रङ ङै बेनिङर
For the love of Mountains
Bāyul
In Kinnauri Folklore, Bāyul are hidden sacred villages that cannot be seen by passersby. They are protected by nature and believed to be home to kind and ancient beings. The name Forgotten Folks comes from this idea. Just like Bāyuls, there are real communities in the mountains that remain unseen; not by magic, but because of their remote geography and limited access.
Through film, documentaries, archiving, and by supporting local handloom, handicrafts and agriculture, we want to bring their stories forward and make sure they are remembered, valued, and heard in a dignified manner.
Life in Kinnaur is shaped by care, community, and a strong connection to nature.
But this way of life is being threatened. The Kinnaura tribe, traditionally a pastoral-agrarian community, depends deeply on the land for their livelihoods, culture, and social balance. Today, the rapid expansion of hydropower projects and unchecked use of heavy machinery is transforming land use at an alarming pace. Tunneling and construction have led to unstable slopes and disrupted water sources, harming local ecosystems and putting immense pressure on the communities that rely on them.
From the mountains of Kinnaur to wherever you are, thank you for taking the time to know our journey.