2019 Sikh International Film Festival

2019 Sikh International Film Festival

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9

at the Paley Center for Media in New York City

(25 W 52nd St, New York, NY)


In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak in the Land of Nanak

(51 minutes)

 

In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak from the Land of Nanak

Directed By Nilofer Afridi Qazi

Guru Nanak was born in a small village, in Rai Bhoi Di Talwandi, in Punjab, in 1469 and left his worldly remains in 1539 in Kartarpur. Born in a middle-class family he was sensitive to the injustices around him the caste/caste-dividing people. His life experiences soon led to a spiritual path a journey which took him all over what we call Pakistan, and the world afar, spreading his message of humanity and gently questioning the norms and rituals of the powerful (especially the priests…both Muslim and Hindu).

He expressed his powerful simple egalitarian beliefs through poetry and music, similar to the sages and saints of the past.

Remembering Guru Nanak is important for many reasons, but for Pakistanis, in particular, we remember and honour a Saint who was born and bred from our soil. Born and bred from the land of the five rivers, Guru Nanak embodies the values of tolerance peace & love. Gurmukhi, the holy scripture of the GuruGranth Sahib, is the only Panjabi scripture. The land of the five rivers, Punjab, is the holiest land-sacred to the followers of Guru Nanak. To understand the largest part of Pakistan means we must understand and embrace Nanak. This film explores in his footsteps, traveling through Punjab from where he took his first breath, weaving through the Punjab until his last abode on earth -- what he said, demonstrated, share food recipes and culinary culture reflecting the ethos of Guru jee. 

Today there are over 27 million Sikhs in the world, above the labels of an organized religion. Guru Nanak rejected labels, castes, class or distinctions of any kind; he was pure humanity. In his spirit, and in his remembrance on his 550th Birth year-Gurpurab, from his Land and his people a small dedication.

In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak from the Land of Nanak
In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak from the Land of Nanak
In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak from the Land of Nanak
In the Footsteps of Guru Nanak from the Land of Nanak

Film list is subject to change without notice.