The Sanskrit Pilgrimage - Documentary Film

Before Lockdown, I was about to go to India to begin research for a documentary about Sanskrit, interviewing people across India, speaking in Sanskrit and visiting beautiful locations from Nepal to Kerala where there is a wealth of knowledge of Sanskrit. The message I have received since lockdown is clear: start where you are.

Instead of travelling abroad, look at the country and land you were born in and research the depth and wealth and breadth of Sanskrit that is alive here and now. The aim of the documentary is to answer such questions 'how long have the sounds of Sanskrit been active and alive in the Great Britain and Ireland and Europe' and to look at links between the heritage of Sanskrit and English, Irish, Welsh, Scottish and European heritage. To interview experts, practitioners and simply lovers of this language and soundscape. To find out why it is so important that these sounds are acknowledged as living as opposed to part of a 'dead language', and how these sounds are used in the daily lives of many here in the UK, Ireland and Europe.

The aim of the documentary film is to explore, keep asking questions and see where they lead and of course meet hidden gems (both people and places and knowledge) that are lying in wait right here on these isles and on the Continent! 

 It is hoped that this film will be explorative, provocative, questioning, informative, and most of all inspiring and of great interest to viewers around the world especially those in India.

- Gaiea


SANSKRIT FILM BLOG 

To follow the progress of the Sanskrit film, we now have a blog. Here are some photos a quotes from recent interview & research


To follow the progress of the Sanskrit film, we now have a blog. Here are some photos a quotes from recent interview & research

- “Professor Miles Dillon (1900-1972) of Trinity College, Dublin, writes that even in the 3rd century BC one could travel from Scotland to India without leaving Celtic territory and ‘although there was no empire, it was one culture’ (Dillon and Chadwick, 2000 p.17). 

- Archaeologist and sociologist of comparative religion Henri Hubert 1872-1927) similarly writes in his 1934 book ‘The History of the Celtic People’ that the Druids of Britain and the Brahmins of India are ‘not merely very similar, but exactly the same’ (Hubert, book 2, p.190). 

- “In ancient Welsh texts can be found many ideas that run completely in parallel with that of those in Vedic Society, Karma, reincarnations, law of three, to shun bad conduct, and clear similarities between Brahmins and Druids, such as strict vegetarianism, the power of uttering magical incantations, skilled in mathematics, engineering and astronomy, both considered the cow sacred and named their rivers after different manifestations of the Mother, both shaved heads and wore a single lock of hair which hung from crown of head. “ Jeffrey Davies (Yaduvendu Dasa) 

Gaiea is also posting updates about the film via Instagram 

SANSKRIT FILM FUNDRAISING EVENT

Join Gaiea and Team for a Summer evening of festivities in London where we'll be revealing the first peek at the new trailer for the Sanskrit in the British Isles film, followed by a short Q & A on the film, meet some of the people featuring in the film, hear Gaiea sing, and enjoy a one off performance from the Cosmic Choir, and to top top it all off some drinks and nibbles and a chance to meet each other! 

We hope you can join us for this celebratory event, and we can share in an evening delighting in the sounds of Sanskrit, and enjoying the beauty that this delightful language continues to offer no matter what changes are taking place in the world. Truly an ancient gift for modern times.


ABOUT GAIEA

 Growing up in London, Gaiea attended a school who's curriculum includes Sanskrit, and later traveled to India twice a year to expand her knowledge in the language as well as in music. Gaiea now works and lives as a musician, singing from ancient Sanskrit texts and composing new works. Find out more about Gaiea and her work here