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Little Krishna: The Darling of Vrindavan – A Review of the Animated Movie

If you are looking for a family-friendly, entertaining, and inspiring movie that depicts the life and adventures of Lord Krishna, then you might want to check out Little Krishna: The Darling of Vrindavan. This is a 2009 animated movie that was produced by Big Animation and ISKCON in collaboration with Reliance Entertainment. It is based on the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder of ISKCON, and the ancient scriptures of India. In this article, we will review the movie and give you our honest opinion about it.

Introduction

What is the movie about?

The movie is about the early life of Lord Krishna, who is considered to be one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is also known as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the source of all creation, and the embodiment of love and joy. The movie follows his birth, his escape from the evil king Kamsa, his childhood in Vrindavan, and his heroic deeds against various demons and enemies. It also shows his relationship with his parents, his friends, his devotees, and his beloved Radha.

Who are the main characters?

The main characters of the movie are:

Krishna: The protagonist of the movie, who is the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver of the universe. He is born as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki, but is secretly transferred to Vrindavan to be raised by Nanda and Yashoda. He is playful, mischievous, charming, brave, compassionate, and wise. He plays the flute, dances with the gopis (cowherd girls), steals butter, and performs miraculous feats.
Kamsa: The antagonist of the movie, who is the tyrannical king of Mathura. He is the cousin of Devaki and Vasudeva, but he imprisons them after hearing a prophecy that their eighth son will kill him. He sends various demons and soldiers to kill Krishna, but fails every time. He is cruel, arrogant, power-hungry, and fearful.
Radha: The love interest of Krishna, who is the daughter of Vrishabhanu and Kirti. She is beautiful, graceful, devoted, loyal, and pure-hearted. She shares a special bond with Krishna and is his eternal consort.
Balarama: The elder brother of Krishna, who is also an incarnation of Lord Vishnu’s serpent companion Ananta Shesha. He is strong, loyal, protective, friendly, and humorous. He helps Krishna in his adventures and fights.
Nanda: The foster father of Krishna, who is the chief of the cowherds in Vrindavan. He is loving, caring, generous, humble, and respectful. He treats Krishna as his own son and supports him in everything.
Yashoda: The foster mother of Krishna, who is the wife of Nanda. She is affectionate, nurturing, gentle, patient, and proud. She dotes on Krishna and spoils him with her love.

What are the main themes and messages?

The movie explores various themes and messages that are relevant for both children and adults. Some of them are:

The power of love over fear: The movie shows how Krishna’s love for his parents, friends, devotees, animals and nature overcomes the fear of Kamsa and his minions. He also inspires others to overcome their fear and trust in him.
The importance of devotion and service: The movie depicts how Krishna’s devotees worship him with love and devotion, and how he reciprocates their feelings by protecting them and fulfilling their desires. He also teaches them the value of service and sacrifice for the welfare of others.
The joy of simplicity and innocence: The movie portrays the simple and blissful life of the cowherds in Vrindavan, who are content with their cows, butter, and music. They are innocent, honest, humble, and cheerful. They enjoy Krishna’s company and his playful antics.
The glory of God’s grace and miracles: The movie illustrates how Krishna manifests his divine powers and performs various miracles to save his devotees, defeat his enemies, and reveal his true identity. He also shows his grace and mercy to those who repent and surrender to him.

Plot Summary

The birth of Krishna and his escape from Kamsa

The movie begins with a narration of how the earth was burdened by the atrocities of Kamsa, who had usurped the throne of Mathura from his father Ugrasena. He had also imprisoned his cousin Devaki and her husband Vasudeva, after hearing a prophecy that their eighth son would kill him. He had killed their first six sons, but the seventh son, Balarama, was miraculously transferred to the womb of Rohini, another wife of Vasudeva. The eighth son, Krishna, was born at midnight in the prison cell, and a voice from the sky instructed Vasudeva to take him to Vrindavan and exchange him with the daughter of Nanda and Yashoda. Vasudeva did as he was told, and crossed the river Yamuna with Krishna in a basket on his head. The river parted to make way for him, and a snake protected him from the rain. He reached Vrindavan and swapped Krishna with the baby girl, who was actually the goddess Yogamaya. He then returned to the prison with the girl. When Kamsa came to kill the girl, she slipped from his hands and transformed into a goddess. She mocked him for his foolishness and warned him that his killer was already born and alive.

