Kalighat Fetish
(Kalighat Athikatha)
The film attempts to negotiate with the duality that is associated with the ceremonial veneration of the Mother Goddess Kali- the presiding deity of Calcutta. It delves into the subliminal layers of consciousness, underlying the ritual of Kali worship. The film ruminates on the nuanced trans-sexuality that is prevalent in the ceremonial performance of male devotees cross-dressing as Kali, in an act of obsessive devotion.
1999, 16mm, Color, 22 minutes.

Credits
Directed, produced & written by: Ashish Avikunthak
Cinematography: Srisha Ray
Editing: Neeraj Voralia
Sound: Atanu Sinha
Performer: Kaushik Gangopadhya

Selected Festivals
*Best Documentary, Tampere Film Festival 2001
Sommerszene, Salzburg 2007
Tate Modern, London 2006
Centre George Pompidou, Paris 2006
Espace Croise, Roubaix 2006
Experimenta, Bombay & New Delhi 2004
New York Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 2002
Los Angles Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 2001
Chingari Video Fest, Madison 2000
London Film Festival 2000

Distribution
Lightcone, Paris