Film (Letters)

Expressions researched:
"film" |"filmed" |"filming" |"filmings" |"filmmakers" |"films"

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 30 January, 1967:

Please try to secure a copy of each film so far taken of us while performing Kirtana. If required we may pay something for this; better they should contribute a film to the society as we have not charged anything. If we get the film we can then purchase a projector to show in different places. Please send the records as early as possible. There is possibility of selling a great number of records here. They are all purchasing cash. Please expedite the matter.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- San Francisco 10 February, 1967:

Srimati Jadurani writes "many of Swami Satcitananda's disciples were present in the last Sunday's feasting and returned this morning to Kirtana. Our traps are too strong to resist." I think you will agree with her. I am glad to learn that the film taken by Mr. Richard Witty has come out very successful. It is all Krishna's blessings. I think we may purchase one copy of the film at some concessional rate from Mr. Witty.

Letter to Brahmananda -- San Francisco 21 February, 1967:

I am glad to know that the "Happiness On Second Avenue" film has come out very happy. Please see it and let know the result.

Letter to Damodara -- Calcutta 13 October, 1967:

You have written to say that a devotee can do anything for Lord Krishna; this is right provided such action is sanctioned directly by Krishna or his Bona fide representative. The idea of film making is very good & any propaganda medium can be utilized for Krishna Consciousness. In future if you get opportunity we can produce many films of life of Lord Caitanya, scenes from Bhagavad-gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam.

Your plan to remain in Boston till March and then start for N.Y. for film opportunities is quite approved by me. Thank you for your energetic enthusiasm. Hope you are well.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Krsna Devi -- Montreal 21 August, 1968:

I am so much pleased to read the contents of the letter for your intelligent questions and many other things, and all mentioned there. The first thing is about your husband's endeavor to produce films of our activities. I very much appreciate this attempt and try to help your husband as much as possible in this matter.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Montreal 22 August, 1968:

Regarding your letter dated 18th August, 1968, in which you have described about the Radha Krishna Pastimes, I could not understand whether it is a film demonstration, but the description is very nice. So does it mean that a film has been taken of this demonstration? I shall be glad to know further about it.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Seattle 27 September, 1968:

Dinesh is a good technician in the matter of film making, and gramophone record making, and it is understood that in Hollywood is a good place for such kind of activities. So somehow or other, you organize your center nicely, and I shall be glad to visit if necessary by the middle of October.

Letter to Dinesh -- Seattle 6 October, 1968:

I am preparing for going away from this place for somewhere else by the end of the next week. So you can come and see me at once on receipt of this letter and we shall talk in detail. Bring the following things also along with your film tapes, namely:

1. My passport and two certificates which are lying with Cidananda. These are very important documents and bring them within your inside pocket carefully.

2. Some files and large brown envelopes that are lying in San Francisco.

Krishna devi may not come with you because she is in mature condition. If you think your absence at this stage will not be advisable for Krishna devi's mature stage, then don't come.

Letter to Dinesh, Krsna Devi -- Los Angeles 19 November, 1968:

Your record and film business is not yet started so there is no certain income. The scheme which you have submitted is very nice and appears to be very practical and sound, and you are also very intelligent. Your idea is also very glorious. You want to serve Krishna with all your energies and intelligence, so I have got all support and approval of this scheme, but until you have got some income, how can I advise you to give up your present job, especially when you are a family man. Of course, if you find it too much tedious, then there is no other alternative but to give up the job and depend on Krishna, and He will do the needful.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 27 January, 1970:

You prepare now all kinds of nice films as far as possible and ask L.A. also to do this and other centers if possible, so when we go to India they will be very much appreciated.

Letter to Upendra -- Los Angeles 15 July, 1970:

Rathayatra festival was successfully performed in San Francisco, London and Tokyo also and you may write to Durlabha about the films.

Letter to Syamasundara -- Calcutta 22 September, 1970:

Regarding the motion picture, it is a great opportunity, and if they actually want to do something wonderful I can come there personally and see to its direction. If it is an important film I think my personal direction is necessary. If not, then I think you can send me a synopsis of the script so that there may be nothing objectionable from the start. If this film is properly done it will be very profitable, even from the commercial point of view; and if they are interested, we can give them hundreds of stories from Bhagavat which will make wonderful films, and simultaneously the people will be educated to the proper religious and moral standard. So please try very seriously for this and I think Krishna will give you all intelligence and facility.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Bombay 1 December, 1970:

Someday when the opportunity comes for film-making you can do so. If you can make bona fide films it is welcome. Then I can help you by directing. So far as exporting films that is not possible.

