Publications

For Whom the World Stops: The Himalayan Sadhu in a World of Constant Motion

Ajania, Karim

fv

June 1988

MSVS

Abstract

The sadhu is a man who, according to the tradition of Hindi philosophy, renounces his worldly possessions and becomes a recluse in India, for the purpose of attaining a more comprehensive knowledge of human existence. Anthropological research on the sadhu and related subjects was conducted in the U.S.A. over a period of two years prior to location research and filming for five weeks in northern India. An extensive analysis of the sadhu, within the context of Indian civilization and society, Western philosophy, psychology and literature was also undertaken. Subsequently, a method toward depicting the subject on film and video was formulated, recommended and executed. A copy of the video "For Whom the World Stops" is available for reference at the Film/Video Section of the Media Arts and Sciences Section.

http://mf.media.mit.edu/pubs/thesis/ajianaMSVS-FV.pdf