“Travelling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
The culturally diverse, socially complex, vast expanse of the Indian subcontinent has attracted generations of globetrotters and enthusiastic travellers. This country is every storyteller’s dream, with awe-inspiring natural beauty of mountains, desserts, beaches, and forests, incredibly flavoursome varieties of food, countless spiritual passages, phenomenal historic monuments and a kaleidoscope of colourful local people. From the lofty mountains of the Himalayas to the gorgeous and serene tip of Kanyakumari, the immeasurable immensity of India is captured through the lenses of silent observers. Sometimes, however, it’s important to view our lands and our people through the eyes of ‘foreigners.’ There’s a wealth of varying perspectives and knowledge to be gained from their insights and that’s exactly what led us into compiling this feature.
Without further ado, here are some of our favourite travelogues from globe-trotters across the world who explore various facets of India - food, religion, culture, history, adventure - to paint 11 beautiful portraits of what India looks like to an outsider. Many have tried to tell the complex story of India. These are the few who we think truly grasp at least bits of its essence.
I. Our Guy In India
...England’s most recognisable motorbiker drives 1600 km across India, only to end up just outside Goa.
Director: James Woodroffe
Our guy in India, a thrilling adventure travelogue, stars one of UK’s most recognisable motorbike racers on his wild, exhilarating ride across India. Speed demon Guy Martin mounts a second hand 500cc Royal Enfield Bullet in Delhi, and heads into the North of India. His UK-originated motor skills are inaugurated in the true Indian way as, much to his bafflement, his bike is decorated with a garland of flowers. Guy’s escapades around India involve two things he loves - motorcycles and tea. Satisfying his thirst for unique experiences, he even prunes a few bushes himself and earns his cup of tea. This 1600 km cross-country ride culminates in an extraordinary motorcycle race outside of Goa with over 1,200 competitors - an amazing sight you’re unlikely to have witnessed before. This documentary is enough to provide both adrenaline junkies and avid travellers with the inspiration to pack their bags, get on the road and taste the freedom in the rushing wind.
Catch the exhilarating trailer of Our Guy in India here.
II. Hit The Road: India
...Two crazy friends journey from India’s West coast to its East in a - wait for it - rickshaw.
Director: Gor Baghdasaryan, Mushegh Baghdasaryan
Experience adventure across India with Ric Gazarian and Keith King, as they conquer the subcontinent from the West to the East in a vehicle least suited for a road trip. This brilliantly inspiring travel adventure documentary captures two Americans participating in Mumbai Xpress’s 12-day-long Rickshaw Challenge from Mumbai to Chennai, and the unbelievable cultural experience they have along the way. When your mode of transport’s top speed is 60km/hr, you don’t have any choice but to sit back and truly feel the 2000 km journey, instead of zooming past it.
Catch the travelogue that chronicles the 12-day-long journey of these two men, and how their positivity, enthusiasm and grit is challenged by days intertwined with hardships and painful circumstances. Ric and Keith’s spirit inspires travellers to take troubles in their stride, because risks and experiments make the journey worthwhile. The beautifully picturesque landscapes of India are brought to life by Armenian directors Gor and Mushegh Baghdasaryan with this enthralling documentary surrounding a rickety tuk-tuk.
Watch the trailer for the adventures of Ric and Keith in Hit The Road: India here
III. Contiki Conschmiki: A Sustainable Travel Documentary
...Two American Men Attempt To Minimize Their Carbon Footprint as they adventure through India.
Director: Will Pitt-Thacker, Tom Cornish
Will and Tom are two adventurous American travellers, but they are more than just that too. They are travellers with a cause. We urge all travellers and environmentally conscious folk to unite and catch this breathtaking documentary on sustainable cross-country travelling in India. Having individually travelled across South Asia and the Middle East, they have both witnessed unspeakable poverty, devastating urbanization, loss of culture and heavy environmental degradation. Disturbed by the carbon footprint that tourists and travellers leave behind, Tom and Will decided to travel across India on bicycles and create this inspiring documentary to show the world an ecologically viable way of travelling. And, of course, have unthinkably crazy adventures along the way.
Starting from Rishikesh, the challenging topography and taxing mode of transport are only a few of the challenges they faced. The adventure piled on as these two high-school friends attempted to neutralize their carbon footprint - including their flights to and fro India. Tom and Will adopted many environment-friendly travel quirks, like only using bicycles as transport, travelling with solar panels and being completely vegetarian. Eager globe-trotters are urged to watch Contiki Conschmiki to experience this crowd-funded cross-country bike ride of fun and adventure that redefines sustainable travel.
Catch the trailer for Will and Tom’s crowd-funded documentary Contiki Conschmiki here.
IV. Beyond: Varanasi, India
...Photographer Joey L. discovers how truly tranquil India’s Holy Men are.
