Khaleej Times Online - 4 August 2004 | Mumbai Musings
4 August 2004
[India] Docu-lectures a new weapon to combat communalism
by Nithin Belle
ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), was set up about six months ago by activist Shabnam Hashmi, and a few others, as 'an inclusive institution' in which every one who stands for democracy, secularism, justice and peace could participate. The organisation works on issues related to communalism in India.
Shabnam, sister of playright-activist Safdar Hashmi (who was killed about 15 years ago while staging a play against corruption in Uttar Pradesh), has been travelling around India, conducting workshops and seminars on issues relating to communalism.
"We organised about 18 such five-day residential camps all over India," says Shabnam. "We found the response was tremendous. But the problem was that for every one camp we held, there were requests for 15 more from neighbouring cities and towns."
Unable to accede to all the requests, Anhad has compiled a package of 15 docu-lectures, four documentary films, and an audio CD, covering various issues revolving around the theme of communalism. "This is an excellent resource material to sensitise diplomats, activists, political workers and the youth about these issues," explains Shabnam. The lectures, covering various aspects of communalism, delivered by eminent intellectuals, were converted into lively documentaries of about 25-minutes duration, by Gauhar Raza, an eminent documentary filmmaker.
The IIT engineer-turned-activist has made documentaries like The Delicate Space-ship (on nuclear disarmament), In Dark Times (an anti-fascist documentary), and In Search of Love (a film on child rights). He also did a documentary on the Gujarat communal carnage - Evil Stalks the Land - conducting interviews of victims at the height of the riots.
The Anhad package - called In Defence of our Dreams - includes Evil Stalks the Land and another of Raza's documentary, In Dark Times. Two other documentaries include Final Solution a documentary on Gujarat by Rakesh Sharma, and Unheard Voices by Saeed Mirza.
These docu-lectures and documentaries are aimed at school and college students, and NGO activists, and focuses on the concept of secularism, and also fights hatred," says Shabnam.
Prominent contributors to the docu-lectures include Prof Mridula Mukherjee, Mihir Desai, Prof S.K. Thorat, Nivedita Menon, Prof Bipin Chandra, Rajdeep Sardesai, Harsh Mander, Rizwan Qaisar, Dr K.M. Shrimali, Ram Puniyani, Praful Bidwai, Pralay Kanungo, Sohail Hashmi, Digant Oza, and K.N. Panikkar.
According to Shabnam, the project was conceptualised by a few experts, creative artists, and individuals who aspire for a secular, democratic and harmonious Indian society. Anhad has already sold about 500 packages, including 200 abroad, mainly in the US and the UK.
Docu-lectures a new weapon to combat communalism
by Nithin Belle
ANHAD (Act Now for Harmony and Democracy), was set up about six months ago by activist Shabnam Hashmi, and a few others, as 'an inclusive institution' in which every one who stands for democracy, secularism, justice and peace could participate. The organisation works on issues related to communalism in India.
Shabnam, sister of playright-activist Safdar Hashmi (who was killed about 15 years ago while staging a play against corruption in Uttar Pradesh), has been travelling around India, conducting workshops and seminars on issues relating to communalism.
"We organised about 18 such five-day residential camps all over India," says Shabnam. "We found the response was tremendous. But the problem was that for every one camp we held, there were requests for 15 more from neighbouring cities and towns."
Unable to accede to all the requests, Anhad has compiled a package of 15 docu-lectures, four documentary films, and an audio CD, covering various issues revolving around the theme of communalism. "This is an excellent resource material to sensitise diplomats, activists, political workers and the youth about these issues," explains Shabnam. The lectures, covering various aspects of communalism, delivered by eminent intellectuals, were converted into lively documentaries of about 25-minutes duration, by Gauhar Raza, an eminent documentary filmmaker.
The IIT engineer-turned-activist has made documentaries like The Delicate Space-ship (on nuclear disarmament), In Dark Times (an anti-fascist documentary), and In Search of Love (a film on child rights). He also did a documentary on the Gujarat communal carnage - Evil Stalks the Land - conducting interviews of victims at the height of the riots.
The Anhad package - called In Defence of our Dreams - includes Evil Stalks the Land and another of Raza's documentary, In Dark Times. Two other documentaries include Final Solution a documentary on Gujarat by Rakesh Sharma, and Unheard Voices by Saeed Mirza.
These docu-lectures and documentaries are aimed at school and college students, and NGO activists, and focuses on the concept of secularism, and also fights hatred," says Shabnam.
Prominent contributors to the docu-lectures include Prof Mridula Mukherjee, Mihir Desai, Prof S.K. Thorat, Nivedita Menon, Prof Bipin Chandra, Rajdeep Sardesai, Harsh Mander, Rizwan Qaisar, Dr K.M. Shrimali, Ram Puniyani, Praful Bidwai, Pralay Kanungo, Sohail Hashmi, Digant Oza, and K.N. Panikkar.
According to Shabnam, the project was conceptualised by a few experts, creative artists, and individuals who aspire for a secular, democratic and harmonious Indian society. Anhad has already sold about 500 packages, including 200 abroad, mainly in the US and the UK.
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