We live in a world that is addicted to screens and digital narratives. In times like such, documentary storytelling and cinema serve as a powerful medium to reconnect people with their culture and spiritual heritage. Recognising this, the Nava Nalanda Mahavihara (NNM), a deemed University under the Ministry of Culture, loacted in Nalanda, Bihar, partnering with the National Museum and the Light of the Buddha Dhamma Foundation International, India (LBDFI), has turned to visual storytelling to illuminate India’s Buddhist roots.
NNM organised a special screening of two documentary films – ‘Nalanda – A Journey Through Time’ and ‘Gurpā – The Last Footsteps of Mahākāśyampa’ at the National Museum Auditorium, New Delhi. Both the documentaries are directed by Indian filmmaker Surinder M. Talwar which explores the themes of Buddhist culture and heritage while aligning with the ongoing efforts to revive and promote a deeper understanding of the Buddhacārikā—the sacred geography of the Buddha and his disciples.
Professor Siddharth Singh, Vice Chancellor of NNM, emphasised on the institution’s mission to raise global awareness about the complete scope of the Buddha’s wanderings (Buddhacārikā), beyond the commonly visited pilgrimage sites. He stated, “These films are part of our ongoing efforts to document and share the untold stories and sacred paths of Buddhism. We intend to continue producing such documentaries to enlighten future generations.”
'Nalanda – A Journey Through Time', was the highlight of the screening that talks about Nalanda Mahavihara, an ancient Buddhist university and monastic center in Bihar, India. It was a renowned hub of learning and scholarship for Mahayana Buddhism and attracted students and scholars from across Asia while serving as a key destination for Buddhist knowledge and text. The film highlights Nalanda’s contributions from the 5th to the 13th century, tracing how its intellectual and spiritual outreach influenced Buddhist traditions across Asia and beyond. Beautifully shot, the documentary increases our knowledge about the contribution of Nalanda to the Indian knowledge system. It highlights the role of Xuanzang, the Buddhist Chinese traveller, who came to study here in the seventh century. He is known for his travelogue of his visit to India and travels to places associated with a Buddha that helped later-day archaeologists to dig India’s rich past.
The documentary also features insightful interviews of prominent scholars and experts such as Dr. B.R. Mani, Director General of the National Museum, Prof. Baidyanath Labh, former Vice Chancellor of NNM, and Ven.
The second documentary showcased was Gurpā – The Last Footsteps of Mahākāśyapa. This is an equally significant film that explores the Buddhist narrative and showcases the journey of Mahākāśyapa, a revered disciple of the Gautum Buddha who is believed to have played a significant role in preserving the Buddha’s teachings after his passing. The film follows a spiritual journey taken by the 25th Buddhist monks, in which they retrace the journey of Venerable Mahākāśyapa from Veluvana (Rajgir) to Gurpā Mountain, which is believed to be his final resting place. Indian explorer and researcher Deepak Anand led the trail for this journey, which has been documented through this film.
At a time when ancient traditions are fading in the battle with modernity and Westernisation, cinema offers a compelling way to preserve these memories and introduce the younger generation to these traditions in their language. With such initiatives, documentary filmmaking becomes a medium and acts as a bridge between the ancient and the modern, the spiritual and the scholarly, the local and the global.
