SHASHWAT GUPTA RAY
For generations, Goa’s tradi tional goldsmiths have transformed a precious metal into intricate pieces of jewellery, but the artistry behind their work has often remained over shadowed by its commercial value. In an attempt to shift that fo cus, young Goan filmmaker Prachi Shirodkar’s maiden documentary, ‘Bhaangar Kalakusar Karigiri’, ex plores Goa’s traditional goldsmith community. The film has now been officially selected for the Internation al Cultural Journal Award in Ukraine. It has already travelled beyond the festival circuit, with screenings in more than 100 Ukrainian schools, giving students an opportunity to discover a traditional Goan craft and the generations of skill behind it. For Prachi, the subject is more than a cultural tradition she chose to document. Her family belongs to Goa’s goldsmith community, giving her a personal connection to a craft she has watched being practised across generations. “My film focuses on Goa’s tradi tional goldsmith community.
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Having practised this craft for generations, my goal is to highlight the intricate artistry and generational continu ity behind this work,” Prachi told O Heraldo. The documentary delves into the painstaking process behind jew ellery-making, drawing a contrast between the traditional techniques of goldsmiths, who relied on hand tools and skills passed down through generations, and the growing use of modern machinery. The film also exam ines the economic realities confront ing families whose livelihoods contin ue to depend on the trade, and asks whether the skill and la bour invested in the craft are valued far more than the price of the finished product. “The jewellery industry is mostly known for its commer cial aspects, which often overshadow appreciation for the art form itself. My primary objective is to highlight the sig nificant effort and artistic dedication involved in the jewel lery-making process,” she said. For Prachi, recognising that creative process is crucial to preserving the identity of the craft. “The intricate work that goes into creating each piece is fundamental, and I be lieve it is essential to bring recognition back to this creative stage,” she said.
A graduate in Mass Communication from Don Bosco Col lege, Panjim, Prachi is currently based in Mumbai and is looking to build a career in filmmaking. The recognition in Ukraine is therefore significant not only as a milestone for a young filmmaker, but also for the community she has chosen to put on screen. “While the current 10-minute film provides a brief over view, I hope to expand on the subject in the future and share more details about the craft and the community,” the budding filmmaker said.
