For dealing with an old issue such as caste-ism in a profound cinematic style, wherein the leitm of it of the exploitation of man by man and its consequences for the present are never lost track of.
For dedication and conviction with which life in a remote area of the land has been portrayed, with intimacy, sympathy, authenticity and without being condescending, and for the apparent hard work that has gone into the production.
For a visually enchanting depiction of the life patterns of the people living along the River Indus in Ladakh, with rich details emerging from their environment.
For its portrayal of the maestro Mohan Bhawria and his contribution to the revival of an art form from oblivion, its dissemina-tion, and its incorporation of topical themes within a traditional art form.
For exploring the life of a 12th century Karnataka ascetic poet Mahadevi Akka, who was an exponent of individual independence. The relevance of this rebellious poet is treated dramatically, in the context of contemporary times.
For its detailed and painstaking yet engaging documentation of The Wancho Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The film imaginatively tells the story of both their past and the present through its vivid account of the central role that the 'dormitory' once played in the community.
For records the life of the nomadic tribe Ghumantu and their peculiar plight of being labelled "habitual offenders". It also records the efforts made at rehabilitating them.
For an honest portrayal of life and traditions of the minuscule Phakey community of the Northeast, which despite the influence of globalisation, continues to preserve its individual identity.
For a film which uniquely depicts the long arduous struggle of a community to build check dams using their indigenous engineering skills. An experiential journey which transcends documentation and makes the viewer participate in the process.
For an insightful foray into the complex and layered life of a 'song' and all that it carries within it for a community. It inquires into the shared critical history of a community in the specific context of an overarching missionary presence and how it has affected their lives. The jury appreciates it for the courageous, yet poetic exploration of the subject from the ethnographic perspective.
For exploring in a quiet but assertive style the changing world of life in a remote village of Himachal Pradesh as the village interact with democracy and modern civilisation.
For its lyrical depiction of the fragile life of people living a precarious existence in the face of extreme socio political adversity, in a poignant and visually arresting style.
For its light-hearted yet comprehensive telling of the story of India’s much loved community, the Parsis. It explores their history, the philosophy of their faith, their enterprise and their way of life, with delight and laughter.