Standing in Defence of Human Rights - Support to Irom Sharmila

During the fortnight to end gender based violence various events took place in Ranchi in support of Irom Sharmila's struggle against Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in Manipur.

 

  

 

 

Some of the events were 

• Screening of Sharmila - The Iron Lady in Student Christian Movement's workshop on Human Rights organised in Don Bosco on 29th Nov 2009.
• Screening of Kavita Joshi's Tales from the Margins amongst the Education students of St Xavier's College on 4th Dec 2009.
• Signature Campaign amongst students of rural management in XISS Ranchi during the Quiz-Elocution organised on the issue of violence against women on 5th Dec 2009.
• Film Screenings on Human Rights Day in HPDC Bahu Bazar during the Women's Rights Convention organised by Mahila Hinsa Pratirodh Pakhwara Aayojan Samiti (Speakers - Prof Rose Kerketta and Malancha Ghosh) and in International Library organised by the Ranchi Film Club (Speakers - Stan Lourdswamy and Dayamani Barla) on 10th Dec 2009.

Fragrance of Peace - Irom Sharmila

When life comes to its end
You, please transport, My lifeless body
Place it on the soil of Father Koubru
To reduce my dead body, To cinders amidst the flames
Chopping it with axe and spade, Fills my mind with revulsion
The outer cover is sure to dry out, Let it rot under the ground
Let it be of some use to future generations
Let it transform into ore in the mine
I'll spread the fragrance of peace
From Kanglei, my birthplace, In the ages to come
It will spread all over the world.

How many more rapes, how many more killings, how much more suffering would it take? And more importantly, how much more patience are the people of the northeast expected to have? “I must be patient”, says Irom Sharmila , “For the time being, I must endure.” Already in her tenth year of fast, she displays the endurance and patience of a true yogi. In her poems she writes in an almost mystical vein of a “place with no birth and death"; a “place where truth is lucid and pure.”Engaging an immoral State in moral battle, Irom Sharmila has today become a symbol of hope not only for the people of Manipur but for people everywhere suffering State tyranny.

(Please go to www.manipurfreedom.org to know more about the movement against AFSPA)

Redefining Peace - Young Women and Men Countering VAW / GBV

The 16 Days Fortnight event at Xavier's institute of Social Sciences (XISS) on 5th Dec 2009 comprised of Film Screening, Quiz and Elocution.

KP Sasi's Redefining Peace a documentary was screened on Indian women leaders who were nominated for Nobel Peace Prize in 2005- Medha Patkar, Teesta Seetalwad, CK Janu, Irom Sharmila etc

The inaugural Address was given by Shravani and Dr Rose Kerketta, who have been part of the women's movement in Jharkhand and bring out a women magazine 'Adhi Duniya'.

Quiz Contest on Women and Violence Issues. There were five teams - Peace, Justice, Freedom, Equality, and Development. The Peace team comprising of Aastha Singh and Abhishek Chakravorty won.

Elocution Contest on the issue of 'My Perspective and Strategy for Countering Violence against Women' had 12 speakers, belonging to different streams of the Institute like rural management, marketing, personnel management and information management. The winners were Soumya Rani Gouda (first), Soumyojjwal Dutta (second), Reeti, Isha and Anupam.

The guests who also judged during the competitions were Dr Usha (Psychologist), Dr Kiran (Sambhava Women magazine) and Sarjeet Singh.The program was organised under the banner of Mahila Hinsa Pratirodh Pakhwara Aayojan Samiti which is collective of many women organisation and networks (GLRF, NAWO, Mahila Garima Abhiyan, etc)

Dr Kiran said it is very much wrong to say that domestic violence is promoted by women, as it is the patriarchal attitudes in which the society has been cultured. We need to hit at patriarchy, which might be present in women too, not solely a men issue.
Students expressed various opinions ...

