Filmmakers in Garo Hills have zero infrastructure and little resources. Yet they are dedicated to promoting cinema in the militancy-hit region. Directors and producers like Ballam Sangma (bottom left) and Mongel Agitok Sangma are not waiting for Government doles to express their creativity.
Ballam, the blind director-producer, has already made around 12 films and produced several music albums in Garo language. Sangma says there is a filmmakers’ body in Garo Hills called Do’me Pongchap. “There are four to five members but some of them do not have registration from the film industry. So the body is not really active,” he adds.
Mongel Sangma is also among the young directors in the State who are struggling to fulfil their dream. After a setback in matriculation examinations, Mongel Sangma focused on music. He tried his luck in AIR Shillong and was successful.
Mongel Sangma says his father wanted to be a filmmaker but the dream remained unfulfilled. “So he bought me a video camera. That was the beginning,” says the 26-year-old director who is set to release a film in August.
Of the nine films that he has made so far, Achak Mikil Do’bok Gisil is the most popular. But Mongel Sangma says filmmaking is a tough task in this part of the country. “I spend over a lakh on a film but recovering the money is difficult as there are no theatre halls here. So I have to use my salary and borrow money from friends,” says Sangma who works as a block resource person in East Garo Hills’ Rongjeng block.
“I am concerned about our culture and tradition and I am making a humble effort to preserve and promote it and I will continue doing it,” says Mongel Sangma when asked whether he wants to continue chasing his dream.
(Written by Warmand Sangma)