A tribute to the poets of the Guru Granth Sahib

Meera Dewan’s latest documentary, Dhun Mein Dhyan: Meditations in Music in the Guru Granth Sahib, captures the contribution of ‘Sufi and other multi-faith poets, who lived centuries and geographies apart’ in the making of the holy book of the Sikhs.

“The series of films that I have been making in Punjab, including my last film, Gur Prasad, which celebrated the food sharing tradition, Langar, led to a deep admiration for the universal messages of compassion and humanism in Sikh philosophy. While researching, I learnt how a Muslim weaver from Benares, a farmer from Rajasthan, a barber, a cobbler, a Sufi saint, a blind poet, among others, are some of the writers who contributed to create the universal vision that we are all born from the same light,” says the filmmaker.

The documentary will be screened on September 18 at the India International Centre, as part of Open Frame Film Festival - Public Service Broadcasting Trust.

“Inni Kaur, who is a noted global scholar of Sikh philosophy, who has spoken extensively about the multifaith aspects of the Granth Sahib at various global seminars, is featured in the film. Bhai Kultar Singh ji, the 14th generation Raagi, whose family has been singing verses from the Guru Granth Sahib ever since it’s been compiled, has contributed the verses in the film, and also explains the musicality within the Granth [written in 31 ragaas]. Popular artist Arpana Caur’s paintings capturing the journey of Guru Nanak to Mecca, Ladakh and other places along with Bhai Mardana, who was a rabab player, add visual appeal to the film,” she adds.