At first it was experimentation with long, slow zooms and dissolves, using digital photos of Lord Nrsimhadev from visits to Mayapur. The Lord seemed to get closer and closer until it was almost frightening, and the closeups tranformed into various views of His beautiful face, covered with sandalwood paste.
I completed synchronizing the medium paced first musical section--Nrsimha prayers sung by Krsna Prema Prabhu. It concluded at the point where the singing breaks and there is a long instrumental interlude. I couldn't imagine any way to illustrate the later high-paced rocking rythmn section, where the chanting of the Nrsimha prayer really peaks.
I went to bed that night late after everyone else. As I lay in bed on my back I had this amazing face to face experience of Lord Nrsimhadeva. He had a huge smile on His face and seemed so close to my face that I was dazzled and amazed. From that moment I thought that making this show might be pleasing to Him.
I presented it to my wife, Mohini Rupa, the next day and she was disappointed. "Too slow," she said. "I like something snappy." I presented it a few times, but devotees didn't seem very excited about it.
In 2006 we were in Mayapur for a big flood, and we couldn't leave the apartment. I had taken a number of new pictures by this time, and sat down at the computer to see what to do with the rest of the sound track. I skipped the musical interlude, and went to the fast beat section at the end, "NAMASTE NARASINGHAYA!!!"
As I twiddled with the controls, various ideas for effects, patterns of movement and views came out, synchronized with the music and beat. Sometimes things happened while I was moving the controls that I did not plan or expect to happen. I tried to make each subsection surprising and different than the rest.
It was almost complete, but there was no glorious view of Lord Nrsimhadeva for the very end, the last and best picture.
The flood waters went down and we were able to go to the temple once again. I was feeling concerned about whether it would be acceptable to the devotees and the Lord Himself. There was a lot of movement and animation to the rock style music, and it seemed to be unconventional if not disrespectful to Lord Nrsimhadeva.
In this mood I approached His altar to present my feelings and doubts about the show. At this moment, the Lord's very large marigold garland, that was spanning over Him and coming down on both sides, fell down from its position. The pujari rushed over to place it back.
The book about Lord Nrsimhadeva reveals that when a flower fell from the altar, the pujari announced that the Lord had responded to a devotee's prayer with a blessing. In that case the devotee was praying to bear a child.
Also recently HH Jayapataka Swami revealed how a Deity dropped a garland when he prayed for devotion to Krsna. The pujari gave him the garland and said "This is very rare." Maharaj said devotees should it as significant. It means that the Deity has given a blessing.
When a whole garland fell, I thought, "He really likes the show!" All my doubts were vanquished.
The next day I came to see Lord Nrsimhadeva with my camera, hoping to get that special picture to end the show. It was amazing to see that in His hands he had luminous silver weapons. He had a chakra disc, a club, a consch shell, a shield, a lotus flower and a sword. He was decorately oppulently with gorgeous flowers.
The pujari walked over to Lord Nrsimhadev and moved the hanging marigold garland that partially covered His sword in His lower right hand. It seemed like He was indicating, "Don't miss my sword."
The resulting picture was so beautiful and especially opulent. My wife and I both thought it was perfect for the conclusion of the show.
To check whether the show was bonafide and pleasing, we invited Their Graces Jananivas and Pankajanghri Prabhus for lunch prasadam. They smiled, laughed and spoke to each other while they watched it. "Very nice!" Jananivas Prabhu said with a beaming smile.
We presented it five times on a big screen in the theatre of the Bhaktivedanta Manor in London on Nrsimha Caturdasi, 2007. It was hair-raising to see Lord Nrsimhadeva's face so large.
Devotees could see the show on DVD for Nrsimha Caturdasi in May 2009. It was also on vimeo.com where devotees could make a little donation to Lord Nrsimhadeva and download it.
Hopefully all devotees will get a chance to view this show. I pray that it is pleasing to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
your servant, Amogha das.
Comments received from devotees:
"I downloaded the file and watched again this morning. This film moves me to tears. Lord Nrsimha is such an incredible force, such a powerful and yet merciful personality. Thank you Prabhuji. I'll make sure your film is played in our Temple on Nrsimha Caturdasi. The quality is Great!"
Prananath das, Professional Videographer, New Zealand.
"I received the DVD yesterday. It's amazing. What did you use to capture it? What program did you use to edit it? Wow! You are a creative genius. I can really appreciate the beauty of the Nrsimhadev Deity. And the Prabhupada show as well. Perfect."
Nrsimhananda das(ACBSP), ITV, Los Angeles.
"Our devotees and congregation are really thrilled to view such an excellent video."
Mahaman Prabhu(ACBSP) Regional Governing Body, India
"Amogha prabhu's many years of experience and expertise in presenting multi-vision slide shows has matured to wonderful effect with his latest digital media presentations. His shows on Lord Nrsimhadeva and Radha Madhava are a transcendental treat to the eyes and hearts of the devotees. I highly recommend them to anyone who wishes to immerse themselves in the nectar of Deity darshan and samadhi on the nama and rupa of Their Lordships."
Your humble servant, Hari-sauri das.(ACBSP)
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