Unravelling the connection between 'Kala Pani' and India’s Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands, a stunning archipelago (group of islands) in the Bay of Bengal, are a realm of pristine beauty and biodiversity. 

Yet, beneath the surface, a dark history looms – a connection to Kala Pani, the name of one of the most trending Netflix series streaming currently.  

The term "Kala Pani" has its roots in the colonial past of India. 

It was used to describe the infamous Cellular Jail, located on South Andaman Island. 

Cellular Jail, located on South Andaman Island. Photo: Collected

This prison was used by the British colonial rulers to incarcerate political prisoners, revolutionaries, and freedom fighters during the struggle for independence. 

The name "Kala Pani" itself translates to "black waters," signifying the isolation, suffering, and brutality that inmates endured in this remote, desolate prison.

The Andaman Islands' connection to Kala Pani is deeply entrenched in its geographical isolation. The archipelago is located approximately 1,200 kilometres from the eastern coast of India. 

Shore of Andaman Islands. Photo: Netflix

This isolation made it an ideal location for the British to build a prison, as it was nearly impossible for prisoners to escape from the island.

The Cellular Jail, often referred to as the "Andaman Kaala Paani," is the centrepiece of this historical connection. Constructed between 1896 and 1906, the jail featured seven wings, each with individual cells that isolated inmates from one another. 

The harsh conditions, forced labour, and torture inflicted upon the prisoners have left a haunting legacy.

Apart from the name, one of the main fixtures of the Kaala Paani Netflix show is the Oraka tribe – styled after the in indigenous tribe who inhabit the islands in real life. 

Their history is one that has fascinated people for decades. 

Origin of the Andamanese people

The indigenous people of the Andaman Islands, often collectively known as the "Great Andamanese," have a unique and ancient origin. 

They are believed to be one of the most ancient human populations in the world, with a history that dates back tens of thousands of years.

The Andamanese people have sparked intrigue and curiosity for generations. Their unique physical traits—ebony skin, tightly coiled hair, and a shorter stature—paint a striking picture.

These characteristics, often termed "Negrito" features, have been sculpted by centuries of adaptation to the island's tropical environment, where survival requires resilience and resourcefulness.

Photo: Netflix

Yet, it's not just their physical attributes that set them apart. The Andamanese people possess languages that bear no resemblance to any on the Indian subcontinent. This linguistic isolation has contributed to their status as one of the most neglected  and uncontacted tribes in the world. 

While their exact origins and migration patterns are subjects of ongoing research, genetic and anthropological evidence suggests a possible link to African ancestry, implying that their ancestors might have migrated from Africa thousands of years ago and settled in the Andaman Islands. 

Photo: Collected

When the British colonised the Andaman Islands in the 19th century, they brought with them diseases to which the indigenous people had little to no immunity leading towards devastating consequences. 

The recently released Netflix thriller series "Kala Pani" is based in an after-pandemic world, in the year 2027 in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the union territory of India. 

The series sheds light on the potential spread of a bacterial infection.

The Islands played a significant role in India's struggle for independence. 

Several prominent freedom fighters, such as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, Batukeshwar Dutt, and Veer Savarkar, were imprisoned in the Cellular Jail.