Director: Cale Glendening
Beyond is an exclusive documentary by filmmaker Cale Glendening as he follows photographer Joey L. and his assistant Ryan through Varanasi as Joey shoots his photo series ‘Holy Men’. This thought-provoking travel documentary captures India’s sadhus on their path towards seeking inner peace and truth. Cale opens your eyes to the solace and harmony of asceticism as he uncovers the fascinating lives of Aghoris and other Indian holy men. In the digitally obsessed materialistic world of today, it is inspiring to see people renouncing all earthly possessions, dedicating their lives to the pursuit of spiritual liberation. Their reality is dictated only by the mind, not material objects. Even death is not a fearsome concept, but a passing from the world of illusion. Can you imagine everything you own in the world fitting into one jhola? Beyond is a spiritual experience that helps you discover the true tranquillity that comes from simple living.
Click here to watch the entire documentary Beyond: Varanasi, India.
V. The Great Indian Railway documentary (1995)
...Experience the colours of the 90’s aboard the one thing that links the whole of India - its railway.
Director: William Livingston
Released in 1995, National Geographic’s fascinating documentary The Great Indian Railway captures the countless intimate stories and lives that intersect on the beautifully complex trains of India in the ‘90s. From puffing steam trains in the Himalayas, to a rolling rumble echoing over the holy waters of the Ganga, this documentary journeys through India discovering the British Empire’s greatest legacy to this country. Since 1853, India’s railway has been a unifying force. Not only did it physically link distant regions, it also connected myriad castes, languages, and religions that comprise India. From the driver in the steaming locomotive to the station master in the sleepy village, from the family travelling to a wedding to the commuters in the large cities, this great institution reflects the country itself. Travel back a decade and experience the many faces and stories of India’s great railway system with William Livingston’s beautiful, rich documentary.
Transport yourself to 1995 and watch the entire documentary The Great Indian Railway here.
VI. BBC Documentary: Ganges
...The story of India’s Holy River from its birth in the Himalayas to its end in the Bay of Bengal.
Producer: Ian Gray
The iconic and revered river Ganga flowing across the Indian subcontinent symbolizes the intertwining of spiritual and natural worlds. BBC’s nature documentary series Ganges explores the rich natural beauty, cultural tradition, incredible wildlife and sacredness surrounding India’s river of life. This dramatic documentary exhibits the kaleidoscope of colour that is the life of the Ganga. Ganges is a 3-episode series that starts its journey at the source of the Ganga, the Daughter of the Mountains, in the lofty ranges of the Himalayas. Beginning at Kedarnath, we experience the spiritual importance of the Ganga through the eyes of thousands of devoted pilgrims. This spiritual journey entwines into the natural world of snow leopards in the mountains, and Langur monkeys swinging from enormous Deodar trees.
As the river leaves the foothills of the Himalayas and enters the Terai swamplands, this series flows into its second episode River of Life. Here, we witness the natural gift that the Ganga is to endangered gharials, Bengal tigers, Indian rhinos and a plethora of other exotic wildlife. The deep influence of the Ganga in Hindu cultures and traditions is a beautiful sight of veneration. We experience the deep connect the Indian people have with this river as the live their lives on its banks. The third episode Waterland follows this sacred river’s journey, through villages and swamps, as it kisses the Bay of Bengal in the East of India. As it forms the world’s largest delta system and saddles the exquisite mangrove swamp of the Sunderbans, the Ganga touches the lives of numerous people in India worshiping at its banks. This serene documentary beautifully captures the journey of India’s river of life from its sources in the icy mountains of the Himalayas, to its finish in the green, lush delta at the Bay of Bengal.
(Watch the entire documentary on India’s river of life - Ganges)
VII. The Story Of India
...A historian uncovers the secrets of India from 3300BC to present.
Director: Michael wood (Historian)
In this landmark series, historian and acclaimed writer, Michael Wood, embarks on a dazzling and exciting expedition through today’s India, looking to the present for clues to her past, and to the past for clues to her future. As any good, enthusiastic historian would, Wood explores archaeological and historical evidences to discover more about India’s rich, complex, magnificent heritage. Visiting iconic sites of landmark historical events, we travel back in time with this documentary to relive India’s exciting chronicles. This incredible six episode series takes us through the secrets of the Indus Valley civilization, India’s discovery of zero, complex spice routes and silk roads, the great age of Islam in India, the era of the British Raj and so much more. The journey covers majestic landscapes, reveals some of the greatest monuments and artistic treasures on Earth, and explores India’s impact on history. This masterpiece documentary truly is ‘The Story of India.’
Catch Michael Wood’s Story of India here.
