Bharati was born and raised in Kaliabor, a small town in Assam, India. In 2005, she completed her postgraduate studies in Zoology at Gauhati University and then received her M.Phil. in Zoology, working in the field of cell and molecular biology. Her interest in film, literature, traditional folk media, and other communication modes prompted her to enrol in postgraduate studies in Communication and Journalism at Gauhati University. She earned her master's in Mass Communication, securing 1st Rank from Gauhati University in 2007.
She is an avid film enthusiast and has published several articles and critical reviews on films of the region and beyond. Her academic background in the natural sciences and interest in film studies motivated her to work on eco-cinema, focusing on the representation of nature in non-fiction films under the tutelage of Prof. Ranjit Kumar Dev Goswami, Srimanta Sankaradeva Chair Professor of Tezpur University (formerly Professor of English, Gauhati University). Her doctoral research entailed the study of eco-cinematic texts in India with special reference to Assam and its effect on the pattern of nature film production practised in this part of the country in the light of eco-cinema classifications and points of view (POV) of the directors.
Bharati started her teaching career at the Centre for Mass Communication and Journalism of Cotton University (formerly Cotton College State University) in December 2007. Besides teaching, she directed a series of four dramas on scientific awareness, broadcast by All India Radio Guwahati in February 2010. She also coordinated a three-month certificate course on video production in 2011. She was also an Associate Programme Coordinator for the six-week Techno-Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP) on video photography and video editing at EDC in 2011. She supervised a project of writing and publishing Burhi Aair Xadhu, an anthology of children's stories written by the noted litterateur of Assam, Lakshminath Bezbarua, into comic books by students.
She moved to the Department of Communication and Journalism at Gauhati University in July 2013. Her teaching assignments include film studies, media theory, developmental communication and science communication. Her current research is focused on understanding and exploring the influence of culture on the narratives and representation of nature in eco-cinema and eco-feminism. Bharati has also been actively involved in development communication (C4D) research through UNICEF-funded projects since 2014 on social and behavioural change communication for adolescents in Assam. She also helped make community-based radio programmes on science for women’s health and nutritional issues as a part of a sponsored project by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, Government of India.
Bharati is also an expert in media theory and science communication. She is also associated with All India Radio and Doordarshan in various capacities as a newsreader, copy editor-translator, etc. She is a prolific writer and has published several short stories, poems, and articles of general interest in various magazines and newspapers of prominence in Assam. In 2015, Nache Nanda Nandana, a collection of her short stories, was published by Aakhar Prakash, Guwahati.
ECOCINEMA STUDIES
The potential of ecocinema as a tool for environmental sustainability and pedagogy is an active area for academic discourse. The rise of ecocinema studies has helped us to re-evaluate environmental issues and to understand nature-human and nature-culture relationships at the micro level, similar to other branches of the study of ecocriticism. Although in the recent past, works of media scholars such as Sean Cubitt, David Ingram, Scott MacDonald, Adrian Ivakhiv, Stephen Rust, Cynthia Chris, Paula Willoquet-Maricondi and Salma B Monani have set the standard for ecocrtitical scholarship in films, ecocritical studies on films focusing on nature-human relationship as a central theme is still relatively sparse in India. To understand the pattern of nature film production practised in this part of the country, as a part of the doctoral research, we analysed a few films of Assam – Gautam Bora’s Old Man River and Brahmaputra Series, Mauleenath Senapati’s A River Story of Hope and Despair, Gautam Saikia’s Unseen Beauty Unhidden Truth, and A Friend Turned Foe, The Last Hope by Dip Bhuyan and In Search of a Job by Mrinal Talukdar. The study revealed that they possess the qualities to raise consciousness about planetary health and biosphere, to seek public engagement about various issues and practices, and to debate sustainable development. These films can thus be classified as ‘ecocinema’ and bear substantial potential for further academic discourses. In our study, it was found that nature has been projected both as ‘other’ and ‘self’ in the films.
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION
Designed and coordinated a project on Social and Behaviour Change Communication for Adolescents Empowerment in Assam Phase I, (May-December 2015) funded by UNICEF, Assam (Amount INR 24,07,700).
Community engagement and community involvement was the prime objective of the project. Community radio programmes, puppetry, panels, and focused group discussions (in conclave) were organized to propagate information effectively. With more than three hundred multi-lingual and multi-cultural ethnic communities, Northeast India is unique in communication patterns. Divergent demographic and geographic profiles demand different and specific strategies to address the issues customized to the community context. Present challenges in the development sector, such as equitable health, sanitation, education, and protection, call for the systematic use of Communication For Development (C4D) methods and tools to facilitate the effective dissemination of information and knowledge to ensure community participation. This requires an analysis of the role that Communication for Development (C4D) can play, in the context of development programmes, as well as at the community level. As a result, a Ready Reckoner was released.
