The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Documentary making waves

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
ePaper

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Documentary making waves

Muralidhara Khajane

Activists making use of various visual mediums
It is to create awareness on the project’s impact

MYSORE: With Minister for Energy H.D. Revanna asserting that the Government has no option but to go ahead with its decision to set up the 1,000-mw coal-fired thermal power plant at Chamalapura to meet the increasing demand for power in the State, the movement opposing the decision is being intensified in the urban and rural parts of Mysore.

Chamalapura Ushna Vidyut Sthavara Virodhi Horata Samanvaya Samithi is making use of various visual mediums to educate farmers and people on the impact of the project. While environmental organisations such as the Mysore Amateur Naturalists is engaged in giving power point presentations on how the project would affect flora and fauna in the area, besides the life of poor farmers, students of Chamarajendra Academy of Visual Arts (CAVA) are engaged in preparing publicity material for the agitation.

A CAVA student has made use of an old building in Kukkarahalli village to project the impact of the project. “Nirantara”, a cultural organisation, has produced “Baduki-Badukalu Bidi”, a mini-documentary, and is screening it in schools and colleges.

Farmers themselves have arranged the screening of “Matad Matadu Mallige” which dwells on the plight of flower-growing farmers and how they succeed in their fight. “Power V/S People: Struggle of Chamalapura farmers”, a documentary produced by Chandrashekar Ramenahalli, is making waves in Chamalapura and surrounding villages. As part of the campaign to create awareness among farmers, Chandrashekar Ramenahalli, who has worked with Medha Patkar in the Narmada Bachao Andolan, has produced the film with support from the Chamalapura Anti-Thermal Plant Struggle Committee.

Chandrashekar Ramenahalli, a student of sociology, produced the documentary in 15 days. The 35-minute documentary, which records the opinions of farmers and energy experts, also throws light on the lush green fields in the 12 villages where farmers harvest up to three crops a year.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka