Films: 25 April 2015 at 18:30
Following the Rhythms (38 min; 2005; dvd; English/Hindi & with subtitles)
Director: Sanjay Barnela
For centuries, the Van Gujjars have herded their buffalo between the forests of Uttaranchal and the high mountain pastures of the western Himalayas following the rhythm of the seasons. Reliant on the buffalo for their livelihoods, these communities with their strong traditions and culture now face the challenge of adjusting to the demands of modern life. Following the Rhythms is an attempt to document the contours of the debate between the Forest Department and the Van Gujjars, between scientific and indigenous modes of conservation
A Question of Tomorrow: The Brogpas of Ladakh
(30 min; 2001; dvd; English)
Director: Mohi-ud-in Mirza
The story of the vanishing tribe of Brogpas of the Himalayas, descendents of Alexander the Great’s army, the film explores their worldview and perceptions of fragility
Apna Aloo Bazaar Becha
(30 min; 2008; dvd; English & with subtitles)
Director: Pankaj Gupta
Recipient of the Golden Deer, 1st Prize, Short Length Film Category, 8th EcoFilms Festival, Greece 2008
What happens when remote, mountain communities come face to face with globalization? Jardhar gaon a village in the Hemval valley of Garhwal, led an isolated, egalitatrian existence until a series of events forced it into joining the market economy
Films courtesy: Public Service Broadcasting Trust
Films: 27 April 2015 at 18:30
Ambi Jiji’s Retirement
(29 min; 2007; dvd; English)
Director: Nandini Bedi
Recipient of the First Prize at Jeevika 2007: South Asia Livelihood Documentary Competition; and Zee News Livelihood Award, 4th CMS Vatavaran 2007
Ambi Jiji one of the caretakers of community owned lands, always planted her crops on soil where forests have been burnt. The jhum field would then be abandoned and left to regenerate into a forest and a new one burnt. But increasingly, jhum fields are being turned into orchards which provide cash and security. Through Ambi Jiji and her daughters, we see the passing of a way of life in a remote village in Meghalaya
Reviving Faith – A Himalayan Journey…In Search of the Lost Tradition of Conservation
(60 min; 2008; dvd; English & with subtitles)
Director: Rishu Nigam
Recipient of Focus: Natural Heritage Conservation Award, 5th CMS Vatavaran 2009
The film takes viewers into the sacred groves of the Himalayas that are still alive because of the faith of its people. It traces the struggles of the Himalayan people to save their forests from being plundered and raises the critical question – can the modern world restore the faith that conserved nature, before it gets too late?
Films courtesy: Public Service Broadcasting Trust