Rajesh Kaul Synopsis

The Himalayan Mountains in Jammu & Kashmir, the northern most state of India, are home to 'Bakkarwals', the shepherds. They are the pastoral nomads of Jammu and Kashmir, who might be traced back to the foreign tribes that entered ancient India, from the northwest. This film focuses on those Bakkarwals, who are still continuing with their ancient profession. They breed, nurture, tend, and sell their goat and the sheep.

Nomadism, as a way of life is based on their need to forage for their flock. In springs, the Bakkarwals start their 300 km, month long migration to their summer pastures in Vadvan (at 14000 ft, north-east of Kashmir valley.). Their 'transhumance orbit' involves this shifting to their mountain pastures in summers and migrating back to their settlement at the foothills near Jammu, in winters. This movement defines their innate nature and gaunt hardiness. Enduring hardships is intrinsic to their daily routine and their whole way of life.

Each person's productive contribution is important especially since these amazing people are practically untouched by the technology. Living in the jungles, under the open skies, with only a tent as the roof over their heads, they brave the elements of nature and the wild animals. Lately, they also have had to face the attacks and extortions of the terrorists, who often lurk in these mountains. The terrorist activities have directly and indirectly affected much change in their lives. Living as they are in the shadow of violence, Bakkarwals are now forced to use the longer though relatively safer highways. Due to forest enclosures too, they are forced to use highways at many places

Marriages often take place within the clan. The bride is valued, as more hands are always needed to share the workload, even in her new home. Hence, dowry is given by the in-laws due to existence of the custom of 'bride price'. The servants of the shepherds are often their poorer relatives, with whom they often establish marriage alliances. Groom's assets are evaluated at his wedding. In case of divorce, the alimony is based on this evaluation.

It is a hard life but they have each other. The spirit of cooperation marks their lifestyle. This is the strength by which the community survives the vagaries of nature and their own vacillating fortunes. Health and education have suffered a setback. The death rates are high amongst them due to facilities not reaching them. There is a hierarchy within the clan, but none are left alone to fend for themselves. The old, the infirm, the widows and the orphans of the clan are collectively looked after under the guidance of the clan headman. Most activities are collectively done as during marriages, births, deaths, buying and selling of sheep, spinning the yarn etc.

Despite restrictions and changes in their lifestyle, they are still the true inheritors of the landscape they roam in. They are often wrongly accused of deforestation, as they are dependent on the forests and pastures for their own survival. Their life is one long struggle and it is a tenacious effort to live with dignity.

It is Nomadism they enjoy most. So much so that, there is an old aphorism amongst them, that even if a Bakkarwal doesn't have a single goat, he will carry his hen to the mountains!