'Khajuraho Anand aur Mukti' - Winner of Indian Panorama 2022 at IFFI

 

 

The ancient Khajuraho Temples that are located in Madhya Pradesh, are listed among the most beautiful medieval monuments of India. The Chandela Dynasty built the temple complex between 950-1050 AD. The temple complex includes both Hindu as well as Jain temples. In 1986, the Khajuraho temple complex was also titled as UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. The Khajuraho temple complex is a classic example of medieval Nagara-style architectural symbolism.

 

 

 

 

Recently, at a discussion organized at IFFI, in Goa, light was put on the legacy of the Khajuraho temples while talking about a documentary that is based on the historic monument. Director duo Dr. Deepika Kothari and Ramji Om’s 60 min Hindi documentary 'Khajurao Anand aur Mukti' is a documentation of the 25 Khajuraho temples ruins which dates back to thousands of years. They recently addressed one of the IFFI Table Talks sessions organized in the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

 

 

 

The 25 temple ruins in the Khajuraho complex date back to thousands of years. Temples are story tellers narrating the story of earlier humans, that tell us far deeper things about ancient India. The role of, particularly, the Khajuraho temple complex, in the information gathered about Indian history is unique than any other ruins found of that era. Unfortunately, naturally as well as manually, all that is left today of such marvellous constructions in North India, is merely the ruins of the grand structures constructed centuries ago.

  

The ruins at Khajuraho speak about the trade, culture and social life of the time. As informed during a session at IFFI, an entire kavya (prose) was encapsulated into the sculptures on the temple walls in an art form. These magnificent sculptures which tell us about our ancient Indian philosophy and are an open book to learn from.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Their aim was to show the viewers, what is available in the Khajuraho temples. Ramji Om said that they found manifestations of Vedic Gods – all the 33 crore Hindu Gods are present in the sculptures inscribed on the temple walls. “It is an encyclopaedia of Indian art”, he added.

 

The documentary has explored the Vaikunth Vishnu temple in the Khajuraho temple complex. Ramji Om informed that the Vaikunth tradition was more prevalent in Kashmir and its surrounding areas. Various philosophical ideas related to the Vaikunth doctrine has been found to be inscribed on the temple walls.

 

The sculptures are inspired by Krishna Mishra’s sanskrit play ‘Prabodhachandradaya’. Not only that, but Samkhya philosophy has been found to be manifested on the temple walls. Bankim Chandra Chatterjee had written that ‘Not tantric flag, but the flag of Samkhya flies high over the Khajuraho temples’, informed film-maker Ramji Om. The Khajuraho Lakshman Temple, considered as an abode of Vaikuntha Vishnu, unravels these aspects in its supremely exquisite art forms in the film.

 

“The Khajuraho Temples are popularly known for erotic sculptures. But there are philosophical mysteries hidden behind the erotic reliefs”, said Dr. Deepika Kothari. “It forms only 10 percent all that is inscribed and conveys a deep philosophy”, she informed. The mysteries of Yoga and Samkhya at the Lakshman Temple of Khajuraho are unveiled in this documentary. Dr Devangana Desai explained in the documentary that all the erotic and non-erotic imagery is an integral part of Vedic and Puranic Hindu culture.

 

This film has been produced under the 24 episode series of Indian Civilization which has been recently launched. Dr. Kothari also stated that the present generation has become very illiterate about our ancient temples. Hence, they have specially made this film for educating the younger generation about the rich ancient philosophies of our country which are manifested in the temple ruins.

 

 

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