RangDe.Org Film from rahulchittella on Vimeo.
So they say that you can help the poor by giving charity! And some replied back to them by asking a simple question – “Really?”
We got an invitation from Smita to make a film for RangDe.Org earlier last month. When Madhu forwarded me the email, which he is perfect at, I went through their website and was completely left awestruck!
I vaguely knew about Dr. Mohd. Yunus’s works but seeing the virus spread across the country surely gets a smile on your face! What followed next were a few chain of regular emails to know more on what kind of a film they were looking at and then finally on the 3rd of September, I reached Chennai, to shoot the fim for them myself!
The next three days were undoubtedly the hours that changed me, slightly! Meeting these 2 people who are so passionate about trying and changing the face of our country was something I will always treasure. I’ve heard of people talking about development, I’ve seen films being made on people who work towards development…and then, there I was making a film ON the people who are developing the country! Normally, as filmmakers for organizations, it is very simple to shoot in a regular format of interviews, inter-cuts, and then finally edit it out. But, I know in this case, its something more. When you have a connection made, its hard to let go of the fact that you want to make the cord stronger! That’s it – I knew I was here to be a part of RangDe’s lives for 3 days…and in the process, I knew for myself that I had to showcase this and get it out to the world in the best way that I could.
So there was Ram, (the Madhu of RangDe), Smita, (the Meghna of RangDe), and Nikhil (the soft-spoken moneybag), and Gnan (the ever-excited full of energy member). We went completely out of the schedule that was earlier decided over the emails and if you ask me – that was THE best part! I keep telling everybody that there are NO rules to anything in this universe…in creativity, for sure! Ram decided to go to Vandavasi the next day and I thank God for giving him the idea for the same! Vandavasi was a recreation of “Swades” to me. Meeting Bhoopalan, I felt a sense of an unexplainable emotion. Here is a guy who works hard, creates beautiful artifacts, and yet lives simply. And, here we are in the cities, who feel we know it all and are the best, but from within are yet to complete the circle. That changed me, I’d say.
I keep saying that we’re all beautiful from within. We’re all seeking to reach the completion and it takes time to do that. But, a few are really lucky to have realized that are are truly “living”. That is what people like Bhoopalan, Lakshmi, Usha, Pushpa and a whole lot of others are doing. And, what’s better and more inspiring is that RangDe is helping them “live” that life.
I believe in following with your intuitions. I’m glad that its helping me today. When I asked Smita, how Mumbai could help out in the entire process, she simply smiled and said ask them to log on to www.rangde.org and they’re meant to be a part of it, they will.
As, I need to rush to the edits of the film, I just remember what Bhoopalan said in the film, “Loans, money and support is one factor but the only thing that’ll make one happy and content is hard-work”…I guess, RangDe.Org knows that way too well as they share the colors of joy…:)
Btw, you can check out the film on http://www.vimeo.com/1860316
“I’m of the view that, while it may seem tough for nonprofits to fit video production into their mix of activities, as media making skills in our society become more widespread, and the competition starts using video (and yes,there is competition in the nonprofit arena), most nonprofits will use web video in some way. It’s just too useful and easy to make not to become widespread. It will take awhile, but it’s coming sooner than you might think. “: J Goldstein
Click here to read the complete article on how non profits can use internet and video blogging.
To share the good work done by the various orgnaisations under ICICI communities we have launched ‘ Seva TV’. It’s an online channel created to accumulate videos on various projects done by the community partners.
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 | mamcreates on Do gooder TV |
 | Kavita on Do gooder TV |
| mamcreates on Virtual Theaters For Docu… |
 | shibani on Virtual Theaters For Docu… |