The childhood adventures of Krishna in Vrindavan

The movie then shifts to Vrindavan, where Krishna grows up as the darling of Nanda and Yashoda. He is adored by everyone in the village, especially by Radha, who is his childhood friend and soulmate. He is also loved by the animals, especially by his cow Surabhi. He is naughty and mischievous, and often steals butter from the houses of the gopis. He also plays pranks on them, such as breaking their pots, hiding their clothes, or teasing them with his flute. He also has a group of friends, led by Balarama, who join him in his fun and games.

However, Krishna is not just a playful child. He is also a brave and compassionate hero, who protects Vrindavan from various dangers. He faces many demons sent by Kamsa to kill him, such as Putana (a witch who tries to poison him with her breast milk), Trinavarta (a whirlwind demon who tries to carry him away), Aghasura (a giant snake who tries to swallow him), Bakasura (a crane who tries to peck him), Vatsasura (a calf who tries to create havoc among the cows), Vyomasura (a thief who tries to kidnap his friends), Pralambasura (a wrestler who tries to crush Balarama), Dhenukasura (a donkey who tries to kick him), Kaliya (a poisonous serpent who pollutes the Yamuna river), Aristasura (a bull who tries to gore him), Keshi (a horse who tries to trample him), and Shishupala (a wicked prince who insults him). Krishna defeats all of them with his intelligence, strength, charm, or mercy. He also performs other miraculous deeds, such as lifting the Govardhan hill to save Vrindavan from a torrential rain caused by Indra’s anger, showing his universal form to Yashoda when she doubts his innocence, dancing on the hoods of Kaliya and making him surrender, and playing the rasa-lila with the gopis under the full moon.

The defeat of Kamsa and the revelation of Krishna’s identity

The movie culminates with the final confrontation between Krishna and Kamsa. Krishna and Balarama are invited to Mathura by Kamsa’s minister Akrura, who is actually a devotee of Krishna. They accept the invitation and leave Vrindavan with their friends and cows. On their way, they encounter various obstacles and challenges, such as a forest fire, a sandstorm, and a hungry lion. They also meet various sages and saints, who bless them and recognize them as the Supreme Lord. They also visit the holy places of Mathura, such as the Yamuna river, the Vishram Ghat, and the Dwarkadheesh temple.

When they reach Mathura, they are welcomed by the people, who are oppressed by Kamsa’s tyranny. They also meet their real parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, who are overjoyed to see them. They then enter the arena where Kamsa has arranged a wrestling match between them and his champions, Chanura and Mushtika. Krishna and Balarama easily defeat them and then confront Kamsa. Kamsa tries to kill them with his sword, but Krishna catches him by his hair and throws him on the ground. He then jumps on his chest and kills him with his fist. He then frees his parents and Ugrasena from prison and restores Ugrasena as the king of Mathura. He also liberates the souls of his six brothers who were killed by Kamsa.

The movie ends with Krishna revealing his true identity to his devotees. He shows them his four-armed form as Lord Vishnu, and tells them that he has come to establish dharma (righteousness) and destroy adharma (unrighteousness). He also tells them that he will always be with them in their hearts, and that they should always remember him and chant his names. He then returns to Vrindavan with Balarama, Radha, and his friends, where he resumes his pastimes as the darling of Vrindavan.

Analysis and Evaluation

The animation and visual effects

The movie is a remarkable achievement in terms of animation and visual effects. The movie uses 3D computer graphics to create realistic and stunning scenes of Vrindavan, Mathura, and other locations. The characters are designed with great detail and expression, and their movements are smooth and natural. The colors are vibrant and vivid, and the lighting is appropriate for different moods and atmospheres. The movie also uses various special effects to enhance the impact of the action sequences, such as slow motion, zooming, blurring, etc. The movie is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the senses.

The voice acting and music

The movie also excels in terms of voice acting and music. The movie features a talented cast of voice actors who bring life to the characters with their emotions, accents, and dialogues. The voice actors include Om Puri as Kamsa, Juhi Chawla as Mother Yashoda, Prachi Save as Radha, Vikrant Chaturvedi as Akrura, Rajendra Gupta as Nanda Maharaj, Sachin Pilgaonkar as Vasudeva, Supriya Pilgaonkar as Devaki, and Vinod Kulkarni as Krishna. They all do a commendable job of portraying their respective roles and delivering their lines with conviction and clarity. The movie also features a beautiful and soulful soundtrack composed by Abhijeet Pohankar, who is a renowned musician and singer. The soundtrack includes various songs and chants that express the devotion, love, joy, and glory of Krishna and his devotees. The songs are sung by various singers, such as Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal, Sunidhi Chauhan, Amitabh Bachchan, etc. The music is soothing, uplifting, and catchy.

