Interview with first AD Anand Sagar to Ramanand Sagar for Ramayan

INTERVIEW

ANAND SAGAR

By Jyothi Venkatesh

As the late Ramanand Sagar’s son and the first AD in Ramayan, which was made in a very different and non conventional way, what is your emotional connect with Ramayan?

Once it started making progress with higher TRP’s, we were shooting almost everyday that too not in Mumbai but Umergaon for almost 78 weeks, with the crew and the artists. Shooting day and night, without taking holidays was difficult but also very exciting. We actually lived, slept and worked on Ramayan. Mostly, I feel emotional about the fact , that this was a master piece, a great learning experience and we all were a part of it together, as a family.

Now that after decades Ramayan is being retelecast, do you believe that it will educate generation Y? Are they watching it?

I really hope that Gen Y is watching this show and is also grasping enough knowledge. Ramayan was and still is a hand book, for understanding how to  be simple and live a happy life as a human being. The trick about mythology is that, one can learn faster by trying to find the mythological characters within themselves. (Eg: Trying to identify situations and moments that existed in our mythologies, and comparing it with our own experiences). One will realise that the stories and experiences are the same, only the backdrop of the world has now changed to a modern day set up. Hence it’s very relevant for past and present generations. I am sure that no one is expected to become an Ideal human being like Ram, but one can use his or any character’s example and at least take the first step towards understanding compassion and love, which lie within them.

Once again Ramayan is generating a major share of eye balls. Are metro viewers also watching the show?

I am sure the Metro viewers are also watching Ramayan as per TRP ratings.

Ramayan was a milestone show. Is it still that impactful?

Yes, Like I said earlier, the story itself is very valuable and looks like it stands strong at any given point in time and for any generation. The show itself is definitely impactful as we are reaching higher TRP’s during a one month run. Ramayan became a milestone because we created this master piece with a lot of love and care. We actually enjoyed what we make and hence I believe it shows in the final result.

The current generation is very ill-informed about our mythology. Do you believe that Ramayan will be able to correct the misrepresentation of story, characters and faith?

I agree that the current generation is ill informed about our mythology as the digital age has taken over and there is so much more to read and learn. I do believe that mythology is the crux of every human being and without references from the old text, no community/society can move forward in life. If the younger generation can see that  the Ramayan as a simplified piece of art, that can help understand our environment and our species, then they might benefit even more. Eg: Ramayana lays emphassis on the relationship of humans with their natural environment.

Go on!

Did you know that when Maharajas had inter kingdom meetings, the first thing they would ask before taking the journey was “Ghode Hathii ke leye, hawa pani theek hai aapke Rajya mein?” People were more concerned about the environment and basic quality of air and water. A healthier environment was everyone’s first concern. Ramayan, not only offers knowledge on basic human values and the beauty of our environment, but also gives a deep understanding of our relationship with our environment, through the study of the human body and the mind. When Ram and his brothers were sent to Gurukul with Maharishi Vashist they learnt how to mediate and attain Sindhis, through meditation and human values.  In today’s world we read and go through heavy books, but in Sata yuga the knowledge was passed on through energy fields. No one had to read heavy and long books. All they had to do was maintain a humble way of being, meditate and be open to accepting life as it unfolds.

In what way is it different today?

Today, we try to achieve the same by studying the same things in very stressful and complicated ways. The topic of mental health of the world has peaked in every social media post and our daily lives .Due to the absolute need, to revise and recreate simpler and healthier lifestyles, meditation has now gained popularity in the younger generation. It seems like; it’s the only way to calm the anxiety and depression, while maintaining a sense of peace within the being. Hence, if the current generation views the Ramayan and other mythological text ( worldwide) as a handbook ,for how to simplify life and be happy within their means, they will benefit even more from this perspective.

How did you feel as an artist/associate director on the sets of the Ramayana?

It was not only just a very fascinating experience but also technically very challenging. We had to shoot with blue screens and large crowds for people. Conceptualising every frame and scene that technically fits the computer graphics, was new but also intriguing. There were many times that Papji (  Ramanand Sagar) used to leave the sets to write the next episode, handing the entire shoot over to me. While shooting with large crowds, or flying monkeys and Devtas in the heavens above, I often took on the technical and conceptual challenges with more than just a smile.

Can you elucidate?
Just like Ramji used to do when faced with difficulties. With every single episode, I started seeing a lot of myself in each character that I worked with on the sets. By the end of the making of Ramayan, I was able to learn a lot more about myself and my journey as a human being. As an artist, the experience of the making of Ramayan was that of a Gurukul of sorts , where I was being trained to learn how to direct the show. Honestly, I benefited a lot more than I had expected.from this experience.  Even though I have made several Bollowood movies and TV shows in India, this very experience of “The making of Ramayan”, still stands tall amongst all my endeavours. Being a part of such an intelligent, entertaining and intriguing project, is simply a blessing in disguise for an artist.