By Dr. Jasbir S Kang-
On November 17, I had the opportunity to watch the Hollywood production ‘Sarabha‘ by Kavi Raz at the ‘SikhLens‘ film festival hosted by Chapman University.
Raz skillfully portrayed Kartar Singh Sarabha, the youngest martyr of the Indian subcontinent’s freedom struggle against British colonialism. Sarabha was executed at the age of 19 for his unwavering quest for freedom in his motherland. At the age of 15, Sarabha came to the USA to pursue aeronautical engineering at UC Berkeley but chose to join the revolutionaries. Raz presented the challenging historical facts surrounding Sarabha’s inspiration from Sikh philosophy and inclusiveness with sincerity, without any dilution. His thoughts were also deeply impacted by American democracy and its institutions.
The objective of the Gadar Party, to which Sarabha belonged, was to liberate India (especially the Punjab region) from British hegemony and establish progressive democracy to represent ordinary people. It is worth noting that some contemporary leftists attempt to depict Kartar Singh Sarabha differently, but it is crucial to recognize that the Gadar Party’s primary inspiration stemmed from the supreme sacrifices of Sikh Gurus, Sikh ideals, and martyrdoms. The film also adeptly depicted the controversial character of Lala Hardyal.
Although the struggle against colonialism was a secular and inclusive endeavor for all South Asians, the majority of activists were Sikhs, while participants from Bengal and other regions of British India also contributed. Leftist influences emerged at a much later stage. Notably, the Gadar Party was at the forefront of the demand for complete independence from English colonial rule.
The Gadar Party, formed in the United States during the early 20th century, played a crucial role in India’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Despite facing surveillance, financial challenges, and internal conflicts, the party made notable contributions through publications, revolutionary activities, and inspiring future generations. The Gadar Party’s legacy stands as a testament to the determination of immigrants from the Indian Subcontinent to fight for justice and freedom, leaving an indelible mark on the shared history of India and the United States.
Famous revolutionary Bhagat Singh was inspired by Kartar Singh Sarabha and he used to carry Sarabha’s picture in his pocket and called him his hero. Congress party and Gandhi did not ask for complete freedom from colonial rule until 1930. Gadar Party heroes remain unsung by and large and very few people are aware of their sacrifices.
Creating period movies can be a daunting task, and Raz now faces the ire of censorship in India for presenting the truth. We express our utmost respect to these revolutionaries for their supreme sacrifices in the liberation of their motherland. Background Music and songs are heart-touching even some poems authored by ‘’Sarabha’’ himself are depicted in the film. He was an unbelievable human being with an amazing zeal for freedom and sacrifice.
I highly encourage you to watch this incredible and historically significant film, ‘Sarabha,’ at nearby theaters and hopefully, it will soon be available pay-per-view online and on Netflix. I give it 4.5/5 stars.
[Flim Sarabha: Produced and directed by Kavi Raz, based in Hollywood. A Former student of Yuba College.Language: Punjabi with English subtitles. Recommend for all audiences.]