The Tale of Baunmich & The Mystical Place Hurba
Storyteller : Himanshu Regesoi
Village Sangla, Kinnaur District,
Himachal Pradesh
Read this story in Hindi
In a quiet, uncharted corner of the Indian Himalayan Region, a story has lived on through whispers—The Tale of Baunmich and The Mystical Place, Hurba. Set in the Sangla Valley of Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, the Baunmich, as translated from Kinnauri, means the ‘dwarf people’. Yeshi, a Buddhist monk, who is also a keeper of ancient legends passed down through generations, shares his take on this tale. This story attempts to uncover and then piece together fragments of dwarven mythology that lingers on in the memories of mountain folk that share this ethereal landscape.
Hurba, a place shrouded in mystery, is said to have existed long before the more recent settlement of Sangla. According to Yeshi, Hurba was once a thriving town. However, it met a tragic end leaving its ruins steeped in myths and secrecy where to this day, whispers of paranormal activities persist.
Guided by Yeshi and his father, Dorje, the film delves into stories passed down through generations. It explores clues etched into rocks, hinting at a lost world.
But the questions remain: are these tales’ mere myths, or do they hold truths of a time bygone? Can this folklore take us on a journey that connects reality with the supernatural? Who were the Baunmich, the mystical dwarf society said to possess ancient wisdom? What secrets lie hidden in Hurba that are yet to be revealed?
Meet the storyteller
Himanshu Regesoi
Himanshu Regesoi's passion for cinema runs deep. Born and raised in the mountainous region of Sangla, Kinnaur, he is a self-taught filmmaker currently pursuing a degree in English Literature. His diverse interests in music, literature, astronomy, and science enrich his storytelling. Driven by a desire to showcase Kinnaur's rich cultural heritage, Himanshu aspires to help establish a regional film industry that reflects the beauty and tales of his homeland. Stargazing is one of his favorite pastimes.
हिमांशु रेगेसोई का सिनेमा के प्रति जुनून गहरा है। सांगला, किन्नौर के पर्वतीय क्षेत्र में जन्मे और पले-बढ़े हिमांशु एक स्व-प्रशिक्षित फिल्म निर्माता हैं, जो वर्तमान में अंग्रेजी साहित्य में डिग्री प्राप्त कर रहे हैं। संगीत, साहित्य, खगोल विज्ञान, और विज्ञान में उनकी विविध रुचियाँ उनकी कहानी कहने की कला को गहराती हैं। किन्नौर की समृद्ध सांस्कृतिक विरासत को प्रदर्शित करने की इच्छा से प्रेरित होकर, हिमांशु अपने मातृभूमि की सुंदरता और कथाओं को प्रतिबिंबित करने वाले एक क्षेत्रीय फिल्म उद्योग की स्थापना में योगदान देने की आकांक्षा रखते हैं। तारों को निहारना उनके पसंदीदा शौकों में से एक है।
Voices of Rural India
Voices of Rural India is a not-for-profit digital initiative that took birth during the pandemic lockdown of 2020 to host curated stories by rural storytellers, in their own voices. With nearly 80 stories from 11 states of India, this platform facilitates storytellers to leverage digital technology and relate their stories through the written word, photo and video stories.
ग्रामीण भारत की आवाज़ें एक नॉट-फ़ॉर-प्रॉफ़िट डिजिटल प्लैटफ़ॉर्म है जो 2020 के महामारी लॉकडाउन के दौरान शुरू हुई थी, जिसका उद्देश्य ग्रामीण कहानीकारों द्वारा उनकी अपनी आवाज़ में कहानियों को प्रस्तुत करना है। भारत के 11 राज्यों की लगभग 80 कहानियों के साथ, यह मंच कहानीकारों को डिजिटल तकनीक का प्रयोग कर और लिखित शब्द, फ़ोटो और वीडियो कहानियों के माध्यम से अपनी कहानियाँ बताने में सक्रीय रूप से सहयोग देता है।
Such a beautifully written story! The words flow effortlessly, drawing you into the narrative with every line. I could read this over and over and still feel the magic each time.