Films of the Spirit

Curated by Rajiv Mehrotra

 

Siddhartha (89 min; 1972; dvd; Hindi/English)

Director: Conrad Rooks

 

With Shashi Kapoor, Simi Garewal

 

Based on the novel by Hermann Hesse, it tells the story of young Siddhartha and his search for meaning in life. This journey takes him through periods of harsh asceticism, sensual pleasures, material wealth, self-revulsion and eventually to the oneness and harmony with himself that he seeks. Siddhartha learns that the secret of life cannot be passed from one person to the other, but must be achieved through inner experience.

 

Considered a controversial film, Rook’s Siddhartha is a contemporary take on the timeless tale of Lord Buddha

 

(Collaboration: National Film Archive of India, Pune; and Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama)