Altar of Fire: Authenticity and Agency in Visual Anthropology

Visual anthropological records can now be easily generated using cellphones. Yet, any form of visual anthropology raises questions about authenticity and the agency of those being filmed. Here, I explore these issues by revisiting Altar of Fire on the 50th anniversary of this milestone documentary examining Vedic ritual. This documentary has become widely viewed in religious studies classes and as representative of Vedic ritual in discussions of yogic and South Asian history. While the film is undoubtedly a landmark achievement, concerns around its authenticity and anthropological integrity arose immediately upon its release. Here, I explore the controversies around Altar of Fire by examining the archival records of Robert Gardner, co-Director of the film. While some criticisms are confirmed in correspondence, the film has notably outstripped its critics and become a focus of pride for the communities it features. I discuss issues of authenticity and agency around the film, arguing that Gardner and his collaborator Frits Staal understood the subjectivity inherent to choosing a lens and the temporal fluidity of spiritual practice, ideas relevant to academic studies of yoga and ritual.