Art & Deal pays tribute to Aruna Vasudev, the revered film scholar, critic, and curator, known
affectionately as the ‘Mother of Asian Cinema,’ who passed away at 88. A towering figure in the
world of Asian cinema, Aruna Vasudev dedicated her life to celebrating and promoting films
from across the continent. Authoritative, warm, and deeply affectionate, she was a beloved
presence in Delhi’s cultural circles and a constant at international film festivals, always
advocating for the recognition of Asian films on the global stage.
Aruna Vasudev had been undergoing treatment for age-related health issues for the past three
weeks at a multi-speciality hospital in Delhi, where she passed away. According to her close
friend Neerja Sarin, Aruna had been battling Alzheimer’s and other complications of ageing in
her final years.
Born in 1936 in British India, Aruna’s academic and artistic pursuits spanned continents and
disciplines. After studying photography in New York, she earned a doctorate in cinema and
censorship at Sorbonne, Paris. Her early career saw her contributing to India’s nascent
television industry, but it was her passion for Asian cinema that defined her legacy. In 1988, she
founded Cinemaya, a pioneering film quarterly based in Delhi, dedicated to showcasing Asian
films. Three years later, she launched NETPAC (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema), a
global non-profit devoted to the promotion of films from Asia.
Her tireless efforts also gave rise to the Osian’s Cinefan Festival, which, for years, was a
highlight of Delhi’s cultural calendar, bringing together films from India, Asia, and the Arab world.
Aruna also served on the juries of prestigious festivals like Cannes and Locarno, and her
contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the Officier des Arts et des Lettres from
France and the first Satyajit Ray Memorial Award by FIPRESCI India.
Aruna was also a trustee of the Public Service Broadcasting Trust, advocating for independent
documentaries in India. She authored several notable books on cinema, including Being &
Becoming: The Cinemas of Asia (2002), which remains a landmark in film scholarship.
Later in life, Aruna explored Japanese ink painting, exhibiting her works and continuing her
creative journey. She was the subject of a 2021 documentary, Aruna Vasudev: Mother of Asian
Cinema.