Portfolio | Andrew Garton

A talking drum finds refuge on the Internet

Twenty generations of the Khan family have played the Bhapang or ‘talking drum’, but their music and poetry are in decline. The rapid urbanisation of their village has seen a decline in their music and poetry. Few remain who can transfer the songs of their ancestors to forthcoming generations. But they have found refuge for the culture on the Internet.

Duration: 13:25 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

Weaving a Social Enterprise

The ancient city of Chanderi, India, is home to four and a half-thousand cloth weavers. The city is consumed by the sound of looms. In a 15th century palace, a small group of weavers are breaking from tradition.

Duration: 27:52 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

A Challenge is a Joy

By August 2016 more than 170, Community Information Resource Centres were operating in 80 districts within 22 states in India. They provide Internet access where only radio has ever reached. Some of these centres are reaching beyond caste in spite of geographical and cultural challenges.

Duration: 39:37 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

Raghav and Kiran

An illiterate but self-taught radio technician accidentally turned a wireless microphone into a transmitter. He began a pirate radio station in his village in Mansoorpur, India. Kiran had a university education and learned how to build solar panels and the circuits to power them. She fell in love with the barefoot broadcaster.

Duration: 19:20 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.

Rameshwar’s Soochna Seva

Rameshwar's Soochna Seva

In Bihar, on India’s border with Nepal, thousands of tribal villagers are unaware of Government benefits they are entitled to. Rameshwar Prasad is on an information crusade to make sure they are.

Duration: 22:06 mins
Director: Andrew Garton
Completed: October 2018

Download the book [PDF 2MB] – Right to Know – India’s internet Avant-garde. Published by the Digital Empowerment Foundation and the Australia India Institute.

Purchase the Soundtrack – Music, field recordings and soundscapes

Produced with the assistance of the Digital Empowerment Foundation. A production of Secession/Films.