T.V. series on Vaishnavism

A Televison series on Vaishnavism is nearing completion

By Bhargava das (ACBS 1971)

This is a project that Srila Prabhupada approved of and contributed ideas to. It is a privately owned and funded cultural series called Faces of God showing the Indian people practicing Vaishnavism. There are twelve half hour episodes, two hours on Vishnu, one on Rama, three on Krishna and included is a short segment on Shiva, Ganesh and Devi. It is a journey to the holy places, festivals and miraculous happenings connected to these forms.

The shooting and editing are finished. Music is still needed, possibly a new narrator, sound sweetening and formatting for cable, satellite and broadcast. Estimated costs about Ten thousand dollars. More important to the success of the project is the need for corporate sponsors as a series this long on this subject needs to be subsidized in order to get a carrier like Discovery or National Geographic to supply suficient time slots for broadcasting it.

This is an especially great opportunity for successful Indian corporate owners and executives to give something spiritual and valuable from their ancient wisdom culture to a world that needs it. On the academic side GarudaPrabhu has consented to help with the project. Cheena Jeer one of the main achariyas from the SriSampradaya has endorsed the project along with the prestigious Hindu America Foundation. Although it is not a direct ISKCON project a number of prominent devotees have financially contributed to the project knowing its great value and that it was something Srila Prabhupad wanted produced. To name a few Gopal Krishna Swami, Bhakti Charu Swami. Radhanath Swami, Gopal BhattaPrabhu, Druta Karma prabhu, Muralivadana prabhu, NistrigunyaPrabhu, Drupadi dasi, Kalpalatika dasi and others.

The additional funding is still needed and if any one out there can contribute it would be a great oppertunity for service to a non political devotional project that all the different Vaishnava groups could benifit from. As mentioned I also am looking for contrabutions of soft tabla and mellow Sitar music that can be used behind the narration, Separate flute tracks and any thing instrumental for background music (mellow on the drums). For those that do not know me, I was an ISKCON Press BBT photographer from 1970 till 1980 many of my photos have appeared in Back to Godhead, Most of the Holy Place photographs that are in the Chaitanya Charitamrita where taken by me.

I also documented SrilaPrabhupad during his travels through Europe, Africa, the U. S. and India. Most recently over seventy of the photographs used in the India book written by and published by the BBT were taken by me.

Inquiries can be made to Bhargavadas at Nitaimedia P. O. Box 126, Culver City Ca. 90232. e-mail at nitaimedia@gmail.com My phone number is 818 921 0134.