Untold stories | Megha Ramaswamy's 'Voices of the Land'
Filmmaker Megha Ramaswamy captures the wisdom and living traditions of Northeast India's indigenous communities in her documentary series, 'Voices of the Land', which is streaming now on JioHotstar
Even as a child, filmmaker Megha Ramaswamy was fascinated by the art of telling stories—just that the medium was different. “Back then, I wanted to be a novelist or a poet,” she recalls. It wasn’t until the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) introduced its first screenwriting course that she found a way to marry her love for writing with cinema. She counts acclaimed storytellers Sooni Taraporevala and Sai Paranjpye among her enduring inspirations.
Even as a child, filmmaker Megha Ramaswamy was fascinated by the art of telling stories—just that the medium was different. “Back then, I wanted to be a novelist or a poet,” she recalls. It wasn’t until the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) introduced its first screenwriting course that she found a way to marry her love for writing with cinema. She counts acclaimed storytellers Sooni Taraporevala and Sai Paranjpye among her enduring inspirations.
Even as a child, filmmaker Megha Ramaswamy was fascinated by the art of telling stories—just that the medium was different. “Back then, I wanted to be a novelist or a poet,” she recalls. It wasn’t until the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) introduced its first screenwriting course that she found a way to marry her love for writing with cinema. She counts acclaimed storytellers Sooni Taraporevala and Sai Paranjpye among her enduring inspirations.
That strain of storytelling lies at the heart of her latest project, Voices of the Land, now streaming on JioHotstar. The six-part documentary series journeys through the forests, mountains and river valleys of Northeast India, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives, traditions and ecological wisdom of some of the country’s oldest indigenous communities. “What began as a straightforward exploration series gradually evolved into something slower, more patient, and rooted in respectful observation,” reflects Ramaswamy.
As the team travelled through remote tribal communities during the research phase, the focus shifted from simply documenting lives to collaborating deeply with the local voices of these communities, and ensuring that the storytelling itself remained responsible. “We wanted to engage with their worlds responsibly and authentically without fetishising or exoticising their meaningful ancient cultures and practices,” she says.
With Voices of the Land, Ramaswamy hopes audiences move beyond long-held stereotypes about Northeast India. “I hope it encourages people to see the Northeast with greater curiosity and respect,” she points out. Above all, she hopes travellers learn from indigenous communities’ deep commitment to conservation and develop a greater respect for the fragile ecosystems they call home.
