== AM MOVIE: PRACAR OR KUPRACAR ==
~ Part 3 ~
Note: The links for the first two letters in this series are below for
your easy access and reference.
Namaskar,
Pracar means propagation of the great ideology-- Baba's teachings. This
fact we all know. So any pracar endeavour must then highlight Baba and the
dharmic principles of Ananda Marga. That is the sole aim and only motive of
our pracar movement.
Keeping this in mind, let us evaluate how far the year-old AM pracar movie--
"Kiirtan Mahima"-- is consistent with that ideal. Is the film up to that
gold-bar standard of doing AM pracar, or not.
AM'S UNIQUE APPROACH: GOD IS WITHIN
In each and every sphere of life, AM has something new and revolutionary to
offer the society. And pracar means propagating those ideals to people
around the globe. Naturally then any AM film has tremendous potential.
And perhaps in no sphere of life is AM more unique than in its spiritual
approach. Because in our AM system of sadhana, each and every sadhaka is
making a direct link with Parama Purusa. Because we know God is within--
Baba resides eternally inside our heart.
Baba says, "Parama Purus'a always remains with you, within the very core of
your heart. So search within, O spiritual aspirant, not without, but
within, within your very existence." (AV-12, p.41)
So in AM sadhana, and in our spiritual approach, every aspirant
communicates directly with Parama Purusa-- internally. We know that Baba's
presence lies within; and that is Baba's divine teaching as well.
So when any AM pracar movie, like "Kiirtan Mahima", aims at describing our
spiritual approach, then it should highlight this very point-- that Baba
resides within-- inside the core of the heart. Then we can say that the
pracar film is up to the standard, otherwise not.
Because in our Marga, we communicate directly with Parama Purusa-- by
seeking Him internally. That is the uniqueness of AM and that is what
should be highlighted in our AM pracar films.
Indeed in AM, there is no need or any priest, or mullah; there is no need
to go to any church, temple, or mosque; there is no need to embark on any
pilgrimage or tiirtha; there is no need of any external paraphernalia etc.
None of those dogmatic rituals hold any value for us. Because we know that
Parama Purusa resides in the heart. So in order to get Him, we need not
look anywhere else except in our heart.
And if nothing else-- this fact that Parama Purusa resides in the heart--
should be clearly demonstrated in any pracar film highlighting the
spiritual tenets of AM.
Because to communicate with Him-- to communicate with Baba-- as Ananda
Margiis we need not do anything except close our eyes, chant His name, and
seek Him within. This is our dharmic approach and this is what uniquely
separates Ananda Marga from the dogmatic religions like Christianity,
Hinduism, and Islam etc. And this everyone in AM understands well.
So naturally, this special point that Parama Purusa resides in the heart
and that one can communicate internally with Him-- this idea should be
highlighted in our AM pracar movies. This should be our consensus approach.
That would be one big boon for propagating AM.
Because, as is commonly known, in the dogmatic religions they adhere to the
crude belief that external ritualistic worship is the way to find God. And
if any of our "pracar" films carry that idea, the people will mistakenly
think we are just like the dogmatic religions. So we must not allow this to
happen.
In AM, we do not adhere to such religious dogmatic views; we know that Baba
resides in the heart-- and through sadhana we can hold and embrace Him, by
His grace. So always we seek Him within. That is the natural way of every
AM sadhaka-- attaining Him within. And this is the special truth that the
general society needs to learn. That is the secret they are looking for.
And that is what our AM films should portray.
So if the common people get the idea from our AM pracara materials that
each and every human being can find God within and AM teaches this
spiritual sadhana to all, then surely the good people will come to us for
initiation into AM. Because nowadays rational-minded seekers are restless
with the static ways of religion, and they are desperately searching other
approaches towards God.
Hence an AM pracar film that highlights the ideal that God is within
carries tremendous potential. Now then let us take a look at what happens
in our new AM pracar movie, "Kiirtan Mahima".
FOCUSING ON THE IMPORT OF THE MOVIE
Since the new AM pracara movie-- "Kiirtan Mahima"-- has been floating all
around for 18 months, many already know the plot and story line. So that
need not be touched on here. Rather our concern is: To what degree is this
movie in accordance with AM ideals. Since that is the whole point of our
pracar work-- highlighting Baba and AM teachings.
CLIMAX SCENE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT
Furthermore, we can say that each and every movie is defined by its climax
point. That is what people remember most about any film. And by remembering
and recalling that scene in their mind, people get a distinct vision about
what the movie is about-- what it professes. This is simple fact every
filmmaker knows.
So, for instance, if we want to teach that God lies within-- that in AM we
feel that Baba resides in our heart-- then naturally that idea should be
reflected in the defining point of the movie.
THE CRUDE APPROACH ADOPTED IN THE NEW AM MOVIE:
BABA IS OUTSIDE US
Now let us see what happens in the climax scene of the movie-- "Kiirtan
Mahima".
