Mary Ma: Sept 11' BFA Filmmaking - Track B
Cultural Mythology and World Religions – Extra Credit Assignment

The Power of Illusion
'Kumaré'

Kumaré is a documentary about a man who impersonates a wise Indian Guru and starts to build a following. Vikram Gandhi's experiment has been criticized as immoral, many others do agree with his philosophy and “teachings”. The experiment had simply grown out of his control by the time he could reveal his true self.
Kumaré's followers in the documentary claimed to be comforted by his energy and presence. There was something about him that drew others to him. People said that he was giving and was willing to spend most of his time trying to help others. But what if it were all for show?
When Vikram began his transformation to the all knowing Guru Kumaré he was, in his words “just curious”. This harmless curiosity and openness to the subject may have been exactly what drew his followers to him (That, and he looked the part). He did not set off on a journey to become rich or famous as they suggested was why some other people became Gurus.
Vikram went to other established spaces to learn their methods of teaching and incorporated his findings into his own teaching. He also legitimized himself in the eyes of his followers by performing rituals and making up prayers and chants. The identity he adopted was actually the man he wished he could be. Vikram's act became real and he turned into some spiritual placebo that made a great impact on a handful of lives.
I personally agree with his methods. It was a harmless experiment that got more personal than expected. I believe that the fact he wasn't a real Guru shouldn't have taken away from the depth of each individual's experience. Though some didn't take the news as well. I imagined they felt that the image they once had of Kumaré instantly shattered when he revealed himself. Which is understandable because someone they trusted wasn't who they thought he was. But from the documentary I felt that he was not trying to deceive anyone. He even says in his sessions that he is just an illusion. A “fake”.
I think the people who accepted him were in the right perspective. To take a step back and realize what human beings will do for each other. That connecting to yourself is more important than connecting to a higher power.
Vikram shows us that religion can be anything. He invented and established his own sacred space, like the beginnings of other religions. As more people filled this space, the more powerful his message became. I think that his objective was not to create and enforce his own religion but rather attempting to shed light on the inner religious beliefs of others. Vikram also shows us that one person even without divine right has the ability to obtain the support of the masses.