King's India Institute invites you to the screening of 'Chaityabhumi' and a conversation with the film's director Somnath Waghmare. 

The documentary explores the lesser-known history of Mumbai and the Dalit community's long history of social struggle in the city. The heart of the film is Chaityabhumi, a sacred site where Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the father of the Indian Constitution, was laid to rest. Every year, from December 1 to 6, millions of Dalit-Bahujans make a pilgrimage to Chaityabhumi to pay homage to their revolutionary leader.

Through interviews, personal stories, music, and evocative visuals, the documentary explores the tensions and complexities of caste dynamics in contemporary India. It sheds light on the cultural and political significance of the December 6 commemoration, showcasing how the Dalit community reclaims this public space in Mumbai. The film captures the vibrant cultural festival that arises during this time and the struggles faced by the oppressed in their quest for social justice.

Cinematography and Direction: Somnath Waghmare
Presenter: Pa.Ranjith, Neelam Predications
Language: Marathi, Hindi, Pali with English Subtitles

Running time: 1 hour 15 minutes

 

Speaker

Somnath Waghmare

Somnath Waghmare, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) Mumbai, an Indian documentary filmmaker based in the state of Maharashtra. His most prominent and most recent film, Battle of Bhima Koregaon, was critically received and screened in India and abroad. Till now, all his films have been documentary films and they have dealt with various social issues like the persecution of women and Dalit assertion in Maharashtra. He made his directorial debut with the short documentary feature I Am Not a Witch (2017). His upcoming films are Chaitybhumi (which is the resting place of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and is a symbol and place of celebration of Buddhist identity) and Gail and Bharat.