Arivu narrates ‘Madhuvar’, a documentary on the Annamalai tribe and the Nilgiri Thars.
Stills from ‘Madhuvar’ Photo credit: Special Arrangements
The mist unveils a lush expanse, revealing a snaking stream winding its way through the greenery. As Arivu’s soothing narration begins, we see a breathtaking aerial view of Akkamalai, popularly known as Annamalai’s roof.
“Here, the swaying of the grass, the breath in my chest, the movement of the mist, the warmth of your blood, the roar of the storm echoing against the crown of Akkamalai,” Arivu narrates, his voice a stark contrast to the high-octane. We’re used to hip-hop numbers. Here, it captures the serene beauty and serenity of the mountains.
This is how it is introduced MadhuvarThe third short film part of Pollachi Papyrus’ docuseries on wildlife and the tribal tribes of Anamala, takes us into the heart of the tribal Mudhuvar tribe and their harmonious co-existence with the Nilgiri Tahr.
Through Arivu’s poetic narration, we delve deeper into the inner life of Tamil Nadu’s state animals, Mudhuvar and Nilgiri tahr.
“During my research for the Nilgiri Tahr project, I was exploring the ecological role of the Nilgiri Tahr and the justification (of the state government) for investing Rs 25 crore in its conservation. I discovered that the tahr plays a unique role in the ecosystem, feeding on 125 different species of herbs and grasses that other herbivores avoid. It helps maintain the health of the hill ecosystem and ensures the flow of rivers,” says Praveen Shanmughanandam, one of the founding members of The Pollachi Papyrus and co-director of the film.
“Our association with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, which has launched a conservation project for the Nilgiri tahr, allowed us access to exclusive footage of this endangered species and its habitat. We use this footage to highlight the important role of the Mudhubar community and the Nilgiri tahr in maintaining ecosystem health. integrated into the film,” he added.
The first film in the series, appreciation,Explores the resilience of Loganathan, a local tribal man who lived peacefully in his landscape despite facing a destructive elephant. The film emphasizes the harmonious coexistence between indigenous communities and wildlife, a relationship often overlooked in conservation discourse.
Still from ‘Madhuvar’ Photo credit: Special Arrangements
second movie, MalasarThe focus is on the mahout-elephant bond in the Annamalai Tiger Reserve. It is voiced by actor Nassar MalasarSignificantly increased its reach.
Praveen acknowledges Nassar and Arivu’s invaluable contribution to the documentary. “Their belief in the stories we were telling and their willingness to lend their voices added a significant layer of depth and authenticity to our films,” he says, adding, “Nee verum pagan alla, nasa sir’s suggestion of yanai-yin line. Oru Bagam’ (You just (not a mahout; you are a part of an elephant) Malasar Perfectly captures the essence of the mahout-elephant bond. And Arivu’s personal experience with her grandmother’s migration and her commitment to preserving cultural heritage resonated MadhuvarIts message.”
While Praveen envisions expanding the documentaries to include more films and potentially a feature-length documentary about Annamalai, he insists on a patient and organic approach.
“Our storytelling process is endless. We don’t rush into projects with preconceived notions. Instead, we let the stories unfold naturally and focus on what resonates with us,” he says, “Next, we are considering branching out from Annamalai to explore other regions and tribes like Kani and Kurumba. We are looking for narratives that may not be immediately noticeable but have the potential to be engaging.”
Madhuvar Streaming on Pollachi Papyrus YouTube Channel
has been published – Sep 17, 2024 06:24 pm IST
