Chennai, July 7, 2013: The life of the monk from Kolkata, who channelised the quest for spiritual salvation towards the service of man, has been captured for the Tamil television audience in 52 episodes by Krishnaswamy Associates.

Mostly shot in period locations, the serial takes the viewers through the unique moments of the life of Narendranath Dutta, who later transforms into Swami Vivekananda, in fluid Tamil, embellished by soulful music.

A preview of the excerpts of the first 23 episodes of the TV serial, Swami Vivekananda, was arranged at the Raj Bhavan here on Saturday. The serial begins with the projection of a rebellious Narendranath, who does not immediately fall in line in matters of faith but later experiences God through ‘sparisa diksha’ (ordination by touch) from Sri Ramakrishna, and takes the viewer through his journey by foot across India and the founding of Sri Ramakrishna Mutt.

Poignant episodes

Interspersed are poignant episodes of young Narendra querying his teacher about ecstasy; his oft-repeated question, “Have you seen God?”, sharing a cobbler’s hookah to demonstrate that discrimination on caste lines is a perversion and eating a cucumber offered by a Muslim Fakir to show that all are equal in the eyes of God. The director of the serial, Gita Krishnaraj, shows how Sri Ramakrishna experienced equal spiritual bliss by practising Islam and Christianity.

The serial attempts to capture the essence of the teachings of Swami Vivekananda in a meaningful way with clear messages such as: caste is not determined by birth but by character and even salvation will be a selfish goal unless combined with service to the poor and needy. The monk who shook the west with his address at the 1893 Parliament of Religions in Chicago also takes a dig at the religiosities, unworthy customs and false beliefs (like fear of living in a haunted house).

The Governor, K. Rosaiah, described the serial as a timely tribute to Swami Vivekananda on the occasion of his 150th Jayanthi celebration. As S. Krishnaswamy, who has written the screenplay, dialogue and lyrics for the serial, put it, Swami Vivekananda, which will be telecast by Doordarshan’s Podhigai channel at 9 p.m. on Saturdays from July 13, is sure to make the viewers laugh, joke and cry with the protagonist. Mohana Krishnaswamy, producer, thanked the Ramakrishna Mutt for its support and The Hindu for providing access to its archives that contain reports on the 19th century monk.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 7, 2013.