As the movie culminates and it is revealed how the mystery was solved and
how the family's treasures were saved as their house did not get robbed,
then at the 42' 34" mark of the movie, at this pinnacled juncture, the
father dramatically gets up from his chair and starts praying and bowing
just like dogmatic religious worshippers do.
Instead of looking for Baba within and quietly communicating with Baba
internally by doing AM practices like sadhana etc, the father resorts to
walking restlessly around the room and begins talking to various external
paraphernalia that is hanging on the wall just like those dogmatic idol
worshippers do. And this is presented as being peak devotional expression
of the movie. That is how the movie-makers portray this dogmatic scene-- as
being something truly great.
But just take a look: Because again and again the father is walking around
and then standing with his eyes open, looking at the wall towards that
external paraphernalia, and with his hands embraced, the father is again
praying and talking to this external paraphernalia in a highly ritualistic
way. As if that paraphernalia is actually Baba and Baba is not within.
That is the disastrous way this most significant scene unfolds. This is the
climax of the film-- where the father of the family is externally praying,
as if in AM this is how we address the Lord, i.e. externally.
When in AM we know that Baba resides in the heart and we communicate with
Him that way.
But in those few crucial moments of the movie, the father is just talking
externally towards his paraphernalia that is on the wall. And he talks to
and embraces that paraphernalia. And when he deviates from that dogmatic
ritual, then he points his gaze upward to the sky as if Baba is up in the
heaven.
So in all regards, this culminating scene depicts our Marga just like the
various dogmatic religions. The innate beauty and special practice of our
AM sadhana is utterly absent. Because Baba is depicted as being somewhere
outside, as if in AM we search for God externally through crude rituals etc.
Tragically this entire scene goes on for several minutes and that stands as
the culmination of the whole film-- with the central character just sunken
in his dogmatic, ritualistic form of worship.
WHY LIKE THIS: WHY DO DOGMATIC
The first question one may ask then is why did the movie-makers of "Kiirtan
Mahima" resort to this type of dogmatic and ritualistic way of depicting
our AM.
Did they just have a bad day; did they think the common people would like
this; did they think that the movie could not have been made any other way.
What can be the reason why.
About this there are so many possible replies...
...But the one that makes the most sense-- and one which is generally
agreed upon-- is that those AM movie makers who created "Kiirtan Mahima",
they themselves do not believe that Baba resides in the heart. Otherwise
how could they have made a movie that says like that. Hence it is due to
their low devotional standard, due to the crust of their own dogmatic
understanding, that they made the film in this ritualistic way. And it is
due to this lowly outlook, that the devotional concept does not come in
their mind that Baba resides within. So in that case, when their sadhana is
not proper, then how are they going to make a movie that correctly shows
the spiritual approach in AM.
This is the explanation many are giving for why the film came out as a B
movie-- totally bad, or kupracar.
TRUE DEVOTEES SHOULD MAKE A FILM
In response, various people are telling that as we have so many talented
sadhakas in AM, then it is those devotees who should come forward and make
a film that truly depicts life in AM. And best is if that film is made as a
documentary since by that way more points can be brought forth to the
interested public.
Because really the lowly movie-makers of "Kiirtan Mahima" are far, far from
our AM standard. That is why their movie falters so badly as an AM pracar
film. Because any pracar film must reflect Baba's teachings but their film
is totally the opposite. Here is more evidence of that.
NOT JUST THE CLIMAX SCENE-- IT IS ALL BAD
Actually it is not just in the culminating scene that goes sour. But from
start to finish there are so many negative points where there film--
"Kiirtan Mahima"-- goes astray and those are enlisted below such as:
(a) How the movie is totally sexual in nature where an AM avadhuta has a
secret rendezvous with a glamourous young female;
(b) How the movie takes a Hollywood, self-centered approach where all focus
is on the superficial glitz and glamour of the cheezy actors, and no
emphasis is placed on the dignity of the subject-- it is all the
self-promotion of those egotistical Bollywood actors;
(c) How the movie makes use of the dogmatic dowry system;
(d) How the movie gives a completely fallacious and dogmatic description of
kiirtan. At the end of the film the fake Avadhuta creates his own silly and
outlandish philosophy about kiirtan that is so far-fetched and unbelievable
that if anyone knows one iota of Baba's real Kiirtan philosophy then they
will just laugh at what this Fake Avadhuta is saying;
(e) How the movie begins by the wrong way of doing Guru Puja. First the
movie uses incorrect pronunciation of the Guru Puja shloka and then the
movie only repeats the shloka one time, as if they are too busy to do it
more than that, but to them it should be said that Baba being the Parama
Purusa is extremely busy yet when He is on the dais then Guru Puja is
always done three times, but this our glitzy filmmakers did not have time for;
(f) How the movie uses so-called 'miracles' and far-fetched tales to do
pracar when Baba Himself says that this is the era of logic and reasoning
so our pracar movement should reflect a rational approach;
(g) How the movie uses the wrong type of song during Paincjanya; Baba is
our Ista so the chosen Prabhat Samgiita at the time of Paincajanya should
focus on Him-- not any other Taraka Brahma like Krsna; because Baba guides
that in the field of devotion, our Ista is one; (reference: AV-23 "Omnkara
& Ista Mantra)
(h) And so many other faulty points are there in this poorly-made "Kiirtan
Mahima" movie.
