Bharatbala’s new documentary to celebrate Nagaland’s heritage

Vande Mataram and Maryan fame director Bharatbala has now made a documentary celebrating the heritage of Nagaland. Titled Kunemechi – A Home Carved in Ancestry, the documentary centres on a single Naga family that preserves the traditional art of hand-carved wooden homes.“It took nearly two months to shoot, and involved extensive research and on-ground work. The challenge was to ensure the film feels authentic — not like an outsider’s gaze. We wanted to make it feel as if the community itself made the film,” he says.Reflecting on the film’s wider relevance, the filmmaker shares that it is part of his Virtual Bharat project, a larger vision of creating 1,000 stories from across the country. “India is rich in heritage and diversity. How does a child in Tamil Nadu know how a Naga family lives, celebrates and preserves culture? This film is about connecting India to Indians,” he says.The documentary was launched by Bharatbala’s frequent collaborator, music composer AR Rahman. “He has always been part of what I do; he loves exploring unusual narratives and meaningful documentaries. And the timing aligned perfectly for this as he is in Kohima, engaging musically with the people of Nagaland, to celebrate their story and cultural pride. He is also launching the film,” the filmmaker shares.