The Auroville Film Institute (AVFI), in collaboration with the University of Ladakh, has unveiled the Ladakh Audiovisual Media Archive (LAMA) project. This effort aims to become a vibrant repository of Ladakh’s historical and cultural audio-visual records. Born out of an experiential filmmaking curriculum, LAMA’s inauguration coincided with the concluding event of the Open Space Documentary Arts (OSDA) programme. This initiative evolved from a 2023 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between AVFI, a unit of the Auroville Foundation, and the University of Ladakh.
Participants of the programme hail from diverse backgrounds and include 31 aspiring filmmakers from eight different countries, ranging from ages 17 to 69. The curriculum, hosted in both Auroville and Ladakh, focuses on cinematic arts with an emphasis on documentary practices, narrative experimentation, editing, and public screenings.
The programme’s recent iteration produced 17 films in Ladakh and four in Auroville. Notably, some productions have already been recognized at major film festivals such as the Mumbai International Film Festival and the Chennai International Film Festival. The initiative is praised for fostering intensive hands-on training and tackling bold subjects like the Israel-Palestine conflict and unrest in Bangladesh.
Richa Hushing, an AVFI Director, expressed pride in the films that plea for global peace and unity. S.K. Mehta, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ladakh, highlighted the academic value of these films in documenting significant regional subjects. The archive promises to be an invaluable resource for research and creative interpretation.
The 17 Ladakh-based films offer a window into the region’s rich socio-cultural, ecological, and historical landscapes. The valedictory event saw prominent figures in attendance, including Chamgon Kenting 12th Tai Situpa Rinpoche and Stanzin Chospel from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. Ladakhi filmmaker Stanzin Dorjai was honored, alongside other dignitaries such as Padma Shri awardee Morup Namgyal.
Through LAMA, the AVFI aims to capture and preserve the dynamic essence of Ladakh for future generations, ensuring its historical and cultural narratives are accessible to scholars and the public alike.
Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/puducherry/auroville-short-films-to-become-a-repository-of-ladakhi-life-and-culture/article68601266.ece
Category : Puducherry
Tags:
