Listener’s Tale

A meditative, non-fiction visual poem shot over a period of three years among the people of Sikkim in this north-eastern state in India. Formerly, Sikkim was a Tibetan monarchy established in the 18th century. Structured as a contemplative, magical ode with elements of pure cinema vérité, it expresses the spirit of the Buddhist struggle to survive, and maintain the ancient values.
Almost like melodious Buddhist chanting, the film, in a very fitting slow pace, depicts the life of the various ethnic groups: the Bhutias – Tibetan immigrants who came as settlers to Sikkim as early as the 12th century; the Lepchas – the aboriginals of Sikkim; and the modern, mixed Sikkimese population.
The fascinating choreography of the dance featured in the film was received, as believed, in a trance and was enacted to reinforce interracial brotherhood at a very crucial juncture of Sikkimese history. The young Bengali director for many years focused his work on Lamas, traditional music and art forms from Sikkim as well as today’s reality. His non-narrative, lyrical and meditative form of story telling offers the viewer his/her own tale. (RS)

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