INDIAN ART AND CULTURE
1. MILLENNIUM SERIES ON INDIAN CULTURE/ Beta/ Col/ 24 min/4 episodes/English
This series presents in a very interesting and revealing way many faces of Indian culture. The unity and diversity of one of the oldest civilisations of the world is encapsulated in four parts:
1. 'Traveller's Tales': India is a travellers' delight and yet so many of us are unaware of the magnificence, beauty and range of landscapes available here. The film is a journey through various geographical regions that include hot and cold deserts, tropical rainforests, coastal belts, coral islands and sprawling wildlife sanctuaries. Through this journey, we take a look at the varied food habits of the people across the length and breath and also the 'wild' and the 'weird' that make up India.
2. 'Enduring Forms': The film is an exploration into the artist's urge to create and his quest for perfection. The doyen of Indian dance and theatre unravel to us the finer aspects of aesthetics while the unsung, faceless artisans of rural India reveal a committed and passionate devotion to their art. The film ends with the merging of the beautiful and the practical, the innate sense of aesthetics that has created form and grace even in the ordinary homes of India.
3. 'The Land and its People': India, many races, many strands. We take a peek into this vivid scape through its people, each mirroring the emotion of the place they belong to. Falguni Devi takes us into the heart of Bastar, Madhya Pradesh, to meet her lively tribe over a cup of the local brew "salphi" while Samuel Hallegua of the Jew Town in Kerala talks about India. We move uphill to the remote hills of Ladakh to meet the Queen of Mulbek, her proud and indomitable spirit picturing the grit of the mountain people. The mute sands of Rajasthan gurgle with the laughter of the singing children of the Manganiar community. From the desert to the seas, into Lakshadweep - the tip of India. A multitude of shades which weave together to form a complete picture.
4. 'Faith': In India, travel is synonymous with pilgrimages. The film is a journey in faith. It spans the many philosophies that have nurtured the faith of the people. Ancient nature worship has paved the way for an environment friendly way of life and also thrown open the secrets of natural medicine and yoga. From the yogi to the young Buddhist boy who is given to the monastery by each Buddhist family, the film takes us through the various layers of faith pervading the Indian subcontinent.
This series was telecast on the National Network to mark the beginning of the new millennium.
2. CREATIONS OF INDIA/ Beta/ Col/ 20 min/ English: Indian handicrafts
Indian handicrafts are popular throughout the world. They reflect an age old` mastery and skill which has been passed down from centuries. Muslin that can pass through a ring, mirrors without glass, exquisite Madhubani paintings, and many others outstanding craft. This film is a showcase for the exquisite handicrafts of India. This film was selected for the International Film Festival, Bombay.
