While in India, we took some more footage of rivers (sadly could not carry water for several reasons, but maybe next time).
Here we are crossing the Damodar River, from Bankura disctrict to Barddhaman district both in west Bengal. My ancestral village is in Bankura, a poor, agricultural district in Bengal. My grandfath (as far as I know) migrated from the village Onda in Bankura district to the city Asansol in Barddhaman district, which has been a center for coal mining and steel production, as well as a railway junction since colonial times. The history of being a center of collieries and steel factories still dominate the character of Asansol and surroundings, where my family still lives.
The Damodar used to be called "river of sorrow" because of many destructive floods. The river is heavily polluted. See this newspaper articles (http://www.hindustantimes.com/ranchi/garbage-industrial-waste-turns-damodar-to-stagnant-mass-of-slush/story-mWHs3ZgDvhPf8ahuhtLktO.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-flood-hit-bengal-elderly-woman-rescued-after-keeping-self-afloat-entire-night/story-QD9ewHaNzaB2krmaNL31PN.html).
A few years ago, Cynthia, my family and I went on a boat ride at Maithon dam- which is the Damodar.
password: damodar
Camera: varsha
Here we are crossing the Damodar River, from Bankura disctrict to Barddhaman district both in west Bengal. My ancestral village is in Bankura, a poor, agricultural district in Bengal. My grandfath (as far as I know) migrated from the village Onda in Bankura district to the city Asansol in Barddhaman district, which has been a center for coal mining and steel production, as well as a railway junction since colonial times. The history of being a center of collieries and steel factories still dominate the character of Asansol and surroundings, where my family still lives.
The Damodar used to be called "river of sorrow" because of many destructive floods. The river is heavily polluted. See this newspaper articles (http://www.hindustantimes.com/ranchi/garbage-industrial-waste-turns-damodar-to-stagnant-mass-of-slush/story-mWHs3ZgDvhPf8ahuhtLktO.html
http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-flood-hit-bengal-elderly-woman-rescued-after-keeping-self-afloat-entire-night/story-QD9ewHaNzaB2krmaNL31PN.html).
A few years ago, Cynthia, my family and I went on a boat ride at Maithon dam- which is the Damodar.
password: damodar
Camera: varsha
I'm so interested in the conjunction of familial connection, environmental pollution, and the floods that make this a "river of sorrow." Watching the video, I'm struck by the brownness of it all, brown muddy water, brown metal structures, brownish air, brown cars. The moving camera, a little bit unsteady, gives me a sense of being on a journey, and makes me feel a little disoriented/ill towards the end. I'm curious to know more about the song and why it goes in and out -- it creates a sense of place, and of a child's voice, and a sense of memory that is not quite disrupted but dissipates. Did you pan the music on purpose (towards the end the sound only comes out of the right speaker)?
ReplyDeleteI think this video might be interesting if combined with other imagery as a multichannel video installation, or used as a backdrop for live performance.
The idea of "river of sorrow" is very compelling. It has the feel of an independent Indian movie when the music is on. When the music is off, I feel like I am floating with no context. I wonder why I don't at least get the real car and environment sounds. I am most drawn to the images of the river looking through the bridge walls directly to the side, though I also enjoy starting looking forward, then side and then back. it felt like the car slowed down when looking back (I think it's just an optical illusion, though?) which gives it the feel of ending.
ReplyDeleteI'd be curious about the water part projected on the body. I am thinking of how our bodies are made up largely of water and the idea of polluted water in our bodies and not just outside, the sorrow in our bodies, the stories in our families... the work people do to sustain ourselves but that ends up polluting our water sources and destroying our bodies...