Ever since ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ by Kartiki Gonsalves received the prestigious Academy Award for ‘Best Documentary Short Film’, I had been waiting to watch this movie. It deserves the reception it received for this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful short films ever made.

The heartwarming documentary transports you to the picturesque Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu. In the verdant land, it is the story of the sweet bond between a couple -Bomman and Bellie belonging to the Kattunayakan tribe and an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu. The narrative is touching and enlightening, as it explores the bond between humans and elephants.

The cinematography of ‘The Elephant Whisperers’ stands out, with the breathtaking shots of the lush green landscape. The majestic portrayal of the elephants, the drone-shots of the magnified beautiful hills and valleys, and the detailing images of the sky, reminded me a lot of the calendar images we used to cut out and paste on scrap books at the end of each year.

Bomman and Bellie dedicate themselves to the care of Raghu so much that he becomes their child. Their patience, love and understanding for Raghu depicts the profound love that they have for him. Soon afterwards, when another baby elephant Ammu joins them, they love her equally and take due care of her. The It becomes a family of four now. The most beautiful scene then comes as Bomman and Bellie get married, and Raghu and Ammu are all decked up for the occasion. When the forest officials decide to transfer Raghu to another caretaker, not only Bomman and Bellie, but also Ammu becomes sad. However, they keep meeting him sometimes, and that cheers them up.

‘The Elephant Whisperers’ is also remarkable for its steady pace, capturing the various subtle details about the surroundings and the daily challenges of the couple. The background score complements the serene and poignant mood of the documentary.

Themes of environmental conversation, the adverse impact of human activity on wildlife and the importance of preserving indigenous and traditional knowledge have been addressed in the documentary. But, the winner here is the power of compassion and the extraordinary bond between species. This touching and stunning visual story is a must-watch!