This documentary time-travels to an era when dark skin was highly esteemed in India
The 30-minute film, which narrates the travels of two great Venetian explorers Marco Polo and Niccolo de Conti during the 13th and 14th centuries is a joint venture between India and Italy, he said. Apart from the Italian Consulate, the film is supported by Karnataka's Ministry of Tourism, Archeological Survey of India, and Baldota Group.
Among the things that the film highlight are a few surprising facts including that people in those days applied some oil – some believe it is sesame – to make their skin look darker and that holi was celebrated with much fanfare in the Vijayanagara kingdom, too, which is said to have ruled from the modern day Hampi, said the director of the film, Ganesh Shankar Raj.
'In fact, we think the European-looking figure in one of the wall engravings in the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur is Marco Polo,' said Raj.
It is indeed recorded in the book published by Penguin, 'The Customs of the Kingdoms of India' that, possibly in the Pandiyan state, the darkest man is the most highly esteemed. But Polo being featured in the Thanjavur temple is contested by some historians, stating that the timeline does not match.
Tagliaferri said it all started when he was watching a presentation on Hampi along with Karnataka's Minister for Law, H K Patil, at an event both were invited to preside over.
'As the slides of Hampi appeared, I realised there's not much we know about Hampi in Italy. For most of us, India is defined by Rajasthan, Kerala, and of course, Taj Mahal,' said Tagliaferri.
The idea for a documentary was sparked after a chat with the minister. The idea took shape when filmmaker Raj, who is also the Founder and CEO of Mindia, a digital platform focused on showcasing India through engaging and visually appealing content, agreed to the project.
Raj said they zeroed in on Niccolo de Conti initially, as he had travelled through Hampi in the 1430s, and his detailed accounts of his travel, published as manuscripts, had a great influence on European understanding of India.
'But de Conti was not a popular figure. In fact, I was not aware of his existence until Alfonso told me. So, we decided to include the journeys of Marco Polo as well, a more well-known Venetian, whose accounts of India could have possibly inspired de Conti to undertake his journey,' said Raj.
The film is also dubbed in Kannada and will soon be dubbed in Tamil. 'Perhaps, in Italian too in the near future,' added Tagliaferri.
'This documentary stands at the confluence of history, diplomacy, and imagination. At a time when cross-cultural understanding is more vital than ever, the film hopes to foster goodwill between our nations and inspire a deeper appreciation of our shared legacies,' said Raj.
For Tagliaferri, the religious tolerance and the beauty standards of those days, which are so different from modern India, are a revelation that he was happy to have come across, just as he was completing his journey as Consul General here.
'But what hasn't changed is the sense of awe that one feels when one encounters India. Polo and de Conti were left in awe when they journeyed through India centuries ago. The same sense of marvel still fills the eyes of visitors today, as it did mine when I arrived three years ago,' added Tagliaferri.
The film was released officially on June 23 at the Bengaluru International Centre in Domlur.
This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Prada 'Kolhapuri sandals' scandal proves the power of India's troll army
AP Kolhapuri sandals displayed at shop in Mumbai, India Retailing for as little as $10, India's beloved Kolhapuri sandals are a staple in wardrobes across the sub-continent. So when luxury brand Prada SpA debuted a new type of footwear at Milan Fashion Week that bore a stark resemblance to them, it didn't take long for the fury to build saga underscores how much power the South Asian giant's digital tribe holds, where online outrage regularly influences public debate — especially when citizens perceive their heritage is under attack. International firms eyeing one of the world's fastest-growing markets should weigh the risks of these cultural missteps. The Italian fashion house's troubles began when it introduced its menswear collection in June. The sandals, described as 'leather footwear,' displayed an open-toe braided pattern that was strikingly similar to Kolhapuri sandals made in the Indian states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. Historically, the sandals were produced for specific communities. For farmers who worked in the fields, they were robust and able to withstand wear-and-tear; for the courtier class and nobles they were more delicate and ostentatious. In 2019, the footwear was awarded the Geographical Indication status, viewed as a mark of authenticity. (Other Indian items to have received this tag include Darjeeling tea and Alphonso mangoes.) But Prada didn't credit India for the designs, prompting a brutal social media backlash. The nationalistic sentiment whipped up by this controversy boosted sales of the traditional sandals. The country's online community is renowned for its digital ferocity — it accused the brand of cultural appropriation, and the furor forced the fashion house into damage control mode. It issued a statement saying it recognized the sandals were inspired by traditional Indian footwear. The luxury brand's experience is a reminder that in India, foreign firms have to be aware of how reputational risk could affect future revenue. Internet penetration is rising, with 55% of the population connected. Social media is growing fast, too: It's estimated the world's most populous nation is home to 462 million social media users. India is a rising global power, one international brands are keen to break into. But local and foreign firms face various challenges: Bureaucracy, shoddy infrastructure and unique consumer behaviors that include a fierce defense of India's rich heritage. All of these factors require a tailored approach. Success in the market lies in the ability to balance local authenticity and global appeal — and the willingness to 'learn to love and speak to India,' as Francois Grouiller, chief executive officer of the luxury consultancy IndLux recently noted. Foreign brands can't afford to ignore India's luxury market, which reached $7.74 billion in 2023, and is projected to approach $12 billion by 2028, a recent Kearney report notes. Other estimates predict the sector could more than triple by 2030, growing to upward of $85 billion. The number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals — people with a net worth of at least $30 million — is expected to grow by 50% by 2028. These forecasts come with the obvious caveats — most notably, there is still a huge wealth gap in the country. While the 100 million wealthiest people are splurging, 400 million of their middle-class counterparts have cut back. Global economic conditions are becoming less supportive, as US President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs fuel trade tensions and put pressure on future growth. Still, viewing consumers as a long-term opportunity rather than just a short-term play would help these firms thrive. Even more important is understanding that India is home to a diverse market with distinct needs. Some brands have grasped this already — high-end jeweler Bulgari SpA offers a pricey Mangalsutra necklace inspired by a chain traditionally worn by married women — tapping into the desire for luxury with home-grown sensibilities. The Italian brand is not the first — and neither will it be the last — to fall foul of cultural norms. Earlier this year, Gucci made the mistake of calling Bollywood star Alia Bhatt's custom-made sari-lehenga (a fusion of the traditional sari with a long skirt) a gown. Another online frenzy was set off in May, when a viral social media trend was criticized for calling the dupatta — a traditional South Asian shawl — a Scandinavian doesn't own any retail stores in India, depending instead on the super-rich diaspora and wealthy Indians who travel overseas. But the firm — which has seen its shares lose about 30% since February as investors took fright at its purchase of Versace — isn't taking any chances. In a conciliatory move, it's now working with traditional artisans to understand the history behind the famed Kolhapuris. The luxury fashion house has learned the hard way that cultural fluency is no longer a 'nice to have'— it's central to business survival.
Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
Top 10 most powerful passports in 2025: Here's where India ranks
Henley Global Passport Index 2025: There has been a growing trend towards increased mobility and stronger passports. More than 80 countries' passports rise to at least 10 places in rankings, and the global average of visa-free destinations increases from 58 in 2006 to an expected 109 in 2025, as reported by the latest Henley Passport Index. Singapore undoubtedly leads the Henley Passport Index this year, having the world's most powerful passport with visa-free access to 193 of 227 countries. Asian countries continue to lead the global mobility race, with Japan and South Korea tied for second place, offering their citizens visa-free access to 190 destinations. Nonetheless, European countries occupy the top five rankings for the strongest passports, with New Zealand being the only country to challenge regional dominance, tying for fifth place with Greece and Switzerland. The UK and US passports, which were formerly among the most powerful in the world over the last decade, are now ranked 6th and 10th, respectively, in 2025, with the US on the verge of dropping out of the top ten for the first time in the index's two-decade history. The UAE remains a standout among the top risers, advancing 34 places over the previous decade from 42nd to 8th position, thereby becoming the only significant climber to climb into the Top 10 in the list. At the opposite end of the spectrum, Afghanistan holds the title for the weakest passports in the world, with only being able to travel to 25 destinations without needing to obtain a visa in advance, thereby resulting in a striking mobility disparity of 168 destinations between the highest and lowest ranked passports. Notably, India has witnessed the biggest jump in its passport rankings over the past six months. It has moved up eight positions from 85th to 77th in 2025, adding two more destinations to its list of visa-free travel, now allowing visa-free access to 59 countries. Historically, India's ranking reached its lowest rank at 90th in 2021, while it performed best in 2006, when it was ranked 71st. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
Pink Villa
13 hours ago
- Pink Villa
5004 numberplate: Rajinikanth's fan recreates superstar's iconic foreign car moment as she buys her first car, says 'shamelessly asked...'
Rajinikanth once made the headlines when he recalled a past memory of being ridiculed by a producer and his journey to success. Now, the superstar's fan has recreated the moment, expressing her joy as a fangirl. Rajinikanth's fan recreates the superstar's iconic moment Taking to her social media handle, Ramya Raman said, 'Bought new car. Took it to Thalaivar home. I kept the keys close to the magical name that has always inspired me to think beyond. And the car number is 5004... yes Thalaivars first car number.' 'Foreign car eduthutu... ithe kodambakkam roadla moment... endrum Thalaivar Vazhiyil (Taking my foreign car and the Kodambakkam road moment. Always in Thalaivar's path). And took delivery from the same person who gave X7 delivery to Thalaivar, shamelessly asked them. Inspired, blessed,' she added. See the fan's post with pictures: When Rajinikanth was insulted by a producer For those unaware, Rajinikanth once recalled an insulting moment in his life during the Darbar audio launch. Speaking at the event, the superstar narrated how he was offered a positive character in another actor's movie, and a remuneration of Rs 6000 was finalized. The actor who wasn't a superstar at that time agreed to the salary and asked for Rs 100 or 200 as an advance. However, the producer refrained from paying the amount and assured it would be given to him on the day of shoot. On the first day of shoot, Rajinkanth was asked to put on his makeup, but refused to apply it until an advance was paid. The actor said, 'The production manager told me that the hero had arrived and asked me to sit for makeup. I refused. I told him that I wouldn't proceed without getting Rs 1000.' Knowing this, the producer became furious and insulted Rajinikanth, refusing to give him a role in the movie and making the actor walk home all by himself. The superstar added, 'That was when I realized that if I do not come back to AVM Studios in a foreign car, then I am not Rajinikanth.' Concluding his words of motivation, the Coolie actor revealed how he fulfilled the promise to himself, appearing at the same AVM Studios in his Italian Fiat with the numberplate 5004, smoking a cigarette and looking regal.
