Portraits of Belonging: Bhai Mian
Sameera Jain
Documentary/30 min/1998/India/Hindi with English Subtitles
Bhai Mian is a kite maker who lives in the last historic Delhi – Shahjahanabad, the city built by Mughal emperor Shahjahan in the 17th century.
The film is a portrait of the man in his context, a man whose ordinariness barely conceals his imagination and resilience. Like many others of the Muslim minority community in India, Bhai Mian’s life is a struggle against all odds.
It was in his youth that he first found magic in his hands, while learning to make jewellery under the tutelage of his Ustad. But later, inflation made it impossible to keep up the practice.
New courses had to be navigated, creative solutions found.
A favourite pastime was turned into a serious profession. Kite making and kite flying took him to several competitions in different parts of the world.
Bhai Mian continuously adapts the craft to new tastes.
A portrait of a man who is a survivor – existing with dignity, humour, even grace.
To be screened with Prakash Traveling Cinema.
Sheharnama 