Documentary On 1984 In The Making

[Guest guest122222]

Documentary on 1984 in the making

Tuesday, 02.17.2009, 03:47am (GMT-7)

India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Will Sikhs help fund a veteran filmmaker's efforts to tell his personal story of the 1984 massacres of Sikhs, in a documentary film? Amazed that the most traumatic event in recent Sikh history is quickly fading from Sikh cultural memory, Michael Singh has set out to correct that in a rather unconventional fashion: essentially asking Sikhs in the Diaspora one question: How serious are you about preserving Sikh culture?His intent is to make a one-hour documentary based on materials he himself recorded and filmed during three days in Delhi while mobs roamed outside the compound where he and his brother Surinder were staying.

With an American mother of German and Dutch heritage, and a father born a Sikh in a Punjabi village, the two young men hid their ethnic identities during that terrible time, and learned firsthand of the bravery of those who could not hide.

"Documentary films don't turn a profit, generally speaking," says Michael, in explaining why so little has been done regarding Sikhs either in India or worldwide. "Investors find little incentive to pay a quarter million dollars, or even several million dollars, for a one hour film, unless it is a personal passion to bring a story to television or the theaters." Michael's story begins when he and his brother return home to India, where they'd grown up.

They managed to infiltrate Sri Harminder Sahib two weeks after Indira Gandhi's Operation Blue Star had laid most of it to ruin. And five months later, the brothers found themselves staying at One Church Lane, guests of the Bishop of Delhi, while mobs roamed outside, killing any Sikh in sight. For three days, some thirty women and children from the neighboring Rakab Ganj gurudwara sought refuge in the Bishop's compound despite threats from the killers.

The experience had a profound effect on Michael, who also filmed and interviewed survivors at both Harminder Sahib and in Delhi. Upon returning to the United States, he publicized his story, and to his delight, three Sikh film producers showed up at his Silver Lake, Los Angeles, apartment, expressing their desire to hear his interviews and bankroll his film.

A most encouraged Michael served them chai and samosas and agreed to meet in a more formal setting for a contractual agreement. Only after the three Sardars left did Michael realize they had stolen his taped interviews. "I don't know who they were. Perhaps they were Government agents. Whoever they were, I'd definitely like them to return my tapes, no questions asked," says Michael. That loss disheartened him enough to shelve the project for decades, until he began to notice how few records actually exist of 1984.

And that many Sikh youth have no knowledge of this incredibly tragic event and the lack of justice that haunts its victims and their families.He resolved to finish his project. "It takes about 5,000 man hours," he explained, "to make a one-hour film. If you see the credits at the end of a film, you know of the dozens if not hundreds of people involved. And they all get paid." Hence Michael's campaign that essentially challenges Sikhs to support his cause. "Our budget is very tight, very modest, for a documentary film," he says.

"The bottom line is, to hire a team of professionals and work for four to six months, plus expenses, will require about $250,000." Is he deluded in thinking that Sikhs will change their ways, and actually donate to such a cause? "I like to think positively," says Michael. "I believe there are enough concerned Sikhs worldwide, who will give a hundred dollars here, a thousand there." And what about a broadcast in India?

"Well, I don't depict Mrs Gandhi in the most flattering light," admits Michael. "I see her as having mounted the tiger of political ambition and power at all cost. And in the end, she slipped off and the tiger ate her. Hence the title." Will he tell us what he means by ambition and power at all cost? "Her tragic flaw was listening to her son, Sanjay," says Michael, not mincing words. "She tossed out the constitution, forcibly sterilized men and women, blasted her way through the Sikhs' holiest of holies, and she caused thousands of innocent people to be slaughtered. All in the name of preserving her power. And she paid the price.

I was witness to some of this, and believe it should not be forgotten. I can't think of a better medium for telling this story, than a documentary film." Let's see if Michael's vision will find others willing to offer their support. To watch Michael's trailer, please visit ridingthetiger.tv"

[Into the Light]

the link below is an amazing account of his experiences in 1984

http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=692&cat=18

Referirng to Indira Ghandhi..."Clawing herself back into power would require some help, so she recruited a charismatic religious leader with a third-grade education and a heart filled with desire for a pure and righteous India, where all were equal and justice reigned supreme. His name was Bhindranwale.

More importantly for her, Bhindranwale was a Sikh. Sikhs controlled the Punjab, and Punjab was India's wealthiest, most prosperous, most energetic and most powerful state. If he could deliver Punjab to her in the next election, she could maneuver her way back into her Congress Party's favor and then into the Prime Ministership again.

She armed him to the teeth with guns and propaganda tools. His audio cassettes filled even the remotest villages with calls mixing religion and politics."

My only concern is that Michael Singh has his own take on the events on 1984, to which he is most entitiled but if in the documentary he was to make baseless accusation such as..."She armed him to the teeth with guns and propaganda tools." then I think he may have alot of people back out financially.

