Oct 14, 04 "White Rainbow", movie about Widows in India
Interview with Dharan and Linda Mandrayar, creators of the film White Rainbows about widows in India. Also an interview with Physician/Writer Abraham Verghese about his first novel.
ABRAHAM VERGHESE is an Ethiopian-born South Asian physician whose creative works have been received with widespread praise. His memoir, The Tennis Partner, was declared a New York Times Notable Book. His acclaimed bestseller, My Own Country, an account of his practice with rural Tennessee AIDS patients in the 1980s, was described by Pico Iyer as “a fine mix of compassion and precision.” Dr. Verghese is on the faculty of the UT-Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he directs the Center for Medical Ethics and Humanities. Verghese’s first novel will be published in 2005. We will be talking to him today about this much anticipated new work as well as his life as a physician/creative writer.
WHITE RAINBOW is the story of four remarkable women and their journey to overcome the societal stigma and grim reality of widowhood. Abandoned by their families, impoverished by a system that fails to recognize them, and denied even the most simple grace of wearing color, they find the resolve to transform their lives, and in doing so, the lives of Vrindavan's widows.
The story begins with the tragedy of the film’s protagonist and narrator, Priya. Upon learning of her husband’s sudden death, Priya miscarries her baby. Although her life is one of privilege and prestige, Priya's emotional and tragic catharsis compels her to make a pilgrimage to Vrindavan. Alone and desperate for solace, she befriends three women, all widows, and all with their own powerful and tragic stories to tell.
The elder streetwise, Roop, rejected by her own children and forced to make her way on the streets. Gentle Mala, disfigured by her mother-in-law, a servant and illicit lover to a priest. And young Deepti, widowed at age 15 and forced into prostitution.
Together, this disparate group challenges the myths and traditions that surround not only the treatment of widows in Indian society, but the widows' own resignation to their fate. And, in the process, their own transformation takes hold. No longer destined to a fate of poverty and servitude, the women emerge empowered with the belief that they are the champions of their own lives. The film inspires us all to see the Rainbow present in every
DHARAN MANDRAYAR literally "grew up" in the film industry. As a member of the Sivaji Productions crew during the 80's, Mr. Mandrayar worked on dozens of films in his native India
and throughout Europe. He wrote and directed his first feature film, Ele, My Friend, in 1993. Mr. Mandrayar has written an original screenplay for White Rainbow and is directing the film.
LINDA MANDRAYAR is a graduate of Pepperdine University and holds a degree in Communications specializing in Public Relations and Advertising After marrying Dharan Mandrayar, together they formed Dharlin Entertainment in 1989; Since then, Linda has executive produced and designed costumes for the award-winning Ele, My Friend During production she also acted as liaison between the American and Indian film crews. Linda is also currently producing the documentary series, What Does Love Have To Do With It