SCIENCE COMMUNICATION
Designed and coordinated a project on Community Radio Based Radio Programmes on Science for Women’s Health and Nutrition. (2015-2017) funded by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, Government of India (Amount INR 14,64,000).
Community Radio is the third model of radio broadcasting beyond commercial and public broadcasting services. It broadcasts content which is popular and relevant to a local or specific audience but often overlooked by other media. After a capacity-building workshop on Science for Women’s Health and Nutrition at Radio Luit (the first campus-based Community Radio Station in the Northeast) in association with the Community Radio Association (CRA), a community-based radio programme on Science for Women’s Health and Nutrition was carried out catalyzed and funded by National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST, Government of India. The radio programme Bandhabi was broadcast with the participation of women from villages. It helped in building their self-confidence and creativity. The programme has now transformed into a platform for women of all ages to expose their talent. The programme helped in training a group of community radio volunteers who are now capable of designing and producing radio programmes. These community workers were unaware of radio programme production. However, the training and association with Bandhabi made them Radio Activists in their community. They have developed clear concepts regarding issues of women's health and nutrition. The target audience of Bandhabi has a better understanding of health issues such as menstruation, anaemia, diabetes, pregnancy, etc.
RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS
Dutta, A., Lahkar, A. & Bharali, B. (2022). Measuring Media Metrics & Mob Lynching: Special Focus on Dokmoka Lynching. Prajna- A Journal of GUTA, XXIX & XXX, 55-65.
Dutta, A., Lahkar, A. & Bharali, B. (2019). The Tale of NRC and Its Multiple Narratives: A Macro Level Study of Global and National Media Behaviour. Global Media Journal-Indian Edition, XI (II).
Bharali, B. (2020). Assamese Cinematic Narratives: The Changing Landscape, E-CineIndia, VIII, 1-10.
Bharali, B. (2020). Jyotiprasador Chetonat Ajir Asomiya Cinema ‘Udyog’ aru Cine Shikhyar Proyojoniota. Gariyoshi, 17(4), 97-10.
Bharali, B. (2020). Vigyan, Cinema, Sopun Ityadi. Gariyoshi,17(6), 90-92.
Bharali, B. & Goswami, A. L. (2018). Fake News: Credibility, Cultivation Syndrome and the New Age Media. Media Watch, 9(1). 118-130.
Bharali, B. (2015). Assamese Cinema: Ably Surviving Against the Odds. Vidura, 7(1), 43-45.
Bharali, B. (2014). Old Man River and A River Story: ‘Eco-cinema’ in North East India. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 19(12), 44-51.
Bharali, B. (2014). Filmmakers Focus on the Indian One-horned Rhino. Vidura, 6(1), 42-43.
Bharali, B., & Chakrabarty, R. (2012). Science Museum for Science Communication: A Case Study. Indian Journal of Science Communication, 11(1), 20-23.
Bharali, B. (2011). Development of Media in Assam: A Decades Study. Payobhora, 41(11), 40-42.
BOOKS / EDITED BOOKS
Bharali, B. (2023). Sensitising Ecologically Through Eco-cinema in India’s North-East. In Sustainable Development: Taming Consumption, Yearning for Inclusivity (1st ed.) A N Goswami & T D Choudhury (Eds.). HP Hamilton Limited, UK, 2023.
Dutta, A., Bharali, B., & Goswami, A. L. (Eds.). (2017). Decoding Communication for Development in India’s North East. Guwahati: Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, In association with UNICEF and AMRT.
Bharali, B., & Goswami, P. P. (Eds.). (2016). Adolescents in Assam: A Ready-Reckoner of Existing Evidence and Behaviours, Programmes and Policies. Guwahati: Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, in association with UNICEF.
Bharali, B., & Dutta, S. (Eds.). (2016). Puppets for C4D. Guwahati: Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, in association with UNICEF.
Bharali, B. (2015). Nache Nanda Nandada. Guwahati: Aakhar Prakash.
Bharali B. et.al. (2011). A comic book on Burhi Aair Xadhu by Lakshminath Bezbarua, published by the Centre for Mass Communication and Journalism, Cotton College, Guwahati, Assam.
BOOK CHAPTERS
Bharali, B. & Kalita, S.J. (2024). Indigenous Agricultural Knowledge and Practices in Assam with Reference to Dakar Bachan, In Indigenous Knowledge, Culture and Media in North East India, Eds. M,P Goswami, K. Chirom, N. Barath, K. L. Donoghue, ABS Books, New Delhi.
