Kodava documentary ‘Ummathat’ selected for Mumbai International Film Festival

Madikeri: Ummathat, a Kodava documentary, has been selected for the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), to be held from June 15 to 21 on the NFDC-FD campus in Mumbai.

The film showcases Kodava culture through traditional dance performed by women. MIFF is the largest festival dedicated to documentaries, short and animation films in South Asia.

Kottukathira Prakash Cariappa and Kottukathira Yashoda Prakash, a couple who have won national and state awards, said ‘Ummathat’ being screened at the Mumbai International Film Festival is another pride.

Produced by Kottukatthira Yashoda Prakash under the Swastik Entertainment banner and directed by Kottukathira Prakash Cariappa, ‘Ummathat’ sheds light on the Kodava folk dance form. A total of 13 dance forms of this art form, which has a long history, were filmed, featuring 153 artists.

‘Ummathat’, which was screened at the 56th International Film Festival held in Goa last year, was the first Kodava-language documentary to be selected for the Indian Panorama. It was later selected for the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival in January.

“Now, our responsibility has increased further,” said Kottukathira Prakash Cariappa, expressing happiness at being part of the film.