I hardly watch TV. But sometime I love watching Discovery Channel and its TLC which is more about traveling. These channels sometimes have very impressive films which is also very informative.
That day I got a call from Mr Rajendra who owns a production house in Delhi and make documentary for Discovery. He wanted me to be the co coordinator of a Taiwan Crew who intended to film in Orissa as a part of GO-India series of TLC.Meeting with Mr. Rajendra was nice and he explained me the concept of the shoot .Next evening the Crew came and they were six member team including two camera, sound, director and the famous anchor Jannet.Mr Rajendra introduced me to the team and had to flew to Singapore to receive some award for his documentary on Surrogate Mother.
Our first day shoot was to introduce the Odissi dance to the anchor Jannet.At the last moment we were lucky to meet Pallavi who herself learn the Odissi dance to take Janeet on to the shops, dance school etc on the camera.Pllavi was a great help and the dance shoot at the studio of Padmashree ILIANA , a Italian woman who had dedicated her life to Oddissi dance and teaching. Next day my collique Samar was on camera as he introduced Koark temple and the stone carving of Orissa through the live carving by Mr. Dhruba Swain, a local artist. Then it was my turn to take Jannet on seafood shopping at Chilika Lake followed by live cooking on the boat. Also they asked me to be the character for Puri and we have nice shoots from the Veda school and a Green rider rickshaw ride to the lanes of Old Puri.We also filmed the Sand art on the beach by master artist Sudersan Pattanaik where Jannet and me had to play with sand.
Our next destination was to Satkosia or Kuldiha forest where they has scheduled to film elephant tracking. But we could not obtain the necessary permission to film from the forest department because of typical red tape beaurocratic process and the speed of the file.
The last minute back up plan was Dhenkanal Palace where we intended to film the Mahima Sadhu, the royal hospitality and if possible –some elephants. I called the Yubaraj Amarjyoti Singhdeo who could not turned down my request to come over from Kolkatta to be the host inspite of his 20th Anniversery.The Director and the team were impressed with the character pf the living palace and we had a real good time with the Kings family.
A trip to Mahima Sahu was also a very special impression for them. While they were shooting the film, Amarjyoti was constantly on phone chasing his men in the villages to inform us the moment of elephants. We got a call from one of the villagers who promised us to show us the elephants as they are now creating havoc in the paddy fields. Accordingly we left very early morning to the village by the jungle. We were told that the elephants were there last night and now they have gone inside the forest. Also they told that the elephants had killed a old man and a bull few days ago in the nearby village. Every body was in a panic and the elephants are destroying their hard earned paddy and they are having sleepless night to watch the field as well as their live.
All of us were in a hurry to get in to the forest to track the elephants and suddenly I noticed all of them running madly as wild elephants were chasing behind. It was a real thrill and adventure. They could film a bit of it before running. Lastly we got some wonderful shoots of the elephants as they head their way to deep forest. We came out of the forest happy.
But some how I was not happy to leave the village after taking so good shoots and ignoring their side of the story related to elephants. They were requesting our host Prince Amarjyoti to put his influence to the forest officials to provide some special lights to chase the elephants which could save their paddy and live. I knew it will be never possible to get the light from the Government so easily. Before we were about to board the cars , I decided to collect the cost of the light by our own contributing of Rs1000 each from the Prince, Director, Anchor and myself. All agreed to my proposal and we were cheered by the villagers for the help. We left the village much happier by being a part of solution to their problem. It was a wonderful Discovery experience.
But in between the crowed in the village I had a wonderful discovery of a person which was more highlight for me than the elephants. I was introduced to a personality-Mr Trilochan Naik , aged about 55 yrs and belong to the lowest cast in Indian cast system. This man has a strong appetite to read and a exemplary determination .He has appeared 42 times in 21 years to pass high school. Now he is studying to pass junior collage for last 10 years. He and his son were in same class at the junior collage. He never give up. He think that education is the only way to enrich him. His wife , who is also a ASHA worker in the village supports him for this effort.Mr Trilocahan has also participated in all the village level elections for last 30 years .He has no regrets for not being successful in the politics which mostly due to the money and muscle power of the opponents. But he says that he will keep on trying as he learned from his study to serve the people of his community where he lives. I left the village with a big Salute to this Hero and like to meet him again. He can be a inspiration for many. For me it was a real DISCOVERY.
