Throwback to 'The Elephant Whisperers'
After a fun day at the pumpkin farm and soaking in the fall vibes, a good binge-watching evening is what you need to get the full weekend experience. It was by chance on Netflix that I came across the 2022 documentary 'The Elephant Whisperers', when I was scrolling through aimlessly to find something rejuvenating to watch. I had watched it for the first time back in 10th grade, when it first aired on Netflix in India in the winter of 2022, and my family and I decided to watch it together- we loved watching and learning about elephants, those huge, yet calming, gentle and intelligent creatures.
'The Elephant Whisperers' 54-year-old Bomman and 52-year-old Bellie take us on a serenading journey through the vast soaring, green hills of the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve along the Western Ghats of India in Tamil Nadu, documenting their journey of the upbringing of young elephants Raghu and Ammu. The Theppakadu Elephant camp here is one of the oldest in all of Asia and the most expansive habitat for Asian elephants, set up around 140 years ago. Bomman and Bellie are elephant caregivers, following in the footsteps of their ancestors of the Kattunayakan tribe, members of which have been spiritually and ancestrally rooted in these forests for generations, continuing their centuries-old tradition of elephant conservation.
Their story transcends the elephants' stories of struggle, growth and attachment, having survived and beginning to thrive after losing their parents to accidental electrocution and poaching. Raghu and Ammu were both found in devastating states, sick and weak, unable to tend to themselves after being painfully separated from their herds. Bomman and Bellie were assigned by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to take care of these young calves, with Bellie being the first woman caretaker of elephants in the state of Tamil Nadu. 'It was a miracle that Raghu survived. No one believed that he would in his wounded state,' says Bomman. The tender, loving bond and emotional attachment that develops between the couple and the elephants is beautifully portrayed in the documentary which is the result of five years of patient and meticulous hard work by director Kartiki Gonsalves (who is also a wildlife photographer) and her team, eventually winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Short Film at the 95th Academy Awards, as well as other national honors.
They also explore the unique culture and traditions of the Kattunayakan tribe, and the interconnectedness and respect that the people share with the forests that they lead their lives in and depend on for their livelihood. Elephants are believed to be the Hindu deity Ganesha himself, with the head of an elephant and the body of a human. It reminded us of how rooted and knowledgeable the tribal people of these forests are, understanding that they do not need to take from nature what they do not need, while teaching us to remember the importance and value of these ecosystems and how much our lives revolve around the balance that they create and maintain, even if it is not apparent. They remind us that all of our lives are connected to each other in a multitude of ways, and that breaking these intricate threads can cause the entire chain to weaken and come apart sooner or later. The tribe's ancestral and naturally derived methods for treating the calves and bringing them up in their natural habitat in the tranquil hills of the Western Ghats is highlighted elegantly.
The love and affection seen between the couple and the elephants isn't one-sided- it is reciprocated by the gentle giants as well, showcasing the depth, emotionality and intelligence that is manifested in these huge and fascinating creatures. Though most wild elephants can be dangerous and aggressive at times in their natural habitat, these elephants, having been orphaned and brought up under the supervision and protection of human care reveal the tender side of these creatures. Together, they seem to be the perfect pretty picture of a human family, able to show empathy and care to each other when needed- perhaps elephants, as surprising as the duality of their characters can be, are not so different from us after all.
A lot of times throughout the documentary, many cute and emotional scenes surrounding the couple and their elephants were incredibly moving, and listening to the ordeals that the couple faced in their individual lives while also watching them move on because of the presence of young Raghu and Ammu in their lives was deeply therapeutic and heart-touching. They are the heart of soul of their lives as they are for them, and these elephants are the center of the universe of these Tamil tribes.
Watching it also brought back some personally cherished moments, though seemingly small and simple. It took me back to the times when a huge, big tusker elephant living in a temple near my grandparents' place in my hometown would walk down the streets of our village, visiting each house with its mahout (elephant caretaker) and blessing devotees, the people who would emerge from their homes to welcome the elephant and give alms. The elephant would always be adorned with simple designs and 'vibudhi', or sacred ash smeared across its forehead, and its swaying bell sounding out to the villagers and letting them know of his arrival. As a very young girl, I remember being mesmerized, yet slightly taken aback by the size of this animal and his colossal ivory tusks, strangely softened by the gentle, kind look in his ochreous-colored eyes.
Bumping into 'The Elephant Whisperers nearly 4 years later definitely was a worthwhile coincidence! Check it out :)
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