https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Wildlife Filmmaker S. Nalla Puthyu’s Films Celebrate the Spirit of Motherhood in the Jungle

Through his lens, S. Nalla Puthyu not only immortalizes the lives of tigress mothers but also awakens the human conscience to the fragility and beauty of life in the wild
Indian Masterminds Stories

Mr. S. Nalla Puthyu, a renowned wildlife filmmaker from Daat, has carved a unique legacy by choosing tigress mothers as the central characters in all five of his acclaimed documentaries made over the past two decades. Each of these films has not only captivated audiences but also earned the prestigious Presidential Award, highlighting both his cinematic excellence and the emotional depth of his storytelling.

Also Read: ‘Tiger Reinstatement Project’ Concludes with Final Tiger Transfer from Corbett to Rajaji National Park

Reflecting on his creative choices, Mr. Puthyu says, “Every story is incomplete without a mother. In every film of mine, the main character is a female tiger or elephant. Perhaps it’s the love I received from my own mother during childhood that I now seek in every forest. When I film, I become a child again.”

Currently, Mr. Puthyu has spent three years documenting the life of ‘Maya’, a well-known female elephant in Maharashtra. This latest project narrates the story of three generations—Maya and her offspring—tracing both their birth and tragic ends. It is a continuation of his deeply personal and emotionally charged exploration of motherhood in the wild.

Here are the five Presidential Award-winning films by Mr. Puthyu:

  1. Tiger Scene (2007, Ranthambore): Lead: Tigress T-17 “Sundari”; This film showcases how Sundari established her territory after her mother’s sudden disappearance, facing constant threats to defend it.
  2. Tiger Dynasty (2008, Sariska): Lead: Tigress T-18 “Badhin”; A tale of relocation and revival, this film follows Badhin, moved from Ranthambore to Sariska, who played a pivotal role in repopulating the forest.
  3. Tiger Revenge (2009–10, Ranthambore): Lead: Tigresses T-17 and T-19 “Krishna”; This film explores how T-17 relinquished her territory for her cubs before seeking a new mate, while Krishna emerged to continue her legacy.
  4. Clash of Tigers (2011–12, Ranthambore): Lead: T-19 and her four cubs; A deeply emotional film narrating how T-19 braved threats to save her weak cub, even battling a crocodile while crossing a lake.
  5. World’s Most Famous Tigress “Machhli” (2015, Ranthambore): Lead: Tigress T-16 “Machhli”; The story captures Machhli’s later years after her cubs ousted her, focusing on her resilience and struggle for survival in solitude.

In 2023, Mr. Puthyu’s influence extended to a national stage when the Prime Minister launched the Tiger Anthem, a 3-minute tribute featuring the story of ‘Maa Badhin’ and her cubs from Maharashtra. The poignant anthem echoes a cub’s plea: “Will you give this forest back to us?”—a powerful call to protect India’s wildlife.

Through his lens, S. Nalla Puthyu not only immortalizes the lives of tigress mothers but also awakens the human conscience to the fragility and beauty of life in the wild.

Also Read: Over 60 Orphaned Asiatic Black Bears Rescued by CBRC at Pakke Tiger Reserve


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
Mohan Yadav
MP CM Mohan Yadav Pushes for Sustainable, Community-Driven Rural Water Policy; Targets 100% Tap Coverage by March 2027
Ajay Bhadoo IAS
IAS Ajay Bhadoo Gets Extended Term as DGFT - What It Means & His Career Journey
THDCIL_Receives_ABMS_Certification_for_Integrity_and_Transparency
THDC India (THDCIL) Awarded ISO 37001:2016 Anti-Bribery Certification by BIS - Details Inside
Ministry of Environment
Environment Ministry Clarifies Petrol Vehicle Tender, Cites E-Vehicle Flexibility
Bokaro Steel Plant
PESB Selects Priya Ranjan to Head Bokaro Steel Plant, SAIL’s Key Production Unit
REC Limited wins ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC (DNA) Awards
REC Limited Bags ‘Best Design Thinking Award’ at 5th Distinguished NBFC Awards
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC
NCST Holds Review Meeting with NHPC on Implementation of Safeguards for Scheduled Tribe Employees
MP CM Collector Award Niti Aayog
Sampurnata Abhiyan: Madhya Pradesh Leads NITI Aayog Campaign; Collectors from 8 Districts Win Gold
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT