The Mahabharata ("Abracadabra" by the Steve Miller Band)

How do you compress 100,000 verses into a 4 minute song? You can't. But we tried to hit some of the main points of the epic Indian work. Featuring clips from the Ravi Chopra TV series (1988).
(original remake of the instrumental)
LYRICS
Ancient tales from India
Handed down through millennia
Millennia of gods and man
Struggles for power against the demonic clan
Demon clan wasn’t very nice
Tricked the Pandava’s in a game of dice
Thirteen years, suffered at their hands
Epic war engulfed the land
Mahabharata
Long verses its gotta lotta
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
Krishna was an ally you see
Incarnation of deity
Taught them life’s philosophy
And of their heavenly destiny
Bhagavad Gita
Created in Vedic meter
Krishna, their seer and teacher
Their warrior leader
The war raged on for 18 days
Pandava’s won but felt malaise
Loss of kin, a heavy price to pay
Sometimes the right’s not the easy way
Years of peace and yogic calm
Krishna died, it was time to move on
One survived to pass the test
And he was welcomed to eternal rest
Mahabharata
Long verses its gotta lotta
Mahabharata
Mahabharata
One hundred thousand verses long
Written in Sanskrit as an epic song
“What’s found here, may be found elsewhere”
“What’s not here, you won’t find anywhere”
Ancient tales handed down
Karma and dharma go round and round
Ancient tales handed down
Karma and dharma go round and round
Ancient tales handed down
Karma and dharma go round and round

[@checje]

My social studies teacher played this while I was working. I was crying during the whole period.

[@demeterblum2388]

I already love history, but this makes me love it even more. I wish my teachers had this sort of creativity.

[@georgiapeach7666]

This lady is uber-kool! I wish all teachers were as creative AND as a person she is so inspirational....thanx for the history lessons.

[@historyteachers]

really good point and yes, we know. I think we decided to do that so people would know we were in India. And i am supposed to be telling the tales of ancient India but not necessarily IN ancient India. Nice that you posted a very astute observation, though!

[@EowyndeRohan2024]

I love India💙

[@peytonbrandon2889]

My teacher played this, as we are learning about Ancient India. Subbed!

[@Eastopatra]

This is such a good cover, just for the amount of effort! I wish there was more covers of other songs out there, with as much effort taken as this.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

The Taj, was used as a background piece, I guess, because it's so well known & recognizable, world wide. Obviously, the Taj was hundreds of yrs in the future, when the Mahabharata "occurred". And, despite being an invader's building, it's a gorgeous piece of architecture. India today, must be proud of it. But your point is astute & educational. You inspired some good thinking on my part! THANKS! Still one of their best videos, song wise. I found the "Blue Mrs.B" more disturbing.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

At 3:30am last night, I woke yelling "Eureka!" I'd figured out how this was done: You see Mrs.B. 2x, 1 overlapping the other - a double exposure. The 1st faces the camera. The 2nd faces backwards. By careful placement & choreography - we see the resulting 4 arms, but only the front Mrs.B. That's my theory, anyway. Must have been hard, as it takes good acting, as each "1/2" had to be filmed separately. Takes good videography too, from just the right angle. Clever! Well done!

[@maxoutputt]

Absolutely love the line ".. gotta lotta" You guys are great... Staying up too late watching.

[@Carollnn]

I also want new videos! Your songs are a great way to get people interested in history, plus they're so catchy! I sing Mahabharata to myself all the time.

[@historyteachers]

@Kellyannk308 I've recorded but not yet filmed Catherine...working on Ivan

[@lostwiking2]

greate आर. ई. एम. के लिए धन्यवाद देता हूं । thanks for greate video. tack för en perfekt video.

[@user-vf4pb9dt1r]

I hated History in school, but I love these educational videos.

[@historyteachers]

We did make a very cool one about Lady Grey - but it was taken down..I think because it was a Prince song

[@ZardyChess]

I truly enjoyed this video. Mb is one of my favourite epics.

