University collaboration launches new short film in India
A short film produced and edited by Abu Ullah, from Computing Support for Schools, featuring the works of current PhD student Sudhir Tripathi and Dr Darren Crook from the Department of Human and Environmental Sciences entitled 'Water harvesters of the Western Ghats' has now been launched.
The film was presented in Bangalore, India at the 'Voices from the Waters', the eighth International Travelling Film Festival focussed on the global concerns for water. The content of the film depicts the research of Dr Darren Crook and Sudhir Tripathi into suranga irrigation, found mainly in southern Karnataka and Northern Kerala, India. After being premiered in Bangalore, the film will be taken to educational institutions, non-governmental organisations, small towns and villages across India, followed by discussions about the key water issues that are raised by these films.
Last month Dr Darren Crook said: 'Our short story tells the tale of suranga builders and local farmers, who use the water from these structures for both drinking water and irrigation of crops in south Karnataka and northern Kerala. The story presents suranga technology as a possible alternative to more water intensive technologies like borewells introduced during the green revolution.'
Future plans
£5,000 had been awarded to Dr Crook from the University of Hertfordshire in 2012/13 to encourage future research collaboration and network formation with South Indian water, environmental & agricultural institutions. A decision has been made to produce a full length documentary on the suranga system in the New Year using professional filming help of colleagues from the University.
Sudhir Tripathi and Darren Crook's work will be recorded, including their meetings with a number of academics based at partner institutions, such as Goa University, Kerala Agricultural University and the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management in Kerala and from further afield in Tamil Nadu. It is hoped that the proposed activity will create a network of research contacts in South India with a view to furthering knowledge and understanding about sustainable water management in this region.
The film team are still looking for some additional funding to cover travel costs and some specialist equipment needed for action filming in the dark suranga where bats and indeed venomous snakes may be encountered. In return they will do their utmost to record the words and wisdom of the farmers who use this little known and understood drinking water and irrigation system for the benefit of others that remain some of the most vulnerable and voiceless people in India. To view their film, visit http://vimeo.com/67379019.