Living Goddess is a journey into the small Himalayan kingdom of Nepal rooted in religious and political tradition facing the challenges of modernization and political reform. The film’s backdrop is one of turbulence - during the day riot police confront Maoist protesters who demand the resignation of the King while in the palace courtyard devotees jostle to touch the feet of the living goddess, Sajani, believing it will bring them good luck.

The film juxtaposes the call for political reform against intimate footage of Sajani going to school, playing hide and seek, collapsing in giggles in front of the camera along with religious ceremonies full of pomp and circumstance. The film is a powerful portrait of a young girl venerated as a goddess growing up in a country on the verge of civil war.

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Video Librarian Review
September/October 2008

Living Goddess

Rating: 3 Stars - Recommended

Ishbel Whitaker’s compelling documentary captures an extraordinary moment in time when ancient Asian customs were threatened by 21st century revolution. In the Himalayan Kingdom of Nepal, three young girls—all under the age of 12—have been identified as living deities, which means that their young lives are transformed wildly as they become the center of feverish religious devotion. Outside their world, however, an unparalleled power struggle threatens to disrupt Nepal as the longstanding civil war sparked by Maoist rebels in 1996 continues to wreck the country, while the nation’s power-hungry king launches a military response to a growing pro-democracy movement. Living Goddess presents Nepal as a country literally at oddes with itself, as the fussing and primping of the adolescent “goddesses” here is seen in sharp contrazst to footage of armed military forces brutally subduing protestors in the streets. Overall, the girls appear to be much too young to comprehend the depth and scope of their religious lives—yes, they enjoy the attentions, but their demeanor and behavior suggest typical kids rather than atypical deities. Brilliantly filmed under fairly difficult circumstances, Living Goddess will definitely appeal to anyone with an interest in Eastern religions. Recommended. Aud: C, P. (P. Hall)

The country of Nepal was formed when three cities unified in the 1700s. Each of these cities has had a female child goddess, a living deity to provide spiritual and ritual functions which continues to this day. Living Goddess examines the life of the three current goddesses from the three cities that formed the country of Nepal. Each goddess lives a distinct life that is based on the traditions and rituals that date back centuries for their specific city. Sajani, the goddess of the city of Baktapur, has the most flexibility in her daily routine. When she is not providing spiritual or ritual functions, she is able to act like any eight year old girl in Nepal. She is able to play with her neighborhood friends. Chanira, the goddess of Patan, and Preeti, the goddess of Kathmandu, have more restrictive lives. They are confined to their homes when not attending festivals in their city. When Preeti leave her home she must be carried or walk on a cloth.

Half way through the film the traditional lives of these three girls are contrasted against the current political unrest in Nepal which has the Monarch, Maoists, and those seeking democracy vying for power. As large demonstrations take place in the city streets each of the goddesses discuss their views of the social unrest. The age of these girls is evident as they discuss fear of what is occurring in Nepal politically. While this unrest is happening around them, these three goddesses continue to perform their spiritual and ritual functions.

This film provides an interesting comparison of the traditions of Nepalese people and their struggle with modernity. The audio and visual quality is excellent and the English subtitles are easy to read. The only negative which can be said of this film is the lack of DVD extras in the form of extended interviews both with the living goddesses or those organizing the demonstrations. With that said this is an excellent film on the struggles of a nation with modernity and is highly recommended for all library collections.

-Educational Media Reviews Online