[@_foodwrap_]

what did i just watch *__*

[@tesihmil]

Just signed in to tell this: You're beautiful! :)

[@historyteachers]

and I definitely have an idea for Mary Tudor, though Horrible Histories has a great one

[@Sirius-O-Serrius]

Great Video... I am a starseed too!

[@historyteachers]

@PierreaSweedieCat Wow- you've almost got it! There were 2 films of me, and I had to sit quite still and remember my arm movements filmed the first time....not backwards, though. Mr. H is amazing. My arm choreography - not so much :)

[@macnacailli]

Glad you're back - this is still my all time favourite... so far.

[@kyewikeley]

Returning to this to thank you for how much of RE I got to play around in cause I learnt from this video

[@tdn9189]

What a great video! Catchy, clever, and unique. You teachers are amazing.

[@tanthour]

great video, love watching them

[@anastasiacherkashova5990]

She is not just a great history teacher, but has a wonderful music taste!

[@anakinskywalker7547]

MAJOR love from Israel Canada!

[@FatBoyLemons]

These are some of the absolute best "hooks" to play at the beginning of class! my middle schoolers love them even if they don't know the original songs.

[@EowyndeRohan2024]

Love from Brazil!!!!! 💙 I'm your fan! I love your songs😊

[@checje]

Wait! I have a theory! Maybe they made it so bad on purpose so the song gets stuck in your head and makes you remember the lyrics, and since this is an educational parody, THE EDUCATION GETS STUCK IN YOUR HEAD!!! TEACHERS FOUND OUT OUR SECRET TO WHAT WE SOMETIMES WATCH IN OUR SPARE TIME AND USING IT AS AN ADVANTAGE! DAMN YOU TEACHERS!!!!!!

[@Fionnuala1969]

Once again, you two rock!! Most awesome video! (Great comment, Lacey! LOL)

[@TheModestAgnostic]

More great stuff!!! I've been hoping for something new!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

My 1 complaint is: When you sing "Long Verses - It's gotta lotta" something happens to the music & your voice - we only hear "gotta lotta". Something in the editing there. The backgrounds ARE wild. You wouldn't want J.Caesar or anyone with epilepsy to watch this one! A few times the patterns even obscure Mrs.B! Surely, by now, Mr H, you know the First Law: "Never obscure Mrs. B!!" It's one of those things like Gravity, or E=MC^2!! Still: Very well done... We're all jealous of the HUGE talent!

[@expatcanuck79]

Went to the Pacific Science Centre in Seattle, WA in mid-February with my oldest son (9 1/2 years). Someone had downloaded all of your songs and had them playing on the sound system in the gift shop--"The Wives of Henry VIII" was the first one we picked up on--but being married to a HS principal whose entire staff subscribes to your channel, it wasn't hard to catch the rest, including "French Revolution" and "The Trojan War".

[@applefan1997]

We just watched this in my global class and it got stuck in my head

[@fridgnetha]

Love this!

[@geoliteva]

This is a very difficult topic to tackle. Long and complex and nicely built into the song.

[@scottshingleton384]

Awesome parody I'm surprised Weird Al hasn't parodized this song yet. The instrumental is better than the original and vocally it is good too.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

So... If Napoleon had only tried once, he never would have "ruled for 100 days!" And yes, that song was BEYOND cool. And the notes / frequencies your voice hit, spine chilling! The song was Awesome! I listen to this Magnum Opus, daily. I would do anything for the video! Try another song, from a more reasonable "artist". Perhaps "Il y a des choses qui sont impossible?"... But man will never fly, Orville! ;-}' There, I just teased & challenged a TOK teacher!

[@yankeefan82079]

Almost got it all \8'. Given the subject matter Mr. H, you did a phenomenal job and the psychedelic flavor ... gave it a velvet touch. Thank you for helping me further my education.

[@stednitza]

this has been added to my personal music playlist

[@CuFhoirthe88]

I'm about to read it, so this seemed appropriate for the occasion.