• It is time for men and women to act beyond just talking about it. Boman Irani's (Bell Bajao) video spot which showed how people in one neighbourhood knock the door of someone engaging in domestic violence, need to be implemented.
• Men have looked at women just with eyes (concentrating on her beauty aspect) but now they have to use brains to look at women's other mental qualities too, which has been shown by Kiran Bedi and Arundhati Roy.
• Women should have the freedom to choose what they want to do as an individual, she should get dignity as a human being.
• There should be a policy of 'zero tolerance'. At least we students should feel it from our hearts and hope this effort kindles a new ray of hope amongst women.
• To counter violence against women, men need to be sensitised. Young men need to stand for women's human rights. 
• The film has helped asserted and help us realise that women issues are beyond 'reproduction', to contribution in production and efforts to create peace.
  

The Quiz involved questions related to Syeda Hameed, Smita Patil, Mother Teresa, Sarojini Naidu, Meerabai, Roop Kanwar (Sati), film Provoked (on Kiranjeet Ahluwalia case in England), Seema Biswas (Bandit Queen), Arundhati Roy, Aruna Roy, Pandita Ramabai, Simone De Beauvoir, Deepa Mehta film Water (on widows), Mahasweta Devi, Kalpana Lajmi's Rudaali, Aung San Suu Kyi (Burma), PCPNDT Act, Vishakha Sexual Harassment Guidelines, Tasleema Nasreen's book Lajja, Jharkhand Archer Dola Banerjee, etc

The event was coordinated by Elina Horo, Vandana Tete, Sweta Kujur, Praveer Peter, Anima Baa, Shravani and Prabha Lakra. INTREND, the XISS club of students with Anupam, Anupriya, Rajat, Tuhin and Khushboo expressed that they would like to have more of such student activities and be in touch through blogs www.lifeatxiss.blogspot.com and www.openspace-ranchi.blogspot.com.

Using Media Tools for Strengthening the 16 Days International Campaign Against Gender Based Violence

Open Space has joined the 16 days fortnight being celebrated collectively by women organisation and groups working on gender issues, with its inputs on media & communications. The collective Mahila Hinsa Pratirodh Pakhwara Aayojan Samiti, comprises of various groups like National Alliance of Women (NAWO), Gender Livelihoods and Resources Forum (GLRF), Adivasi Women's Network, etc. There will be hosting of various events in Ranchi and nearby districts in Jharkhand, in communities, schools and colleges. 

The use of following media packs will be done ..

• Buru Gara - A PSBT documentary by Sriprakash, based on the lives of two tribal women writers of Jharkhand, Dayamani Barla and Nirmala Putul.Check news
  
• Video Spots on Women, prepared by Jagori and Breakthrough like Mann ke Manjeere, Babul, Bell Bajao (Milk), Don't Suffer in Silence and Beauty Myth. Check site
  
• Sharmila - The Iron Lady - A 30 minutes CNN-IBN production on the struggle of Irom Sharmila against the Armed Forces Special Protection Act (AFSPA) in Manipur, which has turned the civilian life havoc, with human rights violations by the armed forces (catching youth in the name of extremism, and rape of women). Check site
  
• Redefining Peace - This 58 minutes documentary by KP Sasi is about the Indian women leaders whose names were sent as a group of 1000 women to the Nobel Peace prize committee in 2005. Amongst those depicted are feminist Kamla Bhasin, anti-displacement activist Medha Patkar and adivasi woman of Kerela CK Janu, fighting for land rights. Check site
  

Some of the screening and discussion events are scheduled with ..

• Graduation and Inter students in Nirmala College on 30th Nov 2009.
• Education students in St Xavier's College on 4th Dec 2009.
• Rural Management students in Xavier's Institute of Social Sciences (XISS) on 5th Dec 2009.
• Matriculate muslim students in City Public School on 8th Dec 2009.
  
• Civil society representatives in HRDC on 10th Dec 2009.
  

