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.
