with Kamal Swaroop | From 11th January to 13th February 2025
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW:
Context: (What is Maha Kumbh) The Maha Kumbh Mela, is a religious congregation and the world’s largest peaceful gathering, attended by millions. At the heart of this epic festival lies a symbol steeped in cosmic significance — the “Kumbh” or sacred pot that emerged during the churning of the cosmic ocean, containing the divine nectar “Amrita.” (Samudra Manthan). God Vishnu was carrying a Kumbh (pot) of Amrit (nectar), when a scuffle broke out between the ‘opposing forces’ and four drops were spilled. They fell on earth at the four Tirthas (sites of salvation) Prayag, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. As mentioned in the scriptures, “Makhre cha divānāthe vrisharāshigate gurau, Prayāge kumbhāyogo vai māghamāse vidhukṣaye”, the Mahakumbh is conducted in Prayagraj only when Jupiter is in Taurus and the Sun is in Capricorn. This alignment occurs once every 12 years, like this year in Jan-Feb 2025.
Metaphorically, the Maha Kumbh represents the human form, and the nectar within symbolizes the spiritual essence intrinsic to every individual. The pilgrimage to the Maha Kumbh Mela is therefore more than a physical journey; it is a symbolic exploration of the self, and a quest of ‘the essential’.
Not only a religious congregation, but also a vibrant cultural extravaganza, the festival becomes the mammoth city of tents with pilgrims performing holy dips and other rituals mixed with community commerce, fairs and festivities, and arenas of education and entertainment. The Maha Kumbh is on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Reference:
https://kumbh.gov.in/en/mahakumbhmeaning
https://prayagraj.nic.in/tourist-place/sangam/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Prayag_Kumbh_Mela
https://www.sahapedia.org/kumbh-mela-origins-and-lore
https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/kumbh-mela-01258
Methodology (What is the Workshop about / How will we approach filmmaking at Maha Kumbh):
With reference of primarily two books, ‘Ka’ by Roberto Calasso and ‘Crowd and Power’ by Elias Canetti, Kamal Swaroop will explore the myth of ‘Samudra Manthan’ that is the churning of the ocean, and try to locate, creatively interpret and cinematically articulate the signs, symbols and stories in the Maha Kumbh arenas.
With reference to Roberto Calasso’s Ka, concepts like the cosmic duality, i.e order vs chaos, good vs evil, gods vs demons, creation vs destruction etc; or the paradoxical cooperation between the opposing forces; the axis mundi or the cosmic axis between the two worlds; the tools of transformation; the emergence of treasures, like the mining of wealth; the toxic byproducts and its nullification; and the perpetuity of the myth recurring in day to day life, in everyday acts of creation and dissolution – will be cinematically explored. How ? By following the myth through its specific symbols and signifiers, identifying and interpreting them in the present actualities at Maha Kumbh.
Similarly with reference to Elias Canetti’s Crowd and Power, the dynamics behind human behavior in crowds, from ancient rituals to modern politics will be explored. The world’s largest congregation of pilgrims will become the site to observe power dynamics and shape-shifting within the crowds, how individuals influence and get influenced, and transform into a mass organism; what are the hidden psychic impulses that drive human interactions and shape societies.
These concepts and themes will be explored through the present day manifestations of the signs and symbols such as Amrita (Elixir of Immortality); Lakshmi (Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity); Kaustubha (Divine Jewel); Halahala (Deadly Poison); Kamadhenu (Divine Cow); Airavata (Celestial Elephant); Kalpavriksha (Wish-fulfilling Tree); Parijata (Divine Coral Tree); Shankha (Sacred Conch); Dhanvantari (Physician of the Gods); Rambha (Divine Dancer); Chandra (Moon); Surya (Sun); Sharanga (Vishnu’s Bow); Varuni (Goddess of Wine) etc.
The most exciting factor of this workshop is to make films crafted out of the ‘the creative interpretations of actualities’ that are embodying the Maha Kumbh myth in terms of its signs, symbols and stories.