Screening of Mahua Memoirs

In a seminar focused on 21st November 2009, on the theme of pollution and environment, with Rural Management and Mass Communication students, the documentary Mahua Memoirs seemed very 'out of the context' at the first instance.

 Later there was a realisation that the issue of impact of mining on the rural environment is very much, part of the larger debate on environment sustainability (climate change debate).

Vinod Raja’s Mahua Memoirs , a documentary film featuring Saloo, the bard and Thirku Baiga takes us on a journey through the lives of the Adivasi’s, living in the mountain tracts of the Eastern Ghats across Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chattisgarh and Jharkhand. The regions being rich in natural resources including minerals; the same resources have become the source of their greatest insecurities consuming their lands and their lives.

Iron is Hot .. Or Even Climate

On 31st October, under the hosting of Vriksh, Openspace (Ranchi) organized a seminar on Fire in Coal Mines and Human Settlement. About 100 youngsters from Xavier’s Institute of Social Sciences and Xavier’s College, participated. The discussions highlighted issues of climate change in the context of people inhabiting near mining areas.

Stan Lourdswamy (Human Rights Activist)

While on one hand the whole world is talking about climate change and how to counter it, the Indian State is ramping over the land and forests of the adivasis who have the history of coexistence with nature, and infact contribute through their lifestyles, in making the eco-system balanced.

There is people’s movement against displacement which is building up. And people are saying ‘We won’t give away our lands’. The intellectuals need to take position to stand in favour of the thousands of Adivasis.

Nitish Priyadarshi (Environmentalist)

The issue of climate change is not a new one. It has even been in our Tribal history, when the Asurs were making iron, and there are narrations that this will lead to more and more heat and the streams drying up.

Towards a Consensus View

The issues of climate change though a macro one, has to be tacked through sustainable practices at the grassroots with the communities. And the accountability with the Corporates needs to be defined, by the State.

Films like ‘Iron is Hot’ have to be screened more and more amongst the youth.

Social Networking Sites .. Worthwhile ?

Social Networking sites like Facebook and Orkut have a lot of easy chatting spaces. And many of the times a user might not like to see everything come as feeds. This can be controlled by setting ones privacy settings etc. But rarely anybody does it, and these sites too keep on changing their settings.

The sites have been mis-used and there is a big campaign in Delhi University where the sites were used for sexually harassing the student or academic colleagues with the ‘Let’s have tea at 5 pm at the canteen’, ‘Let’s meet at ..’ comments.

While internet has crossed barriers like age and caste in facilitating communication there are certain norms in communications which need to be learnt through personal endeavour, so that the personal borders are not crossed and rights are not violated.

Some of my friends are using social networking sites for the best of their social messages and sharing of their work. Surya Shankar Dash is sharing on ‘Save Niyamgiri Campaign’ (check site )Kamayani Bali Mahabal is sharing on human rights fronts ‘Repeal AFSPA & Irom Sharmila’ and likewise. Thus it is possible to create a community of your own and use the site for social purposes.

Check 'Irom’s iron in the soul' interview article on Tehelka site.

YouTube has been well used in these campaigns and the movement has been captured through small digital cameras. This has become easier with the improvement in internet technology, its access and expansion of bandwidths.

In this manner advancement in communication technology has created new opportunities for the social movements. These opportunities need to be grabbed.

Discussion rolled on as to how the Pink Chaddi Campaign (check Blog) against the Mangalore Pub incident created a large public support.

Blogs can be use to express your opinions on certain issues and these can be linked to your social networking sites so that postings in the blog are automatically fed in the network profiles. This helps to create a community of friends who are ready to receive and respond to your feeds. But for Blogs to be read by more and more people, 'aggregators' should be used.

Workshop on Digital Communication Tools

Dear Friends,

We are organizing a 2 day Workshop on Digital Communication Tools.
The workshop will focus on the various softwares / programs / applications through which youngsters are communicating and expressing – You Tube, Facebook, Yahoo/ Google Group, Blogs, Photo Sharing, etc.

