Madikeri: 'Ummathat', a documentary highlighting the Kodava community's cultural heritage, has been selected for the 19th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF). The festival will take place from June 15 to 21 at the NFDC-FD campus in Mumbai. MIFF is recognized as the largest festival dedicated to documentaries, short films, and animation films in South Asia.
The film focuses on Kodava culture through the traditional dance performed by women, known as Ummathat. Kottukathira Prakash Cariappa and Kottukathira Yashoda Prakash, a couple who have won national and state awards, expressed pride in the documentary's selection for MIFF. They stated that having 'Ummathat' screened at the festival is another moment of pride for them.
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. The film features 13 distinct dance forms of this art, which has a long history, and includes performances by 153 artists.
'Ummathat' was previously screened at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) held in Goa last year, where it became 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.
Expressing happiness at being part of the film, Kottukathira Prakash Cariappa said, "Now, our responsibility has increased further." The documentary continues to bring recognition to the Kodava community and its rich cultural traditions.
