Kathak: The Dance of Storytellers

A stunning display by Nyishi tribesmen from the hills of Arunachal Pradesh, north-eastern India.

Richly detailed record of the Prince of Wales' Indian tour.

Amateur film featuring government buildings in Delhi, a shooting party in Malakand and winter in Abbottabad.

Kathakali performance featuring the great Indian dancer Guru Gopinath.

A scenes from a tour of Manipur State and a women's bazaar in Imphal.

A trip to the spectacular city of Bundi and a Kathakali dance performance, filmed in vivid colour.

Amateur film of a road trip through northeastern India, showing traditional dances and a gigantic flower float.

Vaikhari, which in Sanskrit means intelligent and articulate utterances, primarily focusses on "padhant" which is the art of recitation of mnemonic syllables used in Hindusthani Classical Music and Dance. The film incorporates different artistic streams in allusion to padhant, thereby aiming at a profound aesthetic experience of rhythmic utterances in its multiple manifestations. Kalidasa's immortal Meghdootam serves a template for narrative development while creating a realm of different temporal designs fabricated by various rhythmic elements (percussion, dance) where padhant lies at the nucleus of contemplation and subsequent artistic expansion.

This documentary tells the fascinating story of Vija Vetra, a world-renowned Latvian dancer, choreographer and teacher. At the age of 84, Vetra remains a vital and creative force, and her tale offers inspiration for both artists and lovers of the arts. In a career spanning seven decades, she has mastered diverse styles ranging from ballet to traditional Indian dance, and her talent has won her acclaim as a 'spirit in human form' and 'the bridge between East and West.' Her life is a celebration of the power and beauty of the art of dance, but is also a powerful story of struggle, loneliness and sacrifice. Her creative , positive spirit stands alone against a materialistic world that is constantly changing. Her wise soul, her point of view and criticism towards the modern world push us to think about secret meanings, symbols and the simplicity of life.

The film tells the story of two brothers, Ji and Mi, who were separated for many years and found each other after 20 years.