OOTY: A group of Badaga youth in Nilgiris (Badagas form the the largest ethnic community in Nilgiris) formed a forum christened as 'Badugu Budding House (BBH)' to produce, promote and encourage short films in Badaga language, to take the message of the age-old Badaga culture and tradition to the outside world and to create a film making talent pool in the hills to make it big in the tinsel world in future.
P.Ranjithkumar, head of the BBH who hails from Sholur village near here, and his group recently held a short film competition here titled, “Shortcut”, to herald the landing of film making talents in the Badaga community.
Mr. Ranjithkumar said though Badaga language is widely spoken in Nilgiris it is not much known to the outside world. The moral stories, folk stories, tradition and culture in Badaga need to get an opportunity to be spread to the outside world, for which short-films in Badaga language would certainly pave the way. So that the world will explore the richness of Badaga culture, he added.
There are quite a few cine talents among Badagas, which includes story writers, musicians, singers, lyricists and camera skills. But, they all need to be gathered together to make a film making talent pool in the hills. It is with this aim BBH was formed, which would act as a platform for these talents to showcase their skills and to find the avenues to progress, he added.
Dr B. Manivanan, an ace short film making talent in Badaga community who works at the Government arts college here as assistant professor of Tamil, said that BBH launched their maiden venture with a bang by screening eight short films, which all received accolades for the selection of subject and neat portrayals.
“Short film” making is an art that would constantly trigger a willing mind to go for innovation, besides peps up one's creative ability. This would go a long way in helping the short film makers to enter the cine world with confidence and skills” Dr.Manivanan noted.
