Mahabharata in TV & Comics (long)

proxyindian · Jul 30th, 2007, 05:55

For the last two months I've been reading The Mahabharata. Mostly the Van Buitenen translation but also new ones from The Clay Sanskrit Library organization. I love it!!!! I don't think I've been this interested in a story since I read Atlas Shurgged in college. I'm only up to the end of book three and have not lost interest... people around me probably dread me bringing up the subject.

What I find most surprising is that it isn't hard to cut through the language as I thought it would be. I thought it would be like reading Shakespeare, and it isn't. Even when people are preaching I find it very interesting and, oddly, life-transforming. I mean, I didn't expect Draupadi's lesson on being a faithful wife to have relevance but it's changed the way I view my relationship with my partner. I'm so eager to please and to take charge of the household now.

OK, years ago, I read the Amar Chitra Katha 40-some issue version of it. That was my first encounter with it... Loved it! I found a three-volume edition of the set on Amazon.com, and am reading it in tandem with the translations.

Recently, I got the 1988(?) TV series Mahabharat. I think the show is very good though a little slow. Some things work better than others... However, everytime Krishna is on (and they added six episodes all about his birth and childhood that are not in the origianl epic), everything about the production changes. There are crowd scenes, dancing, humor, and it moves at a slightly spritelier pace.... But then when they go back to the actual story, it all slows down again and there's no more singing and dancing. I'm only on episode 20-something. Tell me, does it get any better? I'm not going to stop watching this series but I just want to know if the style gets different.

So I'm interested now in getting the DVD set of a later show called Visnhu Puran. It's even longer than this (124 episodes to MHB's 94). I've seen a little bit of it on the Internet, and the visual quality is clearer and more high-production. Has anyone seen it? I'd like a review.

Nick-H · Jul 30th, 2007, 09:43

I have the 94-episode TV series on DVD, but, so far I've only watched the early episodes up to Krishna killing the tyrant king. As far as I know, the episodes of Krishna's birth were in the original --- it is, after all, primarily the story of Krishna's life.

I was absolutely gripped by this thing when it was shown on British TV (with subtitles) nearly twenty years ago and read several of the shorter translations. After some time I found a 5-tape VHS version, but it is so cut that it would be incomprehensible without knowing the story.

Only recently I managed to find the DVD set with English subtitles. I'll probably dip in as the mood takes me --- over the years.

How does it go on? It gets more and more melodramatic, the 'special effects' get worse, lower budget, and sillier (like it is so obvious that when an elephant falls over in battle that they just turned the camera sideways!) --- and it is great.

Somehow, for me, Hollywood effects would have taken away from the story.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 30th, 2007, 14:18

Mahabharata is an epic..it will get more and more engrossing at it proceeds...

There is lot to come...

its was so popular in India that when it was Telecast of Sunday mornings, it was a curfew like situation in major cities in Delhi, everyone was glued to the TV..

for more details on IMDB click here : "Mahabharat" (1988)

proxyindian · Jul 30th, 2007, 20:34

Lest anyone think I'm not enjoying the show, I am. I skipped to the part where Krishna reveals himself to Arjuna... The Divine Vision. Sure, the FX were cut-and-paste but it was marvelous. It lasts a long, long time, and the complete adoration on Arjuna's face. It was truly moving. An awesome experience.

shashank.aggarwal · Jul 30th, 2007, 21:31

in the BR Chopra's Mahabharata, the special effects and other details are might not of highest order..but performances sure are...They remain among the best on TV till date..

infact all the actors who took part in the serial were so much stereotyped in the image that barring one or two none other has been able to find success in other roles...

and ditto with the character..there have been other versions as well...in fact numerous..but none of the actors of other versions have been able to put that kind of mark in Indian psyche...I mean the actor who pays Arjuna OR Krishna OR Bhishma Pitamah Or Duryodhan Or Shakuni..its hard to imagine someone else paying that part..

Nick-H · Jul 30th, 2007, 22:42

The actor who played Arjun changed his name --- to Arjun. And was a muslim! (Or so I was told...)

Damn shame for their careers, though: the guys have to eat for the rest of their lives. Apparently [the actor who played] Krishna got really fed up with people rushing to touch his feet and treat him as a god.

I wouldn't say that the performances are good, the special effects are dire, and there has been a lot of criticism of the series, both as film and for its faithfulness to the story.

But I love it... every one of its 94 episodes --- well, ok, the immediate leadup to the battle is rather drawn out, and there could be less repetition of the same flaming arrows and charging men in the battle itself...

But I still say that Hollywood gloss would have spoilt it. It seems somehow, right to me.

There is a European version, which I found unwatchable.

Jul 30th, 2007, 05:55	#1
proxyindian Insomnia Cat Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 281	Mahabharata in TV & Comics (long) For the last two months I've been reading The Mahabharata. Mostly the Van Buitenen translation but also new ones from The Clay Sanskrit Library organization. I love it!!!! I don't think I've been this interested in a story since I read Atlas Shurgged in college. I'm only up to the end of book three and have not lost interest... people around me probably dread me bringing up the subject. What I find most surprising is that it isn't hard to cut through the language as I thought it would be. I thought it would be like reading Shakespeare, and it isn't. Even when people are preaching I find it very interesting and, oddly, life-transforming. I mean, I didn't expect Draupadi's lesson on being a faithful wife to have relevance but it's changed the way I view my relationship with my partner. I'm so eager to please and to take charge of the household now. OK, years ago, I read the Amar Chitra Katha 40-some issue version of it. That was my first encounter with it... Loved it! I found a three-volume edition of the set on Amazon.com, and am reading it in tandem with the translations. Recently, I got the 1988(?) TV series Mahabharat. I think the show is very good though a little slow. Some things work better than others... However, everytime Krishna is on (and they added six episodes all about his birth and childhood that are not in the origianl epic), everything about the production changes. There are crowd scenes, dancing, humor, and it moves at a slightly spritelier pace.... But then when they go back to the actual story, it all slows down again and there's no more singing and dancing. I'm only on episode 20-something. Tell me, does it get any better? I'm not going to stop watching this series but I just want to know if the style gets different. So I'm interested now in getting the DVD set of a later show called Visnhu Puran. It's even longer than this (124 episodes to MHB's 94). I've seen a little bit of it on the Internet, and the visual quality is clearer and more high-production. Has anyone seen it? I'd like a review.

Jul 30th, 2007, 09:43	#2
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,769	I have the 94-episode TV series on DVD, but, so far I've only watched the early episodes up to Krishna killing the tyrant king. As far as I know, the episodes of Krishna's birth were in the original --- it is, after all, primarily the story of Krishna's life. I was absolutely gripped by this thing when it was shown on British TV (with subtitles) nearly twenty years ago and read several of the shorter translations. After some time I found a 5-tape VHS version, but it is so cut that it would be incomprehensible without knowing the story. Only recently I managed to find the DVD set with English subtitles. I'll probably dip in as the mood takes me --- over the years. How does it go on? It gets more and more melodramatic, the 'special effects' get worse, lower budget, and sillier (like it is so obvious that when an elephant falls over in battle that they just turned the camera sideways!) --- and it is great. Somehow, for me, Hollywood effects would have taken away from the story. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 30th, 2007, 14:18	#3
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,155	Mahabharata is an epic..it will get more and more engrossing at it proceeds... There is lot to come... its was so popular in India that when it was Telecast of Sunday mornings, it was a curfew like situation in major cities in Delhi, everyone was glued to the TV.. for more details on IMDB click here : "Mahabharat" (1988) __________________ Travelogue - Around India Random Reviews

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Jul 30th, 2007, 20:34	#4
proxyindian Insomnia Cat Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago, Illinois Posts: 281	Lest anyone think I'm not enjoying the show, I am. I skipped to the part where Krishna reveals himself to Arjuna... The Divine Vision. Sure, the FX were cut-and-paste but it was marvelous. It lasts a long, long time, and the complete adoration on Arjuna's face. It was truly moving. An awesome experience.

Jul 30th, 2007, 21:31	#5
shashank.aggarwal Mr. Badboy :D Join Date: May 2007 Location: ~ Dilli ~ Posts: 5,155	in the BR Chopra's Mahabharata, the special effects and other details are might not of highest order..but performances sure are...They remain among the best on TV till date.. infact all the actors who took part in the serial were so much stereotyped in the image that barring one or two none other has been able to find success in other roles... and ditto with the character..there have been other versions as well...in fact numerous..but none of the actors of other versions have been able to put that kind of mark in Indian psyche...I mean the actor who pays Arjuna OR Krishna OR Bhishma Pitamah Or Duryodhan Or Shakuni..its hard to imagine someone else paying that part..

Jul 30th, 2007, 22:42	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 25,769	The actor who played Arjun changed his name --- to Arjun. And was a muslim! (Or so I was told...) Damn shame for their careers, though: the guys have to eat for the rest of their lives. Apparently [the actor who played] Krishna got really fed up with people rushing to touch his feet and treat him as a god. I wouldn't say that the performances are good, the special effects are dire, and there has been a lot of criticism of the series, both as film and for its faithfulness to the story. But I love it... every one of its 94 episodes --- well, ok, the immediate leadup to the battle is rather drawn out, and there could be less repetition of the same flaming arrows and charging men in the battle itself... But I still say that Hollywood gloss would have spoilt it. It seems somehow, right to me. There is a European version, which I found unwatchable.

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