Documentary project

In this rough cut of the promo of an unfinished film with the working title, Singing for Lost Motherland. In this documentary the late Biren Das Sharma and I had tried to tell the story of Manoj Rai, a music teacher who gave singing lessons to children in the refugee camps in eastern Nepal. Through music and performing arts, he was trying to engage the camp children, who were second generation refugees.

Even before the film saw the light of the day, Biren-da passed away and this project got orphaned. It got stalled… forever. However, even though I feel completely defeated right now, I still dream for this film to happen (for the sake of the tears that had trickled down Birenda’s eyes while interviewing a refugee at a camp in Nepal’s Timai).

We shot this film in 2007. A lot of changes have taken place since then. Bhutanese refugees in Nepal have been scattered all over the globe as part of the “third-country re-settlement” drive. These children must have grown up by now. I am trying to find them. I want to ask them how their dreams have changed. Should you be one of them, or you know anyone who knows them, talk to me. Please!

5 Comments

  1. Kumar
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    Why didnt you share this further to find them out ? Share it in fb and in other resources and try to complete the story.

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    • Anuradha Sharma
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      thank you, kumar.. yes, I’m looking around for leads and ideas.. hopefully someday this film will see the light of the day

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  2. Deven Biswa
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    The Lhotshampas of Southern Bhutan were the very victim of an ethnic cleansing campaign , well orchestrated by the Royal government. A country which was gradually progressing towards democracy. The story gives a clear picture of the idea that reaffirmation of ethnic polarization is vital in shaping the political destiny of a country.

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  4. Anuradha Sharma
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    Oh God! I don’t believe this Manoj Dai. So nice to hear from you. So surprising that you should see this and respond. Thank you for getting in touch. Contacting you soon.

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