DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT -
As a child growing up in Indian countryside, I had an opportunity to live Ayurveda. My family, even today, continues to believe in Ayurveda like they have done for several generations. I already know about some of the significant differences between Ayurveda and the western approach to diagnosis and treatment. However, till today I remain totally impressed by logic of Ayurveda and charmed by the power and completeness of its comprehensive understanding of life.
In last 3 years alone nearly 500 books about Ayurveda are being published in 60 different languages, in 50 countries. Coming two years will add about 500 more books, besides increase in Web sites, CD-ROMs and journals.
The film travels nearly 15,000 kilometres through landscapes of exceptional beauty and geographical variety in India, Greece and USA. For several months myself and my research team has constantly searched out people and places almost all over the world; to do total justice to this exceptional subject. To voice the story of Ayurveda through exceptional Vaidyas (Ayurvedic Doctors), patients and experts.
Some of the Vaidyas have revealed their secrets and open their home and clinics to us. Plant searching tribes took us into dark corner of jungle where a rare endangered plant still grows wild. Ancient Palm-leaf manuscripts locked away for 3 to 5 centuries were in front of us. Ancient 'Mud-Scanning' method of Diagnosis has been considered extinct and lost but our months long efforts managed to track down the last surviving place. A rarely seen lost science of Marma, vital points, and how it can kill or cure; was demonstrated on a goat for the first time revealing vital points which can paralyse.
During the 3 long years while preparing the film I, myself have been surprised to discover how scientific Ayurveda is. I personally believe that our world of today, into a new millennium, is going to need natural arts of healing like it never did ever before. Spirituality and natural balances will play a vital role in governing our happiness in near future. No single film can do justice to the vast science of Ayurveda but For me the film is just a sharing, but the sharing that inspires, naturally.
Pan, Nalin
January 2001, Paris
ABOUT THE DIRECTOR -
Pan Nalin, a self taught filmmaker, was born in a remote village of Adatala, in India. The richest thing his family gave to him was his spiritual upbringing. He only saw first film at age of 9 or so, and since that day he always wanted to be involved in films.
As a teenager, he left his family and village in pursuit of cinema; after studies in Fine arts and Design and after shooting some 4 animation and 20 little silent films, Nalin came to conclusion that the best film school is life. He roamed the Himalayas and built a solid spiritual foundation besides developing ideas for several feature films. Nalin made several documentaries in collaboration with Canal Plus, BBC, Discovery, National Geographic, France 3, etc. His films all evoke unique universe of spiritual quest, whether it be after the erotic, the sensual, faith, religion, or aspects of society. Nalin's first feature film, SAMSARA, will be released in the United States in 2002.