Seems exciting? Wanna join?
All are invited in the workshop with a nominal registration fee of Rs 30.
The 2 days affair will take place in Satyabharati Auditorium. This is situated opposite Ursuline Convent on the Purulia Road now also called Camil Bulcke Path.
Dates – 28th October (Wednesday) and 31st October (Saturday) 2009.
Timing – 1.00 pm to 5.30 pm

Please get back to us, with the following details for your registration to participate..
1. Name
2. Age and sex
3. Education and college
4. Present Occupation
5. Email and Mobile Number
6. Areas of Interest

The event will be co-hosted by Openspace (Ranchi), a communication initiative amongst youth (www.openspace-ranchi.blogspot.com) and Solidarity for Peace, an organization committed to social justice and human rights (www.solidaritycentre-ranchi.blogspot.com).
The aim is to create a vibrant group of youngsters who would take the new communication tools in the best interest of mankind. And for this, initiate with sharing / cross-learning processes.
Please spread the message. We intend to enlarge this digital community, through many such events.

Best Regards
Praveer Peter
Mobile – 9430367949
Email – praveer.peter@gmail.com

Notes on Man Capture

Single mothers also qualify for man capture

To capture a man, then immediately marry him, you need a chicken.

When the cotton is in bloom, it is the season for man capture. Men from one village capture men from another for marriage to their unmarried sisters, cousins and nieces. If a man accepts the marriage, he moves into the village of his wife and shares her property. And if he doesn't?

Producers synopsis

In South Asia, men take most decisions, even about women's lives. Ratmi, a young, single mother in a village in Northeast India wants to get married. Marriage happens by 'man capture' during the cotton harvest. Her male relatives attempt to capture a man for her although she has had lovers. A very dominant idea about India is that it's a land of hierarchies… of every single kind. This film about the India that we don't see; reverses some of the dominant images we see all the time about caste, gender and class differences. What does India look like as it is in some types of 'unseen fringes', where power shifts back and forth from individual to group, man to woman, the person behind the camera and the people in front of it? The narrative structure of the film observes Ratmi, the players behind her marriage, and the role of the filmmaker in 2000/2001 and again in 2006.

Screening was done amongst the Bachelor of education Students of St Xavier's College. Their responses were of diverse variety ...

1. The gender roles amongst the tribal society are very difficult to understand. They vary so much according to tribes. In mainstream communities it is typically patrilineal and has ingredients of patriarchy and the tribal communities which are coming in close contact are also witnessing a change towards these characteristics.
2. The custom of capture is bad...it is against the will of an individual. Even marriages by capture of tribal girls from the local market and forcible putting of sindur in the forehead, prevalent in many tribes of peninsular belt are being done away with.
3. As educators one should keep in mind that the modern day education is also laden with values of the mainstream society. These need to be modified to suit/ give space to their cultural contexts. The overburdening of ‘our’ values to ‘them’ should be avoided.
4. Any cultural practices which violate the human rights of an individual should be modified / rectified. This should be through proper dialogue otherwise the implementation of the ‘reform processes’ will not see its success.
5. The beauty of the tribal community depicted is immense. Although the girl is not married and has children, the children are getting a space / acceptance in the community. Even the unmarried girl is not ‘in guilt’, and she is able to live her life.
6. But still the questions are how long this acceptance from the community remains. What are the rights of the children with regard to property?
7. The concept of marriage has a variety. There are number of forms in which one can marry. The live-in relationship converting into marriage is also one of the forms that have been prevalent for a long time in some of the tribes (it is a new phenomenon in mainstream communities).
8. But the rights of individuals engaging in such informal relationships are still ‘not yet defined’. And there are quite many situations when such human rights issues do come up... Isn’t there a need to move towards formal marriages where there are more formal ways of coming together and also of separation, and the rights in such situations are more defined?
9. Anthropological reflections as given in the documentary are very difficult to document unless you are accepted as an insider. The filmmaker stayed / visited there for quite some years before she could complete the film.
10. Earlier such documentation was very difficult as the communication mediums had not developed and hand writing was the only option. Great work still was done and many books have been written by such anthropologists which are very valuable in documenting there customary practices. Now the digital tools help in making this documentation easier. But and insider / outsider, we / them... positions in such documentation still remains big challenge.

