If veracity is a prerequisite and unbiased projection a must for a documentary, Suresh Krishnaswamy’s recent seven and a half-minute presentation, ‘Sree Ramanujar Lives On,’ fulfils the criteria, though it is categorised as a short film. Nevertheless, this being the 1000th year of the theologian (1017-1137 CE), it is relevant.
Albums, videos, serial and film, Sri Ramanujar has been featured in all audio visual forms. And the trend continues.
The short film opens with the sound of cymbals and sonorous beats of percussion at the temple in Sriperumbudur, the birth place of Sri Ramanujar, after which the voice-over gives pertinent details about the humaneness and selflessness of the saint, who wanted people to know and understand the importance of chanting, ‘Om Namo Narayana.’ Known facts all right, but a couple of expositions — like, for instance, the significance of the name ‘Ramanuja,’ which was given to him by his maternal uncle, Periya Thirumalai Nambi, add value.
It is believed that Adisesha was born as Lakshmana and later as Balarama. In Kaliyuga he came into the world again as Ramanuja, the child of Kesava Perumal Somayaji and Kanthimathi, to live for 120 years and establish through his ‘Vishistadhwaitam’ that God is one, the voice explains, as the film takes you through the prakaras of the temple, the mandapam built at his birthplace and the annual celebrations there.
However, he could have avoided disconnect between the visuals and the commentary in one or two places, mentioned the name of the temple — Adi Kesava Perumal Temple in Sriperumbudur — and given the relevance of the portraits shown.
“I was drawn to the idea of making a short on the import of the three statues that Sri Ramanujar is said to have asked his disciples to get ready just before he decided to leave the Earth, but then I decided to stick to tracing the birth, life and end of Ramanujar succinctly, and to the fact that his greatness lives on,” says Suresh, though he does talk about the statues and the sentiment attached to them.
A cinematographer and short film maker with decades of experience, Suresh Krishnaswamy has shot the film on his mobile. “I’ve made around 2,000 short films,” he says. “Photography is my profession and making short films, my passion.” It is Suresh’s voice that you listen to in the short film, which makes ‘Sree Ramanujar Lives On’ a one-man effort.
Catch it on Youtube if you are one of those with a yen for theology and philosophy.
