the production team, who invited him to join SWRC. After being told about the better salary, living quarters, and facilities, he decided to take the opportunity. Having some prior experience in photography, he officially joined the Audio-Visual Department at SWRC Tillonia on 16 October 1982. His initial training involved handling projectors, black-and-white photography, and assisting with documentary films, particularly those shown in rural areas. There was also collaboration with the Ajmer Audio-Visual Centre of the government. (00: 7:51 – 00:10:28) He explains that at first, he did not have any knowledge about operating tape cameras. However, professionals from organizations such as CENDIT frequently visited the campus, and he learned by carefully observing their work. When CENDIT gifted a video camera to SWRC, it was initially used by senior staff, but over time he was included in their projects and gradually began operating the camera himself. This hands-on experience allowed him to learn filming techniques, still photography, and documentation. Around this time, color technology began entering the camera world, transforming the nature of their visual work. (00:10:30 – 00:12:39) Camera maintenance was one of his responsibilities. Although he never faced a serious malfunction while using a camera, he often helped colleagues with technical problems. He recalled repairing a JVC camera twice in Jaipur, which required fixing both the screen and internal components. He learned maintenance practices such as cleaning lenses and keeping the equipment dust-free from the experts at CENDIT. (00:12:40 – 00:17:23) Editing and slide preparation were done whenever required. While major slide sets were sent from Delhi, smaller ones for local screenings were created by their own team at SWRC. These slides were used in rural education programs and community screenings. Documentation practices improved significantly over time, and after 1996, records of their work became much more systematic and carefully maintained. (00:17:24 – 00:28:39) After the JVC camera, digital video (DV) cameras were introduced. The new devices were easier to use, but older VHS and VTR cameras had been more difficult to handle. He recalled the strain caused by using viewfinders for long periods, which would hurt his eyes. One particular incident took place during a Commonwealth seminar around 1990, when an important shoot turned out unclear due to dust in the lens, but after cleaning the camera, the clarity returned. He also mentioned the challenges of interviewing people, especially women, in rural areas. Initially, villagers were hesitant, but once trust was built, they opened up and participated willingly in documentary projects about social issues. (00:27:40 – 00:38:32) He spoke in detail about the shift from black-and-white to color photography and how it changed their working methods. The newer color cameras were lighter, could function in low light, and allowed greater flexibility in field documentation. However, the preservation of material was difficult due to environmental conditions and lack of storage facilities. The earlier cameras had very short battery life, lasting only about 30 minutes, forcing them to pause their work for recharging. During outdoor shoots, they carried generators to keep the cameras running. He recalled one incident where the battery died just as the filming ended, laughing about how close the timing was. (00:38:33 – 00:47:16) Another memory he shared was about a projector malfunction during a public screening in a village near Ajmer. Due to moisture, the filmstrip tore in two parts, interrupting the show. They managed to repair it manually and continued the screening. These projector shows were very popular in villages, used both for educational documentaries and entertainment films. The sessions often drew large crowds, including children who eagerly waited for animated films. Projectors were also used during meetings and community discussions, serving as an important communication tool. (00:47:17 – 00:49:56) Reflecting on technological change, he observed how the spread of mobile phones transformed the culture of viewing and production. Earlier, people used to gather in large groups for community screenings, but now anyone could record and share videos independently. The collective excitement around screenings had slowly disappeared as production became accessible to everyone. (00:49:57 – 00:50:30) There is a brief exchange about the existence of written records, reports, and documentation related to the audio-visual department’s past work. (00:50:31 – 00:57:55) He recalled his strong work ethic and dedication, mentioning how he often stayed late in the office to finish tasks ahead of deadlines. One vivid memory involved a challenging assignment where he had to extract footage, compile it on a computer, and burn it onto a DVD overnight for submission the next day. Despite never having done such a task before, he learned through trial and error and successfully completed it. He shared other similar moments that illustrated how much he learned directly through experience. (00: 57:56 – 00: 59:59) Instruction manuals played a crucial role in helping him and his colleagues handle technical problems. Whenever they faced issues with audio-visual equipment, these manuals guided them in repairs and troubleshooting. After many years of service, he left the Audio-Visual Department in 2014 and moved to the library division at SWRC. (1:00:00 – 1:04:20) When asked about the availability of old reports and records, he explained that although extensive work had been done over the years, proper documentation and archiving were not consistently maintained. As a result, some valuable material had been lost or was difficult to trace. (1:04:21 – 1:14:51) The conversation draws to a close with some final remarks and the signing of necessary documents. The speaker reflects briefly on his long career, expressing satisfaction in the skills he gained and the contributions he made to the Audio-Visual Department’s legacy.

29 June 2025

Oral histories of technical personnel in Broadcast and Community Video

Kailash Chand Panwar