VIII. In India, between the light and the dark
...Young Slovak students travel high and low to capture the ‘True Essence’ of India
Director: Thomas Krupa
The multicultural diversity of the Indian subcontinent draws outsiders to enter into this fascinating realm, as it did with this group of Slovak film students. In India, between the light and the dark is an enthralling work of art that portrays the vivid personality of India in all its shades and hues. The travelogue depicts the subcontinent’s diverse stories as Thomas Krupa freely combines unique situations and collected stories thematically to give viewers the true essence of India - its rural culture, historic monuments and varied, everyday lives. The truly fascinating part of this travel documentary however, is how the country comes to life through the personal and vibrant rural chronicles of these young travellers. The spectacular honesty in this artwork’s portrayal of ‘the real India’ is riveting. Any travel enthusiasts seeking an insight into the exotic spirit of India - this is the travelogue for you!
Watch Thomas Krupa’s entire documentary here.
IX. Parts Unknown: India
...American Foodie journeys through Punjab to fall in love with its colours, cuisine and spirituality.
Director: Anthony Bourdain
American chef and globetrotter Anthony Bourdain’s entrancing series around the world Parts Unknown brought him to the vibrant agricultural haven of Punjab for his third season. During his journey through Punjab, Anthony discovers this vivid state in different stages.
“First? The colors. In India -- Punjab in particular -- the thing you notice first, the thing that stays with you is the colors.”
- Anthony Bourdain
The mesmerising colours of Punjab that leap at visitors absorbed and captivated Anthony. Soon enough he discovered his second love in Punjab - the food. Amritsar’s dhabas teach him how to relish the thrilling blends of spices and assertive, delicious flavours that Punjab offers. Vegetarian cuisines like the classic sarson ka saag are savoured by this meat-eating American. His third love is the Sikh Holy Land perspective of Punjab. Anthony’s spiritual journey is inspired by Amritsar’s serene Golden Temple and the tranquil veneration one observes here. The true essence of India’s most colourful state is captured through this fun-filled multi-faceted travelogue.
Watch Parts Unknown in Punjab, India here.
X. Calcutta
...French filmmaker depicts the poverty and strife of Calcutta in the late 60’s.
Director: Louis Malle
The port city of Calcutta was once the cultural centre of the country built up by British colonial powers, that tragically slid into economic stagnation post independence and partition. By the late 60’s, this capital city of West Bengal was on the brink of impoverishment, overcrowded with Pakistani refugees and emigrating families. French filmmaker Louis Malle’s documentary ‘Calcutta’ portrays the social, economic and cultural struggle of this city, whilst still painting a vivid picture of the late 1960s.
Calcutta’s most interesting element is Malle’s portrayal of the dynamic duality of West Bengal : rich and poor, exotic and mundane, secular and religious, children and adults, animate and inanimate. Through visuals of the everyday rhythm of life, interspersed with narration, Malle frames this city’s rich culture and grit amidst its paralyzing economic struggle. This documentary is a gripping snapshot of poverty, unemployment, overcrowding, and filth that touches viewers in a unique way. It’s also a particularly moving personal experience, as its scarce dialogue allows viewers to interpret it with individual subjectivity. Featured in France’s 1969 Cannes Film Festival, this impressionistic essay of 1968 Calcutta engulfed in social and political turmoil is a beautifully chaotic portrait.
Although this documentary received immense appreciation, Louis Malle also received criticism from the Indian Government. He was accused of focussing solely on the filth and poverty of India, and painting a one-sided picture while completely avoiding the development taking place across the country. He was also particularly criticized for his lop-sided depiction of Calcutta, as well as the rest of India in his larger documentary Phantom India (found below). While we do agree that Malle could have been more objective in his portrayal having titled it a ‘documentary,’ as a film which reflects a more personal, intimate journey of the filmmakers own interests, it shows tremendous complexity and layering and is still absolutely worth a watch. Nothing, at the end of the day, is truly unbiased.
Watch the first part of Louis Malle’s documentary Calcutta here.
XI. Phantom India
...From Bharatnatyam to aboriginal tribes - countless diverse stories of India captured.
Director: Louis Malle
Frustrated by the French film industry and materialism in the West in 1968, filmmaker Louis Malle voyaged to the culturally complex country of India for inspiration. With no script and no plan, Malle travelled the length and breadth of India filming unique cultural stories across the country.
His voyage of discovery led him to film remarkable Bharatnatyam dancers, the Hindu festival Rathyatra (journey of the chariot) in Puri, Odisha, a fascinating Hindu priest with countless rods and needle piercings, two aboriginal tribes and many more beautiful cultural masterpieces. Within the religious and socio-political complexity of 1968 Indian society, Malle captures beautiful human moments. His vivid images speak for themselves as he paints a unique portrait of India. With fluid camerawork and reflective, insightful commentary, this documentary is a stunning journey in pursuit of the mystery of India.
You can watch the first part here.
If you liked this article we suggest you read: