Bayberries Ripen in the Monsoon

‘Kafal Pako‘ is a popular folk tale from the Uttarakhand and Nepal regions that conveys a deep cultural connection to nature, particularly the kafal fruit (bayberry). According to the legend, a mother and daughter had a dispute over the kafal fruit, with the mother accusing her daughter of eating the fruit she had left to ripen. The daughter denied it, but tragically, the misunderstanding led to her death. Stricken by grief, the mother also passed away soon after. It is said that both mother and daughter reincarnated as birds. Every spring, their voices can be heard in the forest: the mother calls out, “Kafal pako” (The kafal are ripe), while the daughter responds, “Mil ni chakko” (But I didn’t eat them).

In 2021, I first heard the call of the Indian cuckoo, accompanied by a captivating folklore shared with me by a friend. That moment planted the seed for this film. Over time, I’ve noticed the bird’s call growing rarer, which deepened my connection to the story and my desire to bring it to life.

In Uttarakhand, the saying goes “Kafal Pako Chaith”, referring to the ripening of the kafal fruit in spring. However, during my research for the film, I discovered that climate change is causing the kafal fruit to ripen earlier or later than usual. This realization led me to the title ‘Kafal Pako Ashadha’, with Chaith representing spring and Ashadha symbolizing early monsoon, reflecting the disruption of nature’s cycles in the region. The title embodies the shifting seasons and the broader impact of environmental change on traditional rhythms.

Initially, I thought the film would be primarily about Anshul and Granny. However, the more I watch it, the more I realise it’s truly about the kafal stained letter. The stained letter serves as a butterfly effect, echoing the activities heard throughout the film—whether it’s a dynamite blast for road construction or various building endeavors. It also reflects what is not heard in the film, like the Indian cuckoo bird, Anshul is trying to call. The bird, once commonly heard in the mountains, is a species now struggling to adjust its internal clock to the changing pace of the world.

Creating this film has been an enlightening journey for me as a director. I’ve come to see films as a form of art centered on communication rather than constent.