Konachi Wadi?, Sarkhej and Ojharti Valu screening, CEPT Ahmedabad

Over a cup of tea and bread-omelet, Siddharth, an architect and alumni of CEPT University, Ahmedabad suggested the screening of my films Sarkhej and Konachi Wadi? at the CEPT, SA film-club screenings.

Bingo, it hit me; this made so much sense! Sarkhej is a poetic exploration of the people-space interaction in a group of protected historical monuments while Konachi Wadi? explores the 'idea' of a wadi. What makes a wadi a unique ecosystem? Is it buildings, is it the people? Both films have a sense of our ever-changing and fast-disappearing intangible heritage.

To this I suggested we add 'Ojharti Valu'; a film in which I had the pleasure to work as a camera person. A film that deals with Alibag and its people and is a sensitive portrayal of a community in rapid transition.

Perfect films to screen at a place that produces some of the best architects, space planners, in the country.

Screening details:
Tuesday, 3rd April 2012
CEPT Auditorium, Ahmedabad.

Link to the Facebook events page:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/events/210850252354431/
Thanks Niharika for the poster and handling the logistics!

The screening was an enriching experience! The audience at CEPT was emotive, alert and responsive. I only wished that the discussion would have prolonged a little more. (Truly selfish intent here) I would have benefited by their insights and feedback.

Here is a peek at the Q&A session:

Answering some question, posing some others

Sneak-peek of Konachi Wadi...

The wait is over...

Finally, a small preview of Konachi Wadi for the eager audiences who have been wanting to see the film...

Konachi Wadi Screens at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival this Monday, 6th February 2012.

The film wil be followed by a Q&A with the director.

Konachi wadi? (whose wadi?)

Poster for my film

Accidental wrong turns on the streets of Mumbai often lead to surprises. A few very specific turns in Girgaon, the old heart of Mumbai elicit a gasp from even the toughest critics of the city. For, just beyond these turns lies Khotachiwadi; a quaint urban village. A cacophony of curving-winding lanes, colourful Burma-teak houses with verandas, chawls and Art-deco buildings all inhabited by generation upon generation of the same family. This Mumbai-unique village is one of many. These villages are a testimony to the layers of history that this city is steeped in. Each of its unique features a remnant from every era lived through. If only these spaces could speak. 

Konachi wadi? is a film that tries to give a voice to Khotachiwadi. It explores the definitions of what can be defined as a wadi. Is a wadi just a tumble of gallies and buildings or does it have something more to it? The call of a fisherwoman, the couple that fell in love across balconies, the chapel with its neon cross and the house next to it where someone strums a guitar while the beer warms with droplets of condensation and dusk becomes night.

This 35-minute documentary film and supporting research was my Diploma project. This project was funded by the NID-Ford Foundation Scholarship and was completed in September 2010.

Watch this space for more on Khotachiwadi!