Change is the only constant in life is an age-old saying. But just because it is the only constant doesn’t mean it is any easier just like life. Any change is hard to process so imagine one that requires you to question your entire existence the way you know it. An everyday struggle for anyone who is part of the LGBTQ+ community. A struggle that can only be resolved with acceptance. A sort of acceptance that only comes with knowledge. Sadly, not everyone in our society is privy to this knowledge. TAMAS: From Ritika To Ritwik captures this beautifully in their short documentary film.
TAMAS: A Closer Look
Directed by Rajkishore Mohapatra, TAMAS is a short documentary film of about 13 minutes, following the journey of Ritika to Ritwik. With pride marches and queer affirmative therapy, you might think that our society is finally taking a step towards understanding the members of the LGBTQ+ community. And that is exactly when TAMAS throws the bucket of ice-cold water of reality on your face.
What stands out the most in the film is that it’s not the typical film showing a queer person navigating their way through life while the entire society including their parents throw stones at them. Sure, there was a phase where Ritika’s (now Ritwik) parents found it hard to accept such a change. But they never put any change above their child. And by doing so they showed the entire world how it’s both the person figuring out their sexual orientation and their guardians can navigate this change together and not give up on each other.
The brilliant camerawork beautifully captured the struggles and pain that Ritika (now Ritwik) endured while they were still figuring out their true identity. From using various imageries like footsteps slowly making their way into the sea to a small child crying in agony to a burning landscape in the background with a constant tensed flute melody playing in the back through it all, Mohapatra managed to capture each mood and emotion without a glitch. The best part about the entire film is how it manages to move you with so many emotions without even showing the faces of any of the people featured in the documentary. This clearly shows the beauty of the director’s clear planning and precise execution.
Afterword
Going through your entire life as someone, only to realise that it’s not truly you, is not something one can easily digest and move on from. Even in 2023, where information is available at the tips of our fingers, many people like Ritwik are still struggling with their identity because of a lack of awareness about the LGBTQ+ community. By being one of the youngest people in the state of Odisha to undergo a gender change surgery, Ritwik becomes a source of inspiration for many such struggling youth. And through his tale captured in TAMAS he is sure to inspire many more.
