The Voices from the Waters International Travelling Film Festival has been unique in stitching together cinematic narratives that speak of myriad relations with rivers, lakes, dams. Deepa Bhasthi talks of such films which employ water as a personal metaphor and question the oft-ignored parameters of development…
In a no-man’s land, nothing goes. Or if anything goes, it depends on how you see it. Like children his age everywhere in the world, Rubel wants to go to school and learn his letters well, he knows that is what will get him out of the drudgery of his life. But the family has no money to waste on something as expensive as an education, and Rubel is forced to cross a river that forms the border between the Indian and Bangladeshi borders every day to smuggle in rice and other goods. His home is the island Char, a no man’s land, patrolled by security forces from both countries. In crossing the river every day, when it rains, when the river bed is dry, Rubel progressively gives up the hope of school and a better future – there is a sister’s dowry to help pay, a family to help feed.
Sourav Sarangi’s Char…The No-Man’s Island is just one of the films screened at the Voices from the Waters International Travelling Film Festival organised in Bangalore recently. The river is what comes to define Rubel’s life. Rivers are what define the lives, deaths, fortunes and destruction of hundreds of thousands of people in the world. This focus, on the rivers and their neighbouring inhabitants, the destruction of lives and histories and on the multiple meanings of development was sharp at the festival, in its 9th edition this year.
There were more than a dozen films that dealt with the importance of rivers in the lives of those that lived near it and the havoc that is created when a dam in built. A dam is development, the ill-fated temples of modern India. These dams don’t just swallow villages in their wake. They drown memories, stories that were passed on from one generation to the next and the next; they drown out hopes and a long, long history. You cannot rehabilitate history, only the people get houses and land.
I ask the festival director Georgekutty A L if it was a deliberate attempt to include more films that told stories of rivers and dams. He said no. “Every year we have been getting films on dams but this year there was a profusion of them. It indicates that people are rethinking development. There is a slow turn towards sustainability. When the whole world is hurling towards development, there are an increasing number of people who are rethinking what development means,” he said.
Georgekutty pointed out that there were two main points of focus among the films that were chosen, seas and rivers and the aftermath of dams. There is Nandan Saxena and Kavita Bahl’s Dammed which talks of how 11 million Indians have been displaced by large dams. The Onkareshwar dam will further create havoc in 50,000 lives, the Sardar Sarovar in 2,00,000. The film follows the lives of the utterly poor who pay the price for this ‘development.’ The decision to start building the Polavaram Dam throws into various uncertainties the lives of Adivasi communities in Khamman, East and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh, Kunta block in Chattisgarh and Mou block in Odisha. A lot of forest land will be submerged. Saraswati Kavula’s Dam’ned highlights the impending loss of land that will destroy a way of living that the Adivasi have been used to for generations.
Victor Stardubtsev’s The Pearl of the City tell the story of the love Siberian dwellers of Zheleznogorsk have for their hand-made blue pearl, the city lake, while Mohammad Ehsani’s Lady Urmia documents the story of Lake Urmia in northwest Iran which is drying up completely. The film takes on the voice of the lake itself, demanding help and aid from the international community.
In paying heed to the crucial need to keep rivers and seas clean, in creating awareness of how much a dam destroys, in questioning, at what cost a nation’s development, the water film festival was relevant and attuned to a changing world. Among a society that is increasingly becoming concerned about the price of industrialisation and ‘development’, the films and documentaries that the water film festival team chose to screen were apt, relevant, disturbing and lent themselves to much food for thought.
Ivory Kataoka
Nice post. I was checking constantly this blog and I’m impressed! Very useful info specially the last part :) I care for such information much. I was seeking this particular information for a very long time. Thank you and best of luck.
highflyer kostenlos spielen
References:
Las vegas casino industry news highflyer kostenlos spielen
arderbor elnot
very good post, i definitely love this website, carry on it
situs slot
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
slot gacor
Great line up. We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
situs slot
Very interesting information!Perfect just what I was looking for!
camaras web
I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
THCA disposables
I was recommended this web site through my cousin. I’m now not certain whether this publish is written via him as no one else know such distinct approximately my difficulty. You are incredible! Thanks!
Nanotechnology
Wow that was unusual. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyways, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
olxtoto
Great weblog right here! Additionally your web site a lot up fast! What web host are you the use of? Can I get your affiliate link on your host? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol
olxtoto
Perfectly written content, thankyou for entropy.
abogado de accidentes automovilísticos
Lovely just what I was looking for.Thanks to the author for taking his time on this one.
apartahotel san fermin
Very interesting details you have noted, thanks for posting.
ayuda TFG arquitectura
I used to be very pleased to seek out this web-site.I wished to thanks for your time for this wonderful learn!! I positively enjoying every little little bit of it and I’ve you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you weblog post.
ayuda TFM arquitectura
I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…
Bible study for beginners
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better! Reading through this post reminds me of my previous room mate! He always kept talking about this. I will forward this article to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!
gurita4d
Thanks for sharing excellent informations. Your web site is so cool. I’m impressed by the details that you’ve on this website. It reveals how nicely you understand this subject. Bookmarked this website page, will come back for more articles. You, my pal, ROCK! I found just the info I already searched everywhere and just couldn’t come across. What an ideal web-site.
ayuda TFG arquitectura
Great, I should certainly pronounce, impressed with your web site. I had no trouble navigating through all tabs and related info ended up being truly simple to do to access. I recently found what I hoped for before you know it at all. Reasonably unusual. Is likely to appreciate it for those who add forums or anything, web site theme . a tones way for your client to communicate. Excellent task.
situs slot gacor
You can definitely see your skills in the paintings you write. The arena hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
situs toto togel
I like this blog so much, saved to bookmarks. “I don’t care what is written about me so long as it isn’t true.” by Dorothy Parker.
pestoto
hello!,I love your writing very a lot! proportion we communicate more about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this space to resolve my problem. Maybe that’s you! Taking a look forward to peer you.
