Hello Farmaaish! is a heartwarming story of resourceful women who surpass the limitations of society and their surroundings, to reinvent the world they live in. Inspired by the intrepid Kalpana Chawla, a group of enterprising women embark on a whimsical adventure from a small Haryanvi settlement into Outer Space, and back again!
As Space Shuttle Columbia takes off into the Earth’s outer orbit, teddy-bear makers in a remote village hear about Kalpana Chawla’s mission into space. Minaz, a young girl and Gita, her older teacher venture on a path to track the odyssey that captures their imagination.
BBC Hindi and Akashwani report the news as dry data, but the vivid minds of Minaz and Gita see in it, discovery and passion. They convince local RJ Bobby to give them air space on his community radio. Their show explores the Universe in a way they themselves never can. But further, on their journey, they find themselves in uncharted skies. Daily callers wonder if buffaloes can fly, a confounded farmer worries that the Black Hole has swallowed his prized donkey. The inexperienced RJs broaden their minds and win the hearts of the villagers, making their weekend radio broadcast the village favorite, next only to B.R. Chopra’s epic, Mahabharat.
The play is a rollercoaster ride from reality into science fiction to dreams and back to reality again… With the help of radio airwaves and some stunning leaps of imagination, there is no stopping this village from defying gravity!
Hello Farmaaish! is also a tribute to the rural community radio stations of India. During our research, we met many radio jockeys from rural stations in the Mewat region of Haryana who shared their intrepid stories with us. They are inspiring women and men who work daily through their broadcasts, towards expanding ideas, extending support and creating new horizons for their communities.
Based on several true incidents and a good dose of fantasy… Hello Farmaaish! makes you laugh and cry and find new wonder – not just for outer space but also for the valiant heart within!
Originally produced for Aadyam, an Aditya Birla Group initiative.