Indian Institute of Management, Ranchi and Samvaad, in collaboration with Tata Steel Foundation, kicked off the much-awaited Samuday Ke Saath Indigenous Film Festival today at the Swami Vivekananda Auditorium in IIM Ranchi’s permanent campus. With the aim to explore the heart and soul of Tribal Jharkhand through the best of tribal cinema, this event provides a platform to highlight the cultural identity, wisdom, and alternative perspectives on the development surrounding tribal communities in India. Through the lens of extraordinary films, the Samuday Ke Saath Indigenous Film Festival is set to shed light on the multifaceted shades of the Tribals of Jharkhand, celebrating their uniqueness and resilience. The festival aims to foster meaningful dialogues and celebrate the rich cultural legacy and enduring strength of tribal communities, starting with the theme “Cinema and Adivasiyat” on Day 1.

The event started with a soulful tribal prayer, followed by an address by Prof Deepak Kumar Srivastava, Director, IIM Ranchi. He spoke of how film brings dimensions to the human way of thinking and  how it creates a connect within society, bringing us together despite our diversity. He also highlighted some of the initiatives of IIM Ranchi, including Human Connect and the inclusion of tribal languages and studies in the new IPM curriculum. This was followed by addresses by Ankita and Suraj from the Tribal Identity department of Tata Steel Foundation, where they spoke of the meaning of Samuday Ke Saath and Samvaad. They highlighted the importance of celebrating identity, adivasiyat, and how working together as a community was key to growing and doing bigger and better things as a society. Prof Gaurav Marathe concluded the inauguration by giving insights on how this initiative would help the students of IIM Ranchi learn more about the ecosystem of their institution, as well as the second and third phases of this initiative, including a film making workshop and a short film workshop to be announced soon.

The three films in highlight today were Nacchi se Baachi, Sristhikatha, and Gadi Lohardaga Mail by Biju Toppo and Meghnath of Akhra Communication, followed by discussions on them, and the themes revolving in the films. The students interacted in an engaging question and answer session about each of the films, addressing the motivations and inspirations of the filmmakers for the same. The event ended with a felicitation ceremony.

''Nacchi se Baachi'' (2017) is a biographical documentary centred on Padma Shri Ram Dayal Singh Munda. The documentary commences with the resonant Sarhul chant in Munda's voice. It portrays his journey from the quaint village of Diuri near Ranchi to America for his PhD studies and subsequent teaching at the University of Minnesota. Upon his return, first he ensured his contribution in Jharkhand statehood through cultural awakening, and then assumed roles as the director for tribal and regional languages at Ranchi University, eventually ascending to the position of vice-chancellor. The film holds significance not only for its subject matter but also from a filmmaking perspective. Throughout Munda's journey, the audience naturally accompanies him.

Mundari Sristikatha by Akhra Communication is a short animated film based on the folklore of the Munda tribe. The plot centres around Singhbonga,' the supreme deity of the Munda community, and how the earth, day, and night was created. 

Gadi Lohardaga Mail" is a documentary capturing memories of a historic passenger train that ran on narrow-gauge tracks until 2004. Initiated in 1907, this train became the lifeline of Ranchi and was affectionately known as "Mail."  Along with tribal leader Ram Dayal Munda and folk artists like Mukund Naik and Madu Mansuri, filmmakers Meghnath and Biju documented its final journey. The film takes us on an emotional ride as travellers reminisce about the train and its cherished memories.

Director, Producer and Social Activist, Meghnath has worked in Jharkhand for the last 40 years. He has been with the people in their struggle against destructive development. As a filmmaker, he has tried to document the voices of those sections of people who remain unheard. He was also awarded the prestigious 59th and 65th National Film Awards.

Director, Producer, Video Editor and Cinematographer Biju Toppo is an anthropologist and national award-winning tribal filmmaker from Ranchi, Jharkhand. He uses film as a medium for social activism for marginalized indigenous communities and teaches video production at St. Xaviers College, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.