Filmmaker Anu Malhotra was a part of the world of Shamans, who are known in the villages of Himachal Pradesh to solve problems and even cure diseases. She shared details on the existence and practice of this cult with Iknoor Kaur
Two horses of a man who lived in a small village in Himachal Pradesh disappeared mysteriously overnight. He didn’t search the neighbourhood or mourn his loss. He headed straight to a Shaman in the locality who told him that they were miles away and safe. The man trekked to the snowbound area and found them in good health. Talk to the villagers in different parts of Himalayas and they will share more such stories. It is said that once a Shaman predicted a flood and soon the village was immersed.
In the villages of Himalayas Shamans are also termed as the “myth-keepers, oracles and healers.” legends suggest that they are mediators between the community and spirits and have existed since the birth of civilisation. They are also known as Gurs. Shamans are also the most widely worshipped cult in the Himalayan range. Three years ago, filmmaker Anu Malhotra explored the mythical and magical world of Shamans, which 70 per cent of our country is still ignorant of, through her 100-minute-long documentary, Shamans of the Himalayas. This time round she translated her work into four one-hour-long episodes for Discovery Channel. The first episode screened on July 13.
Traversing borders across the country, during the filming of her show Namaste India, Malhotra came across practices that urban India is unaware of. She set on a journey into the supernatural world. Malhotra had an unforgettable experience.
She explained, “Shamanism is a methodology, not a religion. It appears on its own accord without being passed on from one to another. People who believe in the ideology feel that everything is alive and thus interconnected. Shamans are people who get into an alter state of consciousness where they access mystical realms and commune with the spirits of nature, animals and Gods. In every village there are different deities and every village has a Gur who gets into divine possession trance. They do this only for solving problems. If you have a problem which may be something as simple as drought in the area, it is shared with them.”
Anu narrated her first encounter, “The first time I and my crew saw the Shamans going into the trance we were shaken. There was an energy that gave us goosebumps. We were shooting a festival. Gods and Goddesses were being carried in palanquins which moved extremely fast. I had a small camera so I had to run in order to get the footage. I jumped over three-feet-tall walls while running. I was amazed at how it happened. It was clear that some energy was ruling over me. I thought this needs to be documented for people living in metros who believe they know it all. We usually disrespect such culture because we don’t understand it.”
If one goes back into history, less is said about Shamans. This is primarily due to their reluctance in being captured. However, Anu managed to get past that obstacle. She said, “My intention was clear. I didn’t have an ulterior motive. No one makes money with documentaries. All I have put into the documentary is for my satisfaction and as a contribution to society. I feel that once you start observing something and become skeptical, the doors start closing. You need to be open minded.”
A lot of times Anu needed permission from the devi to shoot. “They have a practice ceremony, Pogla. In a matka (earthen pot) of water they immerse three cow dung balls. Each ball has a symbol of yes, no and maybe. The first ball that comes up is the reply from the devi. I managed to get most permissions, but there were times I didn’t. There was one festival I really wanted to shoot, but despite repeated attempts I only got a no, so I couldn’t.”
Anu sought the help of the Shamans to solve her own problems. Reluctant to share the details, the filmmaker added that she has briefly mentioned it in her documentary. “It gives an overview of the culture and depicts the role of the Shaman in the lives of villagers. The documentary will also show mass exorcism. I have gone to the root of Shamanism and brought out the experience for the viewers in order to narrate the story.”
The documentary carries anecdotes on female Shamans too. Not accepted traditionally in the patriarchal society, female Shamans came into the picture recently. “They have existed in the past, however, the society has never accepted them. Things have changed now. I managed to meet one female Shaman.”
The nationally and internationally awarded filmmaker said that the energy that Shamans possess can be used otherwise too. “There are people who use it as black magic and it exists throughout the world. In simple terms if I curse you, I am sending bad energies to you.”
The four hour-long documentation took almost three years to complete. After all the hard work, Anu feels that the documentary should help people become aware of the Shaman’s culture. “I am sure if it is intriguing people will study more on it. It is the documented truth. Today people live in a cultural illusion. I want youngsters to explore the world and learn how to live in harmony with the environment. The Shamans honour nature. I am making an attempt to spread the wisdom of Shamans,” she added.
Anu is now planning to take a break and do multimedia exhibitions of photographs and paintings before she is headed for another series on a similar subject.