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  PULSES OF INDIA

Dr. Gautam Chatterjee  

 
 
 



 

 

 
Home > Electronic Media >

Dr Gautam Chatterjee in Electronic Media

Electronic Published Works
(Since 1998 till present)

TWO HUNDREDS HOURS OF SOFTWARE TRANSMITTED BY DOORDARSHAN
Under title KALATARANG were scripted by undersigned.

Around 100 episodes were created and transmitted in DD Bharati wherein
 Dr Gautam Chatterjee remains Executive PRODUCER.
 

Script on Tangible and Intangible Heritage of India
(Few list of Published DVDs) published by IGNCA

1. Oral Tradition of Vedas – Duration:-2 hours 28 minutes - UNESCO declared Vedic Chanting as a masterpiece of oral and Intangible Heritage on Humanity

Vedic chanting is the world’s oldest oral tradition of Guru Shishya parampara in vogue distilled from a vast body of Sanskrit literature compiled between 5000 to 1500 years. The film alludes to the Jaiminiya Shakha, Ranayaniya Shakha of Samaveda and Saunaka and Paippalada Shakha of Atharva Veda, followed in Trichur of Kerala, Gokarna and Honnavar of Karnataka, Trichy of Tamil Nadu, Sholapur of Maharashtra, and Puri and Balasore of Odisha. It unveils the unique recitative methodology of memorizing the vast Vedic corpus, adopted by ancient seers. It highlights the reiterative utterance of the words Jatapatha and Ghanapatha, chanted in forward, backward and circuitous manner, and the mnemonic devices of training the young mind in sound patterns.

2. Ramlila – The Traditional Performance of Ramayana - Duration: - 1 hours 3 minutes - UNESCO has designated Ramlila as a Masterpiece of oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Ramayana is the oldest Indian epic, encompassing 24,000 lyrical verses and is dedicated to the life and deeds of Lord Rama who served the purpose of devotional worship, sacrificial offering, eulogy, meditative experience and immersive communion. Ramlila of Northern India is based on the great Hindi version of the epic ‘Ramcharita Manasa’ penned by Tulsidas. The film highlights the Ramlila of Ramnagar, which is transformed into a sacred landscape and a stage, where 20,000 odd viewers move with actors to witness the sacred play, which goes on for 31 days. The ruler of Ramnagar arrives on elephant back before the performance begins. Young Rama arrives on an elder’s shoulder. The audience carries a copy of the Ramacharit Manas, and follows stanza after stanza, after the characters delivering their dialogue. The film explores the mythological and linguistic nuances of Ramlila at Ayodhya as a blend of Braj, Madhubani region and Avadh dialects. It presents the dynamics of dramatized orality to showcase India’s Intangible Heritage.

In 2015 Dr Gautam Chatterjee was Project Director to Document the whole Traditions of RAMNAGAR RAMLILA .IGNCA did 400 hours of Documentation and transmitted 31 episodes of Ramnagar Ramlila in DD Bharati and one hour about Documenting Ramnagar Ramlila.

3. Echoes of the Past - Bijapur - Duration : 52 minutes 40 seconds

The land of Bijapur is adorned with the grandiose architecture of Adil Shahis from the 16th-17th century. The film explores the secular, defense and religious architecture created under him and examines the collection in the Museum of Archeological Survey of India established in 1892 specially its great collection of Deccan paintings. It highlights the visual acoustics of Golgumbaz and the Whisper Gallery and demonstrates how sound, refracted at 45 degree angle, creates echoes in ten layers.

4. Hampi – The World Heritage Site – Part I to VI – Duration – 2 hours 27 minutes

The film showcases the grandeur of the World Heritage Site – Hampi, known in ancient times as Pampakshetra. Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar Empire on the south bank of river Tungabhadra, in Karnataka between the 14th and 16th centuries. The roving camera takes one through the corridors of artistic creativity in the primeval rocky landscape, dotted with massive fortifications, aqueducts, tanks, colossal gopuras and monolithic sculptures, Queens Bath and Chandrashekhara temple, Virupaksha temple, Lakshmi Narasimha or Krishna temple, Hazara Rama temple, Vitthala and Tiruvengalanatha temple. It explores the contextual oral tradition, animating the cultural hinterland, with sound bytes of scholars, and music emanating from musical pillars.

5. The Talking Rocks of Badami – Duration : 51 minutes 29 seconds

The film explores the awesome rock cut sculpture of the Badami caves in the Bijapur district of Karnataka created under Western Chalukya King Mangalesha in the Sixth century A.D. ‘The wonderful workmanship’, ‘atyadbhutakarmaviracitam’, is celebrated in the royal inscription of 579 A.D. Androgynous Shiva Ardhanariswara, Harihara, Vishnu Trivikrama, Bodhisattva Padmapani, cyclopean, ornate and figured pillars provide examples of this workmanship.

