I am asked, where does the name Sumitra come from for it is not the name I was born with… sumitra. It is a collection of syllables and sounds, a name, and for me it has a bit of a story to it. Sumitra is Indian in origin, so why would I choose a Sanskrit name to identify my creative projects with? SUMITRA, it has a nice ring to it. media does also. Without even considering the meaning of the word, you have to admit it is a pretty sound… media. Aside from the name SUMITRAmedia having a good flow to it, the meaning is even sweeter.
A summer tradition of mine is to go to the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga’s annual family yoga retreat, a wholesome summer ritual for the family on the beautiful Salt Spring Island, one of BC’s Gulf Islands. The spiritual head of the center is Baba Hari Dass, a silent yogi from India who has not spoken a word since 1952, comes up from his home at the Mt. Madonna Center in Santa Cruz, CA to guide the retreat. It was in a private meeting with babajii during a retreat several years ago that he gave me the name Sumitra scribed on a little piece of paper with the meaning ‘a friend of everyone… also a name of a goddess of creation’. When I first read the name he scribed on the little piece of paper I felt it resonate within, a shift in my consciousness.
To be given a name by a spiritual master is a blessing in itself. In the case of Baba Hara Dass, or Babajii as we call him, it is a glimpse into our own spiritual evolution, a gift we may have and something we must work on. I feel both. Ultimately, I just like the sound of the name: sumitra. Being a person that believes that peace on this planet is possible (with a hellova lot of work by each and everyone of us), I like the concept of being a friend to everyone. EVERYONE. Somehow, someway…
As I explore and develop my practice with media it feels good to bring that blessing forward with my work. Be open to all, bring out the best in everyone. And just put words together that flow. And video images as well… To communicate directly to the soul, to raise the vibration of the collective subconsciousness… The greatest blessing is to be surrounded by such bright, creative, and skilled souls to work and collaborate with.
As an independent media producer I have so much gratitude to have been surrounded by skilled and talented people who I have learned so much from as well as such inspiring people, events, and organizations to film and develop materials for this past year. I enjoy learning and expanding my capabilities to enhance the work, art, and ideas that the beautiful people or groups that I have the great fortune to cross paths with.
As a media artist I am so grateful to have found this medium. The first project that I edited brought so much joy because I was working in the visual realm, like in painting which I love working in. But when I started to discover and explore the dynamics of my compositions moving and having sound I was completely ecstatic! A dynamic medium for a dynamic person. Love at first experience. I enjoy capturing footage that expresses the beauty inherent in every moment, in every situation. I like to create a visual flow that inspires, uplifts, and communicates to that place deep within. I also like to laugh, hysterically if lucky, so I integrate humor when possible. I prefer not to cater to the current high paced and flashy protocols of modern media. I am curious about learning the technology but if I had my way media would be long and slow and insist that we all hold a decent attention span.
My experience during the past 10 years includes working for Midwives & Naturopaths, administration & corporate training, giving birth and raising two children, exploring Asia as well as NYC, yogic and meditative explorations, research, fine art studies, embracing the contemporary art world, learning, interning, dance dance dancing, overcoming, and downright living. Dynamic capabilities and experiences give me the edge to communicate heart and soul through video. Some future goals include travelling to India again, the wonderful country where the name Sumitra originates from, to film a documentary on textiles, natural woven fibers are another passion of mine. At one point I was developing a business designing fabric and as I started to work with video and fall in love with this medium, I turned that business idea into a documentary, I married two passions 
I wish every person on this planet to experience peace and love and connection in this upcoming new year. May you achieve all of your dreams… dream BIG!
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- Baba Hari Dass at the Family Yoga Retreat
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- Saltspring Centre of Yoga makes great chai!
