A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A BANJARA - LAMBANI GYPSY : CELEBRATING HOLI !

#banjara #lambani #gypsy #holi #indianfestival #india #karnataka
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This portrait of a day in the life of a Lamani village in Hampi in Karnataka, India is a portrait of the experience of life among a tribal community that continues to resist acculturation. The Banjaras also known as Lamani people in central/South India, are originally from Rajasthan and Gujarat. In ancient times they were nomads. Centuries ago they worked for the Moghuls invaders as carriers transporting goods like salt, grains, and arms, setting up their camps on the outskirts of army encampments all over India. When the campaigns ended, many Banjaras/ Lamani moved from their desert home in Rajasthan and settled in the Deccan. The camera follows one day in the life of a Banjara/Lambani tribal woman family in Hampi, Karnataka state, in India. Her friends come together to celebrate the Indian Festival of Holi. Every year during Holy, she goes out with her friends in the countryside, visiting family, and friends, and meeting strangers to throw colors at each other and share food and drinks. The camera registers how the Banjara women are holding steadfast to their ancient culture, and their way of dressing which is perhaps the most colorful and elaborated of any tribal group in India.

Undoubtedly, their dress and jewelry set them apart from all other groups. Their full-length skirt, with borders embroidered in colorful threads. The mantle which covers the head is long enough to drape down their backs, almost touching the feet. Their embroidered clothes are studded with little mirrors and coins which embellish their cholis (blouses). A variety of materials in silver, brass, ivory, animal bones and even plastic are used in the making of a Banjara (Lamani) wardrobe. The women also wear pretty silver anklets which clink as they walk barefoot. Heavy jewelry and long silver earrings patterned with cowries decorate their faces.

Geographically the Deccan extends over eight Indian states, covering most of central and southern India. Well built and strong the Banjaras/ Lamani found service in places like the state of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Today due to the spread of communications and means of transportation, the Banjara/Lamani lifestyle has naturally altered and the tribals have had to abandon their packs of animals and take to working as laborers in rural areas, working on building and construction projects, and settling in rural villages of their own called Tandra.

Despite all this, their traditional customs, manners, and ceremonies have undergone little change. They move wherever work is available, set up their temporary hamlets, and build simple homes of mud and bamboo plants. They keep very few domestic possessions and make do with earthen vessels, small quilts, bamboo and date mats, and some rickety wooden articles. Brass and copper vessels are only recent additions and even these are very few in each family because their resources are limited.

The Banjaras/ Lamani love Festivals and Celebrations, especially during the festival of Holi and Dassara when the event is a community affair. Very independent, the women get together and go from house to house in the villages around Hampi collecting donations, singing, and dancing all the way. Family deities are worshipped on such occasions. Banjaras share some of the Hindu religious beliefs. Song and dance come naturally to these tribal women. Dances and songs also form an integral part of the Banjara/ Lamani celebration during the festival of Holi. As a tradition liquor is distributed freely to the women when they visit the houses of the Indians on Holi.
The welcome is accompanied by offering paan-supari (betel leaves and nut) according to the custom in Hampi, Karnataka.

Documentary cinema is a mind-broadening medium at the forefront of helping humanity evolve its consciousness. It does this by its intention to examine and pay close attention to the minute details of the human condition in documentaries like this one. This work in progress shows a deep involvement in exploring how individuals and isolated communities cope with their circumstances in today's world.

Documentary cinema is a mind-broadening medium at the forefront of helping humanity evolve its consciousness. It does this by its intention to examine and pay close attention to the minute details of the human condition in documentaries like this one. This work in progress shows a deep involvement in exploring how individuals and isolated communities cope with their circumstances in today's world.