Interview Summary
Pradip Krishen recalls his early years growing up outside India and in New Delhi. He talks about his hobbies, his parents and siblings and their influence on him.
He talks about his academic journey, starting with school in Nairobi, New Delhi, and Ajmer, then studying history at St. Stephen’s College, and later at the University of Oxford, where he developed an interest in cinema.
When he returned to Delhi, he took up a job as a lecturer. He sheds light on how his interest in filmmaking developed and led him to change tracks and make the film Massey Saab. He talks about working on television projects like Bargad and films such as In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones and Electric Moon.
He concludes by talking about the challenges he faced due to which he ultimately stepped away from filmmaking.
(00:00:53) Early life and family background
(00:03:31) Interest in nature and education
(00:08:12) Hobbies, family and their influence on Krishen
[00:13:55-00:14:01- Restricted Access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details.]
[00:14:10-00:14:15- Restricted Access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details.]
(00:20:20) Schooling, undergraduate and postgraduate years
(00:28:01) Civil services and early career
(00:34:48) Transition to filmmaking and early challenges
(00:49:08) The Emergency
(00:52:26) Getting into St. Stephen’s College and University of Oxford
(00:53:43) French film Krishen was associated with
(00:54:25) First independent documentary and directing Massey Sahib
(01:04:14) Further television and film projects and professional challenges
[01:07:09-01:07:10- Restricted Access. Contact archives@ncbs.res.in for details.]
Dates
- Creation: 2023-05-29
Creator
- Krishen, Pradip (Interviewee, Person)
- Venkatram, Preeti Shree (Interviewer, Person)
- Venkatram, Preeti Shree (Processing Archivist, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Level of Access: Open/Online
Biography
Born in New Delhi 1949, Pradip Krishen is a well-known Indian filmmaker and environmentalist. He did his schooling in Nairobi, New Delhi and Ajmer and went on to study history at St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi, and modern history at Balliol College, University of Oxford.
He began his career as a professor at Ramjas College, University of Delhi. However, his fascination with cinema led him to transition to filmmaking in 1975, emerging as a prominent figure in India’s parallel cinema movement. He went on to direct three award-winning acclaimed feature films- Massey Sahib (1985), In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones (1989), and Electric Moon (1991).
Despite his cinematic success, disillusionment with industry challenges prompted him to leave filmmaking and in 1993, Krishen shifted focus to field botany and ecological restoration. Starting in the Pachmarhi jungles in Madhya Pradesh, he immersed himself in identifying trees, later documenting Delhi’s flora and leading public tree walks. A pioneer in ecological gardening, Krishen spearheaded projects like the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, and the Kishan Bagh sand dune restoration in Jaipur, opened as a public park in 2021.
Krishen’s books, including the bestseller Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide (2006), Jungle Trees of Central India: A Field Guide for Tree Spotters (2014), and Abha Mahal Bagh: A Garden of Wild Plants from the Thar Desert (2019), are celebrated for their accessible approach to India’s ecology.
His work continues with projects like creating a wildflower meadow in Gwalior and riverbank restoration on the Chambal River, combining science with sustainability.
Extent
78 Minutes
Language of Materials
English
Repository Details
Part of the Archives at NCBS Repository
National Centre for Biological Sciences - Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Bangalore Karnataka 560065 India
+9180 6717 6010
+9180 6717 6011
archives@ncbs.res.in