6. Aihole – Cradle of Indian Architecture – Duration: 34 minutes

Today’s Aihole is an over grown village in Bhagalkat District of Karnataka. Originally known as Ayyavola or Aryapur, it was the capital of Chalukyan dynasty through 6th to the 8th century AD. The oldest flat roofed Lad Khan temple, the flat roofed Kontagudi temple, dedicated to Shiva, the apsidal Durga temple, the northern style shikhara temples of Huchimalli Gudi and Hucchappayya, the Meguti Jaina temple, seated on a hill, show the eclectic confluence of sectarian and aesthetic traditions at Aihole.

7. Shravana Belagola – Part 1 to 3 – Duration : 1 hour 26 minutes

Situated 50 miles northeast of Mysore, comprising Vindhyagiri and Chandragiri hills, Shravana Belagola is the Kashi of Jains, replete with Jaina Basadis or temples, reservoirs, enormous sculptures, carved out of rocky hills between the tenth and twelfth century. It houses the 58.8 feet statue of Bahubali, a symbol of sacrifice and renunciation. The towering Gomateswara, carved out of rock, stands out, among other Jaina Shrines. He is the saintly son of Adinatha. The sculpture is one of the finest specimens of tenth century Western Ganga work. The film explores the great collection of sacred Prakrit texts, and seeks a holistic vision of Jaina philosophy, iconography and ritual.

8. Celestial Coronation – Mahamastakabhishekam of Bahubali – Karkala – Part I and II – Duration 27 minutes 32 seconds

The film revolves around the most revered Mahamastakabhishekam of Bahubali – Karkala that takes place every 12 years. It establishes the Jaina Heritage site or Basadi of Karkala and then documents the 10 day ritualistic bathing of Bahubali who towers 42 feet tall to signal his momentous presence. It shows how Kalashas are tied with sacred thread for Kalasha puja, and how, on the 10th day, 1008 Kalashas, and 350 tender coconuts water filled Kalashas, are poured on the head of Bahubali, for bathing him, in different colours. It shows sugarcane juice, 350 ltrs of milk being poured and 75 kgs of rice powder, sandal, and turmeric being sprinkled. This document on celestial bathing provides a window in to the socio-theological depths of Jaina philosophy.

9. Wisdom Frozen in Time Volume – 1 (In search of treasure…Kolkata & Guwahati) – Duration : 17 minutes 14 seconds

In this series Calcutta University Manuscript Library, Asiatic Society, Kolkata, Banglya Sahitya Parishad, Sanskrit Sahitya Parishad, Guwahati University Library, Kamarupa Anusandhan Samiti, Narayani Handiqui Historical Institute were covered. The highlight of this film is that these Libraries have huge collection of paper manuscripts of Mahabharata, Bhagavat Mahapuranas, Buddhist texts and these remain a gold mine for scholars.

10. Wisdom Frozen in Time – Vol.II (In search of treasure… Chennai, Mysore & Melukote) – Duration : 1 hours 28 minutes

Government Oriental Manuscript Library, Madras University, Chennai: Kuppuswami Sastri Research Institute, Chennai, Oriental Research Institute, Mysore, Academy of Sanskrit Research, Melukote were covered and documented. These institutes preserves a host of manuscripts on subjects like Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani schools of medicines,Vedas, Shastras, Bhasha, Jyotishshastra, Vastukala , Bhagavata, life of Krishna, Samveda chanting, yantra, medicines, etc. Five hundred year old Kautilya’s Arthashastra; Valmiki Ramayana of 230 leaves, Veeramaheshwara Sangraha poet Naganatha; Pratipada Panchika; Govindacharya’s Ayurvedic Manuscript, dealing with techniques for preserving medicines for long duration etc. are also shown here.

11. Wisdom Frozen in Time – Vol.III (In search of Treasure… Tanjavur & Bubaneswar) – Duration : 1 hour 12 minutes

Tamil University, Tanjavur has a 300 year old manuscript, repository of 8000 palm leaf manuscripts, 15th century Tamil grammar, numerological manuscripts with notes of students etc. Saraswati Mahal, Thanjavur is a treasure trove housing rare manuscripts, maps, painting and books. The film on State Museum, Bhubaneswar establishes the magnificent architectural contours of Bhubaneswar city and presents the grand heritage of manuscripts of Orissa. Library of Utkal University has a great collection of palm leaf manuscripts mainly brought from Jagannath Temple, both on ritual and administration. Kedarnath Gaveshana Pratishthan, Bhubaneswar has some 3000 rare manuscripts on palm leaves. Some of these are on Mathematics, Geeta Govinda, Bhagvata, etc.

