KMB 2016 Film and Music package to Highlight Stories,Struggles of Caste-based Discrimination

KOCHI:
Thought-provoking stories of the trials of, and resistance against, caste-based discrimination are the focus of a four-day film and music package at the ongoing third edition of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (KMB).
Curated by noted film journalist Meenakshi Shedde, the package – titled ‘The Die is Caste’ – will start on Saturday, January 7, at 6:30 pm. The screenings and performances at the Pavilion in Cabral Yard, Fort Kochi, will be preceded by Q&A sessions moderated by Shedde.
‘The Die is Caste’ features four films exploring a number of narratives – romance, education, landlessness among others – but centred around the struggles of the marginalised castes. The musical performances, which also feature a younger generation of revolutionary singers, delve into questions of origins and belonging, exploitation and resistance.
“I chose to curate a package to show what we have become as a society. In many ways, Indians have become unspeakably savage in our outlook towards Dalits. As well, our ignorance of their lives is criminal. If we knew about how the other India lives, we could be sensitive about other peoples’ lives and fight
their battles with them,” said Shedde, who is South Asia Consultant to the Berlin and Dubai Film Festivals.
Opening the package is Bikas Mishra’s Chauranga (2014) – a feature in the Khortha language spoken in Jharkhand – which takes a look at education and love. The screening, which will have English subtitles, is followed by a performance by Tamil Parai artist Manimaran, his playback singer wife Magizhini and their sons Samaran and Iniyan.
Nagraj Manjule’s critically-acclaimed Marathi film Sairat (2016) will be screening on Sunday, January 8, followed by performances by Dalit activist Bant Singh and his daughter Baljit Kaur. Baljit was gang-raped by upper caste Jats and Bant’s arms and legs were hacked as a punishment for filing a case. Undeterred, Bant continued his struggle and had the culprits imprisoned for life. The duo sings revolutionary songs of protest.
The Kannada-language feature, Chomana Dudi (1975), directed by B.V. Karanth on the injustice and hardships faced by landless, bonded labourers will be shown on Monday, January 9.
The package winds up with Agraharathil Kazhuthai (1977) – John Abraham’s satirical take on Brahminical bigotry – on Tuesday, January 10. The film will be followed by a performance by the 18-member Karinthalakoottam folk troupe from Thrissur, which sings about exploitation.
“These are rare films – some of which are made from life experiences. They are not only moving, but are also huge entertainers as in the case of Sairat. The Biennale – aptly located in Kerala, which is politically active, reflective and a region that fights for causes – is the best platform to showcase these films,” Shedde said.