UNDERSTANDING FOLK
Formally began my quest to understand the nature and relevance folk as early as 2009 with a research paper as part of graduation degree. Soon after graduation, I was brought back into the world of ethnographic explorations and documentation through films. There have been four documentaries till date.
EQUALS / DOCU SERIES / for Anahad Foundation / 2024
MEEN RAAG / Documentary/ for Sahapedia / 2021
OF LOVE & ARTISTRY / Documentary / for Jaipur Virasat Foundation / 2017
UTSAV / Documentary / for JVF & Studio Ainak / 2016
Director: Suruchi Sharma
Producer: Jane Himmeth Singh
Executive Producer for JVF: Vinod Joshi
Editor: Ruth Lobo
Cinematographers: Arnold Fernandes /Ashok Meena /Mehul Bhanti/ Suruchi Sharma
Location Sound Recordist: Shoaib Maneri
Sound Designer: Swaroopnath Bhatra
Colourist: Srikanth Kabothu
Graphic Design: Roshan Kumar / Thommen Lukose
OF LOVE & ARTISTRY
Of Love & Artistry is a film that explores the lifestyle and life stories of different folk artists from Rajasthan while talking about memories and anecdotes associated with John Singh (John Da), the man who helped these artists explore the world of music on various national and international platforms and go beyond the boundaries of their regional performing space.
Special Mention by Jury IDSFFK 2017
Runner Up Short Documentary at AFMX 2020
"For the disarmingly simple account of a community of singers, inspired to save their songs by finding newer ways of continuing to sing them."
Jury Statement
EQUALS
A captivating journey shines a spotlight on visionary artists and their remarkable resilience. Witness the collaboration of legendary songwriters as they craft powerful anthems of change!
Director: Suruchi Sharma
Cinematographer: Ankur C
Editor: Vibhav NIgan
Produced by Anahad Foundation
Special Mention Award IDA 2023
"Your “Utsav” is a brilliant short piece (worth showing regularly at the RRAP hub) and you’ve got a terrific, clear eye for the telling moment…. very humanistic, person-centric approach to fly-on-the-wall documentation reminding me of the work of American filmmaker Les Blank."
David Roche
Ethnomusicologist & Art Consultant
69th National Award Winner for Best Location Sound 2021
Directed & edited by Suruchi Sharma
Shot by Ashok Meena
Sound Design by Prince Bhatra
Graphics by Neelesh Saran
Trailer edit by Shubhangi Acharya
Assisted by Satendera Veer Daraiya
MEEN RAAG
Meen Raag is a one of a kind documentation of the Meena community of Rajasthan, to study and document the different musical traditions of the community. Made as part of the Sahapedia Research Fellowship 2019.
"We all agree you have made a beautiful film."
Faith Singh
JVF Co-founder
UTSAV
A village fair organised by an NGO in the middle of a small village in Rajasthan becomes a hub for entertainment, education, and fun and is a platform to connect folk entertainment to its true audience . Capturing the essence of the fair in an observational way, the film is made single handedly by the film maker with the use of minimal resources.
Winner of Forum Lenteng Award 2017
Acquired by Epic Channel for broadcast 2020-2022
Producer: Ainak
Co Producer: Jaipur Virasat Foundation
Director: Suruchi Sharma
Cinematographer: Suruchi Sharma
Editor/ Suruchi Sharma Sound Designer: Suruchi Sharma
Assistance: JVF team
Graphics: Satish Poddar
Music and appearance: Various Artists
NOTES TO SELF
When the artist becomes real and loving entity, when an audience begins to empathize with the performer, then does true appreciation begin - opening several doors of survival and propagation for an art form and the artist to thrive.
Notes in Bahasa Indonesia by cinephile and curator, Otty Widasari on film Utsav: a memoir of Shekhawati Utsav 2014.