Amazon.com: Kumbh Mela: Songs of the River (Institutional Use - Library/High School/Non-Profit): Pilot Baba, Yogamata Keiko Aikawa, Dr. Andrew Weil, H. H. Dalai Lama: Amazon Instant Video

Product Details

Synopsis: The Kumbh Mela is a great roving Hindu spiritual festival that has moved around India for more than four thousand years, erecting temporary cities along the Ganges River.

Starring: Pilot Baba, Yogamata Keiko Aikawa

Supporting actors: Dr. Andrew Weil, H. H. Dalai Lama

Directed by: Nadeem Uddin

Runtime: 1 hour

Release year: 2008

Studio: Samsara Films

ASIN: B001P9CM4M (Rental) and B001P9BANQ (Purchase)

Rights & Requirements

Rental rights: 7 day viewing period Details

Purchase rights: Stream instantly and download to 2 locations. Details

Compatible with: Mac and Windows PC online viewing, compatible instant streaming devices, TiVo DVRs. System requirements

Format: Amazon Instant Video (streaming online video and digital download)

Theatrical Release Information

US Theatrical Release Date: December 08, 2008

Video Format Details

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

Average Customer Review

4.4 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, May 20, 2005

By

S. Normandin (Silicon Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kumbh Mela:Songs of the River (DVD)

Who knew? We hear about the Haj at Mecca which draws a couple of million pilgrims, but who knew that the Kumbh Mela in India drew 70 million?!! Seventy million Hindu pilgrims! Not to mention thousands of naked holymen doing all sorts of bizarre penances to God! The film is a visual journey and a feast for the imagination. Brilliant, colorful cinematography depicting a strange gathering in a strange land. A must have for anyone interested in cultural anthropology, India, or spirituality. Might have been made better with more documentary information (for example I found out this religious gathering has been going on--its held every 12 years-- since 3464 BC!) and possibly the integration of some still images on which to linger a bit in mid-marvel. All in all a wonderful and fascinating experience. (By the way I found a wonderfully informative and funny story about the Kumbh on a web mag called theArtichoke.org.)

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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Expressions Of The One Truth" ~ Disneyland Of The Divine, October 1, 2005

By

Brian E. Erland "Rainbow Sphinx" (Brea, CA - USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kumbh Mela:Songs of the River (DVD)

Travel with filmmaker Nadeem Uddin to Mother India on his journey to Allahabad located at the confluence of two sacred rivers, the Ganges and Jamuna. You are on a spiritual pilgrimage to the final mela in a series of festivals that occurs only once every 144 years. Walk amongst the estimated 70 million pilgrims in the sweltering heat as they descend upon their appointed destination.

Open your mind and heart and take a deep breath before you dare enter into a realm of the spirit quite foreign to Occidental sensibilities. It's here amidst the noise and smoke, the pungent fragrances and endless chanting that the visual and olfactory assault will soon begin. Nude ascetics will surround you on all sides and strange, exotic smells will confront your nostrils. In some quarters of the festival bizarre and disturbing exhibitions of self-mutilation will be exhibited while a female avatar dances with cobras and a prospective guru is buried underground for three days in a state of samadi as an offering for universal harmony. Situations very unnerving for the uninitiated traveler.

Congratulations you have arrived at the largest gathering of humanity in the history of the world! It's the 2001 'Maha Kumbh Mela' let the purification begin!

This is an amazing and beautiful spiritual documentary and an essential addition to the DVD library of anyone fascinated by the diverse and sometimes unfathomable nature of faith in all its various modes of expression. Definitely not for the closed minded.

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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Vibrantly beautiful!, July 6, 2005

By

Monica S. Wilson (Seattle, Washington) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Kumbh Mela:Songs of the River (DVD)

This wonderful film immerses the viewer in the experience of Kumbh Mela. There is no unnecessary narrative telling you what you are seeing or what you are supposed to think about the incredible events occurring here. I appreciated that the viewer is allowed to form their own thoughts and ideas as the documentary unfolds. I am also delighted that this film will bring this ancient festival into the homes and hearts of people around the world who can now share in the wonder of this tradition. It is especially encouraging to know that the largest gathering of people in recorded history, visible from space, was inspired by a deep and abiding love and spiritual belief.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars don't purchase
This video almost made me not want to go to Kumba Mela. There was not really any quality narration. It made the event look more like a variety show. Read more

Published on January 17, 2010 by JKP

5.0 out of 5 stars NECESSARY FILM FOR OUR TIMES!
This documentary is beautiful expession of millions of people coming together on the River Ganges. A beautiful expression of love and harmony among all of us. Read more

Published on May 3, 2008 by Shiva Bhakti

5.0 out of 5 stars A DIVINE JOURNEY!
This is the second film of this filmaker's which I recently watched. I am in awe of the sheer visual power and colors of the Kumbh Mela. Read more