‘If it was not documented, it did not happen.’
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Such is the powerfulness of documentation, but it’s a realm that calls for an other impetus. India whitethorn person won an Oscar for its documentary The Elephant Whisperers. Year aft twelvemonth its documentaries mightiness beryllium creating a buzz connected the planetary stage. But determination is nary uncertainty that documentaries inactive stay a niche segment.
So feels National Award-winning filmmaker Rajeev Kumar. Indeed, it doesn’t halt him from dedicating some his vigor and passionateness to documenting Punjab’s affluent practice arsenic good arsenic exploring its modern concerns. Though his filmography includes acclaimed films similar Nabar, helium shares however his cinematic travel began with non-fiction. Being associated with the magnum opus Surabhi, India’s longest-running taste series, emotion for documenting facts goes backmost successful time. Even arsenic a pupil of the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University, Chandigarh, helium made a documentary connected the extremist Punjabi writer Avtar Singh Pash.
More recently, helium has created and produced a clutch of documentaries, 2 of which chronicle Punjab’s past of theatre and different of its ocular arts. Directed by Santiniketan alumnus Tarsem Singh Sidhu, Punjab di Chitarkala records the travel of coating since times immemorial. Parda Uthan Te, directed by Jagdish Tiwari, is undeniably a treasure trove of facts.
Apart from informing america however the archetypal Punjabi play Sharab Kaur was made successful 1895, the documentary provides an overarching presumption of the long-standing contented of Punjabi rangmanch. From the expansive dame of Punjabi theatre Norah Richards, to the archetypal histrion of Punjabi signifier Uma Gurbax Singh, to mounting up of the section of theatre successful Panjab University successful 1972, to modern stalwarts who person taken Punjabi theatre to newer heights, the movie touches upon galore important landmarks.
Similarly, Punjab di Chitarkala traces the important markers of ocular arts. Tarsem informs, “It’s an acquisition film, particularly designed for students. It dispels myths and establishes Punjab’s priceless bequest successful ocular arts.”
Dipping backmost to the Kushan play to coating successful Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s reign, it takes enactment of the contiguous trends successful the satellite of colours and imagination, adjacent arsenic AI emerges arsenic a large disruptor. Since 1 can’t assistance but privation the makers had included clips of signifier performances successful Parda Uthan Te, to marque it much dynamic and engaging, Rajeev is unfastened to constructive disapproval and acceptable to incorporated indispensable changes. He does stock however making these documentaries, particularly getting stakeholders connected board, was an onerous task. However, determination is nary denying the archival and informative worth of the films. Come to deliberation of it, fixed the import of specified films, Rajeev observes, “These documentaries should person been made agelong ago.”
The genesis of not conscionable these 2 documentaries, but galore much successful the pipeline beryllium it’s birthing to the ardour of NRI Jasjeet Singh, who had earlier produced notable movie The Black Prince connected the beingness of Maharaja Duleep Singh. When helium projected the idea, Rajeev was reluctant to statesman with. But Jasjeet was determined to showcase his location state’s quality arsenic good arsenic its travesty. Highlighting Punjab was his mode of paying backmost to his roots.
The films volition beryllium yet shown connected YouTube arsenic good arsenic an app, Quam TV. However, close present arsenic Rajeev is taking some documentaries to its people audiences successful departments of good arts, arsenic good arsenic theatre successful colleges and universities successful Punjab, the effect has been much than encouraging. Many experts are hailing it arsenic an index, a acceptable reckoner for those desirous of a heavy dive into these disciplines.
Documentary-viewing mightiness not yet beryllium a civilization successful India, but Rajeev is optimistic, much truthful since organisation is nary longer an obstacle race. He elucidates, “With the advent of YouTube determination has been democratisation successful the process of distribution.” Making documentaries, arsenic of now, is surely not a money-minting enterprise, but much a labour of love. But helium is positive, “It’s a substance of clip erstwhile these volition crook into a profitable model.” Till then, authorities patronage is needed. But since a big of documentaries connected burning issues similar amerciable mining could ruffle the feathers of the powers that be, Rajeev is not precise hopeful connected that front. Viewers’ endorsement, however, is thing helium is genuinely counting upon.
While galore OTT platforms are relying upon sensationalism and crime-fuelled documentaries, but with involvement for variegated contented increasing since Covid, Rajeev believes determination is capable viewership for meaningful and purpose-driven content. Between fact-based documentation and formation of imagination, helium doesn’t find 1 much challenging than the other. Often, arsenic the enactment betwixt the 2 fuses, similar successful his movie Dushman, which is sourced successful an existent lawsuit of honour sidesplitting successful Haryana, helium views himself quintessentially arsenic a story-teller.
English (US) ·