Summer Film Festival - Inauguration

SUMMER FILM FESTIVAL for shorts and docs 2011, Chennai
4-8 April 2011; 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at National Folklore Support Centre (NFSC)
505, Kaveri Complex, Nungambakkam High Road, Numgambakkam, Chennai

Jointly organised by MARUPAKKAM and NFSC

Inauguration
4 April 2011; 4 p.m. at NFSC

Welcome address:
Dr.Muthukumarasamy - Director, NFSC

Introducing the festival:
Amudhan R.P. - MARUPAKKAM

Felicitation:
Mr. Sasi, filmmaker
Mr. Bharathi Krishnakumar, filmmaker
Mr. Kadarkarai, poet/journalist

Inaugural film:
Do Din Ka Mela
Dir: Anjali Monteiro & K.P.Jayasankar
2009, Kutchi and Gujarati with English subtitles; documentary

The Great Rann of Kutch, in the state of Gujarat, is a vast salt desert, which separates India and Pakistan. Murra Lala from Janan, Khadir and Kanji Rana from Dhrubana, Kalo Dongar are Meghwals, a pastoral Dalit community that lives on the edge of the Rann. Before the Partition the Meghwals moved freely across the Rann, between Sindh (now in Pakistan) and Kutch. Though Janan and Dhrubana are a short distance from each other, they are separated by the Rann patrolled by State security agencies and inaccessible to civilians; the circuitous journey between them takes a day.
Murra sings Sufi music and Kabir and Kanji plays the Jodiya Pawa (double flute). Kanji learned to make his own flute as well as to play it by listening to the radio. They both work as daily wage labourers.
A Two Day Fair is fascinating journey into their spaces, lives and music.

All are invited.

Amudhan R.P.
festival director