Bharali, B. (2023). Sensitising Ecologically Through Eco-Cinema in India’s North-East. In Sustainable Development: Taming Consumption, Yearning for Inclusivity, Eds. A. N. Goswami & T. D. Choudhury, HP Hamilton Limited, UK.
Bharali, B. (2011). Science and Technology Communication in Print Media of Assam: A Study of the English Press Since 1980. In Science Meets Communication (pp. 80-91). Guwahati: National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) Govt. of India and K. K. Handique State Open University.
Bharali, B. (2010). Development of Mass Media in Assam: A look into the growth of Mass Media during 2000-2010. In Higher Education Vol II (pp. 347-357). Guwahati: APPOCCUS.
SELF LEARNING MATERIALS
Centre for Open and Distance Learning, Tezpur University, Tezpur. Masters in Mass Communication (MMC 401: Unit 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 13 & 14; MMC 402: Unit 1, 2, 5, 6). Total = 15 modules
Krishna Kanta Handiqui State Open University, Guwahati. Masters in Mass Communication (Course 13: Unit 2, 7, 8, 9, 11; Course 15: Unit 1 & 4; Course 16: Unit 14). Total = 8 Modules
TEACHING
- Assistant Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, Guwahati (September 2021 – present)
- Assistant Professor (Contractual), Department of Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University, Guwahati (July 2013 – September 2021)
- Senior Faculty, Centre for Mass Communication and Journalism, Cotton College, Guwahati (December 2007 – July 2013)
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Visiting Faculty, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Regional Government Film and Television Institute, Guwahati, Assam (2013 – present)
- Visiting Faculty, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Institute of Open and Distance Learning, (IDOL), Gauhati University, Guwahati (2008 – present)
- Visiting Faculty, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh (2009 – present)
- Academic Consultant, Bachelor of Mass Communication Course, KK Handique State Open University, Guwahati (2008 – present)
- Academic Consultant, PG Diploma in Audio Programme Production, IGNOU Convergence Scheme (2008 – 2010)
- Member, Placement Cell, Cotton College, Guwahati
- Member, Board of Studies, DK College, Mirza, Assam
EXPERIENCE IN ELECTRONIC MEDIA
- Copy Editor cum Translator, DDK News, Doordarshan Kendra, Guwahati (2011 – 2014)
- News Reader in All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati (2008 – present)
- Casual Announcer in All India Radio (AIR), Guwahati (2005 – 2008)
- Director of a series of four Drama on Scientific Awareness, broadcast by All India Radio, Guwahati, February 2010
- Coordinator, Three months Certificate Course on Video Production and Editing (24 January – 24 March 2011), Conducted by EDC, Cotton College, under the University Grants Commission (UGC) sponsored scheme Introduction of Career Oriented Courses in Colleges / University
- Associate Programme Coordinator, Six weeks Techno-Entrepreneurship Development Programme (TEDP) on Video Photography and Video Editing Organized by EDC, Cotton College (20 September 2010 – 29 October 2010)
- Attended a 7-day training to Radio Active, Bangalore’s first Community Radio Station, to learn the functioning of Community Radio, 2008
- Vani Certificate Course (Training institution Programme) at All India Radio, Guwahati From 17-21 July 2006, Organised by Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Cooperation of India) All India Radio (AIR), Delhi
- Recitation in audio-CD Mur Mon Chatokar Kantho
ACADEMIC HONOURS
- Gold Medal (1st Rank) in Post-Graduation (MA) in Mass Communication and Journalism, Gauhati University (2007)
- 2nd Position in Bachelor of Communication and Journalism (BCJ), Gauhati University (2005)
FELLOWSHIPS & AWARDS
- Qualified National Eligibility Test (NET) in Mass Communication and Journalism conducted by the University Grants Commission, India (2008)
- Won the Media Fellowship, Eastern Panorama, Shillong (2006)
- One of the ten Best Storywriters of Gariyoshi Chandra Prasad Saikia Memorial Short Story Competition (2006)
- Recipient of Rajyapal Puraskar Guide (1995)
Dr. Bharati Bharali
Department of Communication and Journalism
Gauhati University
Guwahati 781 014, Assam
Email: bharatibharali@gauhati.ac.in
Communication Design Specialist
Project: Developing a Communication Strategy for Behaviour Change among Indigenous People of Meghalaya
Project Organisation: Indian Institute of Mass Communication, New Delhi
Sponsoring Organisation: Meghalaya Basin Management Agency (MBMA)
Engagement Period: April 2022- March, 2023
