📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Entertainment
Bharatbala’s ‘Ramnami’ Wins National Award, Highlights Chhattisgarh ‘Ram’ Tattoo Sect
✍️ The Hindu
🗓 30 Sep 2026, 04:01 PM
👁 12
Documentary ‘Ramnami’ by filmmaker Bharatbala has been honoured with a National Film Award for its portrayal of a Chhattisgarh sect that tattoos the name ‘Ram’ on its members.
The 2024 National Film Awards announced that Bharatbala’s documentary "Ramnami" received a top honour, recognising the film’s in‑depth look at a little‑known religious community in Chhattisgarh. The award, presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, underscores the growing appreciation for documentaries that explore India’s diverse cultural fabric.
"Ramnami" follows members of a sect that permanently ink the name of the deity Ram onto their skin, a practice that has drawn both curiosity and controversy. Through intimate interviews and on‑the‑ground footage, the film documents the devotees’ daily rituals, the social stigma they face, and the spiritual motivations behind the body art.
Director Bharatbala, known for his visual storytelling, spent over two years living among the community to capture their narratives authentically. The award marks his latest achievement after a series of acclaimed projects that blend social issues with cinematic craft.
Cultural observers note that the documentary’s recognition may spark broader discussions on bodily autonomy, religious expression, and the preservation of marginal traditions in modern India.
"Ramnami" follows members of a sect that permanently ink the name of the deity Ram onto their skin, a practice that has drawn both curiosity and controversy. Through intimate interviews and on‑the‑ground footage, the film documents the devotees’ daily rituals, the social stigma they face, and the spiritual motivations behind the body art.
Director Bharatbala, known for his visual storytelling, spent over two years living among the community to capture their narratives authentically. The award marks his latest achievement after a series of acclaimed projects that blend social issues with cinematic craft.
Cultural observers note that the documentary’s recognition may spark broader discussions on bodily autonomy, religious expression, and the preservation of marginal traditions in modern India.