Aizawl: Cultural and ecological ties between the Mizo community and bamboo took centre stage at a one-day national workshop held at Govt Khawzawl College, 160 km from Aizawl, on Monday.Organised by the college’s history department, the workshop, titled Mizo Ecological Worldviews through Cheraw Dance, examined how Cheraw reflects Mizo traditions, environmental knowledge and the community’s historical relationship with bamboo.Shilpika Bordoloi, associate professor of practice at Ahmedabad University and director of the documentary Mau: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw, addressed the workshop. The film was also screened, followed by an interaction with participants.Bordoloi said the documentary uses Cheraw and the journey of a deceased woman’s spirit to portray the enduring connection between the Mizo people and bamboo. She said the subject had drawn interest outside Mizoram and that the film had received invitations from festivals in countries including the US and Germany.The documentary has academic and creative links with Govt Khawzawl College. PC Lalrindika of the history department wrote its script, drawing on his MPhil thesis, Bamboo and Mizo Society: A Historical Study. Lalramlawmi of the English department narrated the film.According to the organisers, Mau: The Spirit Dreams of Cheraw was screened at the International Film Festival of India in Goa in 2023 and won the Best Debut Film of a Director award at the 71st National Film Awards.The programme was chaired by Lalrindika, head of the history department, while principal Lalruatmawii delivered the welcome address.Organisers said the workshop sought to examine Cheraw not only as a traditional dance but also as an expression of the Mizo community’s relationship with bamboo and the natural environment.