[@NNJAZ]

Had to watch this is class before a test. I failed the test.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

+NinjazNation Well, it was meant as a mnemonic device, along with some lessons and study. However, I can tell you this: Not knowing about it, will not likely keep you from living a long full life.

[@INAAMAMAN]

+P.M. Laberge Are you like this woman's secretary or something, replying to everyone's comments ....

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Hardly. Several of us "die hard fans" do this. (Not just me, But some of the others, have multiple identities. I do not bother...) Why? A thousand year old debt.... Slowly being repaid... And yes, it is a long story! Take Care, and LLAP!

[@extrasolar213]

lol

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Well, as Kermit said: It's not easy bein'green! MrsB must be the handiest woman around! Note to MrH: Turn up the heat in the recording studio! She's Turning blue! BUT: WHY BLUE? Apparently experiments to clone MrsB were only partly successful! You've got the arms! Where's the rest? This song scared my cat Sweedie! He likes MrsB in a more natural coloring! Good effort though! This officially makes you the best 4 armed blue singer on the net! And probably the best looking one! Hah!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

@justbobf And... silly me! I thought she took too many vitamins, or that Mr H did not turn the heat on in the Studio. (A Super Cool Dude like him, you see, you need the heat on, even in Hawaii!) Thanks! I NEVER knew or thought about all those blue paintings. Well, goes to show that both Bob & Mrs B are smarter than me. Still a great song & video. Wonder if that is Real Paint, or just more H video magic? If real paint, I hope she used safe colors.

[@Kinesias]

One word: brilliant!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

The arms are another effect. She had to be filmed twice to do it. Very ingenious! How much waving can you do when you have to remain perfectly still except for your arms? They video was made to teach students around the world, but NOT living in India. How else to get them interested in a 5K+ yr old civilization? I'm sorry if you were disgusted, but that was NOT the intent. You are invited to post any relevant videos you may have, that might help educate. And, none of us fans are ashamed.

[@NonsuchRS]

Love it - you should do one for the Ramayana! :)

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

@historyteachers Aha! You see, I thought blue paint was used partly for a green screen effect. You did a good job on the arm movements! GOOD CHOREOGRAPHY! (I said so!) I had quite a challenge figuring out how the effect was done. You've got a pretty good memory! (At least for things historical... but not mathematical!) Now if Mr.H. had a second PC & monitor, he could replay the 1st take, which you could watch while filming the 2nd, to make things easier for you on the 2nd.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Excellent comment, sir. I also knew next to nothing and was inspired to do a little reading. Although, I confess that I spent some 30 minutes, not hours! You sir, are obviously a very good student. I agree with you that I enjoyed the learning myself, and also would like to eschew a hostile attitude. Take care.

[@PerfMLBB]

listened to this yesterday. looked this up because it's so damn catchy lol

[@ErbbaIpaj]

xDxDxD i love ur work! you wouldnt believe how ecstatic i got whn i saw u made another video! ^__^

[@aarya1896]

wait those faces existed 9 years ago?

[@ErbbaIpaj]

@@aarya1896 do you mean the emoticons? yes :)

[@aarya1896]

@@ErbbaIpaj cool I learn something new everyday

[@Laceykat66]

Very well done and suited to your audience. Although I have to say that after watching this I had the strangest desire to go ask Alice, When she's ten feet tall.

[@Kellyannk308]

@historyteachers keep up good work I getting giggle from Borgias family LOL!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

I second the motion, request, and pleading...

[@vault34overseer]

I can't wait for a new video, it have been 4 months!!

[@my12steptruth]

Some actually say the Islamic Invader story is false and the Taj Majal was in fact an EXTREMELY ancient Indian Temple to Lord Shiva. There is a lot of evidence that human history is much older than commonly taught in schools. The technology used to build many ancient temples surpasses anything we are capable of today.