Will there be a time when more tribal youth will get empowered to handle / control the new digital communication tools to tell their story with their analysis?

We are the World

Closing Remarks - Rang De Basanti

On 30th July, a tribute was paid to Michael Jackson during the Video Festival on Diversity and Aspirations – Rang De Basanti at Satyabharati Hall in Ranchi.
Two of his songs “We are the World” and “Heal the World” were played. "We Are the World" is a song and charity single recorded by the super group USA for Africa. It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The last recording session for the song was held on January 28, 1985. The historic event brought together some of the biggest artists in the music industry at the time.
"We Are the World" has been recognized as a politically important song, which "effected an international focus on Africa that was simply unprecedented".The anthem has been credited with creating a climate in which musicians from around the world felt inclined to follow. Since the release of "We Are the World", it has been noted that movement has been made within popular music to create songs that address humane concerns."We Are the World" was also influential in subverting the way music and meaning were produced, showing that musically and racially diverse musicians could work together both productively and creatively.
The audience approximately 120 in number at the Video festival was basically youth from the various mass communication and journalism courses in Xavier’s College, Ranchi University, and Satyabharati. Young women from Nirmala College also watched the documentaries keenly.
Karuna Kerketta of Nirmala College said that ‘Unlimited Girls’ has shown her newer dimensions of Feminism, and the realization that it is contextual in different manners. Check more at Culture Unplugged and at Infochange websites.
Arun Kumar said that Feminism depicted in the video is very different from the matriarchal society depicted in Nandini Bedi's ‘Notes on Man Capture’ about a tribal community in Meghalaya .. this discussion should be enhanced with the men too.
As a part of Openspace further initiatives the discussion to remain in contact through emails and phone was decided. Fr Tigga from Education deptt of Xavier’s College wanted films on North East to be shown to their students, while Sr Gabriela expressed such programs in her Hindpiri area amongst the locals. Rajeev Thepra, a blogger (Baat Purani Hai) will be putting a short feedback report for sharing to larger audience on the net. Umesh of IPTA expressed the need to hold a one-day seminar on ‘Relevance of Communication towards building a Human Society’.

Naata - On Practising Communal Harmony

Naata directed by Anjali Monteiro and KP Jayashankar was screened during the video festival on diversity and aspirations - Rang De Basanti on 29-30th July 2009. It is a wonderful documentary on communal harmony.

Naata is about Bhau Korde and Waqar Khan, two activists and friends, who have been involved in conflict resolution, working with neighbourhood peace committees in Dharavi, Mumbai, reputedly, the largest 'slum' in Asia. This film explores their work, which has included the collective production and use of visual media for ethnic amity.
Waqar and Bhau's work raises several uncomfortable questions for the filmmakers, so-called modern, middle-class, secular, urban beings. Naata juxtaposes the multi-layered narrative on Dharavi and the 'stories' of the filmmakers, thereby attempting to foreground a critical and active viewership.

Read more

http://infochangeindia.org/200408106250/Film-Forum/Documentary/Naata-/Ektaa-Sandesh.html

http://naata2003.tripod.com/

Director’s Statement
We felt that this story of how Waqar, Bhau and the people of Dharavi have, on their own accord, produced and used various media materials for communal amity (ranging from posters to videos and audio cassettes) had an important lesson for all of us, in these troubled times. We feel that in our present fractured world, it is crucial to share stories of hope and struggle, stories that give us the courage to go on.

