Panihari: The Water Women of India

In the Rajasthan region of India's Thar Desert, the “panahari” (women who fetch water) bear the brunt of the load when the wells run dry due to drought. Indian-American filmmakers Abi Devan and Sudhi Rajagobal's Panahari focuses on Paru—a mother of five, married to a shoemaker when she was 12 years old—who makes an eight-mile round trip trek to obtain water for her family two or three times daily. When Paru hears of a women's cooperative loan program which lends money, interest free, to women farmers, her husband's response is to beat her and forbid any attendance of a co-op meeting. As the last of their farm animals and even the family dog dies, however, Paru does request and receive a loan so her children won't starve, and she buys cows and goats, but remains afraid of her husband. Paru's story is completely engrossing and presented with gorgeous cinematography on a DVD that also features a directors' commentary track, discussion guide, and photo gallery. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (R. Reagan)