| 17th National Film Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best of Indian cinema in 1969 |
| Awarded by | Ministry of Information and Broadcasting |
| Announced on | 30 August 1970 (1970-08-30) |
| Presented on | 21 November 1970 (1970-11-21) |
| Site | University Centenary Auditorium,Madras |
| Official website | dff.nic.in |
| Highlights | |
| Best Feature Film | Bhuvan Shome |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | Devika Rani |
| Most awards | Bhuvan Shome (3) |
The17thNational Film Awards were presented by theMinistry of Information and Broadcasting of India to facilitate the best ofIndian cinema released in 1969.[1] The ceremony took place at University Centenary Auditorium,Madras on 21 November 1970.
At the 17th National Film Awards, a new award was introduced to honour the father of Indian cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, better known asDadasaheb Phalke. Named theDadasaheb Phalke Award, it was introduced to recognise the contribution of film personalities towards the development of Indian cinema. Starting with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Phalke in 1870, the award was awarded annually for this distinguished contribution.
Six different committees were formed based on the filmmaking sectors in India; along with the award categories, they were mainly based in Bombay, Calcutta and Madras. Another committee for the All India level was also formed, which included some of the members from the regional committees. For the 17th National Film Awards, this central committee was headed by Justice G. D. Khosla.[1]
Awards were divided into feature films and non-feature films.
The President's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film is now better known as theNational Film Award for Best Feature Film, whereas the President's Gold Medal for the Best Documentary Film is analogous to today'sNational Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film. For children's films, the Prime Minister's Gold Medal is now given as theNational Film Award for Best Children's Film. At the regional level, the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film is now given as the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in a particular language. Certificates of Merit in all categories have been discontinued over the years.
| Award | Image | Awardee(s) | Awarded As | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award | .jpg) | Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich | Actress | ₹11,000, a shawl and a plaque |
Feature films were awarded at the All India as well as the regional level. For the 17th National Film Awards, aBengali filmBhuvan Shome won thePresident's Gold Medal for the All India Best Feature Film while also winning the maximum number of awards (three).[1]
The awards given at the All India level were as follows:[1]
Some awards were given to the best films made in the variousregional languages of India. For feature films inEnglish, the President's Silver Medal for Best Feature Film was not given. The producer and director of the winning films were awarded with₹5,000 and a Silver medal, respectively.[1]
| Award | Film | Awardee(s) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Producer | Director | ||
| Best Feature Film in Assamese | Dr. Bezbarooah | M/s Rangghar Cine Productions | Brajen Baruah |
| Best Feature Film in Bengali | Natun Pata | M/s Gora Pictures | Dinen Gupta |
| Best Feature Film in Gujarati | Kanku | Kantilal Rathod | Kantilal Rathod |
| Best Feature Film in Hindi | Satyakam | Sher Jeng Singh Punchee | Hrishikesh Mukherjee |
| Best Feature Film in Kannada | Gejje Pooje | Chithra Jyothi | S. R. Puttanna Kanagal |
| Best Feature Film in Malayalam | Adimakal | M. O. Joseph | K. S. Sethumadhavan |
| Best Feature Film in Marathi | Tambdi Mati | Lilabai Bhalji Pendharkar | Bhalji Pendharkar |
| Best Feature Film in Oriya | Adina Megha | Babulal Doshi | Amit Maitra |
| Best Feature Film in Punjabi | Nanak Nam Jahaz Hai | Pannalal Maheshwary | Ram Maheshwary |
| Best Feature Film in Tamil | Iru Kodugal | N. Selvaraj | K. Balachander |
| B. Doraisamy | |||
| N. Krishan | |||
| V. Govindarajan | |||
| Best Feature Film in Telugu | Aadarsa Kutumbam | N. Trivikrama Rao | Adurthi Subba Rao |
Awards were also given to numerous short films.[1]
| Award | Film | Language | Awardee(s) | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best Information Film (Documentary) | Amrita Sher-Gil | English | Producer: B. D. Garga | ₹5,000 and a medal |
| Director: B. D. Garga | ||||
| Best Educational / Instructional Film | Life | English | Producer: K. L. KhandpurforFilms Division | ₹5,000 and a medal |
| Director: S. Gangooii | ₹2,000 and a plaque | |||
| Best Animation Film | Umbrella | English | Producer: G. K. Gokhalefor Films Division | ₹5,000 and a medal |
| Director: B. R. Shendge | ₹2,000 and a plaque | |||
| Best Promotional Film (Commercial) | Weave Me Some Flowers | English | Producer: Mohan Wadhwanifor Films Division | A medal only |
| Director: P. B. Pendharkar | A plaque only |
Some awards were not given because no film was considered suitable:[1]