Bharat Ek Khoj

This is an impressive presentation made in the eighties, of the history of India based on a book. It was and still remains one of the notable TV series of India.

It brings to life the history of India from the earliest times known-- Indus Valley Civilization to the Aryans to the present day India, covering epics like Ramayan, Mahabharat and works of Kalidas.

A huge time span has been depicted on the screen. While making it descriptive, it also maintains the interest of the audience. At the same time it became an informative tool for students to remember the major historical events in chronological order.

There have been tele serials that have lasted longer, that have presented the epics in a greater detail, but none could match the depiction of a detached narrator in the background.

This comment cannot be completed without the mention of the shloka chanted in the series. It was extremely melodious and pioneer-idea. The only other TV series that gives it a competition is "Chanakya", with similar taste in music and art direction.

"Bharat: Ek Khoj" was a small-budgeted non-glamorous project not threatening to sweep away the viewership ratings. However, it turned out to be one of the best made in the Indian TV history.

Shyam Benegal made it dearly. But what still remains uncertain is whether it has all the facts laid right?

This is a series that is very close to my heart. This series takes us back 5000 Years back on a journey of discovering India. Inspired from the Great work Discovery of India by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru this work is a marvel. Great actors like Om Puri, Kulbhushan Khalabanda, Irfan Khan and obviously Roshan Seth adorn the masterpiece with their brilliant performance. History can never be so interesting as this. This is a must watch for everyone, particularly Indians.

This series has been telecast-ed many times on Doordarshan and is a must for any student of Indain History. It has a characteristic Shyam benegal style of concentrating on mental conflicts rather than showing war details or opulence of courts. Title song are a simple version of verses of Rigveda and anyone who keeps on branding Veda communal will have an idea of deep philosophy inherent in them by listening to these samples. Costumes of all the ages have been captured very efficiently and some of the episodes are my favorite like one on civil disobedience in 1930, quit India in 1942 , Shivaji one ( It is the only televised account of Shivaji in which his conflicts with local Hindu chieftains are shown). There were some episodes with more philosophical value rather than historical like one in which India law on parentage is illustrated by a boy being branded shudra though his mother was a vaisya, his biological father a Brahman and his adopted father was a kshatriya king or the one involving Ashoka's brother and how he turns to become a Buddhist monk. It is evident that more emphasis is placed on social and economic moorings. Now this may be depiction of Portuguese Mughal conflict for trade interests or an episode where small songs for each of six seasons were sung in traditional tones. Music of Vanraj Bhatia gave whole production cinematic value rather than being a mere documentary series.

This Bharat ki Khoj is based on Book "The Discovery of India" written by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

It is fabulously crafted edited and directed. It gives us a true picture of rural midas and countryside life. The series is purest in its depiction of Indian History. Their is not a single instance of adulteration and an attempt to rewrite history from Hypernationalists and radicalists point of view.

In this today's India when Hypernationalists Warmongers are creating a atmosphere conducive to rewrite history Bharat Ki Khoj is true to its title and a must be watched by every Indian, it also gives a honest outlook about our PM Nehru whose achievements are being belittled by these rightist goons.

I lived with every character as I went through the episodes. I mourned with Babur on the death of his young son. I celebrated with Akbar when the Mughals won Gujrat. I felt Shivaji's humiliation in the court of Aurangzeb and Tipu Sultan's misfortune when French betrayed him.

The actors are amazing. No one could have played their parts better than Om Puri (as Aurangzeb), Kulbhushan Kharbanda (as Akbar), Vijay Arora (as Jahangir), Naseeruddin Shah (as Chattrapati Shivaji Maharaj) and one and only Roshan Seth (as Nehru).

I could not complete without praising the wonderful music compositions. Not only the background scores and the title song but also the in- between folk songs that played the most important role in connecting with the viewers.

Hats off to Shyam Benegal for giving us this master piece.

A must watch to all the students and admirers of Indian history.