[@UnusedOnlineID]

my12steptruth The Taj Mahal was built by Shah Jahan for his wife

[@user-wt6yo9ld4v]

Ramayana next pls :)

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

If you go look on Soundcloud, Search for Historyteacherz, or Amy Burvall. Click into her list of songs. There you will find the Voice Only Lady Jane.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

An excellent idea. I wish she could. Nepal is an ancient country, with a long and fabulous history. Perhaps a sort of a travelogue song, would be my suggestion. The difficulty, is in getting the muses, the "Cleos" of inspiration to strike.... I hope the muses are lavishly kind to Mrs.B...

[@nolanmattson4313]

She should more videos. She should make one about Saint Augustine of Hippo.

[@WeirdDogs]

She doesn't make these anymore sadly☹️☹️☹️

[@RandomVidsforthought]

@@WeirdDogs Until now

[@1996ken]

You guys have to make one about the world wars! Or maybe even the whole time period 1914-1990's! (WWI,roaring twenties, great-depression, WWII and then maybe even the Cold War!!!)

[@hollyhock18x7]

HOLY CRAP YAY NEW VID!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

They did. But sometimes, these things take time to resolve! It all devolves upon what one considers fair parody & how much educational value there was in the Teacherz' song. And, the people for "the artist in question", have their policies, viewpoints, etc. When you're a wealthy powerful artist.... You have slightly more rights than if you're some mere teacher. But I have the Mp3 of that other song. I like it! And like Charlton Heston... "They can pry it from my cold dead hands."

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

sprezzatura: n. (Italian) the art of making a difficult task appear effortless. Oh, yah. Mrs.B. & Mr.H. (Who 3 TIMES, I think, has caused Mrs.B to stand still! [In front of a camera!!!] Which is darned close to impossible! One more time laddie, and I think ye are violating the laws o' physics!) Sweedie likes the song, but the blue color puzzles him. He sees the 2 sets of arms move, and blinks! Another puzzle for him! I tried explaining it to him. Poor cat!

[@bobbirox94]

i like this

[@MaliceInCandyland]

You should totally do the Epic of Gilgamesh and mention the love triangle in which King Gilgamesh makes love to a group of women (at the same time), High Priestess Shamhat/Puabi makes love to the male werecat named Enkidu, Shamhat/Puabi makes love to a fellow female priestess, King Gilgamesh makes love to Enkidu, and finally Shamhat/Puabi and Gilgamesh make love and marry each other. You'd probably want a contemporary rock song for that, like Sugar We're Going Down by Fall Out Boy.

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

I wish she would, too. The problem is, that Mr.H, her creative partner, is no longer available to edit the videos, and that limits what she can do. Still, if you look at digital life, a video which she and her husband and daughter made all alone... One can see that she has not yet quite finished making videos, and is learning how to make them herself. But when you have to write the song, sing, dance, record the video, and edit sound and picture.... it is a much bigger job all alone!

[@Toon999kinzpengwo]

It's about the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita, holy books from India.

[@raj-khotmarathawarriorclan]

you are better then all Bollywood Actress great work :) lol keep it up

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Friends, please: All these videos were made as "introductions" & "review summaries" of "full unit topics" taught in a hi-school. Let's recall that such course components merely summarize the basics of a full unit. We can assume that the real teaching included much more data. It's a pity that Mrs. Burvall has no way or time to post that material. Else, we might get a chance to really learn something! Can't we just all enjoy the re-mixed music, wonderful songs, & enchanting voice?

[@argon65]

YOU SEE HORRIBLE HISTORIES!!!!! :epiccry:

[@ProfPoobah]

Where do you hide your extra arms when you're not doing videos about Indian mythology? With the supplementary appendages, I'd have thought this video would have been the first out the box! :)

[@annie10103]

Mrs B, Mr H, are you guys planning on doing a song about the first/second world war or the battle of the somme or something? It's not that recent, and it could actually turn out to be quite epic. :)

[@TheDicloniusninja]

yaaaay :D

[@prairie_anthropocene]

I thoughtI had taken shrooms for a second... not the best thing to do before you work. But it's just the video!

[@HyperCamCheats]

wowwwwww....our social studies teacher showed us this.....BOOOO

[@historyteachers]

@42historyteacher Oh my! :)

[@historyteachers]

@adpenguingirl25 all Adobe (After FX, etc.)

