Documentary films in India have acquired a significant position in the entertainment industry. These are mainly non fictional motion picture which documents real incidents for the purpose of historical record or creating awareness about some social issues.Documentaries feature different styles of narrative, cinematography and other techniques. These are also categorized according to their nature such as animated documentary, ethnographic film, dance film, nature documentary, political cinema, travel documentary and many more. Although documentary films in India are pivotal in projecting diverse aspects of reality, their funding and distribution still remains challenging. However over time, documentary Films in India have attained better prospects and have carved a distinct niche in the international film arena by bagging prestigious awards in international film festivals. They have also achieved limited release in domestic theatres.
Children of the Pyre
Rajesh S. Jala's documentary film Children of the Pyre depicts the tales of seven children who work as shroud sellers at Mani karnika, India's largest crematorium. The film constitutes 100 hours of footage shot at the crematorium and surrounding sites with candid interviews with children who narrate their life as they gather shrouds from the dead bodies which are brought to the crematorium and resell them to local merchants at nominal amounts. The film won a number of awards including Silver Lotus Award at the 56th National Film Awards, Best Documentary Award at Montreal World Film Festival, 2008 and many others.
A Little Dream
A Little Dream captures the journey of former President Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam from Rameswaram to Rashtrapati Bhavan. The 60 minute documentary was scripted-directed by P. Dhanapal and the depiction reveals story in a story. The film focuses on the subject of significance of education and has been termed as a spark inducer for the younger generation.
Naga Story: The Other Side of SilenceNaga Story: The Other Side of Silence is the creation of the Indian filmmaker Gopal Menon. The film documents the human rights abuses which the Naga people have suffered since years in the independent India. Continuing even in the present times, the Naga political struggle is the oldest nationality movements in South Asia. The movie won the Spirit of the Himalayas First Prize at Netherlands Himalayas Film Festival, Amsterdam, 2004.
One Crazy Ride
One Crazy Ride is a documentary film of India made in 2009, which is based on a 2002 route-charting expedition in India. The film, under the direction of Gaurav Jani, depicts the journey of five enthusiastic bikers across the Himalayas through a virgin route. The film explores many lesser known parts of the country. The film has been screened at a number of film festivals and has been the recipient of several accolades.
For more, visit the link below:
