The second annual Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival (India Chapter) was held on Sunday, February 21st at the Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh.
The festival in India was produced by Sikhlens in conjunction with Pinaka Mediaworks, Rolling Frames Entertainment and was supported by the Chandigarh Administration, Department of Cultural Affairs (U.T) and Anandrathi Wealth Management,
The full day festival held from 11am to 9pm, featured 24 films from eight countries: India (4), USA (6), Singapore (1), Pakistan (1), France (4), Italy (1), Australia (3) & England (4). The festival showcased Sikh-centric documentaries/short films, including three World Premieres, an Art Display Exhibition with over 300 entries, talks and honorary announcements. A book launch and a poetry reading spread the message of inclusivity, diversity. and togetherness.
Award-winning creative artists, humanitarians and authors were honoured at the festival. They were commended for their work representing Sikhism and the faith and values of Sikhi. They inspired current and upcoming generations with their extraordinary work on oneness and humanity.
Major Highlights of Sikhlens: Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2021 (India Chapter):
The following films have been produced by Sikhlens Productions and Pinaka Mediaworks helmed by the team of Executive Producer Bicky Singh and Director Ojaswwee Sharma.
The major highlights of this year’s festival were the World Premiere of three films:
Art Finds Its Way is about Aman Singh Gulati, now widely known as Almond Singh, a 19-year-old micro-painter who holds the Guinness World Record for making the largest drawing by an individual and for portraits on almonds.
From a small town in Uttar Pradesh, India, he struggled to learn art, as well as obtain support from his family. In a small space, he honed the talent that won him the World Record. While being associated with various causes, and working with Government of India initiatives, Aman still trains to carry forward his passion. Many of his notable almond pieces portray the essence of Sikhism. He also holds the credit for making the biggest puzzle art of Guru Gobind Singh. His future endeavours include bringing the Sikh tenets alive with the Life Travels of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Tegh Bahadur in his micro engravings on almonds.
Kites: Beyond Boundaries — Dr. Devinderpal Singh Sehgal, a retired forensic expert, is an International Kite Maker. He holds a Limca world book record for the smallest kite that can pass through an eye of needle. Record holder in the India Book of records for making kites on all the social evils prevailing in our society since 1980. A record holder in the Slovak book of records (Europe) for making the smallest kite. He has also been awarded the Punjab State Award and Chandigarh State Award for producing kites on social issues for more than 37 years.
Silver Lining: The Journey of Rashpal Singh is an inspiring journey of Seva that led an American Sikh towards establishing a mission for vision as a selfless act of serving his community.
With more than sixty eye camps a year across the state of Punjab, Rashpal Singh Dhindsa provides the financial support for the extensive free-of-cost camps for people in need across rural Punjab in India. The film follows the journey of the United Sikh Mission. It started in 2005 with its first eye camp and continues to date to give back to the community of Punjab, regardless of age, caste, creed, religion, or gender.
Thousands of people from the Chandigarh region and neighbouring states attended the festival. The Red Carpet was graced by dignitaries from various central and state universities, film & television directors, and actors, performing artists, members of the Chandigarh Administration, Government of Punjab and Haryana Army, Police, Education, Medicine, Hospitality, Public Relations, Social Empowerment, non-profit and non-government organizations, and children.
Honours and Announcements:
Sikhlens honoured the exemplary work done by Indian artists to promote philosophy, values and heritage of Sikhism and Oneness in Humanity at the second annual Sikhlens – Sikh Arts & Film Festival (INDIA CHAPTER) at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh, India on February 21st, 2021.
- The core team of United Sikh Mission – USM, a humanitarian organization headquartered in California, having its operations in India were honoured by Sikhlens for their exemplary work of serving humanity with healthcare, education, and free eye care camps across Punjab at Sikhlens. The world premiere of the film Silver Lining, based on the inspiring journey of Rashpal Singh, Founder of United Sikh Mission was held at the festival.
- Dhananjay Chauhan was honoured by Sikhlens for spreading the message of education, peace, humanity, gender diversity, inclusion and oneness. Dhananjay recited poetry at the festival.
- Sikhlens honoured the exemplary work for mega and miniature art by Aman Singh Gulati to promote philosophy, values and heritage of Sikhism and announced collaboration with Aman Singh Gulati for creating unique miniature art depicting the biography and teachings of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji. The world premiere of the film ‘Art Finds Its Way’ based on the journey of Aman Singh Gulati, popularly known as Almond Singh, was held at the festival.
- Sh. Vinod Chauhan was honoured by Sikhlens for his excellence in photographing the journey of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s visit to 80 Gurudwaras of East Punjab (India). “Charan Chooh” by Sh. Vinod Chauhan has been the largest photo exhibition of 2019, 2020 and 2021 for two consecutive years at Sikhlens – Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2020 & 21 India Chapters Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh. Sikhlens announced collaboration with Vinod Chauhan for a Coffee Table Book on Gurudwaras of East Punjab visited by Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji.
- Dr. Devinderpal Singh Sehgal was honoured by Sikhlens for his excellence in contribution to spreading social messages through art of kite-making at Sikhlens – Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2021 INDIA CHAPTER at Tagore Theatre, Chandigarh on February 21, 2021. The world premiere of the film Kites – Beyond Boundaries, based on the Kite Making journey of Dr. Devinderpal Singh Sehgal was held at the festival.
- The Exclusive Book Launch of ‘Safar (Kavita Samaroh)’ by Dr. Param Preet Ghuman, Author & Poet was held at Sikhlens Sikh Arts & Film Festival 2021 India Chapter.
- Jasmehr Kaur – The Young Voice of Ik Banda Hunda Si, Animation – along with her family was honoured at the festival.
Mr. Bicky Singh, Founder, Sikhlens from California, United States of America and Mr. Ojaswwee Sharma, Acclaimed Filmmaker & India Head, Sikhlens hosted the event at the Tagore Theatre on February 21, 2021 and addressed the press conference in Chandigarh at the Press Club on Saturday, February 20, 2021, along with participating artists, authors, and performers.
All leading Print, Television and Digital Media covered the festival’s announcement and proceedings – ANI, The Tribune, Indian Express, Dainik Bhasker, Amar Ujala, Dainik Jagran, Punjab Kesari, Dainik Savera, Punjabi Tribune, Aaj Samaj, Spokesman, Him Prabha, Divya Himachal, Daily Post, Daily Post Punjabi, Fact News, 22G TV, Living India, Ambala Coverage, Chandigarh Darpan, Jagmarg, Ajit Samachar, Dainik Tribune, Arth Prakash, Uttam Hindu, Bright Punjab Express, ANV News Punjabi, Ajit Punjabi, Khabar One India, Uday News Live, Chandigarh Kesari TV, Arth Prakash TV, Desh Pyar, Rashtriya Khabar TV, Babushahi.
Sikhlens: Sikhs Arts & Film festival (India Chapter) Chandigarh : Photo Gallery