Films on Yoga

by Yavar Abbas

India has drawn many people from many lands for many reasons. In this fascinating series of half-hour films, Yavar Abbas, writer, broadcaster, and film-maker, who has lived in England since the partition of India, goes back to his native land to seek out some of the Westerners who have done what he did, in reverse. Characters presented include men and women, young and old, from England, Scotland, America, Israel, South Africa, and Australia who have found a common interest in the science and philosophy of Yoga. There are some rare sequences of the amazing asanas (postures) and kriyas (cleansing exercises), the esoteric rituals, and interesting and scientific examination of the fantastic claims made about such spectacular feats as Bhugarbha Samadhi (live burial).

Swami Karunanda

Faces Of India, Colour, 1968 In 7 parts

In this fascinating series of half-hour films, Yavar Abbas, writer, broadcaster and film-maker, who has lived in England since the partition of India, goes back to his native land to seek out some of the Westerners who have done what he did, in reverse. Characters presented include men and women, young and old, from England, Scotland, America, Israel, South Africa and Australia who have found a common interest in the science and philosophy of Yoga.

A yogi named Swami Karunanda is the central figure of the film. He talks about his experience with Yoga and how it helped him. He also explains the different postures and their benefits.

Swami Chidananda

Faces Of India, Colour, 1968 In 7 parts

The object of Yavar Abbas’s “Face” films is to introduce us to various characters from India. All too often, the outsider looks upon India as a land of countless, anonymous people – a population too vast to allow for any distinct individuality. In these seven films, Abbas has set out to draw more sharply the features of several personalities from that ‘amorphous mass’.

This film is about Swami Chidananda, a renowned ascetic figure from the Hindu religion in India in the 1960’s. Yavar Abbas in this film follows him on his tour of Divine Life Society Centers all throughout the country from Delhi to Calcutta.