In the beginning of 90’s some youth sat to evaluate the development in Adivasi (tribal) society. It was felt that although Adivasi society has advanced in the field of government services and in sports but we do not have enough presence it the intellectual field, i.e. in the fields of literature and journalism. So it was decided to develop a group to work in this direction and this is how Akhra was born in 1996. Akhra traditionally has been an open space in the village for community meeting and entertainment, in old days it was basically a seat of learning. Unlike the traditional Ashram system, where the master used to choose the disciples, Akhra was accessible to all. Akhra today, is a group of committed persons, mostly indigenous youths, working in the field of culture, communication and human rights issues of indigenous (tribal) peoples in India, in general, and Jharkhand, in particular. In the last 20 years Akhra has produced more than 30 documentary films and many of them has received National and International recognition.
Hamare Gaon me Humara Raaj (2000) | A film on PESA Act 1996
Development flows from the Barrel of the Gun (2003)
Kora Rajee (2005) - A film on tribals working in tea gardens of Assam in Kurukh language
Gadi Lohardaga Mail (2006) - Narrow Gauge Railway in Jharkhand
Iron is Hot (2008)
100 Din Milega Kaam (2009) - Reality of MGNREGA
Gaon Chorab Nahi (2009) - Music video
Sona Gahi Pinjra (2011) - A film in Kurukh language
Accumulated Injustice (2012) - Dark side of Rourkela Steel Plant
Resistance (2013)
Taking Sides (2015) - A film on Sister Valsa John
The Hunt (2015) - Human Rights Viloation in Tribal states of Jharkhand, Odisha and Chattisgarh
Naachi Se Baanchi (2017) - A film on Dr. Ram Dayal Munda
Akhand Jharkhand (2018) - A song by Dr. Ram Dayal Munda
Mundari Shristikatha (2018) - Animated video on a Mundari folktale
We do not need Dust of Development (2018)
Jharia
Development flows from the Barrel of the Gun(2003)
1. Star Best Documentary
2. Travelling Film South Asia, 2004
Kora Rajee - The Land of the Diggers (2005)
1. Silver Conch, MIFF, 2006
Iron is Hot
1. Navatarangam award karimnagar
2. Best Environment film , IDPA, 2009
3. National Award, Best Environmental film , 2009
Gadi Lohardaga Mail (2006)
1. Nepal Folk Music International Film Festival, 2009
Ek Ropa Dhan
1. Best Film Theme, IDPA
2. National Film Award, Best promotional Film, 2010
The Hunt (2015)
1. Special Category, Jury Award at 8th CMS VATAVARAN – 2015
2. Best Short Documentary Award at 9th IDFFK, Kerala – 2016
3. Best Documentary Award at 2nd International film festival, Shimla – 2016
4. Best Cinema of Resistance Award at 10th SIGNS Festival, Kerala – 2016
5. Best Documentary Award (National Category) at 2nd Bodhisattva International Film Festival, Patna – 2017
6. Silver Award at 12th IDPA’s Awards for Excellence – 2017
7. Best Direction Award at 1st Kolkata International Human Rights Film Festival – 2018
8. Special Jury Award, 1st South Asian Film Festival (Kolkata)2018
Naachi Se Baanchi (2017)
1. Judges Choice Award, 7th International Folk Music Film Festival Kathmandu, Nepal-2017
2. Special Jury Mention, 15th Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF) 2018
3. 65th National Award, Best Biographical and Historical reconstruction film- 2017
4. Best Judges Mention Award, 4th Shimla International Film Festival, Shimla
The duo Biju Toppo and Meghnath founded Akhra in 1996 and have since then been working together. They have made many award-winning films which are based on burning issues relevant to indigenous people’s survival in India and have been thrice awarded the prestigious National Film Awards by the President of India for their films.
Biju Toppo (20 January, 1969) is one of the first Adivasi film makers who have effectively used the camera to counter the misrepresentation of his community by the ‘mainstream’ media his film has received national and international recognition. He uses film as a medium for social activism on behalf of marginalized indigenous communities, and teaches video production at St. Xavier’s College in Ranchi, India. He belongs to the ethnic group Oraon of India.
Meghnath (29 June 1953) is an activist working in Jharkhand for last 30 years. He has been with the people’s struggle against destructive development. As a film maker he has tried to document the voice of those sections of people who remain unheard.
Rupesh Sahu (1 November 1992) is a film student currently working in Akhra for the past five years. He has done major contributions in many of the documentary films released from Akhra and also other side-projects. He has be handling the film editing, sound, direction, cinematography and not to forget handling all the office and technical work in Akhra. In short: a backbone to the Akhra team right now. His Major contribution in latest National Award winning film “Naachi Se Baanchi”.
Gunjal Ikir Munda (October 10, 1990) son of the late Padma Shri Dr. Ram Dayal Munda. He has been associated with the Akhra team for a long time. He has been contributing with his voice-overs and office works. He is also associated with Rupesh Sahu in their side-projects called 4th Pillar and Abua Disum. Currently he is also a professor at Central University of Jharkhand.
The team also comprises of other 10-20 actively participating members like Tarun Paul Kachhap, Shankhu Toppo, Sheshank Kumar Jaiswal, Mahadev Toppo, Sunil Minj, Durang Susan etc.
Address: Shastri Nager, 4th Lane, Kanke Road, Ranchi - 834008, Jharkhand, India
Call: +91 9470565075 or +91 9470182560 or +91 7488017617
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://akhrasite.wordpress.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYooYl9YaK8xgs_t2L8iGLA/videos
01/01/2026
