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Ramnami: Body as Temple, Protest Against Discrimination
30 Sep
Summary
- Ramnami community in Chhattisgarh inks 'Ram' on bodies as protest.
- Filmmaker Bharat Bala received National Award for Best Documentary.
- Documentary captures community's journey of self-discovery through suffering.
Filmmaker Bharat Bala has received the National Award for Best Documentary for "Ramnami." This honor celebrates a community from Chhattisgarh that developed a unique method of protest against historical discrimination.
Centuries ago, the Ramnami community was barred from entering temples. In response, they began to ink the name 'Ram' onto their bodies, effectively transforming themselves into mobile temples. This practice symbolizes their profound connection to the divine within.
Bala described the filming journey as magical, observing the community's ability to find purity, divinity, and simplicity amidst their everyday lives and past hardships. He noted their capacity to discover themselves through suffering, connecting with an inner God.
The award is a significant recognition not only for Bala but also for the Ramnami community, bringing their extraordinary story to a wider audience. It also serves as a powerful encouragement for his young filmmaking team.
Bala emphasizes that a documentary's subject must be universally relatable and emotionally resonant. He strives to present these stories with cinematic quality, aiming to engage audiences as effectively as commercial films by focusing on the purity and inherent value of the narrative.
