Paris witnessed a moment of cultural pride as Stream-Story, a film produced by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), under the Ministry of Culture was awarded the Mention Spéciale – Prix du Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel 2025 (Special Mention – Intangible Cultural Heritage Award 2025) at Cinéma du Réel, one of the world’s most prestigious documentary film festivals.

Sponsored by the French Ministry of Culture’s Direction Générale des Patrimoines et de l’Architecture, this award recognizes cinematic works that preserve and celebrate the intangible cultural heritage of humanity—oral traditions, rituals, performing arts, and indigenous knowledge systems.

A Film That Brings Forgotten Traditions to Life

At its heart, Stream-Story is more than just a film—it is a poetic tribute to kuhl, the centuries-old water channels of Himachal Pradesh. These intricate irrigation systems, sustained by generations of community wisdom, are not just engineering marvels but also vessels of storytelling, folklore, and ecological philosophy.

Through a stunning visual and auditory experience, Stream-Story transforms water into a narrative force, flowing through time and memory, revealing the deep connection between people, nature, and tradition.

A Milestone for IGNCA and India’s Cultural Heritage

IGNCA representative Prof. Achal Pandya (Head, Conservation Division, IGNCA) while receiving the award said, “This international recognition is a proud achievement for IGNCA, an institution dedicated to preserving India’s vast artistic and cultural legacy. Stream-Story not only elevates a lesser-known yet vital part of India’s heritage but also reaffirms the power of cinema as a living archive—one that does not merely document but immerses, interprets, and evokes.”

Accompanying the film, a meticulously researched companion book, also published by IGNCA, expands on the themes of Stream-Story, weaving together history, myth, field studies, and visual storytelling. Together, the film and book form a unique cultural diptych—a once-in-a-lifetime artistic endeavor that brings India’s intangible heritage to the global stage.

This award at Cinéma du Réel marks a landmark moment for Indian cultural cinema, spotlighting the importance of preserving living traditions before they fade into obscurity. Stream-Story stands as a testament to the resilience of heritage, the beauty of oral traditions, and the timeless wisdom embedded in our natural world.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari

pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com

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