Documentaries from Jharkhand dominated the recently concluded Abhivyakti 2008 festival in Patna.
The smog caused by sponge iron factories over Simdega and the resultant pollution of the rivers and forests caused an uneasy silence in a packed auditorium in Patna. ‘Loha Garam Hai’, a 27 minute documentary on the simmering anger in the tribal regions over the unethical poisoning of water, land and air sparked an animated debate in the discussion session that followed. The film by Jharkhand filmmakers Meghnath and Biju Toppo was one of six films from Jharkhand that were received with enthusiasm by a discerning audience of media students, media educationists and practitioners at the 8th Ravi Bharati Video festival.
The story of two women writers placed within the context of the Adivasi reality, “Buru Gara”, received audience acclaim. The title means “Hill River” and it was an apt metaphor for the quiet struggles of the two women. Dayamani Bara, the first Munda woman journalist and the Sahitya Academy awarded Santhali poetess Nirmala Puthul. Adivasi literature of Jharkhand and tribal women’s literature in particular was the
subject of this striking documentary.
“Gaddi Lohardagga Mail” was a piece of nostalgia replete with lilting tribal music that sang of the narrow gauge line that carried tribals from the interior pf Jharkhand to Lohardagga – a train that not only enabled tribal produce to reach the marketplace but also one that aided in the migration of families to faraway places. Bihar Film Development Corporation Chairman RN Dash, shared his reminisces with the audience on the Lohardagga Mail, which made its final run in 2003. The film was produced by Akhra, a Ranchi based media organisation and directed by Meghnath and Biju Toppo.
Jharkhand filmmakers such as AK Pankaj, Sriprakash, Meghnath are trailblazers who have contributed significantly to the evolution of the Jharkhand documentary. The works stand apart for their grass-roots appeal, and they tell the story from bottom –up. They are truly authentic voices.
Director Shishir Tudu’s short film ‘Akshar ki Barsaat’ used puppets kids and a rural setting to bring home the importance for literacy. The music of this film was especially appreciated.
The three-day Abhivyakti festival attracts entries from media students. It is a platform for student and amateur film-makers to showcase their work and get instant and detailed feedback from peers, media educationists, critics and film makers. 12 student films were shown from various colleges in Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Student and children’s workshops on film appreciation and regular evening screenings are part of the fare. Other documentaries of note were “Our family” a sensitive and sensitive portrayal of the transgender Aravani community of Tamil Nadu by Anjalai Monteiro and KP Jayashankar and Buddha in Bodh Gaya 2007, a one minute short by film artist Pranav Shahi.
The smog caused by sponge iron factories over Simdega and the resultant pollution of the rivers and forests caused an uneasy silence in a packed auditorium in Patna. ‘Loha Garam Hai’, a 27 minute documentary on the simmering anger in the tribal regions over the unethical poisoning of water, land and air sparked an animated debate in the discussion session that followed. The film by Jharkhand filmmakers Meghnath and Biju Toppo was one of six films from Jharkhand that were received with enthusiasm by a discerning audience of media students, media educationists and practitioners at the 8th Ravi Bharati Video festival.
The story of two women writers placed within the context of the Adivasi reality, “Buru Gara”, received audience acclaim. The title means “Hill River” and it was an apt metaphor for the quiet struggles of the two women. Dayamani Bara, the first Munda woman journalist and the Sahitya Academy awarded Santhali poetess Nirmala Puthul. Adivasi literature of Jharkhand and tribal women’s literature in particular was the
subject of this striking documentary.“Gaddi Lohardagga Mail” was a piece of nostalgia replete with lilting tribal music that sang of the narrow gauge line that carried tribals from the interior pf Jharkhand to Lohardagga – a train that not only enabled tribal produce to reach the marketplace but also one that aided in the migration of families to faraway places. Bihar Film Development Corporation Chairman RN Dash, shared his reminisces with the audience on the Lohardagga Mail, which made its final run in 2003. The film was produced by Akhra, a Ranchi based media organisation and directed by Meghnath and Biju Toppo.
Jharkhand filmmakers such as AK Pankaj, Sriprakash, Meghnath are trailblazers who have contributed significantly to the evolution of the Jharkhand documentary. The works stand apart for their grass-roots appeal, and they tell the story from bottom –up. They are truly authentic voices.
Director Shishir Tudu’s short film ‘Akshar ki Barsaat’ used puppets kids and a rural setting to bring home the importance for literacy. The music of this film was especially appreciated.
The three-day Abhivyakti festival attracts entries from media students. It is a platform for student and amateur film-makers to showcase their work and get instant and detailed feedback from peers, media educationists, critics and film makers. 12 student films were shown from various colleges in Bihar, Maharashtra, and West Bengal. Student and children’s workshops on film appreciation and regular evening screenings are part of the fare. Other documentaries of note were “Our family” a sensitive and sensitive portrayal of the transgender Aravani community of Tamil Nadu by Anjalai Monteiro and KP Jayashankar and Buddha in Bodh Gaya 2007, a one minute short by film artist Pranav Shahi.
Author: Frank Krishner
2 comments:
It's a pity that even though bihar has so many issues, there are nno activist film-makers to deal with them!
Karan
Two Puppet film in Jharkhand "Akchhar ki Barshat me bhinge gayan bhandar" & "100 din milega kaam"
Puppet Meking,Playing & Puppet Direction by BIRENDRA KUMAR MAHTO
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