Letter to Jagadisa -- Surat 29 December, 1970:

It is also good news that your recent marriage celebration in Krsna Consciousness was filmed for display by a large television station. People will very soon come to appreciate the Krsna Conscious way of life as distinct from the dull repetition of materialistic activities.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Damodara -- Allahabad, India 10 January, 1971:

Your idea for film distribution is also good, so do it nicely in cooperation with the GBC. I am very much anxious that at the same time as you carry out all these outside activities you are maintaining a strict schedule of Temple activities.

Letter to Jadurani -- Bombay 1 April, 1971:

nother picture shows the many pictures on the spool of movie film. Although there are actually many, many different pictures, when projected in continuous sequence on the screen the image appears as one. Ordinarily we see a man as localized, but every moment the picture is changing without the notice of the viewer. The soul within the heart does not change however, it remains the same.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Bombay 30 April, 1971:

So far as the Finnish film student arranging for engagements, etc. in Helsinki, you may inform her that by the end of June I may very well be in London, so she can contact me there. And all your parents are becoming members. That is very encouraging. That means that they are appreciating their sons' career as spiritual students.

Letter to Nayanabhirama -- Los Angeles 4 July, 1971:

So far your leaving Philadelphia center, that is not advisable at the present moment. Better to wait until Philadelphia temple is very firmly established and then if you wish you can go to Morocco to open a center. Whatever center you open, it must be well organized. There is no use to open a center if the management is not proper. So far as learning the film industry, that is out of the question. Krishna industry is good engagement for us.

Letter to Damodara -- London 1 September, 1971:

So far your film projects are concerned, the one consideration is that the management of Washington temple doesn't suffer, but rather is actually improving its position. If that is the case and you can somehow or other find the time, then I have no objection if you take up this film-making business. No doubt there could be some positive propaganda work done in this direction. But you are in charge of that center, so do not neglect your duty.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Kirtiraja -- Bombay 2 January, 1972:

You do not need to approach Gaudiya Math for films or photos of my Guru Maharaja. I do not think they have such films. Whatever photos we now have already of Guru Maharaja can be used.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Los Angeles 28 May, 1972:

If you simply chant and do not speak then that would be all right, but there must be some speaking. Because if there is no speaking everyone will say that we are just like Devanand's film. So to be very respectable, we must speak our philosophy, and that would be impossible for you in Hindi and other languages. So I do not think it is a very good plan for travelling outside of the big cities like Bombay. Concentrate yourself in Bombay.

Letter to Yadubara -- London 13 July, 1972:

You may develop the films of manuscripts from Birnagar and inform me what you have done and which manuscripts are with you, then I shall inform you where to send them for translating, etc.

Letter to Acyutananda -- London 15 July, 1972:

he other songs that you mention are all right. Regarding the manuscripts, you may photograph all of the pages, then we shall type them later. If there is shortage of film, I have instructed Karandhara to send you a large supply of the appropriate films for photographing the pages.

Letter to Hariprasada -- Bombay 23 December, 1972:

Now I want that you become the Treasurer of our branch at Hyderabad, so I have sent one letter of Resolution to Subala in that connection. Kesava will be President and Subala will be Secretary. So far the movie-projector, etc., those things you should arrange locally with co-operation of others, and you may order films from our Los Angeles centre for some cost-price only.

1973 Correspondence

Letter to Dvija Hari -- Bombay 5 January, 1973:

So I have no objection if you want stay in India or anyplace, but for your work I think it is better anyway to go to Los Angeles. That is the best place in the world for making film. Harikesa Prabhu has been working in that connection also. He has shown me some film script which appears nice, so if conjointly you are able to do something for Krsna in this way, that will please me very much. I always wanted that there should be a cinema made of Bhagavad-gita, now you are fulfilling my desire in that connection. At any rate we shall discuss further when we meet again in Calcutta in a few days' time.

Letter to Cyavana -- Calcutta 6 March, 1973:

I am very glad to hear that the film "Hare Rama" was defeated there, it is Krsna's grace. This man is a very bad man for our movement's sake, that movie is a great insulting to us. I think there was bribe by the government who does not want this movement. Anyway, the dogs may bark but the caravan passes.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Bhima, Krsna dasa, Sanat Kumara, Nityananda, Samba, Joseph -- Bombay 16 May, 1974:

I have seen films of the Deity worship in Nairobi and it is very gorgeous. Proper Deity worship means to be clean, punctually and nice offerings of foodstuffs. Brahmananda Swami can teach you these things.

Letter to Caruhasa -- Vrindaban 20 August, 1974:

I appreciate your interest in making the Krishna book film but it is not important for now. I therefore think that you could use your talent better if you work with Yadubara. In Hawaii I understand that he is making TV programs. So you can go and help with him. I do not care very much for these filmings because by presenting Krishna in this way it makes it something like fantasy. It is better to have people to read my Krishna books what I have written so that they can understand Krishna fully.