TRUE DEVOTEES SHOULD MAKE A FILM (PART II)
Baba is so gracious on our AM society: He has given everything-- all that
is needed to build a great society. In no corner is there any shortage of
anything.
In that case, invariably we have so many good artists in our Marga and it
is they who should come forward and make a real film about AM.
Because right now, because of this film the whole situation of pracar in AM
is so tragic.
It is just like if one town has so many ideal cooks but for one reason or
another just monkeys and raccoons have taken over the kitchen and they are
making a mess there-- throwing slop in all directions, such that no proper
meal can be made.
Such is the current state of affairs in our AM movie-making department.
So we must not be passive: Good devotees should step up and give the proper
method for how our AM movies should be made. This will be one great boon to
our Marga.
THOSE WHO THINK FILM IS GOOD
Lastly, there may be one or two people reading this letter who actually
think that the film-- "Kiirtan Mahima"-- was good. In that case such
persons should understand that they are just being misled by the degrading
ways of the Hollywood movie industry. Whereas in AM our approach is to
adhere to Baba's divine standards, not the crude, debased ways of Hollywood
etc.
So if any are still thinking that the "Kiirtan Mahima" movie was fine, then
best is if they read and try to understand Baba's teachings and discourses
on this topic such as, 'Art and Literature', 'Smell and Microvita',
'Mobility and Movement of Microvita', "Excellence of a God-Centered
Philosophy', 'The Different Vocations: Actors' etc.
If anyone sincerely reads Baba's aforementioned teachings with the intent
to understand what He is saying, then they will surely see how the movie
"Kiirtan Mahima" falls far, far short of the mark.
Plus by reading Baba's divine guidelines, then they will spare themselves
of public embarrassment had they naively defended or even praised the film.
Here the point is that all AM movies should reflect Baba's ideals and not
the pseudo-culture of Hollywood. And certainly most if not all are
understanding this point.
BABA'S BLESSING
By Baba's grace, we should utilize the enormous potential of the film
industry to propagate the teachings of AM. This will truly be one great
endeavour.
Baba says, "Today the cinema seems to be very popular with people of all
ages. As a result film technology will gradually rise to ever-greater
heights of technical excellence. The opportunity provided by the cinema to
establish good relations with people can be very well utilized for
educational purposes." (HS-1)
Namaskar,
Karma Rasa
Note 1: THE IDEA OF MAKING AN AM PRACARA MOVIE IS EXCELLENT!
The idea of using the medium of film as a means of doing AM pracara is very
good.
We all know that Baba appreciates the benevolent and sentient use of art,
science, literature, and technology, so naturally then a well-made AM film
would be a highly valued commodity-- a real asset to our Marga.
Inherent to such a project is that any pracara film must abide by the
ideals of AM. That is to say, it must espouse such tenets as a God-centered
approach, depict proper relations between males & females, offer correct
and proper explanations of our AM social and spiritual philosophy, and in
general be consistent with the AM way of life as given by our Guru, Lord
Shrii Shrii Anandamurtiji.
Under such conditions, an real AM pracar movie would be a real boon for our
pracara endeavours.
And best is if this film is a documentary since we have many things to
teach the society and rather then spending energy on the entertainment
aspect of making a movie, we should do something that appeals to people's
finer points of intellect, rationality, and spiritual curiosity etc.
And a documentary type of film would best suit this purpose.
Note 2: JUST A SO-CALLED AM PRACARA MOVIE
OR A KUPRACARA MOVIE
By now everyone is aware of the major pitfalls of the new AM pracar movie--
"Kiirtan Mahima". It is widely known that this movie is filled with sexual
innuendos, crude Hollywood tactics, faulty messages about AM philosophy
etc. That is why many call "Kiirtan Mahima" the so-called AM Pracar Movie.
The term "so-called" has been applied because in practice the film does
not do an ounce of AM pracar. That is why it is a so-called AM pracara
movie, or Kupracara, since kupracara means bad pracara.
Note 3: OTHER LETTERS ABOUT THIS AM MOVIE
Here the 2 previous letters posted by margis about this very same AM movie.
(#1) http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/09/am-movie-still-on-silver-screen.html
(#2) http://am-global-01.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-about-am-movie.html
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This Must Be Averted
Baba says, "'Andham tamah pravishanti mudha ye ke catmahano janah.' What
happens to the person who runs after the external mundane things instead of
the Self within? One day he finds himself surrounded by the blinding
darkness (Andhatamasa). All around he finds nothing. When a person whose
self has miserably degenerated, whose spiritual progress is altogether
stopped, rushes towards matter, his whole existence starts getting
crudified, his mind and Self get crudified, he forfeits the right even to
be called a human being. This is indeed a miserable condition, an
unimaginable circumstance." (Calcutta, 1980)
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