Reading and the understanding the texts; mapping the spread of the site; familiarizing with the state functionaries, enquiring into the religious and national identities, exploring various activities and arenas; finding story-tellers and listening to myths and legends; identifying signs and symbols; observing the present dynamic around them; following the flow and movement of subjects i.e ‘following the flux’ and developing narrative strands; planning and filming sequences – will be the part of the intensive workshop.
Through this process, participants will be facilitated to make their own films in Maha Kumbh under the mentorship of Kamal Swaroop. Additionally, they will be asked to share their daily footage with Auroville Film Institute, for a larger collaborative film.
The workshop will conclude with the public screening of a series of sequences made by the participants. Further edits and finalization of films will be mentored online over 3 to 5 feedback sessions for each film.
WHO IS THE WORKSHOP FOR?
The workshop is primarily for practicing filmmakers who can participate independently or with a team of 2 or 3 people with their own equipment. This is an independent filmmakers’ workshop. However, Cinematographers, Audiographers, Editors, Photographers, Visual Artists, Sociologists, Anthropologists, Historians, Story Tellers, and other explorers, and cultural works are also welcome to join – with clear interests and prefigured modes of engagement.
SELECTION:
Selection will be based on a statement of purpose in the application form and overall work profile and orientation of the applicant. Shortlisted applicants will be notified within 4 days of receiving the application.
EQUIPMENT:
Participants are expected to carry their own equipment that they are used to operating, and can comfortably carry on their own in huge crowds. Iphones and lighter cameras facilitating greater agility are recommended. Additionally it is expected that the participants carry sound recorders, and editing laptops – as daily footage will have to be binned, and sequences will have to be edited for final screening.
LOGISTICS:
Please note, this is the largest congregation in the world. The entire site becomes a mammoth tent city. Thus Auroville Film Institute will have a set of tents for the workshop.
Accommodation Facility:
In tent; 8 to 12 people in one big tent.
Provisions: (i) Folding bed, mattress, pillow, bedsheet and blanket. (ii) Tables and Chairs. (iii) Private toilets and washrooms (with hot water) – outside, next to the tent – only for Auroville Film Institute participants. (Not shared with the general public)
(iv) Lockers for equipment (v) Security Guard (vi) Cleaning staff.
Meals Facility:
Cooking Staff will be there with the tent throughout. Breakfast and Dinners will be available daily. Participants are expected to have their lunch on their own, on the move.
Mobility Facility:
2 Boleros and 2 scooters will be available for planned and coordinated mobility within the Kumbh area for the participants. Also boats will be made available on select days to film from the river.
Please note logistics are arranged keeping in mind basic comfort and cleanliness, safety and security.
FEES
for 33 days workshop:
including aforementioned logistics
i.e including tent accommodation and meals:
INR 88000 : For Indian Participants.
USD 2000 : For International Participants.
LAST DATE OF APPLICATION :
25th December 2024
MENTOR PROFILE:
MAIN FACULTY – KAMAL SWAROOP
Kamal Swaroop, a luminary in Indian cinema, is a two-time recipient of the President’s award and the Filmfare Award for his outstanding contributions as a film, television, and radio director, and screenwriter. Graduating in 1974 from the esteemed Film and Television Institute of India, Swaroop’s early student works garnered remarkable international acclaim, foreshadowing a career that has spanned over four decades. Collaborating with Sir Richard Attenborough on “Gandhi” in 1982 marked a pivotal moment, but it was Swaroop’s groundbreaking masterpiece, “Om-Dar-B-Dar” in 1988, that etched his name in cinematic history. With a career encompassing 42 years, Swaroop’s directorial prowess traverses diverse genres, showcasing a commitment to innovation and storytelling excellence. From the political canvas of “The Battle of Banaras” (2014) to the introspective “Pushkar Puran” (2017), and an intense exploration of renowned artist Atul Dodiya in “Atul” (2017), Swaroop’s filmography reflects a tireless dedication to capturing the varied tapestry of human expression within the cinematic art form.
