Ishaare: Gestures and Signs in Mumbai (screening of film, directed by Annelies Kusters)

"Ishaare" has a double meaning: both "gestures" (in Hindi and Marathi) and "signs", as such, indicating that a strict distinction between them cannot be made. However, whilst there seems to be overlap between gestures and sign language, they differ too, as the protagonists of the movie show and tell us. The film "Ishaare" documents how six deaf signers communicate with hearing shopkeepers, street vendors, customers, waiters, ticket conductors and fellow travelers in Mumbai. Reena and Pradip go grocery-shopping in markets and shops. Sujit, our guide throughout the movie, communicates in public transport. Mahesh is a retail businessman. Komal runs an accessory shop. Durga manages a branch of an upmarket coffee chain. When enquiring, selling, bargaining and chitchatting, these deaf and hearing people use gestures and signs. They also lipread, mouth, read and write in different spoken languages. In the film, they share how they experience these ways of communication.