Responses from the Audience

1. I have studied in Jamia Millia Islamia, a Muslim University and hence my Urdu is very good. When people see my beard the question ‘Why are you keeping a beard? You look like a Musalman’.
2. I had my best friend Shakeel was killed during the communal riots in 1992. It has been very saddening.
3. It was wonderful to watch the community men, women and children engage in making a documentary. With little expertise but only the motivation, there must have been an immense learning process, both about the process of film making and about each other’s community and living in harmony.
4. It is very true said, that most of such documentaries are made by seculars to reach out to seculars (kind of convincing the convinced). It is required to involve the common men man, and work on his prejudices and presumptions.
5. Making Muslims friends has been very common for only some of us, this is not a common practice. We have prejudices towards each other. It starts with differences in food habits and extends further.. to social insecurities, mistrust and suspicion.
6. We live on rent in a Muslim neighbourhood and our 5 year son while playing with the Muslims girls has also started calling them ‘Aapi’and watches them during the ‘Namaz’.

RANG DE BASANTI

Video Festival on Diversity and Aspirations

At SATYA BHARATI (Purulia Road)

29^th July 2009 (2.00pm to 6.30 pm) – Wednesday

1. America America (4 min) - Against Imperialism
2. Gaon Chhodab Nahi (4 min) - People’s Movement
3. Prayers for New Gods (29 min) - Tribal Religion in Arunachal Pradesh
4. Guru Gomke (43 min) - Tribal Cultural Movement of Jharkhand
5. Naata (47 min) - Secularism in slums of Mumbai
6. Buru Gara (30 min) - Tribal Women Writers of Jharkhand

30^th July 2009 (2.00 to 6.30 pm) – Thursday

1. Mann Ke Manjeere (4 min) - Women’s Liberation
2. Kora Rajee (51 min) - Tribal Migration to Tea Gardens
3. Notes on Man Capture (43 min) - Tribal Custom in Garo’s of North East
4. Unlimited Girls (97 min) - Discovering Women’s Movement
5. Babul (4 min) - Domestic Violence

Modern Art Forms and the Tribal World

The International Library and Cultural Centre (ILCC) at Ranchi is trying to reach out to more and more youngsters through its dance, theatre and language classes, besides seminars.

Sriprakash, film maker facilitating the discussion with Bishu Nandi. Bishu has always worked on his fascination with Jharkhand and wildlife. Never into commercial photography, he has put all his energies to pursue this hobby of his, few desires or ambitions.

Mahadev Toppo .. We saw Nanook of the North during the Pune days and the documentary and later Mrigya and Aakrosh. They opened our eyes as how indigenous people like us are portrayed in the media. And has constantly helped me in thinking and analysing the media for the same. Even now, when I am in Banking job, I read and express about adivasi issues and this especially when in the North East and elsewhere the issues of getting critical.

Meghnath, film maker cum activist narrates as to how the first batch of Jharkhand youngsters who did film course from FTII (Film and Television Institute of India, Pune) were contributing to the society .. of which Mahadev Toppo, Biju Toppo, Sriprakash, were a part.

INVITE LETTER

You are invited for a workshop

Modern art form and the Tribal world

on 3^rd May at 2.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

by Mahadev Toppo

Venue-International Library and Cultural Center, Club Road, Ranchi

The main theme of workshop is, how tribal world has been portrayed in various art forms, and how the meaning would be changed when the subject itself becomes the author of the art and the art form, as for instance the great documentary master piece ‘Nanook of the North’- what if Nanook would have done this film by himself…. ?

Now Dalit and tribal literature are emerging very forcefully challenging the casteist and racist paradigm. Thanks to contradiction in capitalism in the age of globalization at least--- digital technology is some how available to common people. In this scenario, is there any possibility of emergence of a new language of cinema?

