New Documentary on Public Television Explores Yoga and Hinduism's Roots in America

This May, Public Television, PBS World Channel, PBS.org, and the PBS App will premiere a new documentary titled "America's First Guru," directed by Raja Choudhury and produced by A Thousand Suns Academy. The film highlights the historical journey of Swami Vivekananda, an Indian monk who brought Yoga and Hinduism to American shores at the 1893 World's Parliament of Religions in Chicago.

The documentary delves into the significant impact Swami Vivekananda had on American culture, tracing his influence from the introduction of Yoga and Vedanta to his profound speeches that resonated across the United States. His teachings promoted concepts of meditation, tolerance, universalism, and the acceptance of all faiths. His work eventually led to the widespread practice of Yoga in America, influencing over 55 million Americans today, and the integration of Indian philosophical terms into everyday American vocabulary.

"America's First Guru" not only explores Vivekananda's personal journey and teachings but also examines his lasting impact on American spirituality and culture, encapsulating how a single figure can ignite a broad spiritual revolution. The film is available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS app.