१९८९ सालची गोष्ट आहे. दर रविवारी टीव्हीवर राही मासून रझा लिखित बी. आर. चोप्रांचं महाभारत प्रसृत होत असे. त्यानंतर तासाभराने श्याम बेनेगल यांचं भारत की खोज. या दोन महामालिकांच्या मधल्या एका तासात येऊन गेली होती, एक तासांच्या तेरा भागांची विज्ञानचित्रपट मालिका – भारत की छाप. या दोन महामालिकांच्यामध्ये सापडल्याने तिची फारशी दखल घेतली गेली नाही. पण फ्रान्सचा ज्यूल्स व्हर्न पुरस्कार मिळवणारी छंदिता मुखर्जी यांनी दिग्दर्शित केलेली ही चित्रपट मालिका एक आगळीवेगळी मालिका होती.
भारताबद्दलचे दोन टोकाचे समज आहेत. एक असे मानतो की अध्यात्म हाच भारताचा आत्मा आहे आणि इथली विज्ञानपरंपरा क्षीण आहे. दुसरा मानतो की आपल्याकडचे विज्ञान आजच्या विज्ञानापेक्षाही प्रगत होतं! या मालिकेचे वैशिष्ट्य हे की ती असं मानते की हे दोन्ही समज चुकीचे आहेत व आपल्याकडे जे विज्ञान-तंत्रज्ञान खरोखरच होते ते इतर देशांच्या तोडीस तोड होते. ही चित्रपटमालिका पार पाषाणयुगापासून ते स्वातंत्र्योत्तर काळापर्यंतच्या भारतातील विज्ञानाचा, त्याच्या विकासाचा – भारत की छापचा – वास्तववादी मागोवा घेते.
चित्रपट मालिकेचे दुसरे वैशिष्ट्य आहे तिच्या रचनेत. मालिकेत पाच वार्ताहर पात्रें(अमृता, शहनाझ, रंजन, रामनाथन, रघू) आहेत व दोन अँकर पात्रं (मैत्रेयी व निस्सीम) आहेत. निरनिराळ्या ठिकाणी प्रत्यक्ष जाऊन ही वार्ताहर मंडळी वार्तांकन करतात, मुलाखती घेतात, गाणीही म्हणतात! व नंतर त्यांची आणि अँकर पात्रांची चर्चा होते ज्यातून दुवे जोडले जातात. सज्जड अभ्यास, प्रत्यक्ष स्थलचित्रण आणि नाट्य-गेय रूपांतरं यातून सारे कथन होते.
बऱ्याचदा विज्ञान व विज्ञानाच्या इतिहासाची मांडणी ही एतद्देशीय सामाजिक भवतालापासून तोडून केवळ आधुनिक विज्ञानाशी जोडून केली जाते. या मालिकेचे तिसरे वैशिष्ट्य हे की ती विज्ञान हे विज्ञानाच्या सामाजिक परिवेशात वाढते असे मानते. त्यामुळे ती सतत त्या त्या काळाच्या सामाजिक परिवेशाचे भान ठेवते व त्या विज्ञानाचा विकास त्या परिवेशाशी जोडून मांडते.
अर्थातच या मालिकेला ३५ वर्षं होऊन गेली आहेत, त्यमुळे आजच्या डिजिटल चित्रणाची गुणवत्ता किंवा चटपटीतपणा या मालिकेत नाही. आपण ३५ वर्षांपूर्वीची मलिका पाहत आहोत, हे ध्यानात घेऊन, थोडा वेळ देऊन तिच्याशी समरस होऊन ती पहिलीत तर ती तुम्हाला खूप काही देऊन जाईल हे नक्की.
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Bharat Ki Chhap (Identity of India)” is a 13-episode Indian TV science documentary series that chronicles the history of science and technology in India from prehistoric times until the present. The series was directed by filmmaker Chandita Mukherjee and introduced by Professor Yash Pal.
It presents alternative viewpoints on the subject of science as pioneered in India, offering a pragmatic contrast with Western scientific endeavours. The series garnered support from the People’s Science Movement.
A companion book, titled “Bhārat Ki Chhāp: A Companion Book to the Film Series,” was later published by Comet Project, authored by Chayanika Shah, Suhas Paranjape, and Swatija Manorama.
The episode sets up the intent of the film. We are introduced to the characters and narrators and understand the methods of knowing the past through material evidence. A glimpse of things to come, places to be visited and questions that will be explored are discussed
भाग २: पाषाण युग | The Stone Age इसवी सन पूर्व ३५०० पर्यंत
This episode captures the life in the Stone Age. We look at stone tool-making, investigate food gathering in pre-historic times through the habits of Halbi tribals in Bastar and travel to Buzahom in Kashmir to understand the beginnings of farming and clay utensils for storage. And finally, we participated in a Navratri celebration in Bombay, linking its rituals to the discovery of agriculture 7000 years ago.
