Indelible
Indelible
February 14th, 6:00PM @ Campus Theatre (214 W. Hickory)
Indelible (The short) is an introduction to a feature length documentary created specifically for the World Down Syndrome Congress (2012), South Africa and is the official film for the Down Syndrome Federation of India.
The film opens with a montage of everyday activity in urban India. A girl cycling, a lady offering prayers at a temple, a young lad heaving the ball over long-on in a game of cricket; common sights in India, but are these really common people? What we discover over the next few minutes instead are glimpses into the lives of 7 extraordinary people with Down syndrome in India.
Dr. Surekha Ramachandran, Co-Founder and present Chairperson of the Down Syndrome Federation of India introduces us to the world of Down syndrome and these 7 remarkable stories by sharing her own association which began with the birth of her child, Babli.
The film captures how the lives of people and communities can be enriched when they open their arms to tolerance and inclusion. While most of us are exposed to Down syndrome only in text books or when it is directly brought into our lives in the form of a child with this condition, Indelible allows the viewer to look beyond the complexities and catch snatches of the music these amazing people make with their lives.
Film Details
Shorts Program #6
Duration: 17 mins
Director: Pavitra Chalam
Producer: Surekha Ramachandran
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Long Summary
Indelible (The short) is an introduction to a feature length documentary created specifically for the World Down Syndrome Congress (2012), South Africa and is the official film for the Down Syndrome Federation of India.
The film opens with a montage of everyday activity in urban India. A girl cycling, a lady offering prayers at a temple, a young lad heaving the ball over long-on in a game of cricket; common sights in India, but are these really common people? What we discover over the next few minutes instead are glimpses into the lives of 7 extraordinary people with Down syndrome in India.
Dr. Surekha Ramachandran, Co-Founder and present Chairperson of the Down Syndrome Federation of India introduces us to the world of Down syndrome and these 7 remarkable stories by sharing her own association which began with the birth of her child, Babli. At a time when information about Down syndrome in India was almost non-existent she was determined to defy common understanding and give her child a fighting chance at living a healthy, fulfilling life. She educated herself and is today a leading authority on the subject.
Her daughter, Babli, was born with cataract in both eyes, which meant that she could not be enrolled into a regular school. She found her stride in dance instead and has carried on to perform in many arenas and win a host of accolades while her mother home-schooled her. Today, aside from dance, she is a national swimming champion and a yoga teacher. Babli has now matured into a young lady known to be deeply religious and protective of her family and friends. As her brother says earnestly, she is the glue that holds their family together.
Dr. Surekha runs a school in India for people with Down syndrome, providing rehabilitation to her students and also building awareness on how, with a little help, these fighters can lead lives of purpose and happiness.
Fighters like 27 year old Archana Jayaram, a Gold medalist in cycling (Special Olympics, Greece - 2011), a keyboard player, dancer and a teacher. Diagnosed with Down syndrome when she was 3 months old, Archana’s earliest physical challenge was low muscle tone. With the support of her parents, she not only overcame this but went on to make the country proud in cycling, a sport that commands physical fitness. Aside from cycling, she practices her skills on the keyboard and learns dance choreography from popular Indian cinema. At present, she works as a teacher in her mother’s special school where she assists many other children with similar challenges.
Indelible is a tiny peek into the lives of little known champions like Babli and Archana and the film’s other subjects Sandhya, Manimeghlai, Ashwin, Arti and Revathi. Champions not just for winning accolades but for standing confidently on the shoulders of their families, friends and teachers while showing them and us that happiness lies on the other side of adversity! These stories are as much about Archana’s parents or Babli’s brother as they are about Archana and Babli, symbiotic relationships that have helped, taught and brought fulfillment to those involved.
The film captures how the lives of people and communities can be enriched when they open their arms to tolerance and inclusion. While most of us are exposed to Down syndrome only in text books or when it is directly brought into our lives in the form of a child with this condition, Indelible allows the viewer to look beyond the complexities and catch snatches of the music these amazing people make with their lives.
