'Matsyanyaya': A Tale Of Urbanisation Devouring India’s Roots

“A state of disorder prevails in the world, the strong devour the weak," Filmmaker Hrutika Patole summarises the essence of 'Matsyanyaya', her latest short documentary, in a single line during her conversation with SheThePeople. 

“The law of the fish” is the literal translation of Matsyanaya, and this short documentary directed by Hrutika vividly portrays what it means. Hrutika says, "Today, the weak are our natural resources and tribal communities, stripped of power, while the strong are the urban elites who, often without consideration, continue to exploit both." 

Hrutika, a 32-year-old independent Indian filmmaker, explores the devastating impact of urbanisation on nature and the livelihoods of those dependent on it in her latest short film. 

In the Name of Development 

"The original idea was just to film the changing landscapes of my beloved places," she explains. 

Today, a large section of urban India is from villages. They move to metro cities for work or study, only to find their hometown unrecognisable when they return. 

Hrutika has had a similar experience, inspiring her for this short film. 

"But this evolved into documenting the pain of people who are losing not just their livelihoods but also their very existence, culture and everything they hold," she says. 

This 15-minute short film focuses on the impact of concretisation and the subsequent effects on some of its tribal communities. It is a reflection upon the state of the country that is transitioning and taking up a Westernised approach towards progress and development while sidetracking its own culture and tribal population in the process. 

Relating the metaphor, the law of the fish, with Indian philosophy, she further adds, “The urban landscapes of the developing cities are quickly taking over its remote villages, throwing the original inhabitants out of their own habitats and jeopardising their traditional way of living.” 

Vanishing Landscapes, Displaced Lives, Lost Livelihoods

The film begins with a quote from the Brahma Vaivarta Purana, written by the ancient sage Veda Vyasa, which means, “At the end of Kali-yuga, twelve suns shining together and bringing great heat followed by torrential rain, will destroy the human race and all other creatures as well. O king of Vraja, the earth will exist in name alone.” It silently sets up a space in our mind for the upcoming distortion Mother Earth is facing. 

The first half of the film was recorded at Lotus Jetty Worli, also known as Fisherman's Wharf in Mumbai, Maharashtra, showing how bridges, flyovers, and highways along the coastline have almost erased the only livelihood of fishermen in the area. 

“If you will not give your land, then how will roads be built? If you don’t give the coastline to the government, how will the bridges be built? To get something you have to give something, this is how the world works,” remarks a Koli fisherman at Versova Jetty, Mumbai, as featured in the documentary. 

Another fisherman laments the disappearance of fish from the sea, which was once their sole source of livelihood. The scene illustrates how infrastructure projects have been built, risking all the environmental impact and leaving coastal communities struggling to survive. 

The film also takes viewers to what used to be a huge green area along the Pune-Mumbai Highway, now left with nothing, and to the heart of Chhattisgarh’s Hasdeo Arand Forest in Surguja District, where coal mines have upended the lives of tribals. With the expanding mine boundaries, the Gond tribes residing in villages such as Basan and Parsa have seen their homes reduced to impermanent shelters. Their livelihoods, reliant on collecting Mahua flowers for liquor and indigenous products, have been devastated by the deforestation caused by mining. 

A Call for Immediate Action 

“This film does not dive deeply into factual information but instead taps into deeper feelings of what it feels to witness destruction firsthand," Hrutika explains. As we watch the film unfold, the visuals evoke discomfort and unease, forcing us to reflect on whether we are on the right track. Through this emotional lens, the film triggers feelings of pain, sadness, and urgency, calling for immediate action and awareness. 

Trying to emphasise the critical nature of the issue, she notes, “We can talk a lot about facts and how the environment around us is getting destroyed by speaking about numbers and statistics, but as long as we don’t feel it inside, we won't feel an urgency to have more and more discussions around how we can become more aware of ourselves as individuals and as a society as a whole.” 

Currently, the film is only available through special screenings in Goa, Mumbai, Pune, and Bir. However, Hrutika is planning to submit it to film festivals. So far, it has captured the attention of environmentalists, travellers, climate activists, and individuals directly affected by these issues.