I was once threatened that I can never return to India and if I try, I would be killed, raped, beheaded and then some. It took three years. Legal and life battles. I still struggle with PTSD. I am finally here, back home. And I screened my work too. Thanks to Panchajanyam International Film Festival – PIFF @panchajanyamorg.
Panchajanyam has screened almost all my works but #Kaali screening is too special, given the history of censorship and continuing witch-hunting by the fundamentalists. The fear and paranoia created by hindu fascists continue to keep my own communities distant from me. Very few of my allies remain undeterred and continue their solidarity and love for my work and struggles. Panchajanyam made me feel less alone.
It was profoundly moving and reassuring to see a packed cinema hall for the #Kaali screening. The handshakes, hugs, shoulder pats, nods, teary eyes… every little gesture mattered. Forty five minutes of discussion after a eight minute film was nothing but pure camaraderie. A gentleman amidst audience even offered me a house at Palakkad recalling my mention during my last screening about how hard it is for me to get a rented house in Chennai. I wish I had a longer life to repay all this love.
I could also share my thoughts and experiences on ‘Women and work place’ at the Open Forum with fellow comrade Anandhi. Isn’t every woman a born unpaid labour? Isn’t safe, equitable and free work place, a continuing struggle for women and gender minorities? Is’nt our existence itself a resistance?
Thanks to Prof Kathiravan, I got an opportunity to meet bright young minds of Tamil department at Chitoor Government College. Throughout my lecture, those bright and curious eyes of the students gave me a lot of hope.
Meeting my uyir nanban – Poet – Translator @rashindia, friend, brother and DOP @dhaneshraveendranath and his little angel Dhakshara, thozhan Prabaharan, fellow writers, activists, journalists, young cinephiles kept me smiling and shining more.
Loads of love to @rupeshchittur @niranjan.tg.94 and the entire Panchajanyam team. Special shout out to the young team who turned the festival into a carnival.
Thanks for the photos Jothish Puthans, #Adharsh and for the video #Rajarathinam
Onwards and upwards!
