Red Crane Films

06/09/2023

I am incredibly excited about the chance to showcase my film On Hands in Bangalore at the Bangalore International Center
If you happen to be in the city, I would be absolutely thrilled to have you join me at the screening!

📅 Date & Time: 19th June 6:30PM - 8:15PM

📍Location : Bangalore International Centre

Link in the bio to RSVP.

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Laj Pershad Waghray

05/09/2023

Sending so much love your way! Loved listening to you new ideas over bday lunch! Come home soon we miss you, meanwhile celebrate the day and know you are so loved! Ma, daddy and

05/04/2023

Has it already been a year since I started a Fellowship at ! Time does go fast if you are learning, enjoying, and being in a creative space. Here I started to work on my new short film, Arthur Byas-Rewritting the Narrative, a reflection on criminal justice reform through the lens of 80-year-old ArthurByas, from whom I continue to learn every day. I loved my time at the University. thank you, Dinesh Sabu, Kris Holodak, and Don Hertz for this opportunity, and thanks for working on my project and for all your feedback and conversations Sumana Chattopadhyay. As I view it this is cheers to new beginnings! Ah, yes, when time permits I am watching a few films with Rakesh. Laj. P Waghray

04/25/2023

Signs of spring are a perfect distraction to get out of my head, to briefly abandon deadlines, to gear up for the next chapter that weather brings. I pulled over while driving past Lake Michigan to watch the birds migrating back in droves, a delightful sight for me, catching some wonderful films from , meeting old friends and making new, the glowing magnolias in the dark foretelling the arrival of a good rain, a good spring and perhaps a good summer. I ain’t rushing spring. Rebirth, renewal, new beginnings how ever you define it takes time.

04/20/2023

Another opportunity to watch the film, with ma, at the gorge is on Friday April 21st. At the closing reception of The Land Reflections art exhibition the film will screen at Reichel Lecture Hall at 6pm. . see you there!

04/15/2023

I wandered, paused, observed and healed at the Gorge. Join us for the screening of two short, experimental films I made as an Artst in Residence Bay Gorge for . A collaboration with + . A beautiful, healing experience of responding to nature.

03/25/2023

2 minutes short but traveling a lot! Made during the pandemic in response to to call for Asain Stories during the pandemic, it sheds little on life of a frontline worker in isolation at home. Thanks for working/advising me on this! It’s being screened on March 25th as part of film and video festival! Hope to see you there!

03/08/2023

It’s been a year since we last talked. I would have called you to ask, how do mark the day, how do I celebrate your life? You would have said, make some food, do the puja, offer the prasad, share. Alright Ma, we will. Thinking of you and how much you enjoyed having conversations, sharing knowledge, sharing food meditation, building community.

12/17/2022

On a cozy winter day it’s hard to get out of warm clothes and do something. But rakesh and I are so thrilled to be in

11/06/2022

Thank you so honored to be among the Brico Fund recipients!

11/06/2022

So thrilled and honored to be among the wonderfully talented group of Brico Award recipients! Thank you Milwaukee Film]. I am looking forward to work with /so many people to thank!! I am traveling with limited access to internet, so heard this news late:) Milwaukee Film] with .repost
・・・
Our last Brico Forward Fund recipient, but certainly not least, is .p.waghray! Her project (tentatively titled Arthur Byas), received $15k, $15k in post-production services from , and legal services from ! Congrats, Laj!

ABOUT LAJ:
Lajwanti (Laj) P. Waghray has an extensive background in film and activism. In 2012, she directed and produced “Sleepovers,” a documentary about four girls as they grow into young adults. She co-directed the third film in Janet Fitch’s series, “Guns, Grief and Grace in America” (2009), co-produced Ramon Rivera-Moret’s documentary, “On Calloway Street" (2008) and worked as an associate producer for Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini’s “Well-Founded Fear” (2000). Waghray is a 2014 recipient of Kartemquin Films’ Diverse Voices in Docs fellowship. She also serves on the Milwaukee Film Festival's Education Committee. In addition to her film work, Waghray has served on the boards of Didi in Milwaukee and Sakhi in New York; both aim at ending domestic violence in the South Asian community. She currently serves on the board of Lynden Sculpture Garden, an institute committed to promoting the enjoyment, understanding, and appreciation of art and sculpture in nature.

10/22/2022

Sometimes you should follow your instincts and partner with organizations with similar themes. Just wish I knew about the event early! The screening is tomorrow, ya, Saturday @1 pm at Discovery World. Screening is free but I am still learning details ! Join in to celebrate all things handmade!