강남유앤미
Have you ever considered about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is fundamental and everything. However think about if you added some great visuals or video clips to give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent but with images and videos, this site could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field. Fantastic blog!
situs toto
I’m not sure why but this blog is loading extremely slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
prediksi togel
I believe this internet site holds some rattling good information for everyone :D. “We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us.” by Francois de La Rochefoucauld.
bandar togel online
I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for posting. “I would sooner fail than not be among the greatest.” by John Keats.
노래방 온라인 마케팅
Excellent site. A lot of helpful info here. I’m sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thank you to your effort!
toto togel
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
bokep indo
It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I’m happy that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
porn gay
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
folieren von holzoberflächen
Thanks for the article, how can I make is so that I get an email whenever you make a fresh post?
slot gacor
hello there and thank you for your info – I have definitely picked up something new from right here. I did however expertise a few technical points using this website, as I experienced to reload the website lots of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I’m complaining, but slow loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your high-quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I’m adding this RSS to my email and can look out for much more of your respective interesting content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
petirgacor
I wanted to create you that little bit of observation just to say thanks a lot yet again considering the lovely pointers you’ve provided above. This has been really open-handed of people like you giving unreservedly all a lot of people would have offered for an e-book to make some bucks for themselves, most notably considering that you could have tried it in case you considered necessary. The tips additionally acted as the easy way to be aware that someone else have the identical eagerness just as mine to know more on the topic of this issue. I believe there are numerous more enjoyable situations up front for individuals who take a look at your blog.
bandar slot
I think other site proprietors should take this website as an model, very clean and wonderful user friendly style and design, as well as the content. You’re an expert in this topic!
porn gay
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m having trouble locating it but, I’d like to shoot you an email. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.
empresa de energia solar Camaçari
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
toto togel
Hey There. I discovered your blog the use of msn. This is a really neatly written article. I’ll be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I will certainly return.
toto togel
Thanks for another magnificent article. Where else may anybody get that type of information in such an ideal method of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I’m on the search for such info.
togel online
This is the best blog for anyone who wants to find out about this topic. You realize a lot its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I truly would need…HaHa). You positively put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!
situs toto
I’m not that much of a online reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Cheers
hptoto
I really enjoy reading on this site, it has superb content.
wasiat4d
I’m not sure where you are getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more. Thanks for great information I was looking for this info for my mission.
como fazer Recarga UniTV
What’s Happening i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I am hoping to give a contribution & aid different customers like its aided me. Good job.
ของเล่นเด็ก 2 ขวบ
You have brought up a very excellent points, regards for the post.
horse gelatin trick
Loving the info on this web site, you have done outstanding job on the blog posts.
pousada lapinha da serra
hi!,I really like your writing so much! percentage we be in contact extra about your post on AOL? I require a specialist on this area to solve my problem. May be that’s you! Taking a look ahead to look you.
dewi11
Nice read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch since I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch! “We have two ears and only one tongue in order that we may hear more and speak less.” by Laertius Diogenes.
royal138 link alternatif
Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Cheers
buy original Victoria's Secret Kyiv
Some really nice and useful information on this website, likewise I conceive the pattern contains excellent features.
bandar slot
There’s noticeably a bundle to find out about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
Laser Welding Machine
I love your writing style really loving this internet site.
herbert sim transhumanist
Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Anyway I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently rapidly.
mpo868
This is really fascinating, You are an excessively skilled blogger. I’ve joined your rss feed and look forward to in the hunt for more of your fantastic post. Also, I’ve shared your website in my social networks!
mpo2qq
You actually make it appear really easy with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be actually one thing which I feel I would by no means understand. It seems too complex and very extensive for me. I am looking forward on your next publish, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!
jejukaraoke.isweb.co.kr
가격을 비교할 때는 기본 요금뿐 아니라 주류·음료와 연장 비용이 포함되는지도 확인해야 합니다. 제주 가라오케 가격 확인 기준에 비용을 항목별로 확인하는 방법이 정리돼 있습니다.
Role of ethical hackers in network security
I am glad to be one of several visitors on this outstanding internet site (:, regards for putting up.
aviator betting game
There are some interesting points in time in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them center to heart. There’s some validity however I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we want extra! Added to FeedBurner as properly
ethical hacking tools
I have to get across my respect for your generosity in support of visitors who require assistance with this particular issue. Your very own commitment to passing the solution around ended up being amazingly advantageous and have truly allowed those just like me to reach their objectives. Your informative help denotes this much a person like me and even further to my mates. Thank you; from each one of us.
switch vape
Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this site? I’m getting tired of WordPress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
razz vape
so much wonderful information on here, :D.
부산 호빠
Wow that was strange. I just wrote an extremely long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Regardless, just wanted to say fantastic blog!
분당 가라오케
It’s really a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.