A carnival or a festival in a region could be viewed as an expression of the culture that encapsulates spectacular ceremonies & extravaganzas. The central element of the carnivals is to celebrate & recognize the cultural pluralism that is prevalent all over the world. India is a nation which is embellished by the words ‘Unity in diversity’. Despite being a land of pluralistic culture, there have been few evocative, pictorial works that observe this beauty and symbiosis in the diversity. Roopa Baruah’s “Riders of the Mist” (2015) is one of the rare Indian documentaries which honor a beautiful, unique tradition, conducted for the past 135 years in the Northeast Indian state, Assam. Like the Western carnivals, the anchor point of this Assamese tradition is bareback pony racing.
The pony race are part of Upper Assam’s Jorhat district, held in
the local gymkhana from 1877. The annual races are the much-awaited event,
especially for the riders of Mishing tribe (second largest ethic group in North-east
India). Mishing tribe is known for their affinity towards Brahmaputra River and
has raised ponies for many generations (to assist them in transportation). Initially,
the races were started in British rule for tea planters, who used their horses
for work in tea estate. But, over the years, the race has turned into a
heritage event that brings together distinct ethnic or cultural groups of
Assam. The thoroughbreds were replaced with semi-feral country ponies (and
organizers of races provides fund every year for the development of Mishing community).
As the title beckons, “Riders of the Mist” starts on a misty
morning along a riverine island of the majestic Brahmaputra River. The wild horses
are being rounded up by the villagers to train them for the annual competition.
Most of the participants in the race are third or fourth generation pony
riders, who work in the fields or as laborers, rest of the year. Director
Roopa tracks down the life of Deepak Bora and Heman Tai – men who have
inherited the penchant for bareback racing from their forefathers. Deepak
provides some vivid insights and intriguing myths about horses and their
relationship with humans. The complex level of bonding these village men share
with their semi-feral horses is absolutely astounding. For these jockeys, the
festival sense slowly creeps in as they anticipate to win the coveted ‘Governor’s
Cup’.
However, the desire to win the cup doesn’t arise from
reaping the economic benefits of a victory. In fact, as Deepak explains, ‘the
winner gets an award and five sheets of tin roofing as donation’. Deepak goes
on to say that if he win the race, he will give away his donation for temple.
In another occasion, we hear another rider telling how the preparation for
racing only costs them money. So, the bareback pony races are purely based on
passion and that fiery passion is much evident in the eyes of these calm-faced
young men. Deepak and Heman wasn’t the only third or fourth generation people
involved in the racing; there are also young stewards in the Gymkhana club who
have been observing & preserving the age-old tradition as their great-Grand
fathers.
“Riders of the Mist” isn’t a simple sports documentary that traverses
through the life of race participants to give us the winner. It wonderfully
observes the symbiosis between humans and horses and between the humans,
hailing from different socioeconomic class. The villagers’ preparation for the
race and their various rituals & exciting myths might seem quirky for the
uninitiated, but the film-maker is clever enough to observe the quirkiness that
prevails inside the club. Oddities aside, the annual tradition seems to
amalgamate the contemporary and age-old societies. Director Roopa’s restrained,
nonjudgmental style depicts how passion flows in an unbridled manner, both
inside and outside the opulent club. But, the documentary isn’t also just about
the uniting of diverse people. There is the vital third element, which are the
selfless animals itself.
Couple of stunning passages is documented in “Riders of the
Mist” (cinematography by Vikram Srivastava) that shows the arrival &
departure of the ponies. These visuals convey not only about the selfless lives
of the animals, but also how they had played a significant role in our cultural
& economic thriving. There are wonderful words that adorn the final images
of the movie (as the horses swim back across the river) portray how these
animals allow us to ‘share the moments of joy’. A vast life lesson is buried
within the altruistic attitude of the horses. As the director Roopa delivers
those words, the title ‘Riders of the Mist’, which seems to denote the literal
images of the riders on their pones, diffuses a metaphorical sense on us. Editor
Hemanti Sarkar (“English Vinglish”, Peepli Live”) has done a commendable job in
bringing together the seemingly different elements of the tradition. A sequence
towards the end, where the dance hall of the elite merges with the hut of a
tribal man, is one such astounding example of the editing.
“Riders of the Mist” (65 minutes) is one of the rare &
best Indian documentaries that celebrates the nation’s indefatigable cultural
pluralism. It is an outstanding glimpse into a custom held together by passion
and altruism.
Trailer
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