भाग ३: हडप्पा संस्कृती | The Harappan Civilization इसवी सन पूर्व ३५०० ते इसवी सन पूर्व २०००
This episode discusses the Harappan civilization. Some of the characters travel to Harappan excavation sites – reporting their lifestyles, aspects of city planning and governance, jewellery making and terracotta work.
भाग ४: लोह युग | The Iron Age इसवी सन पूर्व २००० ते इसवी सन पूर्व ५००
This episode introduces the Iron Age. We understand the Vedas and their growing influence on society, traditional iron-smelting techniques from Bastar, geometry through Shulbasutra and a changing social structure.
भाग ५: सूत्रबद्धतेचा काळ | The Age of Codification इसवी सन पूर्व ५०० ते इसवी सन ३००
This episode discusses Buddhism and its influence on the North and the Southern rulers and kingdoms. We travel from the Sarnath to Kanheri caves near Mumbai to understand our Buddhist past and then to Pondicherry where we encounter a trade relationship with Rome, to Tiruchirapalli to understand the water reservoir system and the Grand Anaicut and finally to the Saraswati Mahal Library in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu where we understand the texts of the times and their orthodoxy.
भाग ६: आयुर्वेद आणि खगोलशास्त्र | Ayurveda & Astronomy इसवी सन ३०० ते ७००
This episode captures the traditions of Ayurveda and highly developed concepts of Astronomy. We start with investigating the Sushruta and Charaka traditions of Ayurveda and comparing it to the practices of a tribal medicine man in Bastar. Flourishing trades and techniques encouraged science; scholars like Aryabhata wrote about sine tables, pi, and the path of the planets, yet this knowledge was controlled.
भाग ७: गणित आणि मंदिर वास्तुशास्त्र | Mathematics & Temple Architecture इसवी सन ७०० ते १२००
In this episode, we learn that techniques and sciences were limited to caste barriers. We understand the operations of ‘zero’ and its Indian origins. We briefly understand alchemy or Rasvidya developed experimental chemistry, extraction methods for Zinc and the lost wax process for Chola bronzes. We also explore temple architecture from the towering gopuram to the rock-cut caves of Ellora and an emerging architecture brought by the invading Arabs, Turks and Afghans.
भाग ८: संश्लेषण आणि वाढ | Synthesis and Growth इसवी सन १२०० ते १६००
Starting with Qutbuddin Aibak’s reign in the north of India where science and technology were stagnant, this episode investigates the introduction of the printing press and new weapons through Portuguese rule in Goa. Science and technology flourished only for the needs of royalty such as armaments, developed water-supply systems and unmatched dyeing techniques for cloth.
भाग ९: गतिमंदता आणि बदलतं जग | Stagnation & a Changing World इसवी सन १६०० ते१८००
This episode narrates the decline of science and the growing European interest in India. We travel to Jamasalaya in Gujarat, a ship-building port, where ships were made for European sea-faring in the 17th century. We understand the importance of the Renaissance in Europe, and its effects on Jaipur’s Jantar Mantar (astronomical observatories built by Maharaja Jai Singh). Finally, we head to Mysore, where we see a rebelling Tipu Sultan develop armaments and his defeat as the beginning of colonial rule.
भाग १०: वसाहतवद आणि औद्योगिक क्रांती | Colonialism & the Industrial Revolution इसवी सन १८०० ते १९००
This episode discusses the reign of the British in India and its effects. It compares the dying crafts traditions of steel-making near Hyderabad with the low-cost high production models of the Industrial Revolution. From reformists like Radha Ram Mohan Roy to scientists like Mahendralala Sircar a new class of educated Indians took the lead in reform and stressed education. By the end of the 19th century, political awareness was sweeping the country and a new spirit of nationalism emerging.
भाग ११: स्वातंत्र्य-आंदोलन आणि वैज्ञनिक | The Freedom Struggle & the Scientific Community इसवी सन १९०० ते १९४७
This episode captures the effects of 20th-century science and technology. We examine the achievements of JC Bose, Meghnad Saha, PC Ray and Raman, their involvement in the national movement and the importance of science and technology in building an independent India.
भाग १२: स्वतंत्र भारत | Independent India 1947 to the Present इसवी सन १९४७ ते आज
This episode discusses a post-independence India. We start by understanding self-sufficiency in energy through visits to ONGC rigs and an investigation into hydro-power projects like the Sardar Sarovar Dam. We also study the effects of the Green Revolution – both the good and the bad. Finally, we travelled to Bali Raja Dam which was built with the consensus of the local communities, by them and of local materials.
भाग १३: पूर्वावलोकन व भविष्यावलोकन | Retrospect & Prospect शोधयात्रा चालूच आहे…
Taking from excerpts from past episodes we trace our journey and look at solutions for the future. We meet local organisations training people about afforestation, adult literacy and community health and visit an experimental school where exciting activities and lively discussions move beyond the textbooks. We investigate a city which has repeated cases of communal violence. And finally, we discuss some interesting outcomes and possible directions with Professor Yashpal.
