GUWAHATI, Nov 24 � Laxmi Orang � the name immediately brings to the mind the horrific image of 2007 when the State had to bow down in shame for the manner in which every civilised behaviour was forsaken in a show of utter contempt towards the honour of a woman.
The Beltola incident that had send the shudders in the heart of every citizen who has a conscience had encouraged one young film critic of the State to embark on a journey to tell the world that Laxmi Orang is not a name to be pushed into oblivion.
On the occasion of the 6th Beltola incident memorial day on November 24, Parthajit Baruah dedicated his maiden documentary Laxmi Orang: Rising from the Grave to all the citizens in the world who are raising their voices against injustice towards women. This documentary in Assamese with subtitles in English is not just a film but also a moment of realisation for the film maker � a kind of covenant with the conscience. The making of the film is equally interesting as the theme.
It took more than four years for Parthajit to complete this documentary that is of 30 minutes duration and captures the ups and downs in the life of Laxmi after the Beltola incident and how she dealt with all the emotional trauma following the incident and emerged strong and victorious.
�Certain things touch the heart and conscience. The Beltola incident had really pained me and I had decided to register my protest against this most degrading reflection of our society through a medium that I love and today I feel that I have accomplished something worthwhile in life,� said Parthajit, expressing that some issues will never die and Laxmi Orang is one such issue that needed to be researched, observed and documented so that any woman who has gone through similar ordeal will feel encouraged to regain her due space in society.
Parthajit has scripted and directed the documentary and has even done the cinematography. To give a true depiction of how Laxmi changed from a simple Adivasi girl into a determined woman, Parthajit closely studied the life and culture of the Adivasis and stayed at the home of Laxmi to monitor all her mood swings and her activities.
�She is really an iron woman. Any other woman in her situation would have kept wallowing instead of fighting for justice. The Laxmi that has resurrected after the Beltola incident now delivers lectures in universities outside the State on women issues, keeps herself busy with activities for promoting the culture of the Adivasis,� said Parthajit.