Letter to Hamsaduta -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

Regarding the film making BBT has already financed the film, so the film is made, so let them sell it and finance other films. Continually it is not possible for BBT to finance. So let them sell and fiance and make films.

Letter to Sri Mohan Mazumdar -- Bombay 17 December, 1974:

Regarding your proposal for preparing a film on the life and precepts of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I am ready to help with my men but it is not possible for me to make the financial help. If you can arrange with some film studio men for direction and photographic handling etc., my men are ready to help you in this connection, at any time. Also I shall be glad to give direction. This is all possible in Los Angeles but you have to arrange all these things. I have previously instructed you to contact some film producer company in Los Angeles, but I do not know if you have done so.

Letter to Yadubara -- Bombay 25 December, 1974:

just saw your film last night and it was very nice. We can collect a lot of money with this film, for ISKCON Food-relief program. But not a single farthing of that money should be used for any other thing. It should all go to our ISKCON food-relief fund, nothing else. Otherwise we will definitely run into trouble, such as Hamsaduta has in Germany.

Letter to Yadubara -- Bombay 25 December, 1974:

As far as your future films are concerned I do not think it is possible for the BBT to continue financing these films. BBT is strictly for construction of temples and printing books.

Letter to Yadubara -- Bombay 25 December, 1974:

You can somehow or another, by business tactics increase that capital and employ it again to make a new film. Then again use the capital from that film or use the profit from that film to create another film, etc. In this way you can make many films. But I do not think that BBT should finance it. These films are very nice and they can be effectively used for our preacing work. Generally people enjoy seeing any film. But when a film has something substantial such as our Krsna Conscious philosophy to offer then it becomes a real pleasure. Therefore our films should be the most popular films ever produced. Try to distribute this and your original first film as widely as possible and in this way the finances will be easily obtained for producing further films.

1975 Correspondence

Letter to Sri Mohan Masundar -- Bombay 9 January, 1975:

Regarding my assistance in the producing of your film, if you are producing it in India, it is impossible for me to assist you with manpower. I have no sufficient men in India to give you.

Letter to Tejiyas -- Bombay 20 January, 1975:

The bearer of this letter, Krishnagraja das, is going to Delhi on a mission to see the Home Member. So, give him all help in this connection. If you have got the Hare Krishna film, please make it available for his use.

Letter to Yadhavacarya -- Mexico City 15 February, 1975:

I think in connection with film making, you should contact Yadubara das adhikari in Los Angeles temple. He can help you and give you advice as to how is the best way to work in this way. He is experienced in this field.

Letter to Svarupa Damodara -- Los Angeles 23 June, 1975:

Just like in the film thousands of pictures are moved imperceptibly. It looks that the body in the picture is moving, but the audience cannot understand that there are so many pictures in the spool. They think that the picture is moving. Similarly every second every moment we are changing the body.

Letter to Cyavana -- Vrindaban 4 September, 1975:

Without Deity, then we are just sleeping and eating, and again they will return to hippie life. They must take care of the Deity very carefully. I saw once the film of the Deity installation there, and it was done very nicely, so why are they now slackening? Shakti Mati can teach others how to do things. They should assist her.

Letter to Ramesvara -- Ahmedabad 29 September, 1975:

Here the Hare Krishna People film by Yadubara is very much appreciated. Just encourage Yadubara to make more films. He can do nicely.

Letter to Mr. Mohan Majundar -- Bombay 18 November, 1975:

We cannot invest any money in any film industry. I am very glad to learn that you will soon be freed from all family responsibility and join our movement.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Kapurji -- Vrindaban 6 April, 1976:

Concerning the Chitra Studio, I very much appreciate your offering and I am sending Gopala Krishna das Adhikari along with one of our experienced photographers and filmmakers, Yadubara das Adhikari. They will surely arrive within the next couple of days and do the needful in this connection on my behalf.

Letter to Saurabha -- New York 14 July, 1976:

Your proposal sounds nice but in Mr. Mukerjee's letter he does not mention anything about anything except to open an audio-visual laboratory. So we don't want to be used by some film producer who might collect money in our name.

Letter to Jayapataka -- Vrindaban 28 September, 1976:

Sravanananda has a film on the last New York Rathayatra, so show this in every town, city, and village and present my statement in Bengali. Radhe Syamasundara. is coming there to help, and I will send some newspaper clippings. Go on with our regular work and chanting. You can also show our book distribution figures from Sankirtana newsletters.

Letter to Kirtanananda -- Chandigarh 15 October, 1976:

A film showing illegal techniques of distributing my books (Money shuffle) was never authorized by me. If it is actually a fact what you say, then stop it immediately. In all our dealings we should be above suspicion. They say first impressions are lasting. If someone feels cheated by our men because they are using dubious methods of distribution and collecting money our purity may be doubted and reputation spoiled. So please do not allow such film showing to take place until I have seen the film personally.