Our Film

Dakxin Chhara

2023 / 49 minutes
India / India
Hindi with English Subtitles

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, a collective of indigenous artists associated with the Budhan Theatre and from India’s De-notified Tribes, once labeled as “criminal,” embarked on a project to create video podcasts that document the pandemic’s impact on marginalized communities. This initiative aimed to preserve memory against the tide of collective amnesia and to bring indigenous voices into the digital space, which has become crucial in our post-pandemic world. This film tells the story of these creators, who persevered in their work despite the profound loss of family members along the way. Through a blend of storytelling, music, poetry, performance, and narration, the film brings to light issues and debates often overlooked by mainstream media. It intertwines the personal and artistic journeys of the protagonists, using behind-the-scenes interviews and podcast footage as a narrative thread to create a powerful and coherent portrait of resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.