Skip to main content

Water, water, not a drop to drink - 'Voices from the Waters' film festival

— by Parmita Borah | Bangalore
Children participating at the Voices from the Waters, Bangalore
Taps have dried up, lakes and reservoirs are emptying every single day. To many, a glass of clean drinking water is a luxury. To many, non-toxic water is nectar for their dying crops. And to many, it’s a just a loch ness monster.

The alarming rate at which our world is losing safe water is no news to anyone. We all know about it. Someone of us don’t bother, some of us makes jokes about it, and some of us try to use water economically.

Honestly, I was not so keen on going to a documentary film festival about water wastage and scarcity. Why should I listen to a bunch of pretentious activists who would in all possibility only make me feel guilty of everything I do, including breathing? I already know about water scarcity and have been doing my bit to avoid it. ‘Voices from the Waters’ had me questioning myself – is that enough?

Inauguration of  Voices From The Waters film festival
(photo: Jim Ankan Deka)
In its 9th edition, ‘Voices from the Waters’ an outreach initiative of Bangalore Film Society, and Deep Focus Cinema along with Bird Habitat Observers addressed that very thought. Aimed at highlighting issues like potable water for household needs, agriculture, and industry, this international travel film festival presented a repertoire of 95 films from 38 countries that deal with very pertinent water related snags. Apart from films, the other avenues of engagement at the festival included painting and photo exhibition, art installations, water songs, lectures, roundtables, eco-conscious product bazaar, and interaction with film directors, water activists and water scholars.

So on September 11th, I along with two of my fellow bloggers from music malt reached National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), Bangalore, after a last minute decision and an hour long battle with traffic. We made it in time for the inauguration, and believe you me, it was far from disappointing. A line up of very forceful addresses flanked by music and dance delighted a packed auditorium while simultaneously stimulating their thoughts. I was enthralled by a mime act by a group of young students from TVS School, Tumkur where they depicted the kind of abuses Mother Nature has endured from mankind, and the ramifications of those actions.

The international traveling film festival on water was inaugurated by the acclaimed and multi award winning film director and actor T.S. Nagabharana along with other film directors and dignitaries from around the world.

Chief guests being felicitated at Voices From The Waters
film fest (photo: Jim Ankan Deka)
I was also perplexed when one of the speakers said, “We talk about conserving water, yet despite living in a country full of sunshine, we have gathered inside an auditorium with many lights which requires electricity, which again is produced from water.”

“It is a necessary evil”, I tell myself. “What is purpose of the film festival after all?” I wonder.

The answer was simple, but very very compelling – to motivate people like me to learn, discuss, and most importantly pass on as much information as we can about the dire consequence of water wastage. In a simple and straightforward manner ‘Voices from the Waters’ taught me, and hopefully many more the greater roles that we can play in paving way for a sustainable posterity.

Click Here for the inauguration photos.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 music fests in North East India you don't want to miss

— compiled by Debjani Hazarika Northeast India is known as the land of festivals and culture. From the beginning, people of this part of the world have been indulging in merriment and diversion. Hence, the music, dance and other forms of art are the integral parts of everyday life. Apart from traditional festivals, since the commencement of television and social media, many young enthusiasts came up with the idea of organising different music events and festivals where local and acclaimed musicians can showcase their talents. Some of the festivals are funded by the state governments while the rest organised with the help of private sponsorship. Here is a list of some of the music and cultural fests we thought you would love to attend if you are into music and adventure. Hornbill Festival (Nagaland) Hornbill Festival 2012, Nagaland (photo: Sudeepta Barua) WHAT? Hornbill Festival WHEN? December WHERE? Naga Heritage Village, Kohima, Nagaland The Hornbill Festival is a celebra

16 Rock Bands from North-East India you don't want to miss

North-East India is very rich in music, dance, tradition and culture. All the eight states of North-East India have something to offer for rock music lovers. Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is also known as 'Rock Capital of India'. Some of the festivals promoting rock music of the region like Hornbill Festival of Nagaland and Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal Pradesh are quite famous among music lovers. The region gave birth to many well known and respected Rock bands since the 60's. We have compiled a list of 16 (sixteen) comparatively new bands we love listening to all the time. Of course, there are various other bands apart from these sixteen bands who have made their mark on the Rock music scenario of India. We will post about those bands in our next segment. The Vinyl Records (Arunachal Pradesh) | photo: Facebook The Vinyl Records (Arunachal Pradesh) - Formed in February 2010, The Vinyl Records is an All-girl Rock band. They have performed in well

Gaurav Choudhury | Assam | ChaiTunes Artist

Gaurav Choudhury | ChaiTunes Gaurav Choudhury is a guitarist and a versatile singer. He has been playing the guitar for many years and composed songs in English and Assamese. He joined the team at ChaiTunes Project in 2017 and has worked for different collaborative projects like Anuron and Niyoror Xur with musicians from around the globe. Gaurav is an Engineer by profession. Gaurav's ChaiTunes Videos Anuron (live & unplugged) is recorded & shot live at the Eastern Fare Studios in Guwahati. It is the first of ChaiTunes Series' unplugged numbers & fourth of ChaiTunes series of music videos. The song is written and composed by Jim Ankan Deka and features Rupam Bhuyan, Veda V Sarma, Prabal Gogoi, Gaurav Choudhury & Jenie. Marvin Gaye (live & unplugged) is recorded & shot live at the Music Malt Studios in Guwahati. It is the first of ChaiTunes Series' unplugged cover numbers. The song features Catherine Khiangte, Jim Ankan Deka, Veda V Sarma, Prab