Cultural Calling

Douglas,an animator,says that the idea of preserving cultures came to her from the West Highland Animation Studio based in Scotland. “The idea of preserving the Gallic culture through digital media content and animation was something that was used in Scotland. And since I was born in India and have ancestral roots here,I chose to come back and work with the many tribes here in India.”

She feels that documenting,recording and researching is just a small part of the endeavour. The main aim is to expose the tribal arts to the world. “We conduct workshops with tribes like the Santhals,the Warli the Mudiya and the Gonds and teach them basic still animations. We then collaborate with them in order to make animated films so that we can retain their original culture through their assistance and also bring about a sense of pride by encouraging them to not only preserve their culture but also promote the same.”

An important problem that she admits to is of funding. “To make a five-minute animation film using the old,still drawing and modern animation techniques costs anywhere between $50,000-$75,000. Also,getting the tribals involved is not easy. We need to ensure that their sensitivity is not compromised in any way while making the films,” she says,adding,“Even when the funds do get sanctioned,they are slow to come. For instance,we got the funds for conducting an animation workshop with the Naga tribes from the State Government of Nagaland in 2009. But it took another two years for them to finally sanction the funds for a five-minute animated film.”

The trust will soon have a registered branch in India too,with the original one based in London. Recently,they worked with the tribes in central India on a story competition called the ‘Tallest Story’ competition. The emphasis being,which tribe could come out with the most original and innovative story. The competition was won by the Gonds from Madhya Pradesh. “We will be making a half-an-hour documentary consisting of five documentary films. Four of the tribes will be from the north-east namely – Nagaland,Sikkim,Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh. The fifth will be the Gond tribe from Madhya Pradesh,” she says. The trust aims to promote the local arts,be it music,textile-making or even sculpting.

“The important part is long-term sustainability. We are still working on a module in which the Adivasis can bring out their culture to the entire world,whilst ensuring that we do not always have to depend on governmental organisations for funds to showcase them,” says Douglas.