This film is part of Free
Sir Basil Gould Collection No. 7 - Procession at Gangtok
Traditional games, dancing and music among the people of Sikkim - in vivid colour
Overview
The beauty of the landscape and the traditional culture of Sikkim, amid the spring flora and fauna of northeastern India's Himalayan foothills, is captured in full colour in this amateur film. At a festival, local boys compete in games. Temple flags flutter and local dignitaries greet the English guests with ceremonial pleasure. The extraordinary mountain cows and calves make an appearance.
Civil servant Sir Basil Gould spent his career in the Himalayan region, including in Afghanistan and Tibet. The film shows a sensitive eye for detail and respect for its subject matter, concentrating on the beauty of the land and the relationship of local people to it. Towards the end of the film, boys play the Susira, a traditional wind instrument of Sikkim. Preti Taneja
Related
Boat Repairs - Sunderbans Boat Repairs - Sunderbans
Amateur film 1935 11 mins Silent
Stunning colour footage showing colonial life in the hills of Assam and bustling activity on the lakes below
Devil Dancers of Sikkim Devil Dancers of Sikkim
Travelogue 1934 9 mins
Hear the Lama band, see the sacred dances: welcome to Sikkim, in the shadow of the Himalayas.
Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar Sir John Laing Missionary Films Calcutta, Darjeeling & Bihar
Amateur film 1947 12 mins Silent
Rare amateur footage of East India
Darjeeling: A Foothill Town Darjeeling: A Foothill Town
Travelogue 1934 10 mins
Evocative travelogue exploring life at the foot of the Himalayas, including tea gardens and a Buddhist shrine
Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges. Panorama of Calcutta, India, From the River Ganges.
Non-Fiction 1899 2 mins Silent
One of the earliest films to be shot in India apparently shows the Calcutta ghats - or does it?
Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere Scenes at his Excellency the Viceroys's Garden Party at Belvedere
Non-Fiction 1926 6 mins Silent
Indian high society enjoy themselves at a Calcutta garden party held to welcome the new Viceroy, Lord Irwin.
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Blades Blades
Drama 2023 2 mins
A group of young Black boys run into a building. One of them is about to do the unimaginable.
We Collide We Collide
Romance 2023 2 mins
A queercore romance - a visceral and immersive exploration of the power of the mosh pit and finding love in the most unlikely of places.
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.