By Kulavati Krishnapriya Devi Dasi
The ISKCON History Archive Project, led by Lokarama Das, is an initiative endeavoring to collect memories and build an archive about ISKCON’s history following Srila Prabhupada’s departure in 1977, which has remained largely undocumented.
While the early years of the movement, under Srila Prabhupada’s leadership, have been well-documented by multiple books, including the multi-volume Prabhupada Lilamrita, the decades that followed were not, explained Lokarama. His mission is to capture the voices, experiences, and sacrifices of the countless devotees who carried the torch of Krishna consciousness in those crucial years.
In January 2024, Lokarama launched the ISKCON History Archive Project in Mayapur, where he lives with his family and serves as an editor for the BBT Sanskrit Translation Department. “It’s a good place for this kind of project because there are a lot of devotees here, and it’s easier to meet devotees and get connected with others all over the world.”
The project’s core idea is to conduct interviews with devotees who actively served ISKCON in the late 1970s through the 1990s. These oral histories are being compiled in audio, video, and written formats, ensuring the preservation of the facts and the heartfelt devotion behind them. “The goal is to interview as many devotees as possible and create an online archive so that these interviews will be available to the public,” Lokarama shared. “And then eventually try to write a book or a series of books on the history of ISKCON after 1977.” The stories range from major preaching efforts and temple acquisitions to deeply personal journeys filled with both challenges and triumphs.
The response from the devotee community has been overwhelmingly positive. During the recent ISKCON Leadership Sanga (ILS) in Mayapur, many expressed support and eagerness to help. “Many were inspired to go back to their yatra and do more interviews with local devotees,” he said. “Kalakantha Prabhu from Gainesville at the Krishna House project said he was planning to interview a few of his godbrothers and godsisters in the area.” These initial responses are the seedlings of what Lokarama hopes will grow into a global grassroots movement.
Read more: https://iskconnews.org/preserving-the-past-the-iskcon-history-archive-project/
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