“A Looming Past” weaves together a multi-layered narrative of the lives of traditional coarse blanket weavers in a small southern Indian village in Karnataka State, Yaravarahalli. Coarse blanket weaving is a traditional caste-based occupation that continues to be practiced as it has been for centuries with almost no technological encroachment. To our surprise, we found Francis Buchanan’s description in the Journey of the blanket weaving process being practiced to this day. This documentary not only shows the ancient process of blanket weaving but also subtly reveals the relationship between the weaver and shepherd as well as the weaver and trader. An ancient occupation that has withstood the onslaught of the Industrial Revolution and colonization now stands at the threshold of globalization and rapid economic growth of the Indian economy. The effect of these forces is already being felt on coarse blanket weaving with the abandonment of looms in several neighbouring villages.