ASSOCIATE MENTOR:
ABHAY TIWARI
WORKSHOP ANCHORS:
RICHA HUSHING & RRIVU LAHA
Richa Hushing: Alumna of Film and Television Institute of India (TV Direction 2005), Richa Hushing began her work with Majlis, an interdisciplinary, multi-formats art initiative in Bombay, where she joined ‘Godaam’, a storehouse of documentary film footage. She was an assistant to the expansion of ‘Godaam’ into a greater entity: pad.ma – Public Access Digital Media Archive, an online repository of densely text-annotated video material, primarily footage. It was her tryst with this ‘time’ that did not find space in film, but was still no less telling, that crafted her subsequent practice as an audiovisual archivist, an editor and a documentary filmmaker. Between 2006-08 Richa helmed the ‘The Dharavi Documentation Project’ filming character portraits and communities during one of the most volatile phases of redevelopment. Her portrait film ‘Director Painter Shri Baburao Laad Saheb’ running 5 star acting school in Dharavi got showcased in Retrospective of Indian Documentaries – Iran International Documentary Film Festival, 2013 – among others. In 2014 she won the Maharashtra State Award for her film ‘Devrai -the Sacred Groves’. ‘Nicobar, a long way…’ (2017), observing aboriginal islanders’ identity and resilience in wake of Tsunami received accolades in international anthropological and environmental film festivals: Ethnografilm Festival, Paris; Royal Anthropological Film Festival, Bristol; World Film Festival, Estonia; Viscult – The festival of Visual Culture, Finland; Film South Asia, Nepal; Smaragdni Eco Film Festival, Croatia; Pêcheurs du monde, France; and a special mention award at the Millennium Film Festival, Brussels. After a decade-long practice based in Mumbai, she and her partner Rrivu Laha moved to Auroville, an international township (2017) and founded the Auroville Film Institute (2019). Richa works as Creative Director and Curriculum Designer, curating and conducting cinema-centric learning journeys in an experimental modality. Currently she is also making a biographical film on Padma Shri Awarded archaeologist, K K Muhammed – for NFDC.
Rrivu Laha: graduated from St. Xavier’s College Calcutta in Mass Communication and Video Production (2003); he did PG diploma in Motion Picture Cinematography from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune (2007). His documentary filmography began with student film ‘Aamchi Kasauti’ (2006) winning Best Documentary at IBDA Dubai and at Jeevika Film Festival of Livelihoods; selected in Mumbai International Film Festival and Tehran International Film Festival (2006). ‘Vasudev, the singing minstrels of Maharashtra (2007) won Special Jury Mention at Youth New Wave, Sri Lanka; ‘Dhananjay Kulkarni ‘Chandragupt (2009) won a ‘Special Jury Mention’ at Jeevika International Film Festival Film Festival (2011) and showcased in the Retrospective of Indian Documentaries – Iran International Documentary Film Festival (2013). As a Cinematographer, his work began with ‘Thread’ that showcased in 64th Locarno International Film Festival and Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival among others. He has worked as DoP for short films, ads and documentaries. As a film and media practitioner, critical media pedagogy has been Rrivu’s chief preoccupations. He has actively sought to contextualize and contemporise his cinematographic practice in a rapidly evolving media environment. His interest in media for education brought to his repertoire, his role as a Creative Producer of educational projects: ‘1000 science activity videos for IL&FS Education Technology’ (2011-13) ‘Audiovisual Training Modules’ for various silvicultural and forestry practices (2013-16); other technology interventions, public service spots and process documentation projects. Post his stint in the Nicobar Group of Islands as associate director and cinematographer for a documentary ‘Nicobar, a long way…’(2017), Rrivu moved to Auroville with his partner, Richa Hushing. He envisioned and co-executed ‘Auroville Timelines’ an in-situ video art project, born out of research of Auroville’s archival footage (2017-19). In 2019 Rrivu co-founded Auroville Film Institute to experiment with a new pedagogy, encouraging new practices in cinematic arts. He has directed Hands On Documentary Film Workshops in Ladakh, Rann of Kutch and in Auroville along with his collaborator, Richa Hushing.
FOR ANY FURTHER QUERIES PLEASE WHATSAPP +91 9969879319.
LAST DATE OF APPLICATION :
25th December 2024
Auroville Film Institute 