Programs
Film Screenings - Culinary Narratives from the Heartland: The Voice and Vision of SPS Community Media
Discover rural India's culinary tapestry through the lens of SPS Community Media at the Serendipity Arts Festival (SAF). This Neemkheda-based initiative has documented authentic stories, emphasizing sustainable farming practices and culinary tales. At SAF, they present a curated selection of short films, offering insight into topics like sustainable farming, edible wild foods, and rural life. These films, with an average duration of around 3 minutes, have been chosen for their potential to reshape perceptions and present an authentic portrayal of rural life. To ensure a comprehensive experience for a diverse audience, all films will come with English subtitles.
Based in Neemkheda, SPS Community Media has emerged as a leading voice in documenting the intricate tapestry of rural India. Their work, emphasizing non-chemical-based farming and capturing culinary tales through films and zines, has left an indelible mark across 600 villages in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, touching the lives of approximately 40,000 women.
Curated by Thomas Zacharias and the Locavore Team
Films by Samaj Pragati Sahayog
Venue: ESG Auditorium
Schedule:
Date: 18 December 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Mhari Topli Ma: Kumudini (White Water Lily Kernel in My Basket) - One has to dive in the water if one wants pearls and the fearless Savitri Bai from Pandu Talao dives in for the same effortlessly. This film set in a haunted pond will take you on a water ride in search of these edible nutritious pearls.
लू से काकी बीमार,करे काका देशी उपचार (Cool Drink to Beat the Loo) - This film stars the fruit Billa (Wood Apple) and its juice that helps beat the heat.
Mhari Topli Ma: Basta (Bamboo-Shoot in My Basket) - As the monsoon rain recedes, Kala Bai and her friends row across the Narmada to pick tender bamboo shoots, a delicacy. This film tells their story.
Date: 19 December 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Mhari Topli Ma: Ambadi (Roselle in My Basket ) - Hari bai from Potla, a remote tribal village in the Narmada Valley loves ambadi (Roselle), a seasonal tangy vegetable. This film tells her story.
जमीन माँ का फूल (Flower of Mother Earth) - Natthu kaka waits for the rains each year, hoping to find the wild mushrooms (jameen maa ka phool) which spring out when the rains hit the ground. But with receding forests and erratic rains, it is getting difficult to find them. This film is a story of his relationship with the forests and the times he has spent in their lap.
Date: 20 December
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Mhari Topli Ma: Ber (Jujube in My Basket) - As the winter sets in and the Ber (Jujube) fruiting starts, young and old alike keep keen eyes on the trees in the village. Khitli Bai guards her trees in her homestead as she needs to save them well for her friends and relatives who wait for her generous gifts of fresh and dry jujube every season.
Mhari Topli Ma: Phang (Midnapore Creeper in My Basket) - Phang (Midnapore Creeper) grows wild during monsoon. A favourite with the older generation and preferred over fish & meat, this film observes that the younger generations are losing the taste and knowledge of cooking it, posing the threat of its disappearance.
Date: 21 December 2023
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Mhari Topli Ma: Chauli (Green Amaranth in My Basket) - In the process of getting rid of weeds, we end up losing some traditional wild edible herbs full of nutrition which grow effortlessly. This film highlights the need to save them.
Mhari Topli Ma: Baans Bhamori (Oyster Mushroom in My Basket) - This film shows the passion with which the older generation of a village in the Narmada valley go looking for the oyster mushrooms in the forest of Jayanti Mata in central India.
Girwala Ke Anokhe Rang Kaka aur Kaki Ke Sang (The Golden Shower Delight) - In this film, Shankar Kaka of Mansinghpura demonstrates his experience in gathering Amaltas flowers and making a delicious curry out of them.
