Wancho folktale becomes first animated film from the Patkai Hills

Itanagar: A remote corner of Arunachal Pradesh is heading to the big screen. Filmmakers are turning a traditional Wancho folktale into an animated short, the first project of its kind from the Patkai Hills.

The film project centers on The Story of the Gourd. This tale explains the origins of the village chief and covers life, land, and governance. It was told by the late Ngamchai Wangsa.

Work is now underway in Bengaluru. Four design students and two Wancho artists are building the film under faculty member Vijay Punia. They use handcrafted models and stop-motion techniques.

The story began in 2019 when UK researcher Jonathan Hope documented oral narratives in Kamhua Noknu. Local teacher Jatwang Wangsa helped translate 32 of these stories into a book published in 2024.

The Adivasi Arts Trust and the Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust provided the cash to restart the work after previous delays. Project leaders aim to keep these traditions alive. They want to connect the youth with their roots.

The final product will be released in Wancho, Hindi, and English. It is part of a larger project called "Stories of Our Ancestors" meant to document indigenous history. Organizers hope the animation makes these ancient tales accessible to new crowds.