kalasam.htm

INTRODUCTION.

MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA. MEENAKSHI TEMPLE: BRAHAMIN STEPS, MANTRAS TO SHIVA, HINDU DEVOTION. MEENAKSHI TEMPLE:

MADURAI SLUM, BRICK FACTORIES, STONE CAVES: YOUNG WOMEN CARRYING AWFUL WEIGHTS, ON PARVATI SORROWFUL VOICE. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE MIGRATED FROM THE VILLAGE, IN SEARCH OF NEW SOURCE OF INCOME.

IN A RURAL AREA, THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MIGRATION.

A WOMAN AND HER DAUGHTER START THE DAY BATHING IN A LITTLE LAKE, A NEW DAY.

A PORTRAIT OF THE BEAUTY OF THE RURAL LIFE AND A JOURNEY IN THE WOMEN'S ACTIVITIES.

SYNOPSIS.

AS AN ALTERNATIVE FROM MONEY LENDER POLITICS, WOMEN ORGANISED THEMSELVES GATHERING MONEY FUNDS TO BE BORROWED ON TURN, TO FACE HARD TIMES OR TO START SMALL ENTERPRISES AT THE VILLAGE, STILL ON WAGES BASES: THIS IS THE CORE OF MICRO CREDIT.

IN THE COUNTRYSIDE NORTH MADURAI.

A DRESS MAKING: THE GIRLS CAN SEW THEIR SAREE BLOUSES BY SEWING MACHINE.

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER PREPARE MANGO PICKLES.

A SUGAR CANE FIELD, THE JUICE IS PROCESSED AND BOILED WITH A FIRE BURNING THE WASTE.

THE RICE IS CULTIVATED THEN SEPARATED FROM THE FIBRE THAT ANIMALS CAN EAT, AND PRE COOKED TO BE STORED FOR ONE SEASON.

A VILLAGE IS TOTALLY DEVOTED TO PALM LEAVES WEAVING: THE LARGE FAMILY GATHERS EVERY MORNING AROUND THE TREES AND THE LEAVES.

WHILE THE ROPE IS CREATED FROM THE FIBRE OF THE COCONUT.

THE RHYTHM OF A LITTLE HAMMER RESOUNDS IN THE TAMARIND SCENT: THE FRUITS ARE PREPARED AND WEIGHTED.

IN ANOTHER VILLAGE MEDICINAL PLANTS ARE PICKED UP: THE SACRED NEEM GLUES THE WOMEN AND THEIR FAMILIES

DEEP SOUTH, IN SRILANKA DIRECTION, THE SEA NEAR THE SHORE IS A FIELD: SEAWEEDS ARE PICKED UP AND CULTIVATED DAY BY DAY TO GROW UNDER THE SUN.

THE DAY HAS GONE: IN THE TEMPLE THE BRAHMINS ARE STILL CELEBRATING GOD.

November 18 - 26, 2006. ROME.---------

December 8 - 14, 2006, FLORENCE.----

December 15 - 22. 2006. CHENNAI FILM FESTIVAL------------------

February 23 - March 2. 2007. VANCOUVER-