This film is part of Free
Devil Dancers of Sikkim
Hear the Lama band, see the sacred dances: welcome to Sikkim, in the shadow of the Himalayas.
Overview
The Maharaja and Maharani of 1930s Sikkim approved of and take part in this ethnographic documentary about their 'strange,' 'magic' culture, found on the pilgrim's route to Tibet. Though the awed English narrator admits his 'devil dance' tag is sensationalist, he dismisses the faith the dance represents. The musical instruments are indigenous, the sound recorded on location, until the contrasting credits, with their thrilling, 'Orientalist' tone.
This was one of a number of films made for the Gaumont-British travelogue series titled Secrets of India (a title probably intended to capitalise of the success of the same company's Secrets of Nature). Preti Taneja
Related
Boat Repairs - Sunderbans Boat Repairs - Sunderbans
Amateur film 1935 11 mins Silent
Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below
Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Silent
Rare amateur footage of East India
Darjeeling: A Foothill Town Darjeeling: A Foothill Town
Travelogue 1934 10 mins
Evocative travelogue exploring life at the foot of the Himalayas, including tea gardens and a Buddhist shrine
Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges. Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent
One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?
Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere
Non-Fiction 1926 6 mins Silent
Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.
Picturesque India or, In and About Calcutta Picturesque India or, In and About Calcutta
Travelogue 1913 5 mins Silent
Botanical gardens in Bombay (now Mumbai) plus the highly decorative Jain Temple in Calcutta (now Kolkata) as they were in 1913.
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Luke Bean of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Samantha Arnold of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.
Horace Ové on Pressure Horace Ové on Pressure
Inside Film 2005 36 mins
The acclaimed director discusses his landmark film in this interview from 2005.
Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A Baltimore - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 28 mins
Directors Christine Molloy and Joe Lawlor dig deep into their thrilling biopic Baltimore, in discussion with Nadia M Oliva.
Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film Pressure star Herbert Norville on Horace Ové's masterpiece, the first full-length Black British film
Inside Film 2023 17 mins
Actor Herbert Norville discusses working with the pioneering filmmaker on his groundbreaking 1975 drama, Pressure.
Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective Horace Ové: Reflecting the People – A Career Retrospective
Inside Film 2023 77 mins
An impassioned discussion on the life, work and legacy of the eminent filmmaker Horace Ové, chaired by Samira Ahmed.