Doodhatoli

Hindi/31min 26sec/ 2003
Producer: K. Bikram Singh, Cine Arts India
Commissioned by: Council for Advancement of Prople’s Action & Rural Technology (CAPART).

Subject Focus: Womens’ empowerment through environmental regenaration and sustainable development.

Summary: Doodhatoli is the story of the village women of Pauri Garwhal, who over the years have organized themselves to protect the local forests. The remarkable thing about this effort is that though initially the inspiration came from Sachidanand Bharti, a local social worker, the movement is now being entirely led and managed by the local women themselves. Most of the women who are involved in this movement are illiterate peasant women. They are primarily being guided by their own lived experience and traditional wisdom about the local resources and environment.

Producer’s/Director’s Profile: Mr. K. Bikram Singh’s interest in serious cinema goes back to the 60’s when he became a member of ‘Film Forum’, a film society of Mumbai. He has produced and directed more than 60 documentaries and some have participated in the International Film Festivals in India and abroad. He has been a member, Chairperson of many other film festivals’ selection panel like Short Film Jury for the National Film Awards 1994 and NISCORT film festival 1999. He also writes column in Hindi Daily Jansatta. Apart from his film Andhi Gali produced in 1994, he directed feature film Tarpan (The Absolution) for the National Film Development Corporation, which won Best Script Award. Tarpan has also participated in the Panorama Section of India’s International Film Festival in 1995 and has received Aravindan Award for the Best Debut Film.