1.
GV CHURCH & PILGRIMS
0.03

2.
SV PILGRIMS AND MEN BEATING DRUMS
0.09

3.
SV LITTLE GIRL CRAWLS ON SANDY ROAD
0.14

4.
CU MEN CRAWL IN HANDS AND KNEES
0.19

5.
SV CHILD ON BACK OF MOTHER CRAWLING
0.24

6.
SV WOMAN CRAWLING
0.28

7.
SV MEN ON BACK OF DECORATED ELEPHANT
0.33

8.
BV ELEPHANT ARRIVES AT CHURCH
0.41

9.
BGV MASS OF PILGRIMS AND CHURCH
0.48

10.
CU EMBLEM OF ST. SEBASTIAN
0.51

11.
SV MAN BEATING DRUM
0.56

12.
SV CROSS BEING CARRIED
1.00

13.
SV PROCESSION AND PRIEST
1.05

14.
SV MEN IN PROCESSION IN SCARLET UNIFORM AND UMBRELLAS
1.12

15.
LV PILGRIMS AND COLOURFUL UMBRELLAS
1.16

16.
LV STATUE CARRIED IN PROCESSION
1.20

17.
GV MASS OF PILGRIMS
1.24

18.
LV PILGRIMS AND UMBRELLAS
1.29

19.
LV MASS OF PILGRIMS AND STATUE BEING CARRIED
1.34



Initials GHB/VS/JH/ES



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: AT THIS TIME OF YEAR THERE ARE MANY RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS IN INDIA. THIS FILM SHOWS A PARTICULARLY COLOURFUL CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL IN THE FISHING HAMLET OF ARTHANGAL ON THE PALM-FRINGED KERALA COAST.

PROTESTANTS, CATHOLICS AND HINDUS ALL TAKE PART IN THIS FESTIVAL AT ARTHANGAL. ORIGINALLY, A CATHOLIC CHURCH WAS ESTABLISHED BY THE PORTUGUESE IN THE 15TH CENTURY. NOW THERE IS A NEW CHURCH, BUT THE FESTIVAL CONTINUES IN HONOUR OF ST. SEBASTIAN.

OVER 200,000 PILGRIMS WERE EXPECTED TO VISIT ARTHANGAL DURING THE WEEK-LONG FESTIVAL. THE PILGRIMS TAKE VOWS TO PROPITIATE THE SAINT AND MANY CRAWL FROM THE SEASHORE TO THE CHURCH THROUGH THE BURNING SAND IN SYMBOLIC PENANCE.

A COLOURFUL PROCESSION INCLUDED THE RIGHTLY-DECORATED AND CANOPIED STATUE OF ST. SEBASTIAN, AND PILGRIMS VIED WITH ONE ANOTHER FOR THE HONOUR OF CARRYING THE STATUE. SOME OF THE WEALTHIER PILGRIMS CAME BY ELEPHANT, RICHLY CAPARISONED, AND OTHERS BROUGHT IMPRESSIVE COLOURED SILK UMBRELLAS TO SHIELD THEM FROM THE HOT SUN.

SERVICES WERE HELD IN THE CHURCH BY THREE VISITING PRIESTS AND OBSERVERS SAID THE FISHERMEN'S BOATS WOULD BE IDLE FOR THE WHOLE WEEK.