Radio Woman of Patara

peripheral — Mon, 7 Sep 2015 18:41:59 GMT

As a young documentary film maker and freelance journalist, people and their diverse culture leaves a great impression in me.

I have been involved in filming issues of various marginalised communities in India, especially tribal societies.

‘Radio Woman of Patara,' the film included here is one among them. The film portrays the journey of Ramvati, a tribal woman from the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh and how she uses Community Radio as a tool of empowerment. Ramvati’s travel through the hinterlands of India, carrying a radio to spread social messages among the masses continues to inspire me immensely. I am also working on a film on a central indian tribal group's struggle preserve their local script.

I see a good connection between my interest and past experiences with the goals of the scholarship.

Colombia is definitely inviting with its rich cultural heritage and immense bio diversity presence. A chance to interact closely with the country’s diverse ethnic communities, and help share their stories to a large number of people is indeed a privilege.

Considering a few interactive experiences I have had with various communities in India, especially tribal societies, I believe my previous experience will help me look into the cultures of Columbia’s Pacific Coast with a broader vision. As a self taught, budding film maker, the mentorship of Brian Rapsey will definitely prove to be helpful in all my future film making endeavours as well as horning my skills.

An Indian triabl woman's journey wih radio

peripheral — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:01:37 GMT

I grew up watching my journalist brother producing stories effectively through his pictures. That generated an interest in still pictures and soon it turned out to be a fascination for moving images. It is due to the same reason that i chose media as a subject for my post graduation.
During my PG studies, i made voluntary videos on diverse subjects. If the first one was about a noble initiative by the campus community to teach poor students in a government school, the later ones profiled some Fine Art students and their stories. Succeeding videos documented people and nature; whether it is about travelers search for monsoon in Kerala or an outing in Ladakh by a few youngsters.
The first self initiated development video was about Ramvati, a tribal women who made community radio a tool of empowerment. Documenting her journey through the central Indian villages helped me tell the story effectively.
I believe that stories with substance can be effectively told through promising visuals.
A chance to be in San Luis Potosi to document Dia de los Muertos is close to my heart because of an innate interest in ethnic cultures, especially since my home state Kerala in India is home to many age-old practices.
Also to be mentored by Brian Rapsey, a talented film maker is a rarity awarded to any beginner. I believe it is vital to my visual perspective.
As a keen observer of people and culture and considering my brief stint in short film making, I hope that I am fit for this scholarship.

A Radio Journey

Radio Woman of Patara

An Indian triabl woman's journey wih radio