Bob Louis and his wife Dorothy (Shraddha) filmed many of the pioneering swamis of the Ramakrishna Order. Their documentation of the early Vedanta movement spanned four decades and three continents. They first became interested in Vedanta through Swami Akhilananda in Boston. After many years with an American company in India, the Louises returned to the States to settle in La Canada, where they became devoted members of the Vedanta Society of Southern California. They later moved to Santa Barbara where they established a close relationship with the Sarada Convent. When the Louises passed on they gave approximately forty reels of 8- and 16-mm film to the Vedanta Society of Southern California.

Taken at the Louis' home in La Canada, California. Standing left to right: Swami Prabhavananda, Swami Krishnananda, Swami Vividishananda. Seated: Shraddha Louis The Louis Films: Swamis in the West DVD is available at vedanta.com