Jagmeet Singh Samundri is now a household name in the Sikh community both home and abroad. His deep interest in Sikhi galvanised him to read about the Sikh history and returned to the Punjab to create a concept of working with the Nihangs/ Amritdhari Sikhs and others to produce a documentary film: Rise of the Khalsa and Martyrs. The promotional video just inspires one to see what he has produced and directed; it is amazing! The film rekindles the establishment of the Khalsa Panth, the great art of gatka and the celebration of the Hola Mohalla and Vaisakhi.
We became friends via Facebook and talking about chemistry, we just clicked and as a journalist, I decided to write about this self-effacing individual behind the scenes of such documentary on the Sikh history and faith. His predilection in reading just inspired him to delve deeper into the faith and the history of the Sikhs; their beliefs and traditional that underpins their practices to believe in the infinite Lord or Akal Purukh.
I was also inspired by Jagmeet's following pithy message and without a shadow of doubt, I am confident that this will inspire others.
"Shuffling the pages of history, I accidentally stumbled upon the "Khalsa". After further exploration, I learnt about it's inception and the rise and rise of this great order. It thrilled me. It fascinated me. It instilled passion and yearning inside me and I remember mumbling to myself, "this is a subject fit for a phenomenal documentary, and something that must be made readily available to the masses".
I read more and more about the dynamism of this great religion and it struck a chord within me. From reading about the Sikhs and the Khalsa order, it appeared that all persecutions and atrocities inflicted upon them made them stronger. They were like a never ending plant with roots embedded so deep that it was impossible to stem the growth into a fully fledged flower no matter how many attempts were made to destroy it. It was even more harrowing to read that no matter how testing or trying the times were, the Sikhs never forgot tolerance and equality. They actually followed Guru Gobind Singh Ji's words without prejudice: "Recognize ye, the whole human race as one" ("Manas ki jat sab ek hi pahchanbo". ~ Guru Gobind Singh). "All men are the same". The Jaikara is from me after reading the message. Bole so nihal Sat Sri Akal.
The Sikhs who are recognized for their unique faith rooted in its Holy Scripture, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji; it is all about their culture, traditions and rituals that structure their lives and their tales of sacrifice, heroes and legends like Guru Gobind Singh Ji that enrich the distinguished and vibrant history of the community. This is an aspect that inspired Jagmeet. The Nihangs just followed the preaching of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and they lived free from fear. The Panth Prakaash states: "A person who has forsaken the fear of death and is always ready to embrace martyrdom is called a Nihang." Jagmeet worked very intimately with them and they were very generous and supported him in the making of the Films; they provided horses and made his dreams come to fruition. Guru Gobind Singh Ji said that the Nihangs will be generous, and strictly adhere to Dharma and this was exemplified in his interaction with the Nihangs by the filmmaker. He was down-to-earth and mingled with them with love and passion. The Nihangs wear blue clothes and tie a turban that is a foot high with a "dumala" on top of it (as depicted with Jagmeet in the pictures). They always keep several weapons like chakar, khanda etc. on them. Their language (the distinct language of the Khalsa) indicates their positive attitude and outlook in life (Chardhi Kala), which has made them very successful and versatile.
Sikhs are, as epitomized in the documentary, as zealous, effervescent and never-to-die spirit that exemplifies their virtues; it reveals their genteel humility that so paradoxically exists alongside righteous aggression in the character of the Sikhs.
The documentary "Rise of the Khalsa" was to re-enact events that unfolded at Anandpur Sahib (City of Bliss) in 1699 when Guru Gobind Singh Ji created the Khalsa Panth and initiated others with Amrit or blessed water which turned the race into saint-soldier race. He infused amongst the Khalsa to fight cruelty and strive for spiritual survival and righteousness. Bhai Gurdas Ji wrote and it was at Gurdwara Badsahi Bagh, Ambala City that Guru Gobind Singh uttered his famous words: Chirian to mein baaz tudaun. Gidran to mein sher banaun.Sawa lakh se ek ladaun. Tabe Gobind Singh Naam kahaun. (It is when I make sparrows fight hawks and mould 'giddars' into lions, that I am called Gobind Singh). His mission was to fight against cruelty and injustice and the Sikhs were infused the courage to fight on horsebacks, skilled at gatka, traditional martial arts and skilled use of weaponry.
Jagmeet hails from a small town called Mukerian in Distt Hoshiarpur, Panjab. He was born at Village Masoor Pur near Mukerian, District Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Mukerian is situated near the banks of river Beas due to which it hold a big chunk of a very fertile land which can be harvested three to four times in a year. He now lives in Mumbai closer to the film industry.