Better cinema – Better world - Mahadev Toppo,

Sri Toppo is a well known tribal thinker, poet and actor from Jharkhand. In this work shop he is going to read two feature film – ( Mrigaya- 1976 Director: Mrinal Sen and Aakrosh -1980 Director - Govind Nihalani) besides a documentary film- 'In the Forest hangs a Bridge' 1999, Directed by Sanjay kak . He is also going to talk on the photographs of Bishu Nandi and poetry of Nirmala Putul (Santhali poetess)

Ranchi Film Club

Film Appreciation wing of International library and Cultural Center, Ranchi

Schedule (2.30 p.m. To 9 p.m)

Exhibition of photographs by Sri Bishu Nandi

On theme - Still Camera and Tribal Life

Mrigaya (1976)

Director: Mrinal Sen

Music -Salil Chowdhury

Story- Bhagabati Charan Panigrahi

Screenplay- Mohit Chatterjee, Mrinal Sen

Cinematography- KK Mahajan

Cast: Mithun Chakraborty and Mamta Shanker, Sadhu Meher, ,

Language: Hindi

Duration: 1hours 45 min

Awards: National awards plus a lot of international awards

To both Ghinua and the commissioner, a big ‘Shikar’ is a game; this is probably why Ghinua reacts like a terrible ‘hunter’ when the Mahajan tries to steal his wife. He slays him; an avenged man, he brings his ‘trophy’, to the only man who will understand him, the English ‘Bare Raja Babu’. But Ghinua’s trust is betrayed and he is handed over to the court by the Commissioner. Ghinua asks the Commissioner why Dora gets five hundred rupees as a ‘prize’ for killing Shalpu, a person liked by all the villagers and he gets death sentence for killing the Mahajan, who is ‘sabse khatarnak, khun-khar janwar’. Even the villagers fail to understand why Imperial Justice sentences Ghinua to be hanged to death.

'In the Forest hangs a Bridge'

Dir Sanjay kak

India, 1999, 16 mm, 39 min

'In the Forest hangs a Bridge' is a film about the building of a thousand foot suspension bridge by the people of an Adi village, an evocation of the tribal community that makes it possible, and a reflection on the strength and fragility of the idea of community. Located deep in the forest hills of the Siang valley of Arunachal Pradesh, at the north-eastern extremity of India, these elegant structures of cane and bamboo are the distinctive mark of the Adi tribe. Nearly six months of incessant rain in the Siang valley means that the cane and bamboo will eventually rot and fall away, and the bridge needs to be rebuilt every year. In less than three days, a bridge more than a thousand feet long is finished. A day later, we see several hundred men from the village cross to the other side for the annual ritual, as they have for several hundred years.

Aakrosh 1980 Hindi

Director - Govind Nihalani,

Written - Vijay Tendulkar(Screenplay)

Starring - Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil Om Puri and Amrish Puri

Award - National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi 1980 & several Filmfare Awards', Golden Peacock' for the Best Film at the International Film Festival of India

Durattion - 144 min

Lahanya Bhiku (Om Puri) a tribal is arrested for killing his wife Nagi(smita patil)and he is tried in the court for it.Bhaskar Kulkarni(Naseeruddin Shah) takes this first case as the govt appointed lawyer.bhaskar kulkarni with all dreams and aspirations to take his first case finds to his frustration that Lahanya does not want to co operate with him. Slowly bhaskar investigates the case which leads to stark ling revelations and the movies comes to a shattering climax.

One of the Narrations in "In the Forests .." was about how inputs from the State in the bridge building process has brought / will bring about change in the collective community efforts and values. Is it not reflective of all external supports, financial or technical, and also unavoidable while the world moves towards global village / globalised community ? (!!)

Poster for the Event ... It was a wonderful experience on the part of the designers. From internet research on the film, grabbing images of the past actors .. great physique of Mithun Chakravorty, anger of Om Puri, the memoirs of Smita Patil .