Film by Anoushka A Mathews and Bhanu
K.R. Market turned 100 years old in 2021. Named after Krishnarajendra Wodeyar, the former Maharaja of Mysore, it is one of Asia’s largest flower markets. A wide variety of flowers can be found in the market such as marigold, jasmine, sampige, roses, hibiscus, lily, daisy, orchids – the list goes on! The produce is brought to the market in Bangalore by farmers from towns across the state such as Tumkur, Nelamangala, Doddaballapura and Chikkaballapura to name a few. The market can only be accessed by foot and is expectedly crowded at most times. It is loud with the sound of flower sellers attracting customers and price negotiations for the best deals. The market is also an olfactory delight, with the fragrance of fresh flowers encircling visitors and customers alike. The film focuses on the dazzling spectacle of flowers being tossed into bags and sold to customer after customer. It is an experimental film as a personal exploration of working in the market. Looking beyond the flowers, the film sets our gaze on the physical labour and the monotony of the tasks at hand. It highlights the dizzying haze of labour and through layering as a visual effect, emphasises on the sights and sounds of the market in an unexpected way.
