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.
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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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