Upanishad Ganga
2012 Indian TV series or programme
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Upanishad Ganga (Hindi: उपनिषद् गंगा) is an Indian television series based on the wisdom and stories of the ancient Hindu text, the Upanishad. The 52-episode series was directed by Chandraprakash Dwivedi, and produced by the Chinmaya Mission. It aired on DD National from 11 March 2012 to 24 March 2013.[1] and was the first-ever TV serial based on the Upanishads and dramatised its central teachings.[2][3]
| Upanishad Ganga | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Drama, Spiritual, Mythological |
| Created by | Chandraprakash Dwivedi |
| Developed by | Chinmaya Mission |
| Directed by | Chandraprakash Dwivedi |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Hindi |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 52 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Swami Tejomayananda |
| Producer | Chinmaya Mission |
| Production locations | Varanasi, India |
| Running time | Approx. 45 minutes |
| Production company | Chinmaya Mission |
| Original release | |
| Network | DD National |
| Release | 11 March 2012 – 24 March 2013 |
Plot
The series is set in modern-day Varanasi, where a Sanskrit scholar and his playwright son stage theatrical renditions of Upanishadic teachings. Each episode features a dramatisation of key figures—such as Valmiki, Dara Shikoh, Ashtavakra, Meera Bai, and Yajnavalkya—tying ancient wisdom to relevant life lessons, to make Upanishadic wisdom accessible to a modern audience. [4]
Episodes
The series comprises 52 episodes. It begins with foundational teachings and gradually unfolds through short dramatizations:
- Episodes 1–4: Introduction to Vedic concepts and self-discovery
- 5–22: Stories of Valmiki, Dara Shikoh, Ashtavakra, and others.
- 23–42: Episodes focusing on Tulsidas, Nachiketa, Yajnavalkya.
- 43–51: Practical spiritual applications via Meera Bai, Sant Eknath.
- 52: A finale centred on gratitude and reflection.
Cast
The series had a large ensemble cast, each playing multiple roles over the course of the series. Abhimanyu Singh played 33 different roles. [3]
- Abhimanyu Singh as Sutradhar
- Ravi Khanvilkar as Sutradhar
- Sandeep Mohan
- Auroshikha Dey
- K.K. Raina
- Jaya Bhattacharya as Ratnavali, Jabala
- Mukesh Tiwari
- Rasika Dugal
- Vrajesh Hirjee as Ashtavakra
- Sai Deodhar
- Zakir Hussain
- Gagan Malik
- Manju Mugdale
- Digvijay Singh
- Vineet Kumar Singh
- Huma Qureshi as Wife of Yuvraj[5]
Production
The concept was conceived by Swami Tejomayananda, the then head of Chinmaya Mission, and was produced at a cost of US $1.6 million, under the direction of Chandraprakash Dwivedi, known for his historical serial Chanakya.[4] The screenplay was written jointly by Dwivedi and Farid Khan after four years of research with Chinmaya Mission. [4][6] The series were shot over a period of four years and the production cost crossed over 25 crores, before being aired. At the time, it was one of the most expensive serials on television.[3]
Reception
According to Express News Asia admin, the series received widespread appreciation from the audience and was acclaimed.[7] Hinduism Today described the series as highly professional, with excellent writing, staging, acting and cinematography.[6]
Distribution
In 2013, it was released as a Home video DVD series by Shemaroo Entertainment.[2]
Legacy
During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, it was re-aired by the DD Bharati channel of the state-run Doordarshan. [8][9] In January 2025, Chinmaya Mission and Sanatana Seva Sangham translated and released the series in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and English languages.[7]