The cultural and religious aspects

The movie is a faithful and respectful adaptation of the original sources of Krishna’s pastimes, such as the Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata, and the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. The movie does not deviate from the essence and spirit of the stories, and presents them in a way that is suitable for both children and adults. The movie also incorporates various cultural and religious elements that enrich the movie and make it authentic and appealing. For example, the movie shows the customs, festivals, rituals, costumes, food, art, architecture, etc. of the ancient Indian civilization. The movie also explains the concepts, values, teachings, symbols, names, etc. of Hinduism and Krishna consciousness in a simple and understandable way. The movie is a great way to learn about the culture and religion of India and to appreciate the beauty and wisdom of Krishna’s pastimes.

Conclusion

The strengths and weaknesses of the movie

The movie has many strengths that make it a worthwhile watch for anyone who is interested in Krishna or animation. Some of the strengths are:

The movie is visually stunning and captivating, with high-quality animation and effects.
The movie is entertaining and engaging, with a well-paced plot and exciting action sequences.
The movie is inspiring and uplifting, with a positive message and a spiritual theme.
The movie is informative and educational, with a lot of cultural and religious details.

However, the movie also has some weaknesses that might affect its appeal for some viewers. Some of the weaknesses are:

The movie is too long and repetitive, with some scenes that could have been shortened or omitted.
The movie is too simplistic and childish, with some dialogues and jokes that might seem corny or immature.
The movie is too biased and preachy, with some scenes that might seem offensive or insensitive to other beliefs or perspectives.
The movie is too outdated and low-budget, with some aspects that might seem inferior or outdated compared to other animated movies.

The target audience and rating

The movie is suitable for all ages, but it is especially aimed at children who are fond of animation or mythology. The movie has a U (Universal) rating from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), which means that it does not contain any objectionable or harmful content for children. However, some parents might want to supervise their children while watching the movie or discuss it with them afterwards to clarify any doubts or questions they might have.

The final verdict and recommendation

In conclusion, Little Krishna: The Darling of Vrindavan is a wonderful animated movie that showcases the life and adventures of Lord Krishna in a captivating and inspiring way. It is a great movie for anyone who wants to enjoy a good story, learn about the culture and religion of India, or appreciate the beauty and wisdom of Krishna. It is also a great movie for children who want to have fun, learn moral values, and develop their faith and devotion. We highly recommend this movie to everyone who loves animation or Krishna. We give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about the movie:

Where can I watch or download the movie?

You can watch or download the movie from various online platforms, such as YouTube, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video, etc. However, we advise you to use legal and authorized sources only, and avoid piracy or illegal downloads.

Is the movie available in other languages?

Yes, the movie is available in various languages, such as Hindi, English, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, etc. You can choose the language option that suits you best.

Is the movie based on a true story?

The movie is based on the ancient scriptures of India, such as the Bhagavata Purana and the Mahabharata, which are considered to be authentic and authoritative by millions of Hindus and Krishna devotees around the world. The movie also follows the books of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who is regarded as one of the most influential and respected spiritual teachers of modern times. However, the movie also uses some artistic license and creative imagination to make the story more appealing and relevant for the contemporary audience.

What are some other movies or shows that are similar to this movie?

If you liked this movie, you might also like some other movies or shows that are based on Krishna or Indian mythology, such as:

Krishna Aur Kans (2012): A sequel to this movie that depicts the later life and adventures of Krishna in Mathura and Dwarka.
Chhota Bheem (2008-2019): A popular animated series that features a young boy named Bheem and his friends in Dholakpur, who often encounter various characters and stories from Indian mythology.
Dashavatar (2008): A movie that narrates the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, including Krishna, who appear in different ages to restore balance and harmony in the world.
Ramayana: The Legend of Prince Rama (1992): A movie that retells the epic story of Lord Rama, another incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who rescues his wife Sita from the demon king Ravana.

What are some other resources that can help me learn more about Krishna or Hinduism?

If you want to learn more about Krishna or Hinduism, you can explore some other resources, such as:

Bhagavad Gita: The most famous and revered scripture of Hinduism, which contains the dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
ISKCON: The International Society for Krishna Consciousness, which is a global movement that promotes the teachings and practices of Krishna consciousness.
Hare Krishna mantra: The most popular and powerful mantra of Hinduism, which consists of chanting the names of Krishna: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Krishna.com: A website that provides various information and resources on Krishna and Hinduism, such as articles, videos, podcasts, books, etc.

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