Manipal: Vinod Raja is a Kerala born documentary filmmaker brought up in Bangalore. His 82-minute documentary,’ Mahua Memoirs’ (2007) received the Silver Conch at the 10th International Mumbai Film Festival held this February and was screened at the MGM college by the Udupi Chitra Samaj on April 7th.
‘Mahua Memoirs’ is a scathing take on the flipside of globalization and its effects on the Adivasi communities of the Eastern Ghats. The documentary primarily deals with the mining industry flourishing in the region at the cost of tribal communities who are inadequately compensated for the land that is forcibly taken from them. The screening was followed by a talk with Vinod Raja.
Excerpts from the conversation:
Q: When did you enter documentary filmmaking?
A: I belong to the 1984 – ’85 batch of the Pune Film Institute. I entered documentary filmmaking in 1996 until which I handled the camera.
Q: Mahua Memoirs is a much celebrated film. What drove you to shoot such a documentary?
A: I was called upon by certain Gandhian activists, who saw my earlier work, to make a film on the conditions of the Adivasis in states like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. It was only when I went to these states that I saw their plight and was compelled to tell out their story. Eight per cent of the Indian population is composed of the Adivasis. The states of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand were created to protect the interests of these minorities who comprise 38 per cent of these states and it is in these very states, that we find them being trampled upon by foreign companies who are given impetus by the government.
Q: How long did the research for the film take?
A: There was no research in the strictest sense of the term. I realised most of the things that are shot as I stayed there with various tribal people over a period of three years. These are people who live within the rhythm of earth and thus develop enduring practices that cause no harm to our planet. Their sources of living are being sold as resources to mining companies like London-based Vedanta Alumina Pvt. Ltd., De’Beers, Rio Pinto, Jindal Steel and Sterlite for bauxite mining in the region.
Q: Where does the government come into the picture?
A: The government has been granting licenses liberally to attract foreign investment. The companies that come in are 100 per cent export-oriented and contribute nothing but pollution to our economy. According to an estimate investment, return ratio stands at a staggering 1: 113. This means for Rs 4,000 crores invested in the mining sector, the companies get a handsome return of Rs 4,52,000 crores. Government enthusiasm to set up SEZs further worsens the situation. SEZs are states within states that help bypass laws and companies often get away without paying taxes.
Q: In such a situation, what happens to the law?
A: The law has been transcended. As one of the affected tribals said, “The corporator’s office has become the mining company’s office. Our pleas fall on deaf ears.” In some states, I had to take the footage and run. I wasn’t allowed to film by the police at some meetings and was often held at the police station for questioning. The security roughed us up and broke our camera at one of the shoots.
The license granted to Vedanta stands cancelled following a report by the Centre appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) which says that mining in the region is not feasible. However, Vedanta has gone ahead to build at plant at the disputed venue in one of the states. Peaceful gatherings are shot at. Popular leaders are killed by company vehicles and the incident is registered as an accident. The companies have hired henchmen and there have been deaths.
Q: What about the political and democratic machinery in the state?
A: The political and democratic systems have failed to safeguard the locals’ interests. We are a media democracy and the media decides the issues of the day. The democracy doesn’t seep to the grassroots and the meek voices never reach the upper echelons of power. A semblance of democracy is given to a certain class of people who are made to believe that they can fight and have their rights.
Q: How has the film been received nationally?
A: I am quite amazed at the aftermath! First, the multi national companies (MNCs) aided by the government authorities, hinder my shoots and then I get awards! In Andhra Pradesh, the film is being used as cannon fodder by the Left for their campaign against bauxite mining.
Q: What are your imminent concerns?
A: Firstly, the myopic vision of the middle class who are fed salaries so fat that they hardly get time out from earning and then consuming. Secondly, simmering discontents should be contained. Police set ablaze their own jeeps; then blame the Adivasis and open fire. When non-violence is met with guns – where do we head? Naxalism has its roots here. Thirdly, the further relaxing of the mining policy at the Centre is the reason. That will ruin many more lives for the greed of a few.
Q: What is your message to our readers?
A: I only hope that the middle class participates in this cause and that all of us live within our means. At the present rate, our mineral resources will run dry in another 20 – 25 years. There is enough to sustain provided we do not indulge in excesses.
Sub-edited by Karishma Desai |
