I plan to return to the 2010 Kumbh Mela in Haridwar, to reconnect with these women, follow-up with a second round of print giveaways, camera introduction / instruction and narrow down which of the women will continue to participate in this project after the festival.
Through this next round of documentary exploration (to commence after the Haridwar Kumbh Mela in 2010), these women will be given the skills to share with the world their personal and cultural her-stories of what led them on this path, what they found once they embarked upon it, and most importantly, what knowledge they have gained through their experiences. Giving cameras to these women will also empower them to voice any obstacles they face today, negotiating the modern “Western” world in attempts to maintain their traditions and spiritual practice (especially that of worshiping nature); as well as their independence as women within a still male dominated organization and culture. This project also sets out to enlighten (1. Western audiences enthused, entranced and perhaps deluded by both consumerism and Eastern / Hindu and Yoga / Mediation culture; as well as 2. Audiences from other cultures whose women stereotypically play a smaller role in society), about the ancient traditions past down through generations of guru / shisha relationships; and the strength, resilience and accomplishments of these independent women, who have been greatly overshadowed by the nagas, their naked and ash covered guru brothers; all the while dispelling the many stereotypes of rural Indian and Nepali women, as well as those that have been attached to their organization (Juna Akhara) by mainstream and foreign media coverage during the hectic festival frenzy of the Kumbh Mela.
Documentary Production Methodology:
I’m interested in following in line with their traditional guru (teacher) / shisha (student) relationship style for teaching (media). “Each One, Teach One”, (along several ashram tours & / pilgrimage treks), passing the camera around, one sadhvi shooting another sadhvi’s story, while teaching that sadhvi to later shoot someone else’s, in pursuit of exploring the following:
1. What led these women to choose this path vs. marriage or single career-woman lifestyles?
2. The Akhara system: from initiation, to lineage, to elections; Ashram / Spiritual Life; austere vs. wealthy / luxurious lifestyles; careers abandoned or pursued; previous families/friends abandoned; & performing one’s own funeral rites as initiation into this new family structure.
3. For what benefit do they do their spiritual practice? What are they learning, of which we in the West should also be aware; what can they teach us?
4. How does one negotiate current man made environmental issues with their worshiping and attempting to live in accordance with nature?
Haridwar Kumbh Mela 2010 dates!!! official
14 January, thursday – Makar Sankranti Snaan – 1st Snaan (bath)
15 January, friday – Mauni Amavasya and Surya Grahan ( Solar Eclipse) – 2nd Snaan
20 January, Wednesday – Basant Panchmi Snaan – 3rd snaan
30 January, Saturday – Magh Purnima Snaan – 4th Snaan
12 February, Friday – Maha Shivratri – Pratham Shahi Snaan!
15 March, Monday – Somvati Amavasya – Dvitya Shahi snaan!
24 March, Wednesday – Ram Navmi – 5th Snaan
30 March, Tuesday – Chaitra Purnima snaan
14 April, Wednesday – Baisakhi – Pramukh Shahi Snaan.
28 April, Wednesday – Shakh Purnima – snaan
source: http://www.haridwarcity.in/haridwar_kumbh_2010_dates.html
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