By Purushottam Nitai Das
I was reluctant. What will be new in it? “I know the story, have seen multiple videos about him and moreover it will be available on youtube in few months.” But none of my arguments cut the ice with my wife, she was so eager to watch the “Hare Krishna!” movie that I had to finally relent. Also our third marriage anniversary was just few days later so did not want to disappoint her. We reached Kolkata’s Mani Square Mall, which has PVR theatre, before time.
Ladies in their colourful sarees, men in white dhoti – kurta and monks in their saffron robes had gathered in large numbers in front of the PVR cinema hall. Most of them were proudly displaying their tilak and in spite of the ambience were chanting the Hare Krishna mantra on their beads. Scores of people who regularly visit the mall and watch the movies were enjoying the spectacle. Some were amused, some were confused but most of them were curious. And surprisingly today the busy popcorn and cola counters were empty. The men and women behind the counters waited for the customers for a while but once they sensed that none are going to turn up they got busy playing with their mobiles and occasionally chatting with their colleagues.
Most of the devotees were coming to the movie theatre after several years. After getting introduced to Krishna Consciousness, devotees rarely watch movies. It isn’t a ISKCON directive but an unwritten understanding that today’s movies aggravate lust, greed and violence so better to avoid them.
Devotees while chatting and chanting were looking at their watches and towards the door. 10 minutes before 6 p.m. the doors opened and without much ado everyone excitedly slipped inside the hall. I too followed them. Without much expectation I occupied my seat. The huge movie screen I was seeing after 9 long years. It was my first movie outing with my wife. The movie began. I looked at the watch.
Srila Prabhupada’s smiling face filled the gigantic screen. The invisible narrator started a running commentary first taking us to the year 1965. The busy streets of New York were buzzing with people. Motor cars were zooming in and out. Skyscrapers could be seen everywhere. And there was an old man, in his 70s all alone walking with a cane fearlessly and compassionately on the streets. No one noticed his presence, his existence and non-existence made no difference to them. But he had come with a mission – Mission Impossible.
He had come from India, had travelled thousand miles on ocean on a cargo ship risking his life. Sumati Morarjee, the owner of Jaladutta ship, told to Srila Prabhupada, “Old man you are going to die.” He did not care. He had come to USA to tell the affluent Americans the message of Bhagavad Gita.
The Americans had great expertise in utilizing (or rather exploiting) the resources of the world. When several other parts of the world were struggling with food, clothing and shelter, the Americans had advanced in science and technology to such an extent that they were sending ships to spaces. They had everything in abundance. But there was abundant scarcity of satisfaction. Young and rich American boys and girls were so dissatisfied that they had rebelled against their family, against the government and against all the existing social norms. They were looking for an alternate way of living which could satiate their thirsty heart. This was the era of infamous hippie culture.
The movie brilliantly showed us America’s hippie culture – long disheveled hair, dirty clothes, lying on the streets away from home puffing marijuana and continuously defying the existing social norms were hallmark of the hippies.
Among these turmoil Srila Prabhupada came as a ray of hope. He was the best doctor carrying the best medicine. But it wasn’t easy to convince them to take the “Hare Krishna” pill. Srila Prabhupada would get disappointed sometimes and go to the shipyard to inquire about the next ship leaving for India. But he never returned.
It was a delight to see Srila Prabhupada sitting gracefully in a park and singing Hare Krishna mantra and playing small sized cymbals. Several people got attracted and joined him, some started clapping and others started dancing.
We got to see the small matchless gift shop on 26 Second Avenue New York where Srila Prabhupada first started giving classes to few students. The young boys and girls in their western attire were sitting cross legged on the floor, some had even carelessly half stretched their legs. Prabhupada’s Bengali accent was difficult for them to understand but his message was delighting their hearts and so they were attentively listening to him. Soon they developed a unique attachment towards him and gradually started imbibing the principles of Krishna Consciousness.
They began chanting, learned to wear dhoti – kurta and sarees, enjoyed preparing various delicious vegetarian foods which they offered to Krishna. Srila Prabhupada established ISKCON in 1966 and soon tens and thousands of people got associated with him.
Srila Prabhupada’s message transcended physical boundary, blunted racial discrimination and united people of different faiths under the umbrella of Krishna consciousness. The son from the east illuminated the entire world with the message of peace, love and harmony. When Srila Prabhupada returned to India with his foreign disciples, whom he called dancing white elephants, the Indians were surprised to see them and were eager to hear him.
The movie also introduced us to his many disciples who are now in their 60s and 70s but are sincerely following his teachings. One of the leading lady disciple said, “There was no gap between what he spoke and what he lived.” George Harrison, the lead guitarist of the Beatles said, “Vedic scripture gave backbone to my life.”
When Srila Prabhupada got sick, he wanted to be in Vrindavan. The devotees feared that Srila Prabhupada would never return back, their tears showed their deep love for their spiritual father. They prayed intensely, Krishna answered their prayers and Srila Prabhupada was coming to meet them. Devotees had crowded the airport to greet him. Seeing Srila Prabhupada alighting from the plane they were enthusiastic, they sang loudly and danced carefreely. The onlookers were amused and Srila Prabhupada was pleased. One of the disciples summed it perfectly, “He was the Prime Minster of entire galaxy.”
He appeared on several TV interviews. Prominent newspapers across the world carried articles about him and his mission. He even sowed the seed of Krishna Consciousness in erstwhile USSR where to practice religion was considered a crime against the communist regime. Police guarded the churches and public display of religion was prohibited.
His success ruffled the feather of agnostics and those who derided Vedas. They started accusing him of brain washing. Mahatma Das, a Srila Prabhupada disciple said, “People would kidnap us and try to deprogram us.” The case was filed against ISKCON and after examining the evidences and hearing the arguments the judge concluded that ISKCON is a bonafide religious organization, its principles and practices are as per the teachings of Vedic literatures. After hearing the verdict Srila Prabhupada had a victorious smile on his face.
When the word ‘intermission’ flashed on the screen after an hour, I realized that I had completely forgotten myself and had travelled almost 50 years back to be with Srila Prabhupada and his thousands of followers. Intermission was an unnecessary disturbance. The remaining 30 minutes were equally exciting. The movie elegantly tells how Srila Prabhupada, a spiritual warrior, established a worldwide movement in a short span of 12 years. He established several temples in different part of the world, organized Rath Yatras in almost all the major cities of the world and spent sleepless nights to write scores of books which has sold millions of copies and are now available in all the major languages of the world.
Kudos to the movie-makers especially John Griesser for capturing all the important details of an exhaustive saga in 90 minutes. Srila Prabhupada’s lonely struggle, his disappointment, his determination, his enthusiasm, his phenomenal work, his love for his disciples, his faith in Krishna and guru’s words were well depicted. The background music, the occasional playing of cymbals and mridangam, George Harrison singing “My sweet Lord” and devotees dancing to the tune of Hare Krishna entertained all. Srila Prabhupada standing on the Lord Jagannath chariot and dancing with raised arms in front of thousands of people was a feast to the eyes. It has all the features of a great movie. The soundtracks, the visual effects, the costumes all enhances the emotions and keep the audience captivated.
It is impossible to please everyone all the time. So there were few negative comments too especially about movie going into flashback multiple times. Those who watched the movie in Hindi missed Srila Prabhupada’s original voice and wished for songs and dance as is the norm in Bollywood movies. But everyone in their heart after watching the movie unequivocally agreed, “Although the movie may not be 100% perfect but the endeavor was 100% perfect.”
I was skeptical when I was entering inside the hall but was thrilled while coming out. My wife was too happy. We both soon started inquiring about the possibility of buying the next show tickets. It was a perfect wedding anniversary gift for both of us. The memory of the movie will remain with me for a very long period, may be till my last breath.
It is a must watch for those who want to know how an old man struggled all alone to create a worldwide movement.
(Purushottam Nitai Das is a member of congregation at Iskcon Kolkata. He works in IBM as an Advisory Consultant. He blogs at http://krishnamagic.blogspot.in/)
Comments