BISHAR BLUES

BISHAR BLUES(2006)

Director: Amitabh Chakraborty

Country:India

Runtime:79min

Bengali Fakirs are Islamic people who live in Bengal, in Eastern India. The Bengalis are the second largest ethnic language group who practice Islam. The Fakirs are Bengali with their own typical ethnic, cultural and geographical mix. In their practice of Islam they have extended it’s scope over the complex multiplicities of their own land.

The Fakirs believe that to know oneself is to know God. There is no higher entity than Man. In fact, they search for Allah in Man. Through the practice of this indigenous form of Islam, called 'Marfat', they keep Islam open-ended. 'Marfat' is passed on in the oral tradition through songs.

'Bishar Blues' undertakes a journey to understand 'Marfat' through encounters with various Fakirs and their songs.

Winner of:
Golden Lotus, Best Film award in the 54rth National Awards Nonfeature section;
National awards also for Best Audiography and Best Editing;