Alwar woman’s journey from manual scavenger to film producer

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 5

It may sound incredulous but it’s the true story of a Alwar woman, Usha, whose phenomenal rise from a manual scavenger to a film producer has created waves and given her the celebrity status.

As a producer, her debut film “Madhubani-The Station of Colours” is a 37-minute docu-drama that showcases the transformation of the Madhubani railway station in Bihar through Mithila paintings. It was screened at the fifth International Film Festival of Shimla.

The movie chronicles the history and other valuable facts surrounding Mithila painting. Paritosh Sand, a famous actor and veteran of the NSD, has enacted the role of Divisional Rail Manager (DRM) of Samastipur in the film. Her real life story is so unique that it perhaps renders her to become the first woman in the film industry to have turned into a film producer from a manual scavenger.

Usha attributes her transformation to founder of Sulabh International Dr Bindeshwar Pathak and calls him a “Gandhi”, for he not only brought her into the mainstream, but also helped other women who carried ‘night soil’ on their heads.

Pathak had spotted Usha and few other women carrying night soil on their heads at Alwar and asked them if they were willing to do some other work. The offer was astonishing and Usha told him that they were doing the work out of compulsion, otherwise who would do such work willingly.

Later, Usha along with other women founded an organisation — ‘Nai Disha’. They took some basic education and started making pickles, ‘papad’, agarbatti, jute bags, besides doing stitching work. However, marketing posed a big challenge, for untouchability influenced people’s decision.

Interestingly, the Sulabh International purchased their products and that was the tipping point. Thereafter, Usha joined the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation (SISSO). On seeing her determination, she was later appointed the president of the organisation. She is also the recipient of first “Safaigiri Award” from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

About the movie

The Madhubani station, a prime station of Samastipur Rail Division, was ranked second last among 400 other stations in the cleanliness survey index, following which the DRM (Divisional Rail Manager) of Samastipur decided to make it into one of the most attractive stations across the country. Thus, he came up with an idea to beautify the station with Madhubani paintings.

He invited Mithila painting artists and requested them to cover all walls of the station with their artwork. Around 200 artists transformed the station with their effortless and magnificent strokes on the 700-metre wall. Their efforts yielded the station the second position in the survey.

The film scripted and directed by noted director Kamlesh K. Mishra under the banner of “Sangreela Films” was adjudged a national award winning film for best narration at the 66th National Film Award. The film was shot at the Madhubani station and the Sakri Junction. To his credit, Mishra has helmed critically acclaimed and international award winning short film “Kitaab”.

Madhubani — a docu-drama told through paintings

As a producer, her debut film ‘Madhubani-The Station of Colours’ is a 37-minute docu-drama that showcases the transformation of the Madhubani railway station in Bihar through Mithila paintings. It was screened at the fifth 

International Film Festival of Shimla.