Jagmeet successfully completed his Masters in Mass Communication from Panjab University, Chandigarh in 1998 and subsequently moved to Mumbai in 2000. Jagmeet Samundri is a film director based in Mumbai. He makes ad films, corporate films and documentary films. He recently did a big corporate film for Sun Life Insurance. Jagmeet has trained himself as a Director by working as an assistant director in Ajay Devgan's camp with his father Veeru Devgan; he acquired all the artistic and technical skills of direction, scripting, sound design and cinematography.
As an independent Director, he started making TV commercials and corporate films. During this process, a concept occurred in his mind in making historical documentaries. At this juncture, he was not sure and his interest in Sikh history inspired him to make documentaries in aspects of the Sikh faith, its evolution and development. The concept of Khalsa intrigued him and the charismatic personality of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the indomitable Khalsa for their bravery and sacrifices. He shared this concept with his team and events started to unfold thereon that led to Rise of the Khalsa. It took him and the team around two years to make this film and his efforts eventually paid off. It also won Jagmeet's dynamic team the best direction award at New York international film festival. His dedication and commitment gave him the energy and the spirit to visit Gurdwaras in North America.
The Sikh community recognised his work and spurred him further to produce a film on the Sikh history entitled Martyrs which depicts the sacrifice of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji; and how the Sikhs faced the tyranny of the Mughal rulers and the Creation of the Khalsa that created the saint-warrior (Sant-sipahi) race. The reason for this documentary was to re-create the Khalsa Panth era and show symbolic shots to re-create such a unique epoch. This film also shows how the Khalsa traditions are taken forward by different ways of celebrations such as Hola Mohalla, Vaisakhi and Gurpurbs. Guru Ji also advocated the recognition of the human race as One (Manas keh jaat eke pahchanbo) and when one casts their eyes around now, what Guru Ji has said, is absolutely true. In the current climate, masses irrespective of race, have embraced Sikh faith and taken Amrit. Just observe how the American Sikhs, who have embraced the faith, initiated themselves, just to achieve internal equipoise from meditating in the name of Waheguru!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bR7-5iGVRw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh3JsIfwUBc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ez1bMLGip2k
In Shaheed, MARTYRS, Jagmeet and his team introduced new way of film making which is not done in the past and this was done so in accordance with the Rehat Maryada (rules of conduct of the Sikh faith). This film is in the making for almost three years as it required lot of special effects, computer graphics to make it. Some aspects of the shooting were precarious and risk taking which, Jagmeet dealt with great courage and strength. The rest was in the laps of the Akal Purukh. It took Jagmeet and his team a good one year to do the script, screenplay and writing the voice- over for the film. Jagmeet's team from Mumbai is a highly professional team with attention to minute details. This unique film is going to be launched in three languages (English, Punjabi and Spanish)
Rise of the Khalsa was selected for screening at New York International film festival at Los Angeles. Lots of people from Sikh community as well Americans, Chinese, Spanish saw this film and were greatly impressed by this extraordinary piece of work. Americans who saw the film said Sikh faith is a unique religion that believes in the existence of God as One (Ek Oangkar), Gurbani and Guru. This film is produced by Baljeet Mannku. This is a 43 minute documentary and it took more than two years to make this film. This film depicts the story of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and his fight against the tyranny of the Mughals. Jagmeet's purpose in making this film is to educate the youth abroad and to promote the Sikh faith worldwide as others have embraced the faith to be able to meditate in the Name of God. The Sikh Media Society which is a non-profit organisation and RISE OF THE KHALSA is also taken over by them.
In words of Jagmeet Samundri Ji: "RISE OF THE KHALSA is a documentary on KHALSA which connects the establishment of Khalsa Panth from the past to the present.This is the first time that any documentary on The Khalsa with such technical wizardry is being made. It took us more than two years to make this film. This film has also won The Best International Director for Documentary Award at the New York International Film Festival. Through this film we are able to spread the word of Khalsa Panth in the non-Sikhs as well. Shuffling through the pages of history I came across the period dealing with the Sikh history and found it very exciting. The subject thrilled me and I decided to make this Documentary.It features breath-taking sequences from the festival Holla Mohalla and it also presents the great Art of Gatka in detail. This is a humble effort to bring before the enlightened audience the great bravery and courage of the Sikhs
Jagmeet Samundri Ji and his team will maintain the momentum in his film-making and I just wonder what he is going to surprise the Sikh community with in his next innovation. This can only be achieved by the support of the Sikh community to fund and share the gems of knowledge imparted by the Sikh faith and our Great Gurus.
Jagmeet Singh Samundri Ji can be reached at: [email protected]