May 11, 2008, was indeed a significant day in the history of Sikh Movies. "Sundri: The Brave Kaur," a groundbreaking film produced by Vismaad, made waves in the Sikh community. This Sikh-themed movie had graced the silver screen as a mainstream production, with ticketed screenings captivating audiences. The grand finale took place on Sunday, serving as the culmination of a tireless month-long endeavour led by a passionate group of over 40 Sikh youths, spearheaded by Suneet Singh, CEO of Datawind Inc. The entire undertaking, which included Suneet Singh's financial contributions and the dedicated efforts of a team of volunteers, was driven solely by the spirit of seva, selfless service, rather than seeking profit.
The movie
"Sundri" is the third movie created by Vismaad Pte Ltd, a computer animation company based in Singapore. The movie is an adaptation of the same-titled work by legendary Punjabi author Bhai Vir Singh (1872–1957). This movie, like their first two, is an excellent 2D computer animation with stereo sound. It was released as a DVD and also shown in theatres, starting from May 08.
Bhai Vir Singh, a poet, scholar, and theologian, played a significant role in the revival and advancement of Punjabi literature. His deep connection with the key aspects of modern Sikhism led to his early canonization as Bhai, the Brother of the Sikh Order. "Sundri" is based on Bhai Vir Singh's first novel, written around 1898. The story revolves around a popular folk song from Punjab and is set in the historical period of Mir Manu, known for the widespread massacre of Sikhs between 1748 and 1753.
The plot
The movie tells a story that promotes universal brotherhood and love for humanity. In one incident, a Sikh girl helps an injured Mughal soldier, but when he discovers she is Sikh, he violently attacks her. Another character named Surasti, also known as Sundri, is taken away by a Mughal official against her will. Her husband and father abandon her, leaving her fate uncertain.
Sundri portrays the experiences of Sikh women during challenging times. Despite enduring trials and hardships, they remain strong and composed, smiling in the name of their Guru.
Its symbolic representation
Sundri is a symbolic representation of that period in history and the courageous spirit of the Khalsa . The Mughal rulers were determined to wipe out the Sikhs, engaging in corrupt practices and forcefully converting non-Muslims. The government was controlled by unjust Nawabs and bandits, who were discriminatory, lustful, and tyrannical.
The Hindu community, unfortunately, failed to confront the challenge directly and suffered defeat and oppression. Their only option was to offer compensation to retrieve captured girls. Balwant Singh, Sundri's brother, and other individuals from her community endured various forms of persecution by Mughal soldiers and humiliation by the Nawabs.
Celebratory reaction by people in Toronto
The Sikh community attending the Toronto Sikh Parade on April 19th 2008 had a delightful surprise when the Nagar Kirtan procession passed by a magnificent Sundri billboard. It was the first time a Sikh-themed movie had received such a grand promotion. The vibrant graphics of Sundri deeply touched everyone's emotions and left a lasting impression.
Local TV and radio programs, always on the lookout for interesting content, suddenly had something that captured their attention. Sundri became the topic of discussion on every channel. Harmeet Singh featured special segments on "Beyond Belief," a popular show broadcasted nationwide on Vision Television (Channel 60). Sursagar TV invited movie Director Sukhwinder Singh three times for live talk shows. Mr. Dilbag Chawla, on his widely loved show "Rangla Punjab," showcased the Sundri folk song by Joginder Singh Jogi and also interviewed Sukhwinder Singh.
More than 5,000 people attended the movie's eight screenings on May 11th and May 18th, with most shows completely packed. The audience was diverse, representing people from various backgrounds. Notable personalities like Mr. Bicky Dhillon, MPP, the family of Hon. Navdeep Bains, MP, Tiger Junior (son of Tigerjit Singh), and Dr. Tejinderpal Singh (Doola Ji) were present at the event.
Throughout the week, many young volunteers dedicated their time to deliver tickets, contributing to the widespread recognition of "Sundri: The Brave Kaur" in the Greater Toronto Area. Based on the immensely popular novel "Sundri" by the legendary Bhai Vir Singh Ji, the movie has the potential to become a global phenomenon. The movie's growing fame is evident from the increasing demands for screenings in other cities like Hamilton, Ottawa, Cambridge, Rochester (NY), Windsor, Detroit, Calgary, Surrey (BC), Seattle, Kamloops, and more.
‘Sundri’ has empowered Sikhs to rediscover their extraordinary heritage, forging a deep connection that spans generations.
*Based on an article by Sukhwinder Singh on Sundrithemove.blogsspot on 12th May 2008