Om Namah Shivay (1997 TV series)


Om Namah Shivay is an Indian-Television series based on Hindu Puranic tales and stories of Lord Shiva. The series is presumably named after the mantra Aum Namah Shivaya. It "depicts the spirituality, divinity and the moving power with which Lord Shiva governs the destiny of the universe."

Plot

The plot centers around Lord Shiva and brings Hindu theology to life in a series of interconnected stories. The serial begins with the creation of the universe and the other Devas, then guides the viewer through Shiva's marriage to Sati, Sati's death, Shiva's marriage to Parvati, and tales of many devotional acts, demonic battles, and important religious events. It ends with events covered in the Mahābhārata and the blessing of the hero Arjuna by Shiva.
According to the show's intrource material used to construct the show's plot and script was extensive. Sources listed are the Vayu Puran, Shiv Maha Puran, Skand Puran, Ling Puran, Tantra Chooramani, Valmiki Ramayan, Swetashwar Upanishad, Vaman Puran, Varah Puran, Koorma Puran, Rudra Yamal Tantra, Padma Puran, Devi Bhagwat Puran, and Bhagwat Puran. Director Dheeraj Kumar, a devotee of Lord Shiva, oversaw nine years of research to ensure that Om Namah Shivay's story was complete and accurate; nonetheless, the opening credits begin with an apology for any errors that may have been made in the series.
Kumar has also stated that, besides depicting stories central to the Hindu faith, every episode of the serial "contains certain portions which highlight the cultural heritage of India."

Cast

Songs from many well-known Indian singers are featured in this serial; a few examples include the title song "Om Namah Shivay", "Rudra Rudra", and "Trikal Darsh", "Man Mein Ek Kamna", and "Maha Shivratri Aayi". A contemporary article states that "Jasraj's son, Sharang Dev, has provided music" and that "almost every singer of Bollywood, Lata Mangeshkar included, has sung for the serial."
Unity is created in the series by using the same songs for different scenes, or even the same melodies with different lyrics, to soundtrack a recurring theme or situation. For example, the creation of each Jyotirling is accompanied by a chorus of the song "Ajar Amar Shiv Shankar." "Dharm Na Janu," sung by the boy Upmanyyu in episode 58, later becomes the melody for the song "Jeevan Kya Hai," which the young Markandeya sings in episode 168; each child sings to seek Shiva's protection through prayer. Indra, Narada, and the Devatas sing "Om Shri Tripund Dhari" to ask rescue from Shiva in episode 56; Sachi then sings the same melody as a prayer to Shakti, "Jai Shakti Dayini Maa," in episode 100.
Continuity is also created between different performers with music. For instance, the song "Maha Shivratri Aayi" is sung by Shiva's first wife Sati and then by his second wife Parvati, both celebrating the great festival of Maha Shivaratri.

Home Video

In 2003, Om Namah Shivay was released as a two-part, 42-DVD set, distributed by Madhu Entertainment and Media. It includes an option for English subtitles and a choice of four languages for audio. The DVD insert explains more about the series' creation and purpose:
"There is no one character in the world history...which has influenced people so greatly and made them culturally rich as Shiva. The name of Lord Shiva is unique in each and every respect. The TV serial Om Namah Shivay is gratitude shown to this God of Gods called Shiva. A great effort is put to make this serial an unforgettable experience in every Indian's life."
A synopsis of each episode is available on the DVDs and is also provided online.

Trivia

Yashodhan Rana and Gayatri Shastri - the second actor to play Shiva, and Parvati, respectively - became engaged in 1999. They married in 2001 and divorced in April 2010.
'Om Namah Shivay' was running in parallel with another TV series called 'Shiv Mahapuran' which was based on same topic. 'Shiv Mahapuran' was created by Gulshan Kumar from T-Series. Both the shows used to telecast on Doordarshan. However, while 'Om Namah Shivay' was shown on DD-National channel, 'Shiv Mahapuran was telecast on DD-Metro channel. Sometimes, both use to run the same track parallelly.