The 4th edition of Sikhlens, Sikh Arts and Film Festival-23, will witness a bonanza of film screening featuring as many as 20 films from eight countries at the Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh, on February 25.
Brought in by Pinaka Mediaworks, Rolling Frames Entertainment the festival is being organised under the aegis of the Chandigarh Administration, the Department of Cultural Affairs, UT, the Government of Canada, and the United Sikh Mission.
Films from India, Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Kenya, Pakistan, Malawi, and Singapore, will be screened at the festival to name a few.
Diplomats and other dignitaries from the Govt of Canada and the UK are likely to attend the screening of the films. The festival will be curated by Canada-based author Karen Dosanjh who will share her experiences on documenting and film-making.
The event will witness the world premiere of two documentaries, “One Beat” and the “Hidden Histories: The Sikh Migration Path to Canada”.
“One Beat” brings to life the saga of the Himalayan efforts made in the field of education and free healthcare to the underprivileged in the nondescript Bhira town in Uttar Pradesh, by American-Sikh philanthropist Bahadur Singh. The “Hidden Histories: The Sikh Migration Path to Canada” showcases the historic milestones of the first South Asians settlers who migrated from India to Canada in the early 1900s.
Sikhlens founder Bicky Singh addressing the media at Chandigarh Press Club on Feb 23. Ojaswwee Sharma, Sikhlens India Head and Festival Director also seen in the picture, among others.
Premiere of the other films will also be held during the festival, including Okra King, Children of Partition: An Oral History of Pothoharis, Tilla Jogia, Kala Singa and Jitt De Nishaan and Badlaav, to name a few, which is, surely than not, high on entertainment quotient, besides offering food for thought.
The other key highlights of the event include the launch of trailer of Sikhlens Publications Book – “The Legend of 1972 – Like Hockey and Beyond”. The Sikhlens Calendar-23 the “Hidden Histories: Pioneer Sikhs in Canada” will also be launched.
The day-long activity during the one-day festival will be packed with screening of films on the ancient Sikh heritage and culture, showcasing the Sikh-centric philanthropic works being carried out in various parts of the world by the Sikh community, which would be a prominent takeaway for the entire human race, to say the least.
There will be a special ‘Gatka’ performance by the Shaheed Baba Deep Singh ji Gatka Akhara, which will offer an insight into the feats of bravery of the martial Sikh community, besides an exhibition to be organised on the occasion by some acclaimed artists displaying more than 1800 heritage artefacts and contemporary art on the Sikh history and cultural diversity of the community.
Sikhlens Founder Bicky Singh says, “Sikhlens-23 in Chandigarh will be our fourth annual Sikhlens: Sikh Arts and film Festival in India, during which we bring to the fore a bouquet of beautiful cultural heritage of the Sikhs from around the world. We look forward to a humongous response from the art lovers, regardless of their race religion or region”.
This is what Ojaswwee Sharma, India Head and Festival Director, Sikhlens tells “We had three successful festivals organised during 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively, held in India. This year there is a huge line-up of original films, a large pre-event symposium, launch of book and calendar, a slew of cultural performances, and a mammoth display of heritage art and books from around the world for the city audience this year around, with the focus this year on the diversity of the Sikh diaspora et al”
Entry: Free
Time: 11 am-9 pm
Venue: Tagore Theatre, Sector 18, Chandigarh
Date: February 25
