JP/10/BIRDS

Filming our feathered friends

Pranesh Sarkar ANN/The Statesman

E-Go, an NGO originally formed by six former Visva-Bharati students to carry out experiments in the field of arts and culture, has started a unique program here. They are trying to protect the fast-disappearing migratory birds of Ballavpur Sanctuary.

These birds have steadily decreased over the past few years due to a number of reasons, including poaching and pollution. The Statesman had recently carried a report, highlighting this problem.

To create awareness among students and local people, E-Go has made a short feature film, Shiter Pakhi. It is a love story and a story about migrating birds.

The youths did not get any funds for the film, but that did not dampen their spirit. The shooting is over and the film now lies on the editing table.

Nilanjan Bandopadhyay, a member of the organization, said,"It is well known that these birds are often trapped and killed in local villages when they fly there in search of food. We made this film primarily to make the villagers aware that these birds are priceless gifts of nature and that killing them is a crime."

"We thought that a film would be the best medium, because the majority of the villagers do not read newspapers. On completion of the film, we will organize free shows in local villages."

The story-line goes something like this: Amrita, who is a journalism student in the UK, has come to Santiniketan during a vacation to gather information on migratory birds of Ballavpur Sanctuary for her friend Rael. She goes to the sanctuary with Sayan, who works for an NGO.

Sayan is a student of habitat preferences of the birds of the sanctuary. He explains to Amrita how vast water-bodies are gradually drying up and how local villagers are killing the birds. He also explains how the cultivation of a special variety of wild paddy may attract them back to the sanctuary. Gradually, a relationship develops between Amrita and Sayan.

It is an hour-long film and the shooting was done in digital mode. The story was written and the film directed by Nilanjan Bandopadhyay. Students of Visva-Bharati have acted in it.