Madonna Murti

Synopsis

Where else in the world is black beautiful, baffling and brings together East and West? In South Trinidad at the Siparia Roman Catholic Church in that "city of sand", a black female statue venerated by Catholics as the Virgin Mary and worshipped by Hindus as a black Hindu Goddess does just that! To Catholics who follow her in street processions, the statue is known as "La Divina Pastora", the Divine Shepherdess - to Hindus who charawe her by touching her arms and feet, she is hailed as 'Sipari Mai', (Mother of Siparia) "Siparee Ke Mai" or 'Mother Kali'. As such, she remains the only symbiosis of Catholicism and Hinduism in the Western hemisphere.

Mystery shrouds her origin and about her, legends and myths abound. Though barely three feet tall when fully clothed, this statue draws pilgrims from every creed and race and the social, cultural and religious rites which accompany her devotions continue to intrigue the world.

Well known to pilgrims and devotees who profess her numerous miracles of healings and answered prayers, she is particularly revered by barren women to whom she has given the gift of children and in turn, she receives many gifts of gold and grains, fabric and flowers.

The Madonna Murti features candid interviews with poojaris, pilgrims, pundits and priests as well as academic experts who have tried to understand her, artists who have tried to capture her illusive image and writers who have tried to tell her story, The Madonna Murti utilizes narrative, drama, illustrations and song to tell the tale of a statue who offers health, hope, help and happiness to those who come to her most in need of it.
 

Awards

The Madonna Murti won the Best Shorts Competition Awards of Excellence (La Jolla, California) in September 2012 -http://www.bestshorts.net/

The Madonna Murti won the 'Awards of Merit' from Indie Fest in October 2013 – http://www.theindiefest.com

Publications

“Religious Double Belonging” in Trinidad and Tobago

http://caribbeantheologytoday.net/20th-anniversary-conference/ -

Pilgrimage to La Divina Pastora

http://216.246.10.170/features/0,193552.html

‘La Divin’ pilgrims lead the way

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/letters/5154-the-ghost-of-henry-charles-nov-24?start=1

The Madonna Murti and the Great Commission

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5061-the-madonna-murti-and-the-great-commission-oct-27

Of Statues and Murtis

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5060-of-statues-and-murtis-oct-27

No other gods

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5052-no-other-gods-oct-20

‘Mother’ not Kali

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/viewpoint/5051-mother-not-kali

That Statue in Siparia

http://indigenousreview.blogspot.com/2013/10/that-statue-in-siparia.html

A self-righteous attack

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5019-a-self-righteous-attack-oct-13

A review of The Madonna Murti –part 1

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5014-a-review-of-the-madonna-murti-oct-6?start=1

A review of The Madonna Murti –part 2

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/features/5014-a-review-of-the-madonna-murti-oct-6

‘La Divin’ in a new light

http://www.catholicnews-tt.net/joomla/frontpage/4990-la-divin-in-a-new-light-sep-29

Jesus Explosion: Revival Recap

http://jodorparish.blogspot.com/2013/09/jesus-explosion-revival-recap.html

What I watch

http://www.whatiwatch.net/reviews.php?rec=38443

Video Trailer

Who let the Dogs Out - from the Litter to the Lethal Injection

“Who Let the Dogs Out?” is a love story that traces the journey of homeless dogs from the litter to the lethal injection. This documentary about home and homeless dogs addresses the increasing problem of stray dogs in our nation, mirroring as it does so the treatment of a nation’s animals with the moral progress of a nation.
 
Through health-care and animal welfare organizations, this film travels through Trinidad’s rural and city landscapes comparing and contrasting homed and homeless dogs, blending graphic video footage with still photography to reveal an intimate portrayal of a destitute dog’s world of disease, decay and death.
 

Crick, Crack, Ek Nawa Kahani

In Crick-Crack, Ek Nawa Kahani legend collides with life. This story is laced with sorcery and intrigue as Mayaro 'soucouyants' Matilda and Loretta shed their skins and take off for England to steal a golden spoon from Queen Victoria's royal cutlery. But the lives of these two old hags are changed forever when their obeah fails and a disoriented Loretta returns to Mayaro just before daybreak to a 'sound cut arse' while Matilda comes back with the golden spoon that ignites the greed of Lionel, her "saga boy" lover.

Lionel soon forgets his grandfather's warning of "crave all, loss all" so he plots to get the diamond-studded golden spoon. He steals the spoon, outwits his lover and pours salt and pepper into the mortar where she has hidden her skin, but after doing this, Lionel finds himself in deeper trouble than even he could have imagined! Matilda puts the curse of eternal life on Lionel and compels him to become transformed every night into a creature of the underworld.

Determined to end the curse and return to his former self, Lionel seeks the help of other folk spirits but punishment awaits him. He is lured to a forest by a La Diablesse who exacts revenge for all his ploys against women. He later battles with Papa Bois for the mysterious Mama l'Eau (Mother of the Water). He even witnesses the birth of a Raakas, a deformed demonic newborn child from Indian folklore whose eyes, posture and movement are like that of a tadpole. In exchange for his freedom, Lionel offers white rum, cigarettes and a black rooster to Dee Baba, an Indian spirit that protects the land against dangerous forces but when Dee Baba fails to help him he finally enlists the help of Gang Gang Sara, the African witch of Golden Lane, Tobago. Will he survive unscathed to tell the tale?