While i don't think he should be cencored to please everyone...i hope he shares his scipts before anyone financially backs him.

At a time when there was a complete media blackout, his experiences of that time are invulable to the world and i applaud him in his attempt to share them with the world.

I wish him all the best

[khalistan_zindabaad]

Excellent, we need documentarys, BUT if they stole his tapes then how is he possbily going to show anything? aka whats the real deal here?

the link below is an amazing account of his experiences in 1984

http://www.sikhchic.com/article-detail.php?id=692&cat=18

Referirng to Indira Ghandhi..."Clawing herself back into power would require some help, so she recruited a charismatic religious leader with a third-grade education and a heart filled with desire for a pure and righteous India, where all were equal and justice reigned supreme. His name was Bhindranwale.

More importantly for her, Bhindranwale was a Sikh. Sikhs controlled the Punjab, and Punjab was India's wealthiest, most prosperous, most energetic and most powerful state. If he could deliver Punjab to her in the next election, she could maneuver her way back into her Congress Party's favor and then into the Prime Ministership again.

She armed him to the teeth with guns and propaganda tools. His audio cassettes filled even the remotest villages with calls mixing religion and politics."

My only concern is that Michael Singh has his own take on the events on 1984, to which he is most entitiled but if in the documentary he was to make baseless accusation such as..."She armed him to the teeth with guns and propaganda tools." then I think he may have alot of people back out financially.

While i don't think he should be cencored to please everyone...i hope he shares his scipts before anyone financially backs him.

At a time when there was a complete media blackout, his experiences of that time are invulable to the world and i applaud him in his attempt to share them with the world.

I wish him all the best

[Guest Michael Singh]

Documentary on 1984 in the making

Tuesday, 02.17.2009, 03:47am (GMT-7)

India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Will Sikhs help fund a veteran filmmaker's efforts to tell his personal story of the 1984 massacres of Sikhs, in a documentary film? Amazed that the most traumatic event in recent Sikh history is quickly fading from Sikh cultural memory, Michael Singh has set out to correct that in a rather unconventional fashion: essentially asking Sikhs in the Diaspora one question: How serious are you about preserving Sikh culture?His intent is to make a one-hour documentary based on materials he himself recorded and filmed during three days in Delhi while mobs roamed outside the compound where he and his brother Surinder were staying.

With an American mother of German and Dutch heritage, and a father born a Sikh in a Punjabi village, the two young men hid their ethnic identities during that terrible time, and learned firsthand of the bravery of those who could not hide.

"Documentary films don't turn a profit, generally speaking," says Michael, in explaining why so little has been done regarding Sikhs either in India or worldwide. "Investors find little incentive to pay a quarter million dollars, or even several million dollars, for a one hour film, unless it is a personal passion to bring a story to television or the theaters." Michael's story begins when he and his brother return home to India, where they'd grown up.

They managed to infiltrate Sri Harminder Sahib two weeks after Indira Gandhi's Operation Blue Star had laid most of it to ruin. And five months later, the brothers found themselves staying at One Church Lane, guests of the Bishop of Delhi, while mobs roamed outside, killing any Sikh in sight. For three days, some thirty women and children from the neighboring Rakab Ganj gurudwara sought refuge in the Bishop's compound despite threats from the killers.

The experience had a profound effect on Michael, who also filmed and interviewed survivors at both Harminder Sahib and in Delhi. Upon returning to the United States, he publicized his story, and to his delight, three Sikh film producers showed up at his Silver Lake, Los Angeles, apartment, expressing their desire to hear his interviews and bankroll his film.

A most encouraged Michael served them chai and samosas and agreed to meet in a more formal setting for a contractual agreement. Only after the three Sardars left did Michael realize they had stolen his taped interviews. "I don't know who they were. Perhaps they were Government agents. Whoever they were, I'd definitely like them to return my tapes, no questions asked," says Michael. That loss disheartened him enough to shelve the project for decades, until he began to notice how few records actually exist of 1984.

And that many Sikh youth have no knowledge of this incredibly tragic event and the lack of justice that haunts its victims and their families.He resolved to finish his project. "It takes about 5,000 man hours," he explained, "to make a one-hour film. If you see the credits at the end of a film, you know of the dozens if not hundreds of people involved. And they all get paid." Hence Michael's campaign that essentially challenges Sikhs to support his cause. "Our budget is very tight, very modest, for a documentary film," he says.

"The bottom line is, to hire a team of professionals and work for four to six months, plus expenses, will require about $250,000." Is he deluded in thinking that Sikhs will change their ways, and actually donate to such a cause? "I like to think positively," says Michael. "I believe there are enough concerned Sikhs worldwide, who will give a hundred dollars here, a thousand there." And what about a broadcast in India?

