PBS documentary on India
Jan 6th, 2009, 02:38 PM
#25
Me too! Although part of the show I was only resting my eyes, not my ears! I hate shows that start at my bedtime!
Overall, I really enjoyed it though, and am looking forward to the next installments. My husband, daughter, and I all had fun saying, "We were there!"
The cameras were amazing in their ability to catch those distinctive colors & haze of the Indian sky.
Was it just me, or did the host remind you of the late Steve irwin?
Overall, I really enjoyed it though, and am looking forward to the next installments. My husband, daughter, and I all had fun saying, "We were there!"
The cameras were amazing in their ability to catch those distinctive colors & haze of the Indian sky.
Was it just me, or did the host remind you of the late Steve irwin?
Jan 6th, 2009, 03:11 PM
#26
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So, I decided to watch this after reading an article on the WSJ last Friday (I think that's the date). The writer quoted some of the stuff from the show, but turned out basically all were from the first 10 minutes.
I wonder if that writer also fell asleep watching his/her preview?
I wonder if that writer also fell asleep watching his/her preview?
Jan 6th, 2009, 03:39 PM
#27
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Dogster darling, please pack a video camera on your upcoming trip and show these documentary people how to really tell the story of India!!!
"The India Chronicles by Dogster" with just the right mix of masala and spice. No one will nod off for this one! The edited version for TV and the real version for all your friends here at Fodors!
"The India Chronicles by Dogster" with just the right mix of masala and spice. No one will nod off for this one! The edited version for TV and the real version for all your friends here at Fodors!
Jan 6th, 2009, 05:19 PM
#28
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First of all, remember to use your VCR.
Second of all, did anyone lese flash back to some of Dogster's trip reports when they were showing some of the scenes by the rivers? I kept looking for a Jimmy.
Second of all, did anyone lese flash back to some of Dogster's trip reports when they were showing some of the scenes by the rivers? I kept looking for a Jimmy.
Jan 6th, 2009, 11:15 PM
#31
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OK, I am willing to give the guy a break.
After all, he started India's story at 5000 years back, then to the move in of the Aryans into India about 3500 years back, and trying to connect the dots in India's long and twisting history....pretty much the history of all of us!!
And references to the Rig Veda, the original manuscript which can be found at the Asiatic Society at Kolkata (Calcutta). The author of the show then went to the various places, like Turkmenistan and the Russian archeologist to verify references that are found in Rig Veda. For example, there are references about horses, which at the time were not found in India, so the Aryans must have come from somewhere else to India. And reference to Soma drink, which he was able to trace to Multan (now in Pakistan), and onto Afghanistan, then Turkmenistan, then Russian archeologist who is finding proof of these facts. ETC,ETC.
Too bad the show started late and lasted 2 hours by which time I had had a couple of naps already.
I think the show is supposed to air once a week for a total of 6 hours or so. Good photography, and good for history buffs.
After all, he started India's story at 5000 years back, then to the move in of the Aryans into India about 3500 years back, and trying to connect the dots in India's long and twisting history....pretty much the history of all of us!!
And references to the Rig Veda, the original manuscript which can be found at the Asiatic Society at Kolkata (Calcutta). The author of the show then went to the various places, like Turkmenistan and the Russian archeologist to verify references that are found in Rig Veda. For example, there are references about horses, which at the time were not found in India, so the Aryans must have come from somewhere else to India. And reference to Soma drink, which he was able to trace to Multan (now in Pakistan), and onto Afghanistan, then Turkmenistan, then Russian archeologist who is finding proof of these facts. ETC,ETC.
Too bad the show started late and lasted 2 hours by which time I had had a couple of naps already.
I think the show is supposed to air once a week for a total of 6 hours or so. Good photography, and good for history buffs.
Jan 7th, 2009, 12:49 AM
#32
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I think what they did wrong was make one basic mistake.
We are simple creatures. We can look or we can listen.
Looking and listening is getting way too hard these days. our brains have been de-programmed. So we make a choice. Either look OR listen. It's not the way it should be - but it is.
But the documentary makers made the assumption that we are intelligent, focused adults, little realising that life ain't quite like that. They gave us a britzkreig of fantastic sounds and images and, at the same time, a library of complex information. Yup, they made it simple - but it was complex enough for me.
So, we make a choice, close our eyes and listen [Zzzzzzzzz]
or watch, fail to understand what on earth is going on, lose track and, you guessed it...
Zzzzzzzzzz
We are simple creatures. We can look or we can listen.
Looking and listening is getting way too hard these days. our brains have been de-programmed. So we make a choice. Either look OR listen. It's not the way it should be - but it is.
But the documentary makers made the assumption that we are intelligent, focused adults, little realising that life ain't quite like that. They gave us a britzkreig of fantastic sounds and images and, at the same time, a library of complex information. Yup, they made it simple - but it was complex enough for me.
So, we make a choice, close our eyes and listen [Zzzzzzzzz]
or watch, fail to understand what on earth is going on, lose track and, you guessed it...
Zzzzzzzzzz
Jan 7th, 2009, 10:15 AM
#33
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It wasn't the best documentary I've ever seen, but I really enjoyed it. The one thing I found a bit "off" was the weird route he followed in order to maintain the timeline - he was constantly criss-crossing the country! Hello, it's Varanasi yet again!
SO fell asleep twice, but enjoyed what he saw. It overlapped nicely with the National Geographic gene project we just took part in, where your ancestors are traced back to one of the original lines coming out of Africa. In fact, some of the same characters appear in both the NG DVD and the India documentary.
Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it.
SO fell asleep twice, but enjoyed what he saw. It overlapped nicely with the National Geographic gene project we just took part in, where your ancestors are traced back to one of the original lines coming out of Africa. In fact, some of the same characters appear in both the NG DVD and the India documentary.
Anyway, I am looking forward to seeing the rest of it.
Jan 7th, 2009, 05:32 PM
#34
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I watched part 2 tonight - the early history of the Buddha was interesting. The narrator however really grates on me - I feel like I'm being lectured so I shut down - zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
That being said, the visuals are excellent and if you listen to it on a home theater system, the sound is amazing. So I agree with Dog's comments that it is a lot to process.
That being said, the visuals are excellent and if you listen to it on a home theater system, the sound is amazing. So I agree with Dog's comments that it is a lot to process.
Jan 19th, 2009, 02:21 PM
#35
Well, I managed to stay awake through last week's episodes, maybe I can do it again. Just a reminder, for those who want a break from wall-to-wall inauguration coverage, that the last two episodes air tonight.
Jan 19th, 2009, 04:08 PM
#37
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If anyone is interested, the entire 6-hour kaboodle is available on DVD for $35 from PBS, and then one can watch it at one's own pace, and take time to rewind to the interesting parts.
PBS underestimated demand for the DVD...current delivery time is 2-6 weeks.
Final segment airs tonight.
PBS underestimated demand for the DVD...current delivery time is 2-6 weeks.
Final segment airs tonight.
Jan 19th, 2009, 04:13 PM
#38
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Whoops - I guess CPTV changed it's mind - no "Story of India". I think I'll suggest that the US Gov't cut it's funding for this station unless they can get their act together. The "Antiques Road Show" is not an acceptable substitute!
Jan 19th, 2009, 05:13 PM
#40
Two hours of India tonight, the inauguration tomorrow and the two hour LST season premier on Wednesday.
I'm getting more TV this week than I normally do in a month!
Guess I'd better go buy some popcorn...
I'm getting more TV this week than I normally do in a month!
Guess I'd better go buy some popcorn...
