Jambili Athon, a movie on Karbi folk story begins its shooting

‘Jambili Athon’-a film on Karbi folk story began its shooting at Taralangso since September 5. The film is based on a Karbi folk story towards the making of Jambili Athon sponsored by Cultural Affairs, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) with an estimated budget of Rs.16 lakh. A short inaugural programme was held at the set of the first shoot where chief guest Chandra Sing Kro, President Karbi Cultural Society led the lighting of the lamp in the presence of special invitees and guests. ‘The film is all about the making of ‘Jambili Athon’ by Klengsarpo (youth leader) Thanaram Teron of Longkisar Chinthong village who invented the art of Jambili Athon’, narrated Bidyasing Rongpi during an interaction. Rongpi says ‘Thanaram was a craftsman’. He said Thanaram Teron was also credited with the use of ‘inghin abarlon’ (bamboo pole) for measuring land in cultivating site, locally known as chengburup- drum and also introduced ‘Riso Aterank’ (youth dormitory). Thanaram curved Jambili Athon (Jambili means bag and Athon means branch for hanging bags) from bengvoi tree. Thanaram first introduced the Jambili Athon in the chomangkan- rituals for the dead, in Habe Kong village. It was then admired by all including the Habe Kong- High Chief. It was later accepted as the symbol of the five clans of the Karbis. The main characters in the film are Kakrung Rongpipi as Cheso and Birsing Bey as Thanaram. Story expanded by Bidyasing Rongpi and direction by Babu Rongpi. Bidyasing Rongpi will lend his voice for the four songs in the film. Pradip Daimary is the camera man. The film will be screened under BK Film Production, Rongmongve, Diphu. Brief description of Athon ‘ Jambili Athon is the cultural symbol of the Karbis. Jambili Athon is an artefact , made from wood of Bengvoi tree in Karbi dialogue and scientifically known as Holarrhina antidysenterica with its sides of the main stem are four branches. On the main stem, there is the Vojaru (Drongo bird) and on the side branches are perched by different kinds of birds. In addition , the Jambili is studded by sobai (Courses). According to tradition the Vojaru stands for the Karbi King and the other species of birds perched on the side branches symbolises the representatives from the traditional territorial divisions of the Karbi Kingdom. In short, the Jambili Athon reflects the social pattern of the Karbis. It is the art gallery of the Karbi Society. At the background is the hill which symbolizes the hilly life of the local people. Our Correspondent