Seeds of Satyagraha (Charnwood Arts)

With the recent upsurge in communal violence, rape, massacres and mass displacement of people in Ahmedabad (March/April 2002) and other parts of Gujarat over the last few weeks the 'Seeds of Satyagraha' project takes on a new poignancy. The project began in the 50th Anniversary year of Indian Independence and set out as a participatory arts project between Charnwood Arts and the south Gujarat based Vedcchi Pradesh Seva Samiti. The project's aim was to work together over a five week period to create a video charting the impact of Gandhian thought and practical development on the tribal areas of southern Gujarat between Surat and the forested enclaves of the Dangs. We were also interested and motivated by the Local Agenda 21 process here in Charnwood (Action for a Better Charnwood) to draw our own comparisons between two very different paths of development.

A long term relationship between Charnwood and the area was established and has been sustained for over fifteen years by Charnwood Community Link. 'Seeds of Satyagraha' was the third practically orientated project visit to the area by Charnwood Arts. Development workers from VPSS worked closely with the Charnwood Arts workers and many community, economic and cultural groups to create over 40 hours of video footage.

The filming schedule for the project took in a wide range of activities, visits across the area and interviews with people at all levels in society. The team were privileged to meet and talk with members of Gandhi's original 'Salt Satyagrahists' who set out to defy the British Empire by making salt at Dandhi Beach.

Gandhi's approach to non-violent resistance has become known the world over but what is less well known are the underlying ideas and philosophies regarding self-reliance and the concept of building society from the bottom up. These ideas may seem very out of step with change and attitudes in modern India but there are still many dedicated followers of these ideals working trhough grass roots projects and in education.

The video covers the early years of Gandhian inspired development and the growth of VPSS as a holistic development organisation. Subjects covered include housing, education, biogas, employment, women's development and Janvikas, a tribal cultural project which seeks to promote and preserve the unique values and way of life of people in the area.

The video, with a running time of 1 hour and 17 minutes, is a testament to decades of dedicated work towards appropriate development and upliftment for tribal people in a country which has seen their increasing marginalisation.

The video will be launched at the Rawlins Film Festival in June and copies will be available for interested groups in early July.
The project is a major achievement for both organisations as all of the team members suffered major health problems following the initial filming. The film has been a long time in the making due to delays caused by this but as our first major film-making project Charnwood Arts gained very valuable experience and many other smaller projects that have already reached fruition have benefitted from it.

Anyone interested in receiving copies of the video should contact Charnwood Arts.