The Arabian Sea serves as a complex backdrop in Sudarshan Sawant’s short film “Lost Songs of Sundari,” which explores themes of livelihood, beauty, and decay. Set primarily within the dense waterways of the Versova-Madh creek, the film resonates with the current developments in the area, including the construction of a ₹2,395-crore bridge connecting Versova to Madh Island. This new infrastructure promises to drastically reduce travel time but poses significant challenges for the Koli fisherfolk who inhabit the region.
As the bridge nears completion, it threatens the traditional livelihoods of the Kolis, known as the original inhabitants of Mumbai. With travel times decreasing from 90 minutes to just 5, the ferry businesses vital to their economy are likely to suffer. “Lost Songs of Sundari” poignantly examines the tension between progress and the livelihoods dependent on the sea, offering no overt judgment but a thoughtful reflection on the changing environment. A resident of Versova highlights this change with the poignant observation that nature, despite its transformations, remains true to itself.
Sudarshan Sawant, a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India, created this film while living on Madh Island. He drew inspiration from his daily ferry rides, stating that the project evolved organically as he immersed himself in the surrounding universe. In addition to directing, he took on roles as writer, cinematographer, and sound designer for this piece, which marks the first in a trilogy focused on various creeks in the Mumbai area. His next film will explore Thane Creek, with plans for a concluding installment set in Navi Mumbai.
Throughout his career, Sawant has focused on documentary filmmaking, drawing inspiration from both the sea and land. His first foray into filmmaking involved living with a rural cow-herding family in Maharashtra, an experience that left a lasting impression of their happiness amid simple living.
The film’s protagonists are the sea and the industrious boats that navigate its waters, serving as lifelines for the Koli community. However, modern developments, including the influx of mechanical trawlers and cranes, pose significant challenges to the traditional ways of fishing and ferrying that sustain these communities.
Sawant intentionally steered clear of direct interviews, allowing viewers to form their interpretations of the film’s narrative. This approach led to a unique visual expression that captures the conflict between development and nature-dependent livelihoods. The film’s aesthetic contrasts foreboding night scenes with loud, industrial days, emphasizing the chaotic intersection of progress and the natural environment.
Central to the film’s narrative is a soulful tale narrated by the Marathi actor Smita Tambe, focusing on a woman who daily ferries people across the creek in her beloved boat named Sundari. The narrative takes a poignant turn with unforeseen events surrounding the boat and the woman.
In addition to Tambe’s narration, a child’s voice intersperses the visuals, providing an unfiltered perspective on the environmental changes observed over time. This voice underscores the loss of marine life due to industrial activity, highlighting the disconnection between humans and the once-abundant ocean resources.
The film is accompanied by haunting music that enhances the poetic depth of its closing scenes, leaving audiences with a sense of both awe and apprehension. Supported by the Charles Correa Foundation, “Lost Songs of Sundari” has made its mark on the international film festival circuit, featuring at notable events like Vision du Réel in Switzerland and the Beijing International Short Film Festival.
In summary, “Lost Songs of Sundari” stands out not only for its thematic depth but also for its artistic execution, encapsulating the struggles of a community facing the realities of urban development. The film’s exploration into the interconnection between the sea, its inhabitants, and the impacts of modernization resonates deeply against the backdrop of Mumbai’s evolving landscape.
Details:
Budget: ₹3 lakh
Language: Marathi with English subtitles
Running time: 9 minutes