By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Aug 24: The Blood and the Border, a documentary by noted filmmaker Wanphrang K Diengdoh on the rituals of Khyrim chieftainship marked by the annual Shad Nongkrem festival held in November every year, was screened at St. Anthony’s College auditorium on Saturday. Introducing the film and its creator to the audience, Head of the Media and Communications Department of the College, Cherry Kharshiing lauded Wanphrang for his deep commitment to complete the trilogy comprising, Where the Clouds End (2015), Because We Did Not Choose (2017) and now The Blood and the Border. Kharshiing informed the audience that Wanphrang was a past pupil of the Media Department of the College and has earned laurels through his sheer hard work and dedication.
The Blood and the Border reflects the dichotomy in Khasi-Jaintia society caught as it is between the earnest desire to showcase its rich indigenous culture even while the section that have ‘converted’ to Christianity is alienated from these cultural festivals which have now become the intellectual property of those who practise the indigenous faith. And yet while the rituals and prayers were verbalised by the Lyngdohs of Khyrim Syiemship, one of them, perhaps a Christian convert, mentions Moses who leads the Isrealites to the Promised Land.
The film records the Khasi-Jaintia society’s encounter with Christian missionaries after they entered these hills post 1826 and the influences of this “foreign” religion on their world-view. Wanphrang also tried to interrogate the culture of intolerance of the other in these hills and whether this has anything to do with the society’s inherent contradictions, not necessarily related to religion.
The film screening was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ibanjyntiew Mawrie of 4Front Media with the filmmaker himself and other discussants that included Rev Kyrsoibor Pyrtuh, Patricia Mukhim and Dr Mebada Lyngdoh Nongbri engaging with and interactive audience and clarifying certain gaps such as the reference to Hima Khyrim as ‘kingdom’ and equating the Syiem with the colonial concept of ‘king,’ amongst others.
Wanphrang K Diengdoh introduces himself as a visually impaired filmmaker representing the Khasi people, one of the world’s last remaining matrilineal societies. He currently resides between India and the UK and draws inspiration from the rich tapestry of what he terms as “my Khasi roots.”
With almost two decades of expertise in the film production sector, Wanphrang has firmly established himself as an accomplished director and writer. He has delved deep into the history of the Khasi people whose roots predate the modern nation-states.
Throughout his film-making career, Wanphrang has crafted feature-length films that resonate internationally, captivating audiences across the festival circuit, commercial sector, and academic space. Themes such as identity, traditional knowledge systems, post-colonialism, historiography, race, myth-making, and urbanity are subjects explored.
Father to a 7-year-old daughter ‘Jutang’, which literally translated means “testament”, Wanphrang says he is curious about the Khasi identity that fuels his mission to “amplify our cultural narrative.”
The film will also be screened at the North Eastern Council auditorium, Nongrim Hills, on August 26 at 5 pm.