THE MAGIC BOX OF DAMAN MURMU

Daman Murmu, the last exponent of a unique and ancient form of Santhal puppetry named Chadar Badar or Chadar Badni stands tall amidst his challenges and struggle striking chord beautifully with his puppets. Chadar Badar or Chadar Badni means rhythm or colour. His two side open wooden box buzzes with rhythm and colour as he sings the santhali ballads and his puppets placed neatly in two rows dance synchronically to his tune mixed so rhythmically with melancholy.

  • Subhro Mukhopadhyay
    Director
  • Arunima Kundu
    Producer
  • Keshab Chandra Manna
    DOP
  • Abdul Rajjak
    Sound
  • Keshab Chandra Manna
    Editor
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    10 minutes 34 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    August 15, 2019
  • Production Budget:
    5,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    India
  • Country of Filming:
    India
  • Shooting Format:
    DSLR
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Subhro Mukhopadhyay

Have done a few experimental short films and documentaries. Being a journalist i have a keen interest in social issues and folk traditions of my country.

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Director Statement

I want to highlight the tribal (Santhali) puppetry Chadar Badni which is on the verge of extinction. He practices it in a remote corner of West Bengal, India and is the last practicing puppeteer of this folktradition in this state.