[@EcriverEtre]

So I have a question. To get this effect, did you use two clips of you moving your arms or were there actually two people?

[@LegionAvalon]

Your channel is being re-tweeted, this could be the start of ... a revolution? :?

[@KatharineHarper]

I saw it, it was ace. Shame it's not around any more :-(

[@annalisak8016]

PLEASE MAKE MORE!!! love them ;)

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

+Annalisa K Sadly, Mrs. B has left teaching. We are left with begging her to at least sing a new song on her Facebook channel.

[@annalisak8016]

oh no, why?

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

SHE, left teaching and went off to work for some edu products co. H went off to direct Hawaiian High Opera. SHE then left the edu products co. Off to write a book. See, H was the genius who put these together. Worked like a dog. Deserves a Nobel Peace Prize. Never will see it. He saved lives with his work. SHE had the singing talent and the crazy wardrobe! And SHE used to deal with the questions, some others of us now deal with. We do it for duty. Repayment of an infinite debt. Unless SHE went back into teaching, at a school with the same resources, these videos would not be possible. And without H to assemble them.... Check Soundcloud for some audio files. But these vids, were part of a great war. And a battle that eclipses D-Day won. They were a back-up plan to leave a legacy, for someone ultra important. Instead, they became a gift to Earth. Since both their interests changed.... Recall: All 50 some of these were done for free, and given to the world. We have what we have. So precious! Make sure the whole world knows.

[@nolanmattson4313]

who is H and she?

[@sapphire34561]

no

[@blackmumba111]

Are you planning on making more of these? If so, you should totally do one on the Industrial Revolution.

[@Soli11]

What happend to their new video? The one with Lady Jane Grey? :-O

[@emilybenton6890]

i soo agree!!!

[@nevermindimjustapasserby]

I love her expressions 😆

[@brkngbnjmn14]

...There is one. Search: Eleanor of Aquitaine ("Happy Ever After" by Julia Fordham)

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

If you are interested in the MP3 song version of the Lady Jane Video, I have it, and can make a link to it available to you. The original video, which was wonderful, appears to have sadly been lost. But the song is awesome, and Mrs. B uses her voice to its full amazing power.

[@thenakedtruth2714]

Came here after 8 years

[@IgBtac0]

Wow, more than a year for a video!

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Oh, oh, now you've gone and given the teachers a dangerous idea! They'll probably do it just to show us! It will probably be Mr. H, magnificently Dressed as Richard, quoting Shakespeare --Rap Style, Reading from an ipad, in front of a Ben Ben Backdrop, Waving a Sword, and Standing next to a Spitfire! Actually, that would be cool! Horrifying, historically inaccurate, but cool. And probably incredibly funny.

[@blackmumba111]

You should really fight the one that got taken down for copyright. The copyright law states that small pieces (including the tune of music, etc.) can be used in order to educate/teach. That is what you are doing with this, so it should be covered by fair use.

[@syd703]

do you guys still mke videos in need them for my 7th grade world cultures class

[@hollyhock18x7]

WHERE IS THE NEW VIDEO? IT'S BEEN ALMOST THREE MONTHS! I'M GETTING SERIOUSLY PISSED OFF.

[@kejraryfka4140]

nice

[@Kellyannk308]

@historyteachers how about doing song on Ivan the Terrible or Catherine the Great one of Russia rulers

[@MysticalUnicorn3]

Please make more videos!

[@marykate1905]

Honors history things

[@PierreaSweedieCat]

Umm... She's a teacher, & not Indian. She's not hiding that! These were 2 teachers making free videos to teach students about Indian culture. They didn't have an Indian handy. Google TEDx Hawaii Amy Burvall for the story. Videos have to be interesting to catch kid's attention. They also used them to teach how to make videos. The song relays the basic facts of a long piece of classic literature to introduce the topic and get people interested in it. The video was NOT made to offend. Take care!

[@allhailqueenhelga]

You should do one about Eleanor of Aquitaine.