10/13/2022

So excited to be accepted as a .Thankyou for your support Sabu! Stay tuned for more information about the film I am producing here! .crane.films

09/30/2022

Thank you for screening this poetic and important film! Please join us. Share. #

09/15/2022

Red Crane Films present: On Hands!

“On Hands” Screening at MARN ART + CULTURE HUB on Sat Oct 1 2022, 06:30pm CDT: Join MARN ART + CULTURE HUB and Director/ Producer, Lajwanti...

09/15/2022

What, I danced on the sidewalks? fundraiser was a fun event! Thank you Acts Housing for all the work you do! And I was pulled into the world the DJ was creating only to find out that she is a star and just amazing! thank you for adding some bhagra to your already fabulous lineup!

06/23/2022

Came back inspired, rejuvenated to get back to work and also angry that things have not changed much for minorities anywhere in the world! Now reflecting on what I learnt at the conference organized by the most amazing people . Ate amazing food both at the conference and and le casa of and Paddy! Finally the drive allowed us time to listen to podcast with Rakesh and !

05/09/2022

It takes a village. You helped raise your nephew’s, nieces and our masi’s, Bua’s and cousins were part of our village. But you were sought out for positive attitude, your fortitude and wisdom by them and your kids. Ma, you are missed deeply. There is so much to tell you. JOURNAL ENTRY October 2022 “My mom looked up briefly from her writing, I have to find a good word to describe, Mellifluous, she said. She asked me to fetch her English to Urdu dictionary and her Hindi to Urdu dictionary. I helped her find various English words so she can pick one to narrow it down, her new nurse is fluent in Hindi. We looked at words sweet-sounding, sweet-toned, melodic. I paused in my mind to digest and document this moment as my firstborn would encourage me to, in my mind, not with a camera. The minutes the three of us spent searching for the right Urdu word made us forget that my mom is unable to walk now. She is wheelchair-bound perhaps for the rest of her life. Her ability to maintain a semblance of routine, engage in deep conversations with those who visit her, and continue with her work of translating her beloved guru, Sri Sri’s book into Urdu is impressive.”
❤️

04/07/2022

My mom always said the good and the bad come together. So at this difficult time when I work is moving ahead with work I am also moving to celebrate her life and not mourn her loss. So thankful that was able to take pictures . . . in the moment. .

01/01/2022

Happy New Year! ☀️ So grateful for the support I received so far and excited to move ahead with all my projects in the coming year! Start off the new year exploring with me at my favorite spot - article by linked in my bio!

09/27/2021

Check out and like .crane.films

09/07/2021

What is the meaning of ‘Suroor’? I ask my mom. When her health permits we sit on the balcony after breakfast when the position of the sun is just right. How can I explain this, she says, it’s like joy, exhilaration as a result of doing something like prayer or anything you do with passion, but it’s usually associated with feeling after consuming alcohol. Suddenly a fav ghazal was beautifully transformed for me, ye jo halka halka suroor by ustaad Nusrat fateh Ali Khah! I guess she experiences that during meditation she does twice a day with her guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. Her discipline, her routine despite health issues is something to emulate. Laj. P Waghray

09/06/2021

Read more/follow .crane.films

09/06/2021

We woke up to the sounds of parrots who were excited to find their food, mangoes near our terrace. As kids we didn’t like this kind of alarm. Today, I go in search of parrots, sparrows and other birds. They are hard to find unless you go where a few old, ordinary and extraordinary trees, plants and flowers bloom during monsoon.

09/04/2021

When rains disrupted our schedules mom and I watched part of a Bollywood movie, Khubsoorat. Growing up when TV finally arrived watching was a family affair. She liked watching Cricket, Mahabharat and Chitrahaar on Doordarshaan.

08/28/2021

This neem tree heard a lot of secrets shared between my mom and me. The scent of the fallen parijaat flowers made us visit some sweet days from the past allowing us to travel in other ways when physically she cannot. The paper boat is my attempt to make friends with the little guy.

08/25/2021

[late post] Arrived a day before the festival of Raksha bandhan. A bitter sweet day. A special sweet festival to celebrate the Bandhan =bond between brothers ( first cousins count) and sisters. V.

08/09/2021

Your abundance is astonishing,
Your generosity is awe-inspiring,
Your calm, forgiving nature is perplexing. I come to you each and every time, broken.
You mend me.
I do not in return.

07/28/2021

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06/10/2021