On a cold winter day on the banks of the River Ganges, we met a group of Indian Yogis who renounce all material things in their quest for the Divine. Santosh Giri, a young boy, had decided to follow their 5,000 year old Path. This 14 year old embarked on an ancient tradition handed down by Masters - who still today wear only ashes from their holy fires.
Santosh’s Guru, Shiv Raj Giri, and his disciples invited us to accompany them on pilgrimage in the Himalayas. While making the film, NAKED IN ASHES, they let us have full access to their lives. I felt privileged and humbled. It was wonderful to share their view of life - that everything is Divine. Living outside, they build a fire wherever they go, to them it is a symbol of God.
Along with a small crew of adventuresome filmmakers, I got to be very close to Santosh Giri, who delighted in our candy and chocolates from the West. We Americans were like creatures from another planet to this child who grew up in Calcutta, and got lost in a mass of humanity at the Ganga Sagar festival, where he met his teacher. We delighted in his child-like laughter and innocence. And remarked at his uncomplaining nature when he walked barefoot in the snow naked, on the footpaths of the Himalayas.
These modern day Yogis are confronted with the world's increasing chaos and change. Just like us in the West, they are alarmed at the pollution, rampant dishonesty and downward spiral of society. But when they look me in the eye – although I’m so foreign to them, they see me as spirit and greet me as another soul on the same exact voyage they are on – to find everlasting peace.
Santosh Giri took the ultimate initiation; he became a Naga Baba, a Yogi. And because the Yogis want the world to know about their Path and their beliefs, they allowed us to film the secret ceremony when he renounces everything to wander in search of Ultimate Bliss.
Santosh now lives just as his forefathers did millennia ago, ancient mystics who were the first to discover man's soul, and who left society to dwell in solitude – in Himalayan caves.
NAKED IN ASHES chronicles the lives of these hermits in India as they go on pilgrimage from the Ganges to sacred places high in the snowy Himalayas, and to the holiest festival of Hinduism. They live on the fringes of society, some like Barfani Das and Hanuman Das inhabit the cremation grounds – to realize the impermanence of human existence. Other sages eat only fruit for decades; these are some of the many practices done with the intent of realizing the Self within. Yet these sages were delighted to share their lives with us, and I felt accepted and enriched by their utter simplicity. The poorest were always giving to us, offering whatever they had, even their food.
We were accompanied by Raman Giri, “Standing Baba”, who is standing continuously for 12 years, even while sleeping. These tapas, or bizarre austerities of pain and suffering, are practiced by ascetics to overcome their physical body and to realize the Divine.
Wandering through India, the Yogis finally arrived at the holiest bathing festival, it takes place every twelve years. Here we met hermits who only leave their refuges high in the Himalayas for this blessed occasion. Their presence and the constant chanting of prayers filled me with overwhelming awe.
Believing that all our sins would be erased, they prodded us too, to immerse ourselves in the sacred waters of immortality, and be blessed, by taking the holiest ritual bath on earth.
An award winning team of Filmmakers came together to produce NAKED IN ASHES. This documentary film serves up a slice of life - the ascetics of the Himalayas – who walk away from everything worldly in their quest for the Divine. Beautifully shot on location throughout India.
NAKED IN ASHES is edited by William Haugse, A.C.E, Academy award nominee, HOOP DREAMS. Creative Consultant is Maria Florio, Academy Award winning Producer, BROKEN RAINBOW, producer TIBET: CRY OF THE SNOW LION. Cinematography is by Christopher G. Tufty, Emmy Award Winner. Editorial Consultant is Lisa Leeman, Academy Award winning documentary short, BIG MAMA. Original Music by Tony Humecke. Produced by Tim Kettle, nominated for several Emmys and Director’s Guild Awards. Produced and Directed by Paula Fouce, co-author of SHIVA, photographic book on the Yogis of India.
NAKED IN ASHES
A Paradise Filmworks International Production
108 minutes
Los Angeles Premiere
Nu Art Theater Oct.21-28, 2005
SEE THE TRAILER AT: paradisefilmworks.com
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