In 1976-77 my father temporarily closed down his business, and packed his bags to study and live with the tribals of Madhya Pradesh for a whole year. Upon his return he would narrate stories of the tribals, their hardships, joys, and ways of life. He showed his photographs, line-drawings and artifacts (bows, arrows, masks) to enhance his stories. He went on to write several books about the simple, yet thrilling lifestyles of the native forest people of Central India.
But it was not until today, that I could visualize that lifestyle in such brilliant detail. Today I saw the 1927 film Chang by Merian Cooper and Ernest Schoedsack (yes, the same guys who made King Kong) of life as God intended it to be. The slow pace, the earthly music, cohabitation of men and animals just took my breath away.
It is a silent, black and white movie and you might not enjoy it as much as I do. However, if you have liked father's Stories of Bastar travel or have a remote interest in the anthropology, I encourage you to rent/buy the movie.
The movie is set in Thailand (Siam), but I claim that it portrays life no different than life of the period (why, even of year 1977) in India.
More Pictures of Boys Riding Animals in India
