A still from the film; Filmmaker Paola Di Florio (left) with co-director Lisa Leeman
When Mukunda Lal Ghosh, who had spent most of his life in Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, stepped aboard the ship City of Sparta in the early ’20s as India’s delegate to an International Congress of Religious Liberals in Boston, little did he know that his journey would change the life of millions in a western world. This was a time when eastern teachings “from the land of snakecharmers” were looked down upon, and not considered “wise and scientific”.
But in a few years, Ghosh, who later came to be known as Paramhansa Yogananda, achieved what no one had before him. He gave yoga to the West. Not as something spiritual, but as a science — demonstrating the superiority of mind over body, and of soul over mind. So much so that the Autobiography of a Yogi, written by Yogananda, was the only book Steve Jobs had on his iPad. It was given to the 800 people who attended Jobs’ memorial service.
Now, more than half a century after he passed away, Yogananda’s life has been documented for the screen by Academy award-nominated filmmaker Paola Di Florio and her co director Lisa Leeman. The film Awake: The Life of Yogananda has won awards and accolades in various countries, and is set for a pan-India release on June 17, four days before International Yoga Day.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to get International Yoga Day recognised by the UN, and we are aware of that. But the important thing is that the film is finally coming to India. Knowing that it’s going back home, to Yogananda’s home, is very powerful and moving,” says Di Florio, in a telephone conversation from Los Angeles.
For decades, filmmakers have been trying to make a film on him. “Lisa and I were non devotees. It’s important to make that distinction because in a way that gives a fresh approach. My personal story is that of being transformed by his teachings over the course of filming. I did become a devotee at the end of six years of filmmaking, but it was a process,” she says.
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She had to distil these age-old teachings and find a way to tell them cinematically. “It was a big challenge to tell a story of a so-called saint. As a filmmaker you are looking for the dramatic art. But one has to see that it’s the journey of humanity. His autobiography was a fantastic resource,” says Di Florio. The filmmakers have included interviews with Pandit Ravi Shankar, George Harrison and Deepak Chopra.
Harrison’s interview is archival, and has been given by Yogananda’s organisation. The documentary has been narrated by actor Anupam Kher, who is the voice of Yogananda in the film. “Anupam has the ability to be profound, and has a range of expression,” says Di Florio, who has won awards from the Writers Guild of America and the International Documentary Association. She is known for her Oscar-nominated Speaking in Strings, a documentary on Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, better known as “the bad girl of violin”.
Suanshu Khurana is an award-winning journalist and music critic currently serving as a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express. She is best known for her nuanced writing on Indian culture, with a specific focus on classical music, cinema, and the arts.
Expertise & Focus Areas Khurana specializes in the intersection of culture and society. Her beat involves deep-dive reporting on:
Indian Classical Music: She is regarded as a definitive voice in documenting the lineages (Gharanas) and evolution of Hindustani classical music.
Cinema & Theatre: Her critiques extend beyond reviews to analyze the socio-political narratives within Indian cinema and theater.
Cultural Heritage: She frequently profiles legendary artists and unearths stories about India’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage.
Professional Experience At The Indian Express, Khurana is responsible for curating and writing features for the Arts and Culture pages. Her work is characterized by long-form journalism that offers intimate portraits of artists and rigorous analysis of cultural trends. She has been instrumental in bringing the stories of both stalwarts and upcoming artistes to the forefront of mainstream media.
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A still from the film; Filmmaker Paola Di Florio (left) with co-director Lisa Leeman