Satyalu+Kristi Films: The Lost Kingdoms of Ancient India

The Lost Kingdoms of Ancient India

A Documentary Anthology in Ten Episodes

Come travel with us into the lost dramas of antiquity -- where once, legendary kings indulged in

extravagance, intrigue and war, over land, love and immortality -- the lost kingdoms of India

Relevance: an overview

Why such a documentary? The Indian history, as it is constituted and presented today, does not focus much on the indigenous kingdoms, before the advent of foreign rule on the subcontinent. A time when legendary kings and their capitals flourished in the golden age of the indigenous cultures. The objective of this anthology is to present the golden age of their indigenous antiquity -ancient kingdoms, lost to time in fading memories.

Ancient Indian History has global relevance, which addresses the universal desire for social and cultural progress and peace. Especially, at a time when sectarian friction permeates the Middle-east, Asia, and parts of the west, as intolerance spreads. India is the largest democracy in the world, with over 200 distinct languages and as many subcultures that have, become over the centuries, seasoned in the art of coexistence, especially in diversity.

The interaction and intercourse of cultures have given us precepts on an inclusive way of life that professed living in, and with diversity, and respecting the laws of nature that govern not only our existence, but our environment.

Cultural relevance is amplified in a plethora of books like the recent one titled “American Veda” by Phillip Goldberg, which highlights how the ancient Vedic ways pervade the American way of life, with thousands of Yoga centers, alternative Ayurvedic medicine, and meditation academies. This is a voluntary exploration of the Vedic way of life by the west, where millions of intellectually savvy and the culturally sophisticated are willing to explore and experience freedom, in making their lifestyle choices, and mix and match their values from all religions -- exactly like one chooses the options and capabilities of their laptops or iPads. Another recent example that again brings to fore a whole different perspective on Indian spiritual life is the book titled “India-A Sacred Geography” by Diana L. Eck. These and other books are about how freedom flourishes in open, diverse and tolerant societies, and how it arguably originated in ancient India -- it’s golden age.

The west alone has a $100 plus billion trade interaction with India, which drives not only interest and curiosity, but the desire and eagerness for cultural exploration, exchange of ideas, and know more about what was deemed for centuries, an exotic and profoundly mysterious place.

This documentary on ancient Indian Kingdoms and it’s geography would fill a huge information gap, with enormous entertainment value that is intrinsic to it. India is the hottest region of the world today. Ancient Indian history is packed with dense action in dramatic events that had a huge impact on the world. It’s about time, to turn our cameras onto the vast theater of adventures that we call ancient India. It has never been done before.

Anthology (Series) concept

This documentary anthology, “The Lost Kingdoms of Ancient India” will be presented in ten episodes . All episodes would be presented from point of view of their main character(s), who had authored the drama of their kingdoms. Key Kingdoms covered (below) would in the north, middle and the south, from 350BC through 1700AD. Kingdoms that had a substantial impact in the shaping of the subcontinent, and the various regional cultures, right into the present. Every one hour episode would unfold from the perspective of it’s main character, a king or a queen, starting with the foundation--rise--apex--conflict-dissolution into the present, as narrative curve.

This documentary anthology, would encompass the following elements: 1. The ruler and his kingdom 2. Dramatization of 3-4 pivotal scenes from the ruler’s life/conflict 3. All locations (setting/franchise) -- monuments/ruins of the kingdom 4. Their condition and their preservation 5. The narration of crucial events of history (on & off location) by a celebrity 6. The temples complexes and their history 7. Ancient ceremonies & festivals that still shape the present 8. Interviews with key field authorities & the Archaeological Survey of India 9. The present sate of Indian history - Q&A with historians.

10. Interviews with the locals (optional) 11. How Progress/neglect encroaches upon the Indian heritage 12. Records & material evidence at the Museums and conservatories Characters/Kingdoms: The ten episodes would comprise of the following: 1. The Mauryas: The Empire of Chandragupta (340-298BC) 2. The Mauryas: Ashoka The Great (269-232BC) 3. The Guptas: The Empire of Samudragupta (335-375AD) 4. The Guptas: Vikramditya The Magnificent (380-415AD) 5. Pushyabhuti Dynasty: The Empire of Harsha (606-647AD) 6. The Chalukyas: The Reign of Pulikesin II (610-642AD) 7. The Cholas: Raja Raja the Great (985-1014AD) 8. Prithviraj Chauhan: His Lost Citadel (1149-1192AD) 9. The Kakatya Dynasty: Rudrama Devi & Son (1259-1289AD) 10. Vijayanagara: The Empire of Krishna-Devaraya (1509-1529AD)

Narrating our documentary anthology is Playwright, Theatrical Producer-Director, and Actress; Ms. Lillette Dubey

Project Chronology

1. Project proposal to Directors and Production Entities -- May 21, 2013 2. Project exploration and plan -- July 2, 2013 3. Project proposal and presentation to Investors -- September 12, 2013 4. Project shooting script and narrative finalization -- September 20, 2013 5. Director agrees to initiate filming in October without advance -- October 5, 2013 6. Partial investor commitment achieved to start production -- October 15, 2013 7. Shooting funds transferred on -- November 4, 2014 8. Producer & director finalization of script and shots plan -- November 12, 2013 9. Lillette Dubey agrees to narrate and requests immediate payment -- November 2, 2013 10. Major filming in and around Delhi, from October 20, through December 4, 2013 11. Editing, Music and graphics started after holidays on January 3 -- March 4, 2014 12. Edit Received and reviewed by American production house -- March 6, 2014 13. Edit sent to agent for representation & solicitation of contracts -- April 7, 2014 14. LA agent finds the project has great potential and agrees to represent -- April 16, 2014 15. Agent representation agreement is signed on -- May 29, 2014 16. American production house recommends materials & enhancement of the edit/pitch for better

opportunities same day:

A. Color correction/revision for the edit, plus conversion to DVD-NTSC format

B. Add 10 minutes to edit to meet broadcaster requirement of 48-52 minutes

C. Quality B&W footage or fresh filming, plus licensing of photographs for insertion

D. 2-3 Minute sizzle-Trailer promoting the series

E. Website, brochures--digital and print, visits to LA & NY, plus facilities rentals

F. North-American production for graphics for opening title sequence

G. Agent retainer and expenses for marketing & solicitation

H. Lillette Dubey is a major factor for the agent and her hire is necessary Dear friends, the above items, A-through-H are essential and mandatory to position and pitch this documentary anthology: The Lost Kingdoms of Ancient India to major global broadcasters. The above pending items require an urgent and immediate investment (into our own heritage) to speed up the project to realization. If the funding is not achieved immediately, we will be delayed in producing this epic documentary for another year, as we search for investment. Documentary broadcast year is 2015. Your investment is needed to achieve this target immediately. Thank you so much!

Very sincerely, Raju Peddada Satyalu+Kristi Media, USA

Background picture is scratched graffiti on a 14th century wall of an Indian monument. Š 2014 Satyalu+Krisi Media, USA