12. Ganga – A Celestial Journey from Mukhba to Gangotri – Duration 46 minutes 4 seconds

The film pans the snow – capped mountains of Himalaya to zoom in and capture the glimpses of Gaumukh Glaciers, from where Ganga emerges to create riverine civilization along her traverse of 2500 kms before merging in Bay of Bengal. The film captures the journey of Ganga Icon in her palanquin from Mukhba before the Gangotri Temple opens on auspicious day of Akhayatritiya. The film thus records the pada – yatra journey on foot, of Gangaji, explores the oral tradition of Semwals, the priests of Ganga Devi, highlights the relation of nature with the Prashad benediction of Gangotri, covers the ritual of opening of the Kapat, door, of Ganga Temple at Gangotri, Ganga icon returns to Mukhba in the same manner after Deepawali Day every year.

13. Sanjhi – Duration : 30 minutes 13 seconds

Sanjhi is a folk aesthetic tradition of 15 day ritual, stretching from the full moon day to the dark moonless night, with paintings on the walls of houses. It is done by unmarried girls to pay tribute to the departed ancestors during Pitri Paksha and is in vogue in many places in north and central India.

14. Mysore Paintings – Colour Temperature of Other Time (Two parts) – Duration: 56 minutes 23 seconds

Mysore paintings are known for their harmony, visualization of mythology and splendor of colour. The paintings portray different scenes of life. The paintings show the depth of imagination and attention to detail. There is a substantial collection of paintings, which are exhibited in international exhibitions. Painting is a family tradition in Mysore, and some people live by painting. The belief structure is religious and mythological. A group of paintings called Jami paintings are based on stories. The common subjects are folklore, historical events, and local myths.

15. Pattadakal Temple – Duration : 21 minute

This eighth century monument, a world heritage site, situated in Bagalpore district of Karnataka, was built to celebrate the victory of King Vikramaditya II over his foes, and touches the highest pinnacle of temple architecture. The temple has pillars in geometric progression, and the pillars are not similar to another. The story line is that of Shiv Purana. Though the temple is devoted to Shiva, yet Vaishnavite stories are also there. There are seven hundred forty eight panels (748) - that link this world with the other world or Muktishora.

16. Bhil Paintings – Duration : 27 minutes 53 seconds

Bhils, the Adivasis of Southern Rajasthan, are known for their creative imagination and interesting belief systems. The belief system is Shaivite, but they worship twelve Shivlingas with different names. They have many icons, male as well as female. The most fascinating part of their life is their urge to paint, using natural material for making colours. Their temple walls, their houses and even rocks are adorned with pictures. During festivals, they enact a typical dance drama – Dabri – to appease Shiva. Watching them living their lives is a fascinating experience.

17. Sacred Echoes –Beneath the Bodhi Tree- Duration : 28 minutes

Bodhgaya – an eternal space where Buddha attained Nirvana. Buddha Charita denotes this space as a corridor of eternity. The documentary fathoms Bodhgaya as a pilgrimage to re-understand the process of Awakening even beyond the Bodhi tree. Parallely, the documentary highlights the importance of seven places where Lord Buddha did penance. Alongside the Tipitaka chanting by eight Theravada countries were documented. The documentary weaves an unique fabric of chanting tradition and sacred space Bodhi Tree, the Temple and pilgrims that unifies a holistic vision of Buddhism as a emblem of world peace.

18. “Bali Yatra – They Say, they came from India…” – Duration : 36 minutes

The documentary is research documentation to understand the cultural dialogue between Indian sub-continent and Bali, which was prominent in the history in the name of spice route. The documentation highlights a panoramic view of Bali within various nuances of its culture which showcases a harmonic amalgamation. The documentary enters through Bali Yatra and fathoms the ancient Baisakhi temple in Bali and travels to explore the various elements of Indian Culture, which exist in Bali. It touches upon the Pedanda system or Priesthood of Bali and explores the Calendar making. Apart from this, the documentary travels through Gurukul of Bali to explore the various elements of this ancient heritage. The documentary highlights as a travelogue to search for the Indian elements in Bali, which has been a living tradition for over several hundred years.

19. Measuring the Sky (A journey to the Brahadeeswara Temple) – Duration : 26 minutes

The specimen of architectural grandeur built by Cholas in 995-100 AD, in Subramanya style at Thanjavur the capital of Cholas, 372 KM from Chennai. The 260 feet tall temple, with fourteen storey’s has a square base so well proportioned that it survived for centuries. Dedicated to God Shiva, it is octagonal in shape, decorated all around with Hindu Pantheon. The iconography is at best here images of Shiv Parvati are carved on the walls where you also find Pauranic stories.

 

1998-2001
(Concept, Research, Anchor control and Direction, Content Management and Scripting.All DD Transmission)

  • Thirteen episodes for children “Aanewala Kal” (coming of tomorrow) 1999

  • Buddha Purnima Interview taken by Dr.Gautam Chatterjee and interacted with Prof. Dr. Satkari Mukhopadyay and Tibetan Monastery Head. (Buddhism is explored ritually, textually and philosophically) 2000.
     


Around 100 episodes were created and transmitted in DD Bharati wherein Dr Gautam Chatterjee remains Executive PRODUCER.
 

 

 
Copyright © Dr Gautam Chatterjee