Summary
Highlights
The documentary introduces the Kalbeliya, a nomadic people from Northern India known for their dancing and music, whose name means "those who love snakes." Filmmaker Raphael Treza begins his three-month journey with them, traveling to Rajasthan and the Thaar desert, establishing Pushkar as his basecamp.
Raphael meets Biram, a Kalbeliya gypsy who becomes his guide and translator. Biram's family sets up a camp to make charcoal from the Kata tree, a prevalent shrub. The film shows daily life, including chopping wood and family interactions, and introduces Krishma, a sedentary Kalbeliya who makes henna and teaches dance.
The documentary highlights the nomadic life of the Kalbeliyas as agricultural workers and shepherds. It also covers the joyous Holi festival, a celebration of colors and a temporary breaking down of caste barriers, where Raphael experiences a first-hand encounter with the gypsies' vibrant celebrations and their traditional music.
Raphael is shown the Kalbeliya's unique relationship with snakes, particularly cobras. He learns about their practice of handling cobras, often with their venom extracted, and accompanies Surumnat and Johornat on a search for cobras, encountering various desert wildlife and highlighting the Kalbeliya's deep understanding of their environment.
The film explores Kalbeliya funeral customs, which, unlike other Hindu traditions, involve burial with music and dancing. It also documents a honey hunting expedition with Rumal, showcasing the Kalbeliya's resourcefulness and methods for obtaining honey from aggressive wild bees.
The process of making charcoal is detailed, from chopping and stacking wood to covering the piles with cloth and soil for slow burning. The segment also touches upon Kalbeliya family values, including arranged marriages, the preference for daughters due to their dancing skills, and the significance of wedding rituals.
The documentary introduces other nomadic tribes in Rajasthan, such as the Bhopas, known for their Rawanhattal violins, and the Bagriya, who have a close relationship with their camels. A dramatic scene unfolds as a cobra is found in Surumnat's village, leading to its capture and subsequent release far from human dwellings.
The use of cobra venom in Ayurvedic medicine for improving eyesight is explored, with Raphael experiencing the practice firsthand. The film then returns to the charcoal making process, showing the opening of the burned piles and the eventual sale of the charcoal to a wholesaler.
The documentary culminates with the biggest Kalbeliya festival of the year, a four-day celebration of concerts and dancing. It highlights their unique fashion, dance battles, and communal spirit. Raphael reflects on his time with the Kalbeliyas, acknowledging their adaptability, rich culture, and enduring legacy despite the challenges of modernization.