"Well, I don't depict Mrs Gandhi in the most flattering light," admits Michael. "I see her as having mounted the tiger of political ambition and power at all cost. And in the end, she slipped off and the tiger ate her. Hence the title." Will he tell us what he means by ambition and power at all cost? "Her tragic flaw was listening to her son, Sanjay," says Michael, not mincing words. "She tossed out the constitution, forcibly sterilized men and women, blasted her way through the Sikhs' holiest of holies, and she caused thousands of innocent people to be slaughtered. All in the name of preserving her power. And she paid the price.

I was witness to some of this, and believe it should not be forgotten. I can't think of a better medium for telling this story, than a documentary film." Let's see if Michael's vision will find others willing to offer their support. To watch Michael's trailer, please visit ridingthetiger.tv"

[Guest Michael Singh]

Dear Guest 12222,

You may be quite correct that my claim of Mrs. Gandhi arming Bhindranwale to the teeth is inaccurate. I would be very grateful if you--or anyone else reading this post--could guide me to some evidence either way. This issue of the degree of cooperation between the two of them, is indeed controversial, and I am looking for primary sources that will shed more light on their relationship before and after it went sour. Also, I have heard him referring to her as "Bhain-ji" (sister), and wonder what that implies. Best wishes - Michael Singh

[Guest Michael Singh]

The three Sikh gentlemen posing as producers, stole an audio tape of my interviews with eye-witnesses of Blue Star, which I recorded behind The Golden Temple. That recording is but one part of my experience. A crucial part, but the film can be made without that. It is basically a personal story, and that theft will be part of the story. Like any history--be it eye-witness or "authoritative"-- it is a re-telling of events told through the eyes of the writer. In regards to your question about "showing anything," that will come with the art of filmmaking. I did not film the Blue Star invasion itself, nor did I film the actual burning alive of Sikhs in Delhi in Nov 1984. To recreate these scenes is an option, although an expensive one, so budgetary realities will be a factor as we proceed ahead. The heart of the film will be my re-telling of what I saw and heard, intertwined with 1) similar stories from those around me, and 3) archival footage explaining the political backdrop created by Mrs. Gandhi and Mr. Bhindranwale. I hope I have answered your question. Best wishes. - Michael Singh

Excellent, we need documentarys, BUT if they stole his tapes then how is he possbily going to show anything? aka whats the real deal here?

[Matheen]

Dear Guest 12222,

You may be quite correct that my claim of Mrs. Gandhi arming Bhindranwale to the teeth is inaccurate. I would be very grateful if you--or anyone else reading this post--could guide me to some evidence either way.

The books "Fighting for Faith and Nation" by Cynthia Mahmood and "Gallant Defender" by AR Darshi (Retired Judge or Chief magistrate) will help. There are also several Singhs alive who were part of Sant Ji's jatha at the time and will set you straight on what really happened. Best of all are Sant Ji's recorded speeches

Referring to women as "bhainjee" is normal in our culture. Which particular recording of his did you hear this in?

Good luck in your project, I just hope you tell the truth and see the usual anti-Bhindranwamle propaganda for what it is.

[khalistan_zindabaad]

Yeh i suggest the best source would be sant bhindranvales tape recordings themselfs, a book was written a while ago with translations from the speeches, maybe reading that would help.

A letter is also available of that written by sant jee to indira gandhi, read that, it tells some home truths, For more info regardig the facts ask people that actually studied with sant jee or stayed with them during the attack.

Sant kartaar singh jee bhindranvale openly spoke against indira gandhi on stage infront of her in delhi, thats what caused the hatred for taksaal by indira, sant jarnail singh was made jathedar after this event.

More information - read artciles regarding sant jarnail singh on www.ikonkaar.blogspot.com

We hope if you are real, and do make a documentary you will show the truth and not that of a biased opinion showinfg some relationship that never happened, and show that the PANJABI commuinty at the time - being sikh, hindu, christian, muslim etc etc were being oppressed, hence the need for a saint soldier to speak on stage for human rights.

[Surinderjit]

Yeh i suggest the best source would be sant bhindranvales tape recordings themselfs, a book was written a while ago with translations from the speeches, maybe reading that would help.

A letter is also available of that written by sant jee to indira gandhi, read that, it tells some home truths, For more info regardig the facts ask people that actually studied with sant jee or stayed with them during the attack.

Sant kartaar singh jee bhindranvale openly spoke against indira gandhi on stage infront of her in delhi, thats what caused the hatred for taksaal by indira, sant jarnail singh was made jathedar after this event.

More information - read artciles regarding sant jarnail singh on www.ikonkaar.blogspot.com

We hope if you are real, and do make a documentary you will show the truth and not that of a biased opinion showinfg some relationship that never happened, and show that the PANJABI commuinty at the time - being sikh, hindu, christian, muslim etc etc were being oppressed, hence the need for a saint soldier to speak on stage for human rights.

Where can we get this book wit the translations of his speeches?

[HSD*^]

come on guys, if this guy is the real producer we could at least provide him links to the material mentioned. mind you the book 'fighting for faith and nation' has been sold out for a while on the mainstream retail sites.