At the Stairs (0+)
India, 2011, colour, 30 min.
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Many Hindu widows are traditionally encouraged or forced to live for the rest of their lives in Banaras to seek Moksha---liberation from the cycle of life and death. For dying in Banaras promises Moksha. This belief continues to conquer the destinies of thousands of widows even today. These discarded widows continue to wait for their death. "At the stairs" captures lonely moments and lifeless lives of three aged widows who have been waiting for decades to die in Banaras. Ironically, they live at a paradoxical venue, Manikarnika, the busiest cremation ground, where cremations never stop. More then 100 departed souls are cremated here everyday.
Rajesh S. Jala
Rajesh S. Jala
has been making films primarily documentaries for last 12 years. For him it is an enlightening journey through human emotions, social concerns and inner conflicts. He has directed and shot a number of films for leading international and Indian television channels. His films won a number of international and national awards.
FILMOGRAPHY
"Footsteps of Nikitin", 2006; "Floating Lamp of The Shadow Valley", 2006; "Children of The Pyre", 2008; "At The Stairs", 2011.
India, 2011, colour, 30 min.
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Director: Rajesh S. Jala
Many Hindu widows are traditionally encouraged or forced to live for the rest of their lives in Banaras to seek Moksha---liberation from the cycle of life and death. For dying in Banaras promises Moksha. This belief continues to conquer the destinies of thousands of widows even today. These discarded widows continue to wait for their death. "At the stairs" captures lonely moments and lifeless lives of three aged widows who have been waiting for decades to die in Banaras. Ironically, they live at a paradoxical venue, Manikarnika, the busiest cremation ground, where cremations never stop. More then 100 departed souls are cremated here everyday.