A Mishimi lady in traditional attire

The colourful elements of the day-to-day life of the people of the Northeast present an astounding showcase for filmmakers. Many such rich and colourful elements of their cultural heritage have been captured on celluloid. A few of these cinematic creations have earned rave reviews both nationally and internationally.

The Guwahati Artist Guild, a forum of young, talented painters, recently began a similar venture: to film the cultural heritage of the Digaru Mishimi community, which inhabits the Tezu area of Arunachal Pradesh.

The project has the blessings of the Union human resource development ministry, which has arranged for a major portion of the funds. The responsibility of directing the 16mm film has been given to painter-turned-filmmaker Abhijit Das.

A product of the JJ School of Art, Mumbai, Abhijit also has a post-graduate diploma in filmmaking from the Film and Television Institute, Pune. He has already shot a portion of the film, titled Nodir Rong Aru Paharor Phulbor (Colour of the river and flowers of the hills), in the picturesque locales of Arunachal Pradesh.

“The final phase of shooting will be during autumn, as the subject of the film demands a change of season,” Abhijit said.

On his approach to the film, the budding director said he was focusing on the Digaru Mishimi tribe’s way of life. “We want to depict how the Digaru Mishimis, living in a remote corner of the country, have developed a fine sense of artistry by borrowing from the elements of nature.”

Citing an example, he said: “The eyes of a fish often figure in their handlooms and bamboo works of art. They have derived that image from nature but, at the same time, their interpretation is original.”

Rong Sarmah