Outsourced the Movie

kristinm · Dec 2nd, 2007, 07:28

Or just finding the good side of a bad thing? ... I guess globalisation has been good for India - until it moves on like in the movie... then what?

machadinha · Dec 2nd, 2007, 11:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by wurry

Speaking of which, what did you (anyone who has seen it) think of the way Kali was used in the film? What do you think the meaning of that was?

In Hindu thinking, time eternally moves in four repeated and vast time cycles, known as Yugas. We are now supposed to be in Kali Yuga -- a time of decay (and no doubt related to her destructive side, indeed. It just means the "Age of Kali.") After such a period of destruction should follow a time of renewal.

I've not seen the movie, but I assume that's what the reference is to. Again, these time cycles are vast, and all four together they are said to be one blink of an eye of Brahma, so I guess that tells you something about Hindu cosmology and notions of how the universe works. It may also offer some backgrounds to the Indian mindset's so-called and fabled "fatalism," a notion that is itself not at all undisputed.

The whole issue of regeneration-through-destruction is very much part of Kali's symbology and inherent dualism, btw.

* (Edit: Hm, interesting, Wikipedia reminds me that the goddess Kali and the Kali referred to here [said here to be a male "apocalypse demon"] are ethymologically unrelated in Sanskrit, I've heard this before. If so, you'd think they sure have some uncannily similar properties. One has to keep in mind that just like elsewhere all those deities have gone through complex evolutions, often to do with tribes conquering the other and incorporating each other's gods and so on. Maybe AvidTrekker will be around to shed some light on it. It's not impossible the two get commonly confused in the public mind in any case.)

See also:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Yuga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_%28Demon%29

You never know with Wikipedia, there's a lot of nonsense there and it should always be taken with a huge pinch of salt, but if these quotes are correct:

Quote:

As per Indian astronomy and Hindu Mythology the world is created, destroyed and recreated every 4,320,000 years (Maha Yuga)

Quote:

According to the Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that forms the basis of all Hindu and Buddhist calendars, Kali Yuga began at midnight (00:00) on 18 February 3102 BCE [1] in the proleptic Julian calendar or 23 January 3102 BCE in the proleptic Gregorian calendar, which is also considered by many Hindus to be the time that god Krishna died as a result of a freak bow hunting accident. The Kali Yuga is traditionally thought to last 432,000 years. Kali Yuga is also recognized and stated in Sikhism, in the Guru Granth Sahib.[2]

rangss · Dec 2nd, 2007, 14:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

* (Edit: Hm, interesting, Wikipedia reminds me that the goddess Kali and the Kali referred to here [said here to be a male "apocalypse demon"] are ethymologically unrelated in Sanskrit, I've heard this before.

Simple... The goddess' name is pronounced as 'Kaali'...not Kali.

machadinha · Dec 2nd, 2007, 14:42

Yes, I understand. However I have the impression even many common Hindus seem to think Kali Yuga is related to her, not the other guy. Am I wrong? I can imagine that demon isn't very well known anyway, hence the confusion, perhaps.

wurry · Dec 3rd, 2007, 02:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

I've not seen the movie, but I assume that's what the reference is to. Again, these time cycles are vast, and all four together they are said to be one blink of an eye of Brahma, so I guess that tells you something about Hindu cosmology and notions of how the universe works. It may also offer some backgrounds to the Indian mindset's so-called and fabled "fatalism," a notion that is itself not at all undisputed.

The whole issue of regeneration-through-destruction is very much part of Kali's symbology and inherent dualism, btw.

Thanks all this was very enlightening. I think it's interesting how Outsourced managed to use the symbol of Kali effectively - and it's an American movie. In the film we clearly see the time cycles you mention not only in the socioeconomic life of India/US but in the personal life of Todd, the main character. There's a scene where he is effectively "re-born" and I think that is meant to signify his moving into a new cycle in his life (one where love and family take on more importance, or at least equal importance, to his work).

I think it's cool how such a simple sweet movie has so much depth to it depending on how you look at it.

kristinm · Dec 3rd, 2007, 03:03

Its all about endings and beginnings - and how good things come from something that seems bad or destructive....I also liked how he learnt the lesson to live in the moment & enjoy it to the full and not to expect things to stay the same .. that things are right for the time they are happening - the 'holiday in Goa'. I loved how Asha was so uninhibited about that... with no guilt.

kristinm · Dec 5th, 2007, 13:41

I found out the scenes of - Aunti-Ji's guesthouse and the rectangular water pool were shot not far from Bhandra an area called Banganga - Banganga Tank. I wonder what else is around there in the way of good places to eat or other things to see....It really is beautiful, we must go there... Mumbaikers? Any info?

Of course the shiva lingham temple is on Elephanta Island and you keep walking along instead of going up to the cave and you get to a village.

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Dec 2nd, 2007, 07:28	#16
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,303	Or just finding the good side of a bad thing? ... I guess globalisation has been good for India - until it moves on like in the movie... then what?

Dec 2nd, 2007, 14:42	#19
machadinha Not Your Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 9,450	Yes, I understand. However I have the impression even many common Hindus seem to think Kali Yuga is related to her, not the other guy. Am I wrong? I can imagine that demon isn't very well known anyway, hence the confusion, perhaps.

Dec 3rd, 2007, 03:03	#21
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,303	Its all about endings and beginnings - and how good things come from something that seems bad or destructive....I also liked how he learnt the lesson to live in the moment & enjoy it to the full and not to expect things to stay the same .. that things are right for the time they are happening - the 'holiday in Goa'. I loved how Asha was so uninhibited about that... with no guilt.

Dec 5th, 2007, 13:41	#22
kristinm Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Beautiful Bondi (not Bundi!) Posts: 1,303	I found out the scenes of - Aunti-Ji's guesthouse and the rectangular water pool were shot not far from Bhandra an area called Banganga - Banganga Tank. I wonder what else is around there in the way of good places to eat or other things to see....It really is beautiful, we must go there... Mumbaikers? Any info? Of course the shiva lingham temple is on Elephanta Island and you keep walking along instead of going up to the cave and you get to a village.

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