For the implementation of a Foundation Project by IFA that will explore two stories that run in opposing directions – the one of ascension of Siliguri with its progress as a town; and the other of loss, cultural disruption and continued deprivation of the river Teesta. Investigating this peculiar nexus, in which the geological changes of the river is the narrative of a town and its population, the project will attempt a fresh biography of both, exploring songs, dances, prayers, recipes and literary narratives of Siliguri and river Teesta and their meandering and conflicting histories. The outcomes of this project will be an essay in Bangla and English, audiovisual documentation from the field, and a digital archive. The Project Coordinator’s deliverables to IFA, along with the final reports, will be the essay in Bangla and English, extensive audiovisual documentation, a link to the digital archive, and a download of the material of the digital archive in soft copy. Project funds will pay for travel and living, contract fees, purchase of books, hire of equipment, printing, materials, library and archive fees, and stationery.
For the second phase of an Alternative Photography project that captures the socio-economic changes in Daniya village of Almora through dry plate Collodion photography. The photographs produced through this experimental process will be published as limited edition handmade albums, a coffee table book of scanned original photographs for wider